SoFloT4Run
New member
Do you know of any decent trails close to us? Nothing too crazy. Mine is rwd.
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Cymon's Weekend Warrior and MFD Thread
- Thread starter Cymon
- Start date
Do you know of any decent trails close to us? Nothing too crazy. Mine is rwd.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
5280 TRail-Runner
New member
Hows does the switch fit? The site says the switch works for 2003 to 2009 model 4Runners. I assume if they work the Tacomas, it should work for the 5th gen 4Runners. Any pictures of it installed and in the on/off positions?
Cymon
New member
Pm'd
Cymon
New member
Most fit in the blanks and just snap in. I went with the AOB switches, they fit well and are plug-in-play.
Check Post #40 in the link below for my install.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/222282-cymons-weekend-warrior-mfd-thread-3.html
Cymon
New member
Juniper Springs (Ocala National Forest) 7/21-7/23/2017
One week after returning from Alaska, we headed out with the Florida 4runner’s group and Foxpeditions (Family Overland Expeditions) for a 3-Day 2 Night camping trip and trail riding in Ocala National Forest, with basecamp at the Juniper Springs Campground. It is about a 4-hour trip up from South Florida. The trip itself was set up as a family-style camping weekend, and we had enough people show up where we had a good portion of the south area of the campground with just our group. We arrived at about 9:00 pm on Friday night. The camp set-up at night with our two little ones was an adventure in itself. We have a 10-year-old 6-person ground tent, which is not what you would call a “quick deploy” tent (this would lead to a decision for some changes at the end of our trip). It took about 45 minutes to set up the tent, campsite, get all of the air mattresses and sleeping bags.
In the morning we woke-up, applied plenty of bug spray and ate breakfast. At about 9:30 am we met up with the rest of the group for a trail ride and to explore the forest. During the day we were met with rain and thunderstorms, which made the mostly non-technical trails a little more fun. The trails at Ocala can be very narrow at times, so we added a ton of new pinstripes. We headed back to camp mid afternoon to more thunderstorms. The worst part was we were unable to take advantage of the really beautiful cool, clear-water springs at the campsite to get out of the 90+-degree heat. At this point we gave the kids two options. Hang out in the tent or go back on the trail, lucky for us they picked going back out on the trail.
Some pics of the day, including finding some bear tracks (there were a ton in the area). One thing we learned from Alaska camping was to always pack bear-spray just in case, which we now have in our camping bin. Hopefully we never have to use it.
One week after returning from Alaska, we headed out with the Florida 4runner’s group and Foxpeditions (Family Overland Expeditions) for a 3-Day 2 Night camping trip and trail riding in Ocala National Forest, with basecamp at the Juniper Springs Campground. It is about a 4-hour trip up from South Florida. The trip itself was set up as a family-style camping weekend, and we had enough people show up where we had a good portion of the south area of the campground with just our group. We arrived at about 9:00 pm on Friday night. The camp set-up at night with our two little ones was an adventure in itself. We have a 10-year-old 6-person ground tent, which is not what you would call a “quick deploy” tent (this would lead to a decision for some changes at the end of our trip). It took about 45 minutes to set up the tent, campsite, get all of the air mattresses and sleeping bags.
In the morning we woke-up, applied plenty of bug spray and ate breakfast. At about 9:30 am we met up with the rest of the group for a trail ride and to explore the forest. During the day we were met with rain and thunderstorms, which made the mostly non-technical trails a little more fun. The trails at Ocala can be very narrow at times, so we added a ton of new pinstripes. We headed back to camp mid afternoon to more thunderstorms. The worst part was we were unable to take advantage of the really beautiful cool, clear-water springs at the campsite to get out of the 90+-degree heat. At this point we gave the kids two options. Hang out in the tent or go back on the trail, lucky for us they picked going back out on the trail.
Some pics of the day, including finding some bear tracks (there were a ton in the area). One thing we learned from Alaska camping was to always pack bear-spray just in case, which we now have in our camping bin. Hopefully we never have to use it.
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Cymon
New member
Juniper Springs (Ocala National Forest) 7/21-7/23/2017 Final Thoughts
After a night of off-and-on rain and some water leakage into the tent we packed up camp and got prepped for the ride home. At this point my wife and I decided we definitely needed to upgrade our camping gear/tent options. We decided we would invest in a nice ground tent with EZ-Up canopy as soon as we got back. On the way out of camp we met up with some of the families that were with us. One of the Foxpedition families had a 23zero Sydney RTT that my wife and I fell in love with, and thought it would eventually be a great addition when we had the budget for it. As we were leaving another family from Foxpeditions mentioned that they were selling their RTT and would sell it to us for a very good price as they were changing up their Overland setup/build.
After breakfast the storms started again so we headed for home hitting some trails on our way.
