PDA

View Full Version : Dana Loadmaster Long/Short/Flat-bed-Terrafame-T1 user opinions wanted


wildyorkie
08-02-2006, 00:56
I am looking at getting an old Dana Design K-2 Loadmaster external frame
backpack, such as the Longbed or Terraframe. I have heard that the later
models had some improvements in the shoulder straps, hipbelts, the fabric,
the crosslinks and the lumbar pad. These improvements probably were made around 1999 or 2000. Can some Dana external frame users please give me some tips on what to look for?

Questions:

1) Did later model TerraFrames integrate the lumbar pad and its mounting
sleeve with the packbag itself?

2) The crosslinks changed from fiberglass to carbon fiber
http://tinyurl.com/mynwv (http://tinyurl.com/mynwv). Was this to mainly save weight, or to provide a
more flexible or a stronger frame? Anyone try both? And how can you tell
whether the crosslinks are one or the other by looking at them?

3) Is this the most comfortable shoulder harnesses http://tinyurl.com/lh6yx (http://tinyurl.com/lh6yx)
and hipelt http://tinyurl.com/rne67 (http://tinyurl.com/rne67)

Thank you. - David
Blue Jay
08-02-2006, 12:19
Can some Dana external frame users please give me some tips on what to look for?

Questions:

1) Did later model TerraFrames integrate the lumbar pad and its mounting
sleeve with the packbag itself?

2) The crosslinks changed from fiberglass to carbon fiber
http://tinyurl.com/mynwv (http://tinyurl.com/mynwv). Was this to mainly save weight, or to provide a
more flexible or a stronger frame? Anyone try both? And how can you tell
whether the crosslinks are one or the other by looking at them?

3) Is this the most comfortable shoulder harnesses http://tinyurl.com/lh6yx (http://tinyurl.com/lh6yx)
and hipelt http://tinyurl.com/rne67 (http://tinyurl.com/rne67)

Thank you. - David

1) I don't know
2) To save weight. The original parts worked very well
3) I don't know.

What I do know is that my original longbed has over 6000 miles on it and other than a few parts I've replaced it is still the most comfortable pack I've ever worn and I've tried plenty. I have a replacement if this one ever wears out, but I don't believe I will have to use it.
wildyorkie
08-04-2006, 00:52
I am glad to hear that you like your Dana Loadmaster external frame pack. I have heard that nothing transfers loads to the sides of the hipbelt from the frame quite as good as the fiberglass Magic Wands patented by Dana Gleason and used in these packs.