Thanks for the replies. Good insight there.

I mentioned in another thread, I bought a Jansport Scout e-frame for my son. He handles it fine, but I have it very well balanced and everything cinched up pretty tight. Also keep it on the lighter side as much as possible. He seems to handle it very well, with no shifting of load.

My internal frame pack weighs in at pretty close to 80 lbs loaded. Additionally, I carry the tent over one shoulder (I feel really off balance if I put it on top of the pack, and the food bag over the other. Not sure how that would feel on an e-frame with the weight moved further out from my back.

The weight I can't cut a lot, because I am hiking with 3 kids. But, since most of our campsites wind up being within a few miles of a trail head, it would almost be easier for me to hike in, dump our packs, then head back to the trailhead with the freighter frame to haul in the tent, water, food, etc.

It would have additional utility for hunting, and carrying firewood.