Final thoughts on the trip:
Overall it was a fun trip. We met some great families and people, including the members of Foxpeditions. Finally got to meet [MENTION=127657]codyHTX[/MENTION] and see his rig. Also got to hang out with [MENTION=119302]4RunnerAquasport[/MENTION] again, which is always a good time.
We learned a lot about our gear and where we need to improve and upgrade some of our set-up to make camping in Florida more bearable. It’s often wet, with tons of insects and other critters on the ground, so my wife and I had a long discussion on the ride home about if a better ground tent or RTT would fit our needs better and make camping more fun and enjoyable for our family. Stay Tuned!
After a night of off-and-on rain and some water leakage into the tent we packed up camp and got prepped for the ride home. At this point my wife and I decided we definitely needed to upgrade our camping gear/tent options. We decided we would invest in a nice ground tent with EZ-Up canopy as soon as we got back. On the way out of camp we met up with some of the families that were with us. One of the Foxpedition families had a 23zero Sydney RTT that my wife and I fell in love with, and thought it would eventually be a great addition when we had the budget for it. As we were leaving another family from Foxpeditions mentioned that they were selling their RTT and would sell it to us for a very good price as they were changing up their Overland setup/build.
After breakfast the storms started again so we headed for home hitting some trails on our way.
Final thoughts on the trip:
Overall it was a fun trip. We met some great families and people, including the members of Foxpeditions. Finally got to meet [MENTION=127657]codyHTX[/MENTION] and see his rig. Also got to hang out with [MENTION=119302]4RunnerAquasport[/MENTION] again, which is always a good time.
We learned a lot about our gear and where we need to improve and upgrade some of our set-up to make camping in Florida more bearable. It’s often wet, with tons of insects and other critters on the ground, so my wife and I had a long discussion on the ride home about if a better ground tent or RTT would fit our needs better and make camping more fun and enjoyable for our family. Stay Tuned!
Cymon
New member
Roof Top Tent
So it didn't take long. I had been in touch several times with some new friends from Foxpeditions (Family Overland Expeditions). As I mentioned in the Juniper Springs trip report, one of them was selling their RTT. It is a Mt. Rainier Extended Summit Series that they had only used 5 times. His wife loved the tent for their family of 4 and didn't want to get rid of it, but he was changing some things up on his build and this tent wasn't going to be part of the equation. They got it for a ridiculously good deal, and then said he would sell it to us for an even better deal. There is no way I would spend over $3k for a RTT for our use, but the price he was going to sell it to us for was too good to be true. After 3 nights of exhausted research and decision making, we decided to give the RTT a try as we would never be able to get this high-end of a tent for the price (I guess our guest-room futon we were going to buy will have to wait, besides they can now sleep in the tent). So last weekend we drove up to meet him and his family again and came home with it.
Now I'm just waiting for the Frontrunner quick release tent mounts to get back in stock to mount it up. We let it air out in the garage as the day we picked it up it was raining. I have since created a dolley storage solution for our garage. More pics and review to come hopefully sooner than later. We will definitely be trying it out Labor Day weekend for our camping trip in St. Augustine.
So it didn't take long. I had been in touch several times with some new friends from Foxpeditions (Family Overland Expeditions). As I mentioned in the Juniper Springs trip report, one of them was selling their RTT. It is a Mt. Rainier Extended Summit Series that they had only used 5 times. His wife loved the tent for their family of 4 and didn't want to get rid of it, but he was changing some things up on his build and this tent wasn't going to be part of the equation. They got it for a ridiculously good deal, and then said he would sell it to us for an even better deal. There is no way I would spend over $3k for a RTT for our use, but the price he was going to sell it to us for was too good to be true. After 3 nights of exhausted research and decision making, we decided to give the RTT a try as we would never be able to get this high-end of a tent for the price (I guess our guest-room futon we were going to buy will have to wait, besides they can now sleep in the tent). So last weekend we drove up to meet him and his family again and came home with it.
Now I'm just waiting for the Frontrunner quick release tent mounts to get back in stock to mount it up. We let it air out in the garage as the day we picked it up it was raining. I have since created a dolley storage solution for our garage. More pics and review to come hopefully sooner than later. We will definitely be trying it out Labor Day weekend for our camping trip in St. Augustine.
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Looks like a great trip with the family! Brings back many memories of getting lost in Ocala National Forest on my moto. One time I even started to panic (big time) as I had the stock gas tank since I mostly rode on motocross tracks. We were truly lost from our vehicles...miles away. It was not good. Had to drive the bike like it was a prius. But ultimately all the drama in my head was for naught cuz we made it back, filled up, and took off again. Fun place.
I'm near, I work/live on this area.
What do you mean you are at Costco, yourself or 4runners meeting?
Are these the same you mentioned my other post?. Mine is rwd so I'm looking for something nearby and nothing crazy.. never been I off-road guy anyways.. only got the bug for some off road trips after I bought the 4r..
