gear storage

[allicat 0]

I am new to the sport and recently purchased my own gear. I was wondering about storing my gear when I'm not using it. I know it should not be in direct sunlight but what about high heat (like the trunk of my car in the summer)? Any other suggestions or things I shouldn't do with it that I should know about? Thanks for your help.

[fundgh 0]

Treat it like a case of beer that you are storing for later use! No heat, No UV, No extreme anything. I use a plastic bin that I bought at the hardware store for 4 bucks and it has a lid and is stackable. It is a great way to keep/transport all of your gear. Get a big one with lid and handles and wheels and you are set!

...FUN FOR ALL!

[skybytch 273]

Some tips here.

[BoobieCootie 0]

See here
Now tell me exactly where you parked your car

[allicat 0]

LOL. Thanks for the tips. Now I know not to leave it in my trunk (luckily I only did that once).

[councilman24 37]

Do NOT leave your rig in the trunk of your car unless you have to. Then don't do it routinely. A customer worked out of town and went straight to the dropzone for a whole summer. He had his rig in the trunk most days. When I opened the reserve to inspect it it took forty pounds of force to pull the OPEN FREE BAG off the reserve canopy. Some freebags are made of coated nylon. In this case the coating has stuck to the canopy fabric. It probably would have worked at terminal but in a cutaway it most certainly would have been delayed.

This is only one of the many reasons you shouldn't store your rig in the trunk. Think of your trunk as a 200 degree oven. Your you store your rig there?

Obviously for travel, overnight, even for a week in moderate temperature nothing much should go wrong.

Controlled room temperature (where your comfortable), dry, and dark are appropriate. Also I know a flying museum that keeps them near their paint stall. I wouldn't keep them around any chemically noxcious vapors or fumes either.

ZP can take a set and come out like a brick. Store it open or repack after ### insert time here ###. Everyone has a different idea. Mine's two months for the main and one month for the PC. Reserve in cool dry place for quite awhile.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[allicat 0]

Wow, thanks. I had no idea but it makes sense. Now I am concerned about the one day I left it in my trunk which was yesterday. It was 80 degrees outside. I haven't jumped it since yesterday - do you think it'll be ok?

Now I just need to figure out what to do this summer when I go to the DZ straight from work. I guess I'll have to lug it into my office.

[councilman24 37]

I wouldn't worry about a few hours or a few days. It's not good but most all of us have done that. This was 4 summer months when it didn't leave the trunk except to be jumped.

One option for work and the trunk may be a cooler. Not with ice but just as insulation.

Terry

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[Dumpster 0]

In addition to all the good advice above, if you'll be taking a break for any length of time, you may want to pull your PC out of the pouch to keep the spandex from stretching out. It will develop a "memory" over time and may not hold the PC as securely. (A tip I got from one of our riggers on Safety Day this year.)

Question for everyone/anyone. When the rig is setting in a car trunk, or in my case, behind the seat of my truck, in a bag and away from sunlight, how hot is too hot? I plan on jumping as often as I can after work, and I'm just wondering if I should make it a habit of taking it into the plant with me. I can stick a thermometer in there and check -

Easy Does It

[fundgh 0]

Your rig can't be that big, wear it! It looks cool, you're ready for anything, and you know it will be safe.

...FUN FOR ALL!

[nightjumps 1]

I just made this really kewl gear case and thought I'd share.

1) Go to your local Lowe's and buy the large plastic "Contico" SUV bin ($47.00)
2) There are 2.5 inch casters at Lowe's also, buy all four that pivot. Check the holes on the bottom of the SUV Bin to make sure they line up with the holes on the casters (each caster, $3.50 x 4 = $14.00)
3) In the hardware section, the casters require the 5/16 x 1.5" bolts. Buy 5/16 washers, lock washers and nuts (~$5.00).
4) Buy 4' of nylon 5/8ths rope (there is a symphony of color choices)

Place and mark the casters on the bottom of the SUV Bin and drill the holes for a 5/16th hole. Place all four casters with bolt heads on the inside with a washer and the lock washer and nut on the outside bottom. Drill two holes in the side of the SUV bin and stick the 5/8ths rope on eihter side and tie it off.

Makes for a perfect rolling gear bag for about $65.00, is very durable, takes 30 minutes to build and has a lock & key that comes with it.