Kelty External Frame for Backpacking my 16x20 camera

[Hugo Zhang]

Hello Everyone,

I have a Pelican hard case to haul my 16x20 gear around my car on paved roads. But I feel I will need a backpack to carry the gear for occasional hiking trips.

What do your guys use to haul your big gears? I am talking about 40-60 pounds of loads, not including my Ries A tripod with its head.

I have done some research and it seems Kelty Tioga 5000 will fit my need. I can squeeze my 24" wide camera into this bag and may have some space for a couple of holders.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.
Hugo

[Drew Wiley]

The older US mfg Kelty frames are better than the new ones, and can sometimes be
found used in good condition on Fleabay. But you need to find a frame which fits your
own shoulders and back, then customize the bag as needed. I am a strong believer in
external frame packs for heavy loads. My typical daypack with a Ries and 8x10 system
is around 75 lbs. Some of this is outdoor gear I just always leave in the pack so I don't have to worry no matter what the weather. The newer (imported) Kelty packs
have a tendency for the straps to bust with heavier loads.

[Vaughn]

I use a MEI Travel pack (Trekker II is the closest recent model to what I have.)

http://www.meipacks.com/TravelPacks01.html

I use it to haul 45 to 55 pounds of 8x10 and stuff -- Ries A-100 tripod over my shoulder.

Internal framed packs seem to be easier to take on and off in the field -- with any design there will be trade-offs.

Vaughn

[evan clarke]

I use a Bull Pac frame for my 11x14. This frame has a perpendicular bottom shelf on it which gives a bottom support for the camera to rest on. I have rigged quilted fabric on the frame which allows me to fold fabric over the camera like you would a lens wrap, corner to center. I fixed 2 quick release nylon straps to the frame which goe around the camera and cloth to hold everything in place. I place the camera on the frame, resting on the bottom shelf, the folded dark cloth on top of that, 3 holder on top of that, wrap the cloth and secure the 2 adjustable straps. It's a breeze to use..Evan Clarke


http://www.bullpacs.com/ The link

[Robert Oliver]

I use the Kelty Super Tioga 5500 for my regular backpacking with 4x5...

should work great for your usage. It carries a heavy load very easily, and can be had inexpensively.

Hugo, let me know if you want to borrow it to give it a test run. I'm up in Orange County every once in a while.

[Sal Santamaura]

...it seems Kelty Tioga 5000 will fit my need. I can squeeze my 24" wide camera into this bag and may have some space for a couple of holders...

I'm not so sure about that. While Kelty specifies the width

http://www.kelty.com/p-40-tioga-5000.aspx

at 24 inches, that's probably an outer, overall dimension, incliding side pockets. I use a Kelty Super Tioga

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...ed=0CBkQ9QEwAQ

which appears about the same size. However, the top compartment's hold-open bar (which is also present on the Tioga 5000) limits one to cameras no wider than 13 inches.

I suggest that you consider having Chamonix sew something that custom fits your big new camera and is compatible with the Kelty Cache Hauler frame:

http://www.kelty.com/p-272-cache-hauler-frame-only.aspx

[Robert Oliver]

took a tape measure to mine... doesn't look like you'll even be close

[Hugo Zhang]

I'm not so sure about that. While Kelty specifies the width

http://www.kelty.com/p-40-tioga-5000.aspx

at 24 inches, that's probably an outer, overall dimension, incliding side pockets. I use a Kelty Super Tioga

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...ed=0CBkQ9QEwAQ

which appears about the same size. However, the top compartment's hold-open bar (which is also present on the Tioga 5000) limits one to cameras no wider than 13 inches.

I suggest that you consider having Chamonix sew something that custom fits your big new camera and is compatible with the Kelty Cache Hauler frame:

http://www.kelty.com/p-272-cache-hauler-frame-only.aspx

I was looking at this last night. Maybe I just wrap my camera in a sleep bag and strap it to this frame.

[Hugo Zhang]

I use a Bull Pac frame for my 11x14. This frame has a perpendicular bottom shelf on it which gives a bottom support for the camera to rest on. I have rigged quilted fabric on the frame which allows me to fold fabric over the camera like you would a lens wrap, corner to center. I fixed 2 quick release nylon straps to the frame which goe around the camera and cloth to hold everything in place. I place the camera on the frame, resting on the bottom shelf, the folded dark cloth on top of that, 3 holder on top of that, wrap the cloth and secure the 2 adjustable straps. It's a breeze to use..Evan Clarke


http://www.bullpacs.com/ The link

Evan,

Can you post a picture or two how you strap your 11x14 on your carrying frame?

Thanks.

[Drew Wiley]

That Bullpac link sure looks interesting. I'm very skeptical of the current line of Kelty
products - more for REI weekender types than for real loads. Right now I'm rebuilding
a few older pack frames etc so I'll have spares in coming years.