Plans to Travel Across the US

Samedi · Jul 22, 2017

Hey everyone! I think this may be my first actual post! Anyway, my plan is to travel across the U.S. I'm going to be living out of my 4Runner and have been putting together ideas about what i would need in order to do this as comfortably as possible. I have plenty of time to plan and put money into this project (the set-up will probably end up being kind of costly). My list for must haves:

- Baja Rack (Mesh, sunroof cut-out)
- Tepui Tent (Ruggedized)
- An Organization System for Cooking and Storage
- Extra Battery System
- Refrigerator System
- Solar Panel System (Minimal)
- Rear Diff Re-locate Mod
- Rear Spare Tire Rack
- Battery Charger

My plan is to make it as comfortable as possible, while still retaining basics, this is just a day one planning list. If anyone can think of anything that would help my travels easier, I would really appreciate anything (no matter how far out there) anyone can think of. Was also thinking of maybe hooking up a small turbo on to the 4Runner, has anyone done this? I'll also be updating this post as I perform some of these modifications. Thanks everyone!

SacStateHornets · Jul 23, 2017

Traveling during the winter or summer? Northern or Southern route? I've had it snow in July in the Colorado mountains. So depending on time of year you may have a completely different laundry list of needs.

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Sifrk · Jul 23, 2017

Just out of curiosity, are you traveling alone? I don't have any experience I can tap into for advice. I just wanted to acknowledge how cool this trip will be.

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v_man · Jul 23, 2017

If you're traveling alone I'd skip the RTT and just sleep inside the truck. The money saved in MPG by not having a brick on top of your roof could be significant, especially if travel across the country and back...

transistor · Jul 23, 2017

I think finding places to set up a RTT every night could become a little burdensome, especially in more developed areas. That said, I gave sleeping in my truck a try a few weeks ago and did not like it one bit.

One thing that I would add to the list is a cell signal booster for out west.

TerraCrawler · Jul 23, 2017

With a good dual battery setup you may not find solar that useful. A group 31 is like 100 amp/hr. Biggest draw is likely your fridge at 1-2 amp/hr, but if you're going to stay camped for days its not a bad idea to juice up. I personally do not stay put long enough to worry about it.

1engineer · Jul 23, 2017

No offense OP, but for the mods you are going to do for this trip, you can stay about 100 nights in a so so motel.
Also, nobody has done a turbo...

3wbdriver · Jul 23, 2017

Pay the $80 up front for an annual National Park Pass. It will pay for itself very quickly at the going daily rates, and most national parks have free camping areas. I wished I'd had a RTT for my 2015 trip because I could have saved a bunch on hotels. I do have a Tepui now, and I concur with the above statement that it will negatively impact your mpg. But even back then I spent most of my trip at or below 65mph in a deliberate effort to save a little on mpg, and the RTT doesn't seem to have quite as bad an impact at less than 65.

Samedi · Jul 23, 2017

Hey everyone, thanks for all of the replies. Currently, I have no plans as far as a route, but I have a list of places I want to visit: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Colorado, Maryland, Vermont, and I'll probably throw a couple of other states on the list after I work out a route (I currently live in Arizona). I am really wanting to go with the RTT because I figure I can stay in there anywhere I want, even if it's in town I can just stop at a WalMart and sleeping on an elevated surface when in the back country will keep give me ease of mind against foraging animals. Also, I am planning on putting a shower underneath the ladder area so I can spend even longer without the need for hotels. Also, this rig will be doubling up as a hunting vehicle and I won't have to pack out as far. Don't really care about the MPG's as I may go with the 2-person just to save a little on weight. I'm thinking I'm going to need to invest in some different from the stock tires as well in order to be able to tread off the beaten path when I feel I want to. I've spent the night in the back of the 4Runner and it wasn't bad, but somehow, my battery was drained so I added to the list a battery charger, just in case. Was thinking about getting a sky lift just to make it easier in case of needing to change a tire. It really disappoints me that no one has done a turbo for this generation, but maybe I can blaze a path and do a nice write up. Thanks again everyone for the comments and questions, I'll update as I get more information and update the truck.

Samedi · Jul 23, 2017

Also was thinking I may get some lighter off-road rims in order to offset for the weight of the RTT. Currently, I have the stock 20's on there and I'm sure they weigh a ton.

fogcitysurfer · Jul 23, 2017

One thing to consider with buying a National Park pass is that the parks book up way in advance during the summer. So don't plan on just showing up and finding a spot during the summer months. That being said, the pass is great to have during the off season, well worth the money and my favorite time to travel.

phillyd2 · Jul 24, 2017

Having driven across the country I can say without a doubt that there is only one way to do it comfortably.

