My food barrel harness made from old pack frame and some paracord. Then I put an old military day pack on it.

My first impression and thoughts on your barrel harness are, how well is this thing going to ride in a canoe? If you lay the pack down the army pack will stick up pretty high, high center of gravity and will catch the wind, 2 things to avoid if the lakes get rough, if you go army pack down same thing plus the pack might want to shift around in rough water. My other concern would be a weight issue, how much is this thing going to weigh when full? I would think this setup might be rather awkward getting it in and out of the canoe on a bad entry/exit portage. When full it might really pull the person backward when they are carrying it. On the plus side those pack frames are really comfortable to carry, and it should hold the kitchen sink if you want to take it along, my suggestion is pack it then try it out locally if you can, that way if you go turtle you can call a local tow service to help you get back to your feet, insert silly grin here. Be sure to let us know how well it works, I'm sure some more of our "younger" members might want to try something like this, I'm sure us old farts backs already ache just seeing it. FRED

The weight issue would me my concern. I usually only take 30L barrels so this seems pretty big. but, It could work. I would guess you are planning to "test" carry fully loaded before your trip.

I loaded all my food and some supplies in it last night. Weighed in at 50lbs. Was a little top heavy but not terribl . Its about the size of a large military Alice pack. We are young to so that helps. Lol .

Yeah, it looks a bit ungainly, but you're the one doing the carrying. I'll agree with the comment about how getting it in and out of the canoe could prove difficult - practice beforehand. Also, hopefully those tied cords don't loosen on you... nothing worse on a portage. Straps and buckles, maybe?

If you used paracord and it rains I believe the nylon will lengthen enough that the barrel will fall out. Paracord elongates when it absorbs water.

I think that's very ingenious what you've done there but Dan raises a very valid & important point. Your efforts might be better served by some webbing & ladder lock or cam lock buckles. You just can't avoid moisture on a canoe trip, especially sitting around in the bilge. I think polyester is low stretch... yes?

Thank you all so much for the helpful advice. I do have some webbing and straps on it.I will keep a close eye on the cord.I can still access the handles on each side. We are going to get the canoe out tommarow and try everything out. Thanks again!!!

I spent a little more time looking at your pictures and it appears those 2 brownish straps are probably part of the Army pack??? if it is the case then that should help to hold the barrel to the frame. If you haven't already used them I'd use the truckers knot on the para- cord, you can easily tighten it up if you need to. 50 pds and probably more to add??? Pretty heavy but sounds like your young and strong so your the one carrying it, unless your cleaver enough to get someone else to do it. FRED

Not to change things.
But I started out years ago with using 5 gal pails with lids. Just the other day, while cleaning up my camping stuff. I found an old Army surplus duffel bag.
Two 5 gal pails fit perfectly in the duffel bag, and the duffel (nylon variety) has shoulder straps.

Jim

I had a food barrel so heavy once that I couldn't carry it on my back. Two people had to carry it, one on each side. The food was good though!

Nice looking project; good job.

quote SaganagaJoe: "I had a food barrel so heavy once that I couldn't carry it on my back. Two people had to carry it, one on each side. The food was good though!


Nice looking project; good job. "

Thanks.

quote 1JimD: " Not to change things.
But I started out years ago with using 5 gal pails with lids. Just the other day, while cleaning up my camping stuff. I found an old Army surplus duffel bag.
Two 5 gal pails fit perfectly in the duffel bag, and the duffel (nylon variety) has shoulder straps.


Jim "

Thanks Jim . sounds like a good idea with the buckets and the duffel.