Lately, I've been kicking a new idea around in my head that is a modification of Just Jeff's all-in-one (http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearPackCoverGearHammock.html) - a combination water bag, bath basin, dish pan made of sil-nylon that could also be a pack cover. The modification is to make something similar to bathtub floor for a tent that is roughly the size of the back of one's pack - flat on the bottom and with shaped sides so the water presure would hold it in place when used as a large basin / tub - instead of making it flat. A smaller basin could be formed by putting one end over a large log or rock.

The edges would be fitted with a casing / cord with a locking pull to fit it over the pack and form the water bag as in Just Jeff's model. It could also become a gravity feed water purifier (similar to RJ's hiker's friend) and a backcounty shower if a hose connection was added just as Jeff's invention. It could also still function as a gear hammock. What would be lost would be the use as a mini-tarp / vestibule.

Thanks Papa John. The link above has been fixed (I think :o)

http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearPackCoverGearHammock.html

Yep, you got it that time!!!

You'd have to seam-seal it (mine doesn't have seams except for the casing) but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Re: the hiker's friend, any water bag can do that - just use something to hold the filter at the bottom (like a rubberband), and you can run the tube over the edge so you don't have to put a hole in the bottom.

Actually, if you use shockcord for the drawstring, it's probably not a good idea to use it as a tarp anyway - one of the BGT testers had a stake pull out and slingshot past her, so we quit recommending that use on the JRB one. So the loss of the tarp function may not be an issue anyway.

Let us know how it works if you make the change!

It's a good idea with several uses, but I wouldn't use my wash basin/dish pan to hold my drinking water. I used to use the bottom of a collapsible water jug as a wash basin and that was a PITA to keep clean. I realized my lid, spoon, and cup all fit in the pot, so that is the wash basin.

It's sort of like when folks say "A bandana is so multiple use. I filter water, use it as a sweatband, dish towel, etc." Just one bandana won't do all that.

In terms of a bath basin, I just use a platy top (or soda cap) drilled with holes to work as a sprinkler. If you find that the platypus is slippery while washing hands, make a holder out of an onion bag and attach a loop of string so you can hang it and tip it. Not a problem though when hiking with a partner. A 3l platy then becomes a shower also if you are so inclined.

Lately, I've been kicking a new idea around in my head that is a modification of Just Jeff's all-in-one (http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearPackCoverGearHammock.html) - a combination water bag, bath basin, dish pan made of sil-nylon that could also be a pack cover. The modification is to make something similar to bathtub floor for a tent that is roughly the size of the back of one's pack - flat on the bottom and with shaped sides so the water presure would hold it in place when used as a large basin / tub - instead of making it flat. A smaller basin could be formed by putting one end over a large log or rock.

The edges would be fitted with a casing / cord with a locking pull to fit it over the pack and form the water bag as in Just Jeff's model. It could also become a gravity feed water purifier (similar to RJ's hiker's friend) and a backcounty shower if a hose connection was added just as Jeff's invention. It could also still function as a gear hammock. What would be lost would be the use as a mini-tarp / vestibule.

The commercially available model of Jeff's Gear hammock / Pack Cover from Jacks 'R' better already serves as a pack cover .... Link http://216.83.168.206/index_files/Jeffs%20Gear%20Hammock-Pack%20Cover.htm

This really is a great piece of utility gear....also, it works as a shower by only hooking three tabs in the water bag mode and simply inserting a finger at the low tab for a dowse of water, soap up, repeat...

Pan

It's a good idea with several uses, but I wouldn't use my wash basin/dish pan to hold my drinking water.Good point. Since there are two dinos, one pack cover could be the dish pan, bath, etc and the other could be the water holder, filter, shower.

Jeff, thanks for the warning about shock cords and stakes. :eek:

Peter-Pan, thanks for the link to your JRB product. Will it work with an external frame pack. The male dino uses a Kelty Trekker 3950.

Good point. Since there are two dinos, one pack cover could be the dish pan, bath, etc and the other could be the water holder, filter, shower.

Jeff, thanks for the warning about shock cords and stakes. :eek:

Peter-Pan, thanks for the link to your JRB product. Will it work with an external frame pack. The male dino uses a Kelty Trekker 3950.


The large will fit the external frame pack...Bonus...you'll have a bigger "tub" that way as well.:D

Pan

I have been looking at Jack's All-In-One and it seems a really handy thing to carry. I was wondering if anyone had ever made one from Tyvek? I have read conflicting reports here on Tyvek's waterproofness which makes me question it's ability to hold water. Using it as a water storage tank would be it's most useful attribute to me, at this point.

If one could fasion a Jacks All-In-One from Tyvek, would it be okay to use the Tyvek tape or would it be better to sew it?

People use tyvek tape for tarp ridgelines and I haven't heard of the tape failing - I don't see a reason it wouldn't hold a simple hem like this. But I don't have a lot of experience with Tyvek, either.