Chainsaw??

[RvNaut]

I do plan to do a lot of boon docking, but not on sketchy roads.. IOW..  If storage is removed from consideration, and I already own one, bring a chainsaw?

thnx

 

[B and C]

I carry a chainsaw. I think the bar is only about 9" long. It used to be a pole trimmer, I just removed the pole. It is nice to have along to process wood for a fire or heaven forbid, a tree fall across my escape route. I do tend to get a little further off the beaten path than the average bear though.

 

[hugemoth]

Oregon forrest service roads are often blocked by downed trees in the spring so having a chainsaw along would be useful. A winch to pull the tree put of the way would also be useful.

Becaise of limited space I choose not to carry my little Stihl chainsaw. If worse comes to worse I can break out my electric bread knife and go at it.

 

[user 423]

Just recently I ran over a small (3" or so) downed tree that had fallen across the road . Pretty good hit at 50 mph but it caused no damage to my van.
If I had had a chainsaw, I would have stopped and cut it up and got it out of the road. A little car would probably suffer damage.

 

[bullfrog]

I thought about a chainsaw for a while but since I had a tow strap already and I’m mainly in the desert I put a battery powered blender on the wish list ahead of it. Lol!!!

 

[RvNaut]

Thanks for the feedback... i will put in on the "nice to have if room allows" list, and it is always sellable down the road... of course it also means carrying mixed fuel, 2 cycle oil, file, bar oil, and the stink of all that...

I have a hatchet I bought for motorcycle trips... I have never had to use it. It sit by the front door as a last resort weapon of sorts... and it is so sharp I can shave hair off my arm with it... ... it will come for sure, but .. anywho.. I don't have to make that decision now, so I won't! pthbtbtb

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I carry a 21" folding bow saw and an axe.  In 6 years of traveling forest service roads and such.  I've never needed them to clear the road.

 

[RvNaut]

... Spiff...

But you hadn't had them, you would have wished you did... it is one of those laws of being prepared..

 

[B and C]

I carry a bow saw, hatchet and 3/4 axe. Forgot to add that my chainsaw is 120VAC. I only use the hatchet or axe for splitting. Never used my folding bow saw but it is there if the chain on the chainsaw breaks. I have an onboard generator so extra gas is not a requirement.

I tried carrying 2 cycle gas when I carried my little harbor freight generator. Not worth the hassle. I would leave the gas powered chainsaw behind as well as the 2 cycle gas. If you plan on regularly processing wood, it may be worth it for you. Make sure to put fuel stabilizer in the gas.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I got a small Milwaukee hacksall that is part of my 18 volt battery tool kit, it will cut 8;inch trees no problem with the right blade then I can use it to cut steel or anything else by changing blades and recharge the battery off my solar or while driving.

 

[MrNoodly]

"nice to have if room allows"

That's the tradeoff for a lot of things we might take with us. Something that's always taking up room, every day, but you might need it only a handful of times, if ever.

 

[wayne49]

Ryobi reciprocating saw with a 9 inch wood cutting blade. My "chain saw".
Used, so far, only for trimming small to large branches that protrude into the base RV space.

Also carry a bow saw, hatchet with hammer head, shovel, and a pick. Never used on the road.

 

[MrNoodly]

...a bow saw...

Stores nice and flat, doesn't need fuel, no worries about it starting...

 

[B and C]

Dang, now you got me thinking about my milwaukee reciprocating saw. Assortment of 9" and 12" wood blades and some short metal blades could be handier. Easier to replace the blades than find short chains. The metal case will make it bigger than my chainsaw. Hmmm.

 

[highdesertranger]

Hot tip on Sawzall blades or reciprocating saw whatever you want to call it. Milwaukee makes a special pruning blade that is Fleam ground. it cut's wood like nothing you have ever used. they come in various sizes. try one you won't be sorry,

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Accessories/Cutting/SAWZALL-Blades/SAWZALL-Pruning-Blades

highdesertranger

 

[user 423]

There are also circular chainsaw blades available for angle grinders.

(Can't do a lonk on this tablet)

 

[MG1912]

Bahco or Silky folding saw and a small axe or hatchet will handle most vanlife wood processing needs.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I once watch someone start cutting branches out of a 25 foot tree with one of those folding saws, a good quality one I assume, because he almost cut the whole tree down branch by branch and in very little time. Some of those little saws are amazing.

 

[bullfrog]

Please remember to check if cutting is allowed where you are at before pulling out the tools as most of us camp in areas with restrictions. We don’t want to loose more access than we have already.

 

[highdesertranger]

great point by Mr. Frog.

that reminds me in several areas you need a permit to even use a chainsaw.
chainsaws are also mentioned in fire bans depending on the stage.

highdesertranger