just sold my 2000 tacoma RECALL back to toyota and got a 2008 limited 4runner......i am planning a cross country trek starting in april....leaving rhode island and traveling south and then west. many plans and preparations ahead of me. i will start a blog to document the trip.........
cross country
- Thread starter turk
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CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
Cool... Look for a username Colemanfu; he has done a a fair amount of that and posted some great pics. Many others have done it too. Looking fwd to the blog and welcome!
spyne
New member
Or, as the late Douglas Adams suggests, a towel :nerd:
Last cross country trip was last summer from San Jose to DC via 80.
Gotta have: Wash cloth. You can freshen up at many rest rooms and rest stops with just a wash cloth. The soap from dispensers work in a pinch. When you're on the road for hours and hours each day, a damp wash cloth works wonders (keep it a little soap on it). Even if you're stuck at a place with only a drinking fountain or hand sink... you can still freshen up.
Bring your own soap. For places without soap dispensers, a bar of soap and that wash cloth helps greatly.
Truck stops aren't bad these days, especially the ones with showers. For a few bucks ($4-7) you get a nice shower, includes soap, shampoo and a clean dry towel. Doesn't hurt to call/plan ahead as some places are booked. Some places (e.g. the Ohio turnpike on I-80 IIRC) have "trucker" facilities which include a locking restroom/shower which is kept nice and clean by the gov't and are free. If you're not sure if they have one, ask. Pretty much if it says "truck stop" even if it's a hole in the wall, it may have shower facilities.
Flip flops. I may not think certain truck stops aren't that bad, but a pair of flip flops makes you feel secure.
An ice chest. Many places let you load up on ice and an ice chest will help keep your drinks cool and provide a ready source of water for the aformentioned washcloth.
I didn't bother with a sleeping pad/air mattress. Just a sleeping bag in the back was good enough. When you pull over because you're tired, you'll sleep anywhere. The sun WILL awaken you if you're not used to it and the inside of your 4Runner will warm up so park in the shade even if it's the middle of the night and away from the main portions (e.g. if you stop at a rest stop, park AWAY from the rest rooms). You may find that flipping down the sun visors helps a little.
Didn't need it, but pack pepto and a gun (or two). Arby's always sat easy (non-greasy roast beef sandwiches at $.99 and condiments galore) and pretty much exists everywhere.
Gas is cheapest at the truck stops and the best truck stops are usually at the outskirts of towns. Truck stops do lose power so if you're the unlucky sort, you could be stranded for up to a day while they figure out their genny (saw it happen twice around SLC).
Eastern NV is boring BUT don't speed too much. Lots of NHP (its my current state). Nebraska cops are bored and will issue fix it tickets (e.g. no front license plate).
Gotta have: Wash cloth. You can freshen up at many rest rooms and rest stops with just a wash cloth. The soap from dispensers work in a pinch. When you're on the road for hours and hours each day, a damp wash cloth works wonders (keep it a little soap on it). Even if you're stuck at a place with only a drinking fountain or hand sink... you can still freshen up.
Bring your own soap. For places without soap dispensers, a bar of soap and that wash cloth helps greatly.
Truck stops aren't bad these days, especially the ones with showers. For a few bucks ($4-7) you get a nice shower, includes soap, shampoo and a clean dry towel. Doesn't hurt to call/plan ahead as some places are booked. Some places (e.g. the Ohio turnpike on I-80 IIRC) have "trucker" facilities which include a locking restroom/shower which is kept nice and clean by the gov't and are free. If you're not sure if they have one, ask. Pretty much if it says "truck stop" even if it's a hole in the wall, it may have shower facilities.
Flip flops. I may not think certain truck stops aren't that bad, but a pair of flip flops makes you feel secure.
An ice chest. Many places let you load up on ice and an ice chest will help keep your drinks cool and provide a ready source of water for the aformentioned washcloth.
I didn't bother with a sleeping pad/air mattress. Just a sleeping bag in the back was good enough. When you pull over because you're tired, you'll sleep anywhere. The sun WILL awaken you if you're not used to it and the inside of your 4Runner will warm up so park in the shade even if it's the middle of the night and away from the main portions (e.g. if you stop at a rest stop, park AWAY from the rest rooms). You may find that flipping down the sun visors helps a little.
Didn't need it, but pack pepto and a gun (or two). Arby's always sat easy (non-greasy roast beef sandwiches at $.99 and condiments galore) and pretty much exists everywhere.
Gas is cheapest at the truck stops and the best truck stops are usually at the outskirts of towns. Truck stops do lose power so if you're the unlucky sort, you could be stranded for up to a day while they figure out their genny (saw it happen twice around SLC).
Eastern NV is boring BUT don't speed too much. Lots of NHP (its my current state). Nebraska cops are bored and will issue fix it tickets (e.g. no front license plate).
thanks for posting info, etc....im locking it all in the cerebral rolodex......
since im spending close to 3 months in my rig, i will be putting a futon mattress in the back. i think i will come to appreciate that one luxury i am affording myself. plus i will have my trusty k9 with me and it will give him a space to lounge in while we are on the road......
mattress, cooler, skeeter beaters for the windows and showering essentials........its not exactly "roughing it", but its also not living high on the hog either......should be fun!!!!!
now i just need to nail down my route!
since im spending close to 3 months in my rig, i will be putting a futon mattress in the back. i think i will come to appreciate that one luxury i am affording myself. plus i will have my trusty k9 with me and it will give him a space to lounge in while we are on the road......
mattress, cooler, skeeter beaters for the windows and showering essentials........its not exactly "roughing it", but its also not living high on the hog either......should be fun!!!!!
now i just need to nail down my route!
