Weight limits for Terraplane?

“My gf and I are heading to the Guadalupe Mountains in TX for a 4 night trip. I recently bought a Terraplane LTW to replace my old internal frame. Here is the problem...with all the water we need to carry, my pack now ways in the 75 lb. range. I took it for a quick 45 minute shake down hike and my suspicions were confirmed..the pack belt began to slip, and the load tried to work its way down to my arse. Not good! I have tried all manner of adjustments, according to salesperson and Dana literature, to no avail. I am coming to the conclusion that this pack simply pukes at these weights, but wanted to get some of this boards opinions first. There are a few items I could ditch to save some weight (maybe 2 lbs or so) but the rest are vital items, as my GF's pack is already loaded to her carrying capacity. Any adjustment tips? I would also like to hear about your experiences in GMNP, particularly dealing with packing in water. Thanks!”

“Well, the water load is hard to change (unless there are reliable sources along the way that someone who's been there can reveal to you), but what are these vitals you're sure you can't cut back on?

After carrying 50lbs, half of it water, in the Badlands of ND, I certainly started looking differently at the other stuff I carried, which I had pared down considerably. Still, I now know I would leave more behind when faced with a choice between water and some gear.

This is a tough nut to crack in waterless regions.”

“We have hand carried water several times. You could get a couple of gallons off of your back that way. Use those big plastic orange juice bottles.”

“start with the waist belt higher than you would normally have it and tighten it down as much as possible. make it so the shoulder straps fit comfortably with chest strap pulled in as tight as you can and be comfortable, then pull load lifters in until you can feel it across your shoulders. as pack settles, make small adjustments to the chest strap (let it out a little) and loosen slightly on the load lifters. this will probably be a continuous process. regardless of what you try, that is a lot of weight and you will not likely carry it without feeling it.”

“At that weight I doubt ANY pack would ride well. And because Dana packs are known for being comfortable with heavy loads (compared to other packs of similar size), you're lucky you don't have a different brand of pack because your predicament would prolly be even worse.

Unfortunately, when hiking a *dry* trail, packing sufficient water SUCKS no matter what pack you own.”

“I certainly concur with Buddur. My problem wasn't my pack, it carried quite well -- it was me having to hump the 50# load in high heat and low humidity that sucked. So you'll need to remember the conditions you'll be hefting those 75# in. If it's dry enough to need all that water, your system will be taxed by more than the weight.

Of course, if I had used a pack with poor suspension, it would have been much, much worse.”

“I have sorted all of my gear since my first post, just to double check to see what else I could leave...and came to the same conclusion as above...no matter what I leave I am looking at at least 70 lbs. Short of going to McHale I guess I am just going to have to live with it. Thanks for the tips!”

“I think that pack should handle it no problem. Have you adjusted the internal aluminum stay to the countours of your back? I find that helps to tweak it in a little more, sometimes by exagerating the curves.”

“Are you going to be able to cache any water that you can pick up later?
What did you decide about bringing stoves?
I agree that most of the weight is water but I still can't understand why your pack weighs that much. with two of you going it should be easier.
1 tent
2 bags
2 pads
1 set of warm clothes each
1 camera
food
water

what else?”

“I carried 58 pounds in a Terra Plane for a 7-night trip but that only included two liters of water.

I played with the adjustments and the aluminum stays and got a good ride out of it.

Wow, 75?.....not at my age!

After a couple of days it'll loose a few pounds.”

“The heaviest I've been with my terraplane (2000 D2 model not an ltw) is about 65 pounds and it rode fine. My hiking buddy has had his terraplaneX up to 80 with no complaints.

We adjusted our packs like blaume 66 suggested. I'd try that and see what it does for you.

Frankly the LTWs feel cheap to me, as if they couldn't handle a big load but that's just my opinion with nothing to back it up with.”

“Why do I get the feeling you're going to carry unnecessary items that your girlfriend thinks are vital...and you'll be carrying both yours AND your girlfriend's water?”

“I'm with WD here: 75# just seems like it must be overcompensating for something, even if you are carrying much of your GF's load. As Buddur and I have wondered, would you consider letting others evaluate your "vital" items list? I do think we would try very hard to be helpful, not nasty... right guys?”

“what else?"
walkindud

First aid items
scoop & toilet paper”

“Is there anyplace along your route that you could cache water?

If it's a in-n-out trip I'd cache some water for the trip out. That way at least you would be able to lose some of that weight fairly early.”

