Chainsaw?

[stef0597]

We plan on boondocking and my husband wants to bring a chainsaw. Can anyone tell me why we would do that???

[rmkrum]

If you get stuck and need to turn around, you may have to clear brush or cut down a tree to turn around. That said, there are many boondocking places where cutting brush or trees is very much against the law.

It’s far better to walk, or unhitch and drive ahead on the route without the trailer to be sure you won’t get in that situation.

[batman]

Heck yeah,
Boondocking you can use a chainsaw to clear downed trees and brush to get into or out of your camp spot.
They are also great for fire wood.

-Dennis

[moosetags]

We have always carried a Craftsman 19.2 volt battery powered chain saw. It only has a 10" bar but can handle small trees and heavy brush. We also carry pruning shears for lighter trimming. We have used these tools a number of times over the years. We use the pruning shears quite often.

Brian

[SeanK]

Perfect for clearing the tree that fell across your path. Handy in bear attacks. Really impressive showing off your juggling skills.

[mayco]

If a set of hand loppers can't do the job it's too big to cut by a citizen IMHO. As former superintendent and Chief of Park Police in Il, use of a chain saw on public park land, by the general public, is strictly prohibited.

[Westfork]

Alternatively you could carry a nice hand saw like those made by silky. It takes a little longer but still gets the job done up to about 2’ trees

[moosetags]

We carry a small bow saw also.

Brian

[stef0597]

Is this my husband!? Lol

[PKI]

A reciprocating saw that is battery powered is an alternative. Less mess and useful for a lot of projects. Hand saw is hard to beat, as well. A hack saw with a wood blade makes for a multi-purpose tool. Wood, metal ...... All good with right blade.

Husband needs to dial it down a bit. There are uses for such, but if you plan for problems, you may end up with them. If you plan to avoid, your outcome will be improved. Let the ranger clear the road. Let the woods person cut the fire wood. Travel light. PS, I did add a small hand axe to the tool inventory. Sometimes guys can't help themselves. . Pat

[uncle_bob]

Hi

I have a collapsible "bow" saw that has been camping with me for almost 60 years now. The blade has been replaced a few times. No gasoline of batteries to go dead. Very compact to stow. It will go through anything your 10" chainsaw will reasonably handle. If the blade gets dull, there's at least one spare in there as well.

It also is dead quiet ..... (not that this would *ever* matter to me .... )

Yes it does take arm power to operate. If you happen to be at 10,000 feet, that can be an issue. It also gets you to stop and think before you start wildly hacking everything in sight. Not a bad tradeoff.

Bob

[Ephraim]

Originally Posted by Westfork

Alternatively you could carry a nice hand saw like those made by silky. It takes a little longer but still gets the job done up to about 2’ trees

A good bow saw can cut faster than a chainsaw for any size that the bowsaw can be used on. I've used both. That being said, you do work up a sweat on any job using it.

[Bill M.]

You would do that because the man wants to carry a chainsaw.

Maybe you could run it in response if the neighbors generator sounds a bit loud. I hope it is a big, loud chainsaw. I see chainsaws in the backs of trucks camping in Montana pretty often. Maybe the saws just live in the truck year round.

We had to turn around and backtrack 30 miles on a bad dirt road because a tree was down across the road. But it was a 6' diameter ponderosa pine and an ordinary chain saw need not apply.

Where would you be boondocking? Would you be able to cut firewood? Legally?

[Ahroc]

Well... you might need to build a "bridge over the river kwai"!

[Ahroc]

My Dad always carried lots, of stuff... chainsaw. One winter in a snowstorm a tree fell and blocked a major road stopping traffic. Dad grabbed his chainsaw, started cutting, others started pulling pieces to the side, and traffic started flowing. Industrious people in action, no government rescue needed.

[Ephraim]

Originally Posted by mayco

If a set of hand loppers can't do the job it's too big to cut by a citizen IMHO. As former superintendent and Chief of Park Police in Il, use of a chain saw on public park land, by the general public, is strictly prohibited.

I'm wondering what "magical" thing a non-citizen has that gives them the ability to cut things with a chainsaw? You do know that superintendents and Chief of Park Police are still citizens, right?

There is no reason not to carry a chainsaw if you want to carry one. Just be aware of local ordinances and laws so you don't run afoul of them and use common sense with practical safety in mind.

[mayco]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

I'm wondering what "magical" thing a non-citizen has that gives them the ability to cut things with a chainsaw? You do know that superintendents and Chief of Park Police are still citizens, right?

There is no reason not to carry a chainsaw if you want to carry one. Just be aware of local ordinances and laws so you don't run afoul of them and use common sense with practical safety in mind.

Seriously? Why the attitude? Obviously there is NO problem carrying a chain saw, the problem is using it on public land....the liability issues are out the wazzoo. Geeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzz. It's against the law in most places that I'm aware of.

[dznf0g]

Where are you boondocking? I have seen fire roads where there are downed trees across the road. As well, I have seen very large and deep ruts across gravel fire roads. Downed wood can be cut and laid along the rut to fill it to a passable height.
So, depending where you are going, it is a good idea.

[Baby Zeppelin]

Prior to getting our Airstream we had an Aliner hard sided pop-up. Camped in the same campground every October with friends for a long weekend, then during one stay a terrible storm came through. There were trees down all over the place, luckily none falling on us.

The next morning, though, it took several hours to leave while waiting for the rangers to remove trees blocking the road every hundred yards or so. After that we brought a chain saw along to that campout, which guaranteed that no trees would fall.



Here we are waiting for the road to be cleared....

[batman]

Originally Posted by mayco

Seriously? Why the attitude? Obviously there is NO problem carrying a chain saw, the problem is using it on public land....the liability issues are out the wazzoo. Geeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzz. It's against the law in most places that I'm aware of.

Well the OP was talking about "Boondocking". I think that is what we were talking about?
So apparently you aren't aware of alot of places we "Boondock".
It is totally "legal" to cut "downed" wood on National Forrest (public land) almost everywhere I have been.
What liability issues? The Forrest service sells wood for $10.00 per cord, you have to cut it your self. That's California. I'm sure it's different where you go "Boondocking".

-Dennis