New RTV - Thanks For All The Advice

bczoom · Sep 8, 2005

( Brian,

That looks like a good setup but I'd hate for my guns to be out in the elements, even if they are in a Kolpin boot. When I had Kolpin boots on an ATV I would sometimes get a lot of water from moisture and condensation inside when it was raining or snowing. I personally would feel better with some type of gun boot or case inside the cab. I've been considering a floor mounted gun rack but that takes up a lot of room in the front, but I guess you could always remove it when three people are riding. I also like the gun scabbard. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

You mean one of these ?

Fred,

I have mine mounted on the side of the cargo box in one of the Kolpin boots (pic attached). The way I figure it, if I'm hunting in the elements, everything needs a thorough cleaning anyway as the rifle will spend most of its day outside the boot anyway.

Brian

ajdillon · Sep 8, 2005

The other things I like about the Mad Dog gun scabbard: the center pocket holds a box of ammo: you can load/unload your rifle from either side; and, I keep my rain pants in one side pocket and my rain jacket in the other, making for a nice pair of headrests/back cushions.
Andrew

Tact · Sep 8, 2005

Brian,

That's what I'm talking about except inside the cab. I like for my gun to be with me depending on what I'm hunting for. It sure would be nice to hunt deer from the inside of my cab where the heat is. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Many time when we rabbit hunt with dogs we ride, and you'll need your gun when you least expect it, so I need it close by.
I'd like to see someone come up with a mounted gun case or rack that would also work for a bow. It's kind of a pain trying to drive, hold your bow, and dodging briars whipping in at you.

bczoom · Sep 8, 2005

( Brian,

That's what I'm taking about except inside the cab.)

Although not pictured, in the description and from pics I've seen, this one does mount in the floor of the cab. I don't hunt from my cab so the one I have now (and that other one I mentioned) will probably remain my approach.

( It's kind of a pain trying to drive, hold your bow, and dodging briars whipping in at you.)

Ahhh, come on now... who said hunting (especially while driving) was going to be easy?

Tact · Sep 8, 2005

( Last one - the gun scabbard from Mad Dog Stearns and the dome light I posted about before.
Thanks again for all the help/advice.
Andrew )
Ajdillon,

Do you notice if the scabbard interferes with the closing of your doors? My over/under shotgun measures roughly 46" overall so I would need something to span over the roll cage bars as yours does. The distance between the bars against the mesh cage is too narrow. I may end up going with the floor mount rack but I like the protection you get with the scabbard.

ajdillon · Sep 8, 2005

I think the overall length of the scabbard, with both ends unrolled, is 54". If you look carefully at the picture you'll see that in my RTV the rolled up ends are both extended to about the outside edge of the ROPS. In that position there is no problem closing the cab doors. Of course, you could always take the Chicago solution ( I grew up there ) and saw a few inches off your shotgun ;-)
Andrew

Tact · Sep 8, 2005

Andrew and Brian,

Both of you have good setups, advantages to both ways. Although I'm leaning towards the scabbard mainly for the protection, being inside of the cab, and the small storeage compartments, you know there's none in the RTV.
Now what about the bow?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Fred

bczoom · Sep 8, 2005

( Now what about the bow?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Fred )

Don't archery hunt from the drivers seat!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kidding aside, I would think a way of attaching something like the Kolpin Gear Grips (part # 20085) somewhere. They're made to fit on an ATV rack but probably could be setup to connect elsewhere. If they were attached to the top rear of the ROPS in an inverted (upside down) position or on the bottom facing up, your bow could fit against the rear cage.

I built a 3/4" bar that spans the top front of the ROPS so I could use ATV rack/handlebar type accessories. It was pretty easy to build and install. On mine, I have the GPS/Cell holder, pistol holder, spotlight, (2) mirrors...

Brian

Tact · Sep 8, 2005

Brian,

Do you have a pic of your bar setup. That may work for me. I also thought of just a plain truck rear windshield gun rack with the hooks. Maybe the Kolpin Grips are the same type of application?

Fred

BTW- Hunting from the cab makes it convenient to set your beer in the cup holder. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bczoom · Sep 8, 2005

Fred,

The pic I have doesn't show it very well. Let me go take a closer pic and post.

Brian

PS. Beer when hunting??? Don't you know that makes you pee too much? I thought a flask with something to keep you warm was the preferred method.