Father/Son July TAT Trip

[MylesStandish]

Hello all. First off, this forum is awesome and I have learned a lot from a lot of different posts here, so thanks for sharing such good info and tips! I am currently planning a trip on the Trans America Trail for the first and second week in July. Just going to be my son and I and we are really psyched about it. Wish I had a month off to do the whole thing, but it's just not in the cards right now. So, our journey as of now will be leaving NY and driving to TN on the first day. Get a good night sleep in a hotel then early to the TAT the next day. We figure we can ride the trail for three days each way and make it back in time for me to get back to work. We will camp all other nights and cook our meals on the trail daily. I think it would be fun to document our trip here in case anyone would be interested. We will also be taking pics and using the GoPro to record our adventure. I would definitely be interested in other members experiences and/or advice. Below are some of the prep taken, and things in the works before our trip.

So far:
Ordered C4 Fab lo pro bumper
Ordered Schrockworks sliders
Ordered Sams maps and roll charts for TN and MS. not sure if with my allotted time I should order AK maps as well? I would like to get as far as possible in 3 days.
Ordered 5gal fuel can
Mocked up my sons tent to put on top of the Gobi. I will sleep in the T4R.

To do:
2-3" lift and level
Tires
Order Hi-Lift
Get winch for bumper. My understanding is it should be non-integrated to ensure fit. Any suggestions on something that works well that is not $1000?
Fabricate mounts for jack/shovel/axe for the Gobi
Figure out storage option that still allows me sleep inside
Get GPS. Looking at Garmin 64. Thoughts?

I know this is a long post, but it is the initial one. I will post pics as we get closer to document progress. My son wants to instagram this whole thing. That's on him as I would have no idea how the hell to do that. Oh, and I will definitely make sure I give absolute credit to the ideas of others I use as there are some great mods from the guys here that I will surely rely on. Thanks again for taking a look.

 

[wanderMT]

Should be wonderful time spending with your son. If all plans go to hell, don't worry, improvise. Just make sure you stay gone for a week.

 

[fourwd1]

Moved to the 5th Gen section with permission of the OP.

 

[jwkilgore]

First, kudos for actually buying the roll maps from the guy who is continuously scouting and improving the route instead of using the dubious versions obtainable elsewhere.

Is this thread more about planning the trip (General forum), or asking about 5th Gen mods required for the TAT?

I've researched the TAT between TN and MS (live in Chattanooga, family in MS), but have never made the trip. That said, my understanding is that the worst you'll see is mainly just ordinary gravel roads. There are a few short sections with rough unimproved roads, especially after rain, but many of those can be bypassed. Several wet crossings after rain.

Large sections are paved "backcountry" roads.

So in addition to food, water, camping supplies and a stock TEP, I'd say good AT tires, an extra couple of fuel cans, basic tool kit, and basic recovery gear is all you'll need. What you want is an entirely different story, as is what you'll use this trip to justify purchasing.

GPS: I recommend a smart phone running the Gaia GPS Topo Bundle or just the Offline Topo Maps app by TrailBehind; Avenza PDF Maps; or BackCountryNavigator (Android only). All allow you to pre-download sections of USGS Topo maps and other map layers as raster files for use in areas without data coverage.

For backup (electronics do fail) I highly recommend Delorme Atlases for every state you'll be driving through:
https://www.amazon.com/Tennessee-At...&keywords=delorme+atlas+&+gazetteer+tennessee
https://www.amazon.com/Mississippi-...rd_wg=pw6AQ&psc=1&refRID=G0TZFASKBMK38TJKR7Z9

 

[MylesStandish]

Thanks JWkilgore. You make a strong argument for what I need and what I want. In the interest of being absolutely transparent on this forum (not necessarily at home) I am sure we will have all we NEED. My boy will be an eagle scout this year, and I have some chops too. I will definitely utilize this trip for the items I WANT as well. Yup, life was a little simpler when there was no one to answer too.. Kidding aside my friend, I just want to be as prepared as possible. I really do appreciate you taking the time to give such a thoughtful response. I ordered and received the rand mcnally maps for TN and MS. Just wondering if the ones you suggested are that much better. Take care and thank you again for your time. Cheers!

 

[Jhalko]

Look forward to seeing the trip, my son is also in scouts (he's only 7) and loves camping at least as much as me. Great times and lifetime memories...

 

[jwkilgore]

Your post got me interested so I did a little more research. Some of the youtube videos out there do show more mud than I remembered from earlier research, but I'm sure those are the "worst of" sections and were right after major rains. Still, a self-recovery winch (either a hand model or bumper mounted) and associated gear could be justifiable. Tree savers, line extensions, blocks/pulleys, shackles, etc. And rubber boots... the worst part of winching out of a mud hole is sloshing through the mud to hook up.