Otherwise its completely up to you how comfortable you want to be. Remember which country you are driving across – you will need to put some effort into even pretending to being somewhat sort of off the grid. It would be one thing if you wanted to take the very long scenic routes from woods to dirt back roads to off road to the middle of nowhere. But given the choice of sleeping in a Walmart parking lot and a Holiday Inn Express, well it’s not really a hard choice.

The one thing I found very helpful were the many available phone apps that were filled with tons of useful information. My two favorites for long drives are Waze and iExit which tells you what’s available at the next few exits.

Khjphoto · Jul 24, 2017

TRUCK STOPS are your friend

Don't forget TRUCK STOPS! Sleep in the Runner anywhere but shower on the cheep at Truck stops! I travel from PA - CA once or twice a year and seldom stay in motels. Sleep in the Runner and shower at the Truck Stop!

derryck · Jul 24, 2017

Khjphoto said:
Don't forget TRUCK STOPS! Sleep in the Runner anywhere but shower on the cheep at Truck stops! I travel from PA - CA once or twice a year and seldom stay in motels. Sleep in the Runner and shower at the Truck Stop!

Or you could just take some extra Old Spice with you!

Throwback · Jul 24, 2017

My sister and her husband do a huge two week road trip every year in their old Blazer. There have some Walmart tent that they use for sleeping at improved campsites and also stay at cheap motels here and there. They've seen everything from the Grand canyon to Michigan's UP to key West. They aren't on any forums and own very little in the way of "gear" for that sort of thing.

They probably qualify to be plastered all over the expedition portal forum for their actual travels but nobody cares about a two wheel drive Blazer with pep boys tires.

It appears your list would be fine, but you should acknowledge that it's totally unnecessary and everything you buy is 99% just for your enjoyment in purchasing it. Traveling the US just doesn't require much thankfully.

b407driver · Jul 24, 2017

Samedi said:
Hey everyone, thanks for all of the replies. Currently, I have no plans as far as a route, but I have a list of places I want to visit: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Colorado, Maryland, Vermont, and I'll probably throw a couple of other states on the list after I work out a route (I currently live in Arizona).

You can't possibly consider those states without taking a swing though Utah, can you? I couldn't...

TerraCrawler · Jul 25, 2017

Khjphoto said:
Don't forget TRUCK STOPS! Sleep in the Runner anywhere but shower on the cheep at Truck stops! I travel from PA - CA once or twice a year and seldom stay in motels. Sleep in the Runner and shower at the Truck Stop!

Showering at most truck stops is not cheap. I guess it depends on your definition of cheap though. If you're a trucker, and you do a fill up (50 gal minimum or whatever they call a fill up) then you get a free shower. But for those of us with puny 4runners, we would have to pay, which is typically $12-15 for a shower.

Contrast that with paying say $10 for a cheap campsite, which typically has shower facilities.........

TerraCrawler · Jul 25, 2017

Samedi said:
Also was thinking I may get some lighter off-road rims in order to offset for the weight of the RTT. Currently, I have the stock 20's on there and I'm sure they weigh a ton.

Serious overlanding will add 500-1000 lbs easily. I am not sure if its a good value to buy new rims just to save a few pounds, which its doubtful will save you anything close to the weight of an RTT (150 lbs or so with bedding).

That said, I personally think 20" rims got to go if you want to do serious overlanding. But I would not exchange them to save a few pounds, I would exchange them because they are out of place and the tires that go with those 20" rims are likely even more out of place..........and it should be said that the most important piece of gear on your vehicle is your tires, so for $750 or so you can have some new rims, and get you some new AT tires to go with it for maybe $1250 if you count the spare.

I don't know of anyone I have seen on here goto a RTT or teardrop or similar and regret it or switch back to sleeping inside the car itself. I think for $1500 or so an RTT is a smart choice.

Do you have a timeline in mind? Much of this stuff takes time to build. Some suppliers are 30 days out but some are 90. Some of the states you listed can be a bit harsh in the winter, so figure out when you want to get on the road, and then figure out what type of weather you will be outfitted and kitted for. I am full time, and my focus is going to states where the weather is fair for a given time of year.

greatape · Jul 25, 2017

Oh God, I've heard it all..OP not on you..PM me up sometime..I'm close so it's not like I have to stop at a truck stop and take $15 shower along the way

ToyoT4R · Jul 25, 2017

Samedi said:
I am really wanting to go with the RTT because I figure I can stay in there anywhere I want, even if it's in town I can just stop at a WalMart and sleeping on an elevated surface when in the back country will keep give me ease of mind against foraging animals.

You may want to research this a bit more. A lot of people sleep in their cars/vans in Walmart lots but pitching an RTT is very conspicuous. You may be asked to leave the premises if they see you setting up camp.
How long are you planning on being on the road? To get a proper RTT setup you're looking at $2500 at least fir tent and rack. This could pay for a month in hotels or Airbnb.

Plans to Travel Across the US

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