“Thanks for all the responses! After talking directly with the park I've found that hitching a ride to the other end of the park to start the trail is going to about impossible, so it looks like we will be hiking back to the trailhead in 2 days, resupplying, and then going out again, which means I can cut out alot of water. Thank god. When I bought the pack, the al. stay was fitted and it felt great with about 60 lbs, and we put on the belt for my waist size. Simply put I just don't think the belt on the terraplane LTW can take 75lbs. Some things I could ditch include an etrex, a field guide, and possibly some of my cookware. The rest is pretty much clothing. I am glad someone was able to read between the lines about what is "vital gear" (Buddur). My gf is carrying all her own water. This is only her second time out so I really don't want to make her miserable by loading her down like a pack mule, LOL.”

“loading her down like a pack mule
I resemble that remark.LOL

Other that the weight issue how do you like that pack? I don't know of anyone else who has one.”

“I'd much rather carry Cameron Diaz around on my back than a 60 pound pack!!!”

“Well, I will know how I like the pack better once I hit the trail with it, as it it literally brand new. I loved it in the store, with about 60-65 lbs. in it. I live 3 hrs. from any backpacking store, so I didn't get to shop around as much as I would have liked. Still, I tried on a bora 95, Osprey crecent 90, Glacier, REI Newstar, and a Gregory model I can't remember. They all rubbed my shoulders big time. However, most of the sales people were not very keen on fitting...most were happy merely to measure my spine, weight up a pack and snug the various straps down. At the store I bought the pack from, they actually took probably 30-45 mins to get stays bent, proper hip belt, etc. This is probably the biggest factor in my purcase of the LTW. If I had gotten that good of a fitting with the packs listed above (this store had dana's, not the above mentioned packs)my purchase may have been different, who knows? Anyways, back to the pack. The workmanship seems to be high, so I wouldn't really worry about Dana's move to Mexico. I was worried about that too but so far doesn't seem to be an issue. I would have liked a side zip on the main bag somewhere, but with the two external pockets (plus the wet rib they threw in for free) I can easily access anything I would need really quickly. Already I can tell you that I would like to see a beefier belt, but perhaps if I can keep the weight more managable this won't be in issue. I can reach the wand pockets with ease, but then I have ape-arms :)
I will have a much better review for you guys when I get back from my 4 day trip.”

“I rarely if ever use the side zips on my Terraplane X.”

“"....the workmanship seems to be high..."

Where does the word "marijuana" come from anyway?”

“Remember when the Simpsons were at the amusement park and there was a sign showing a hippie having very red eyes and the saying "You Have To Be This High To Go On This Ride!"?”

“I dig the side zips on my astralplane. If I'm on the trail and realize I need to access something that's buried in the bag, then I can use the side zips without having to:

a) undo the top lid straps
b) Undo both bag closures
c) root around from the top down and mess up the packing of everything
d) close it all back up.

It's just ziiiip, ah there it is. Slightly perverted, I know.”

“I try to keep the easily grabbed gear I may need, like munchies, raingear or warm coat, in the easily accessed lid or vertical pockets. Maybe that's why I don't use the sidezips very often.

If I purchased my Dana pack in Feb. 1999, the very day they arrived at the outfitters and straight fom the box to my possession, does that mean it was one that was made in Mexico, or was it one of the last ones to be made in the good'old USA? Anybody know???”

“I have a Terraplane that I bought about six years back, before Dana was bought out. I have had 65 lbs in that pack and it is BY FAR the most comfortable pack I've ever worn. Maybe they've changed the hipbelt but mine is extremely comfortable.

I once carried about 75 lbs because I had to bring all of my water. I used an external pack and I was uncomfortable. I haven't packed my Terraplane with that much of a load, but I can't imagine being comfortable with any pack at that weight.”

“I do as well Buddr, but there's always that something that ya need to get out in a hurry for some unforseen reason.

I answered your question on another thread. If it came with a tag that was signed off on by the people who constructed the pack in various stages, then it's a Bozeman pack. Otherwise, it's mass produced in Mexico.”

“Dang man! I filled my Terraplane-X with old gear, clothes, etc. and that thing is HUGH. I don't think I ever filled it up all the way to see how big it could really be, but looking at it, I'll bet I could weasle my way into it and close the drawstring top above me.

I also filled my Gregory Reality up, and that baby fits tons more than I thought also. Makes me wonder if I'll ever use my Dana again?!?!”

“Buddr:

Why wouldn't you? Take a longer trip and you will be glad you have it!”