I read Lazy springs is rwd friendly. but wouldn't go just me..
Nice pictures and trip Cymon..love and miss mountains
b407driver
New member
It's the 'Toyota Small' that fits the 5th gens. Looks perfect, think I just posted a pic in my build thread (linked below).
Cymon
New member
Thanks. The I just mentioned we as a family frequent the Costco over there.
Yes those are some of the trails I mentioned up in Ocala. 2wd can make it on most, especially the main trail roads. Some of the side stuff could be sketchy with deep sand or mud, but if you're with a group you would be fine.
I also miss the mountains. I honestly feel completely out of my element in the flatlands and try to get to them as often as possible. It suscks the closest mountains are a 10 hour drive.
calcrc
New member
Hi man, what were those paws in the sand near the tire tracks ?!?!?! Bear ? You guys have bears in Florida ! I thought you only had Alligators up there, seriously sorry for being ignorant lol
from where I'm from bear and palm trees don't mix ....
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Cymon
New member
Yes, black bear. We also had numerous sightings from people in our camp site. I read reports and park service information that there have been many spotted in the Juniper springs area with cubs prior going on the trip. That's why I bought a couple cans of this for my wife and I to have on us.
https://www.rei.com/product/623173/counter-assault-bear-deterrent-spray-81-fl-oz
It was the same stuff we carried with us camping in Alaska, and the people up there swore by it. With the grizzlies up there a shot from a firearm will just piss them off, but the bear spray messes with them (think highly concentrated pepper spray) enough for you to get away without having to use lethal force. I now always have it packed in our camping gear.
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
[MENTION=120701]Cymon[/MENTION], Anthony posted this that same weekend. [MENTION=85641]calcrc[/MENTION] Florida has LOTS of wildlife. Bear, Panther, Bobcat which are pretty big cats, and Coyote now. Not to mention non indigenous exotic species from all over the world I can't begin to list.
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Cymon
New member
I saw that...along with all of the other stuff you mentioned is one of the main reasons my wife got onboard with the rtt purchase!
5280 TRail-Runner
New member
I have AOB switches as well but recently installed a switch pro. Was looking for a switch for emergency lights and AOB doesn't have one so wanted to see how the CH4x4 looked compared to the AOB ones.
Cymon
New member
RTT and Quick Release Mounts: August 2017
Obviously I haven't updated this thread in a while, but here is a recap of our fall in the next couple of posts.
We decided to try out the new RTT camping up in St. Augustine over Labor Day Weekend. I purchased the Frontrunner quick release mounts as that was one of the qualifying things for me about the RTT investment. Because the 4runner is my daily mall crawler we wanted/needed to be able to get the tent on/off the vehicle quickly so that it could be removed after weekend camping trips. It took about an hour of measuring, positioning and installing the parts. After the initial install of the mounts it only took 5 minutes to actually get the tent on the vehicle. These are expensive for what they are but sooooo worth it for us in terms convenience. They also have locks on the mounts where you can insert TSA style cable locks so that the tent can't be removed/stolen as easily. The lock inserts are well designed and there is really no access to the cable, which is the weak point of these locks.
The mounts do make the RTT sit about 1.5 inches above the rack. It is hardly noticeable and the wind noise is no different then when we drove with the tent strapped directly to the rack. It actually does make it easier to work underneath the rack to access tie down points. I also purchased the maxtrax side mounts for the frontrunner as the Mt. Rainier size tent not only takes up the entire rack but also extends about 12” over the front (about to the middle of the sunroof).
Some pics...
Obviously I haven't updated this thread in a while, but here is a recap of our fall in the next couple of posts.
We decided to try out the new RTT camping up in St. Augustine over Labor Day Weekend. I purchased the Frontrunner quick release mounts as that was one of the qualifying things for me about the RTT investment. Because the 4runner is my daily mall crawler we wanted/needed to be able to get the tent on/off the vehicle quickly so that it could be removed after weekend camping trips. It took about an hour of measuring, positioning and installing the parts. After the initial install of the mounts it only took 5 minutes to actually get the tent on the vehicle. These are expensive for what they are but sooooo worth it for us in terms convenience. They also have locks on the mounts where you can insert TSA style cable locks so that the tent can't be removed/stolen as easily. The lock inserts are well designed and there is really no access to the cable, which is the weak point of these locks.
The mounts do make the RTT sit about 1.5 inches above the rack. It is hardly noticeable and the wind noise is no different then when we drove with the tent strapped directly to the rack. It actually does make it easier to work underneath the rack to access tie down points. I also purchased the maxtrax side mounts for the frontrunner as the Mt. Rainier size tent not only takes up the entire rack but also extends about 12” over the front (about to the middle of the sunroof).
Some pics...