Another massively useful item would be a Wilson cell phone amplifier. I've used one in rural Mississippi and can personally verify they work. It will significantly boost weak signal and will give you 1-2 bars in places where normally you'd have no coverage, but even this doesn't work everywhere. https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/cars-and-trucks-kits/

 

[1engineer]

To do the trip, you NEED decent tires and recovery gear. Those items on a stock 4Runner will do just fine. That is all you need. All the other stuff is want not need.

A guy on here just did the majority of the trail in a stock TE with stock tires if that tells you anything. He had a few hiccups along the way but most of those were his decisions instead of the 4Runner problems. This trip will be more about spending time with family instead of any real challenges that will face the 4Runner. Crossovers do the trail all the time.

 

[MylesStandish]

Window screens

In preparation for our trip, my son and I made the side and rear window screens this past weekend. Thanks to a write up from MyHigh, this solution was cost effective, and quite easy.

 

[Simpleman74]

on my bucket list! my son is working on eagle right now to...

 

[WallyT4R]

This might be the one 1Engineer is referring to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0mbrwF6d_g

 

[MylesStandish]

on my bucket list! my son is working on eagle right now to...

Good luck brother. They grow up way to quick. Actually looking forward to hitting the trail and letting the boy show the old man some cool tricks. This will be great for the both of us. Best of luck to you and your son. I know how much goes into it.

Cheers.

 

[MylesStandish]

This might be the one 1Engineer is referring to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0mbrwF6d_g

Yup. Watched all his videos. Love this dude. Not the way I would do it, and I mean that with no disrespect. His adventure was awesome. I just don't have the kind of luck he does. Appreciate all the cool input on this forum. Love how he went straight stock and nailed the trail. Good on ya bro!

 

[MylesStandish]

Laminated all the maps for the upcoming trip. Going to the shop tomorrow to work out the suspension package.

 

[MylesStandish]

Made and installed the axe/shovel and jack mounts this weekend. Seems pretty solid. Also got a good start on the jerry can mount.

 

[MylesStandish]

After purchasing a 5 gallon fuel can from Amazon and receiving it, I just wasn't comfortable with how flimsy it was and have to worry about it leaking and being on the roof rack in July in Tennessee/Mississippi weather. So, after cub nsukting further with some T4R posts, I found the Scepter MFC. It finally came in yesterday and I wish I would have bought 2! Purchased from DS Tactical. I have no affiliation with them, nor did I receive any type of discount, but these guys are awesome to deal with. Very helpful, responsive, and got it out quick. With positive shopping experiences not always easy to find these days, I figured I would pass along. Would absolutely purchase from this company again. Take care all.

 

[MylesStandish]

After purchasing a 5 gallon fuel can from Amazon and receiving it, I just wasn't comfortable with how flimsy it was and have to worry about it leaking and being on the roof rack in July in Tennessee/Mississippi weather. So, after cub nsukting further with some T4R posts, I found the Scepter MFC. It finally came in yesterday and I wish I would have bought 2! Purchased from DS Tactical. I have no affiliation with them, nor did I receive any type of discount, but these guys are awesome to deal with. Very helpful, responsive, and got it out quick. With positive shopping experiences not always easy to find these days, I figured I would pass along. Would absolutely purchase from this company again. Take care all.

Sorry for replying to my own post but if anyone could give me an idea how to not post pics sideways I would appreciate it. It drives me nuts to look at pics sideways and I don't want to drive you all nuts. Thanks!

 

[MylesStandish]

New logo

 

[MylesStandish]

Made a roll chart holder bracket for my boy the co-pilot. Just have to paint it up to make it look half decent.

 

[chiz45]

Check your fuel spout hose and how it attaches to the cap. I had one where the hose came free from the cap. I'm not sure if the gas somehow weakened the glue seal but it leaked like an SOB once i tried to fill. I see many users opt for the Super Siphon https://www.amazon.com/Super-Easy-S...2483&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=super+siphon&psc=1 for transferring gas.

After purchasing a 5 gallon fuel can from Amazon and receiving it, I just wasn't comfortable with how flimsy it was and have to worry about it leaking and being on the roof rack in July in Tennessee/Mississippi weather. So, after cub nsukting further with some T4R posts, I found the Scepter MFC. It finally came in yesterday and I wish I would have bought 2! Purchased from DS Tactical. I have no affiliation with them, nor did I receive any type of discount, but these guys are awesome to deal with. Very helpful, responsive, and got it out quick. With positive shopping experiences not always easy to find these days, I figured I would pass along. Would absolutely purchase from this company again. Take care all.