help/opinions needed for road trip preparation

Don't forget food/treats/toys for the four legged one and put together a first aid kit for yourself and for the pooch. Bring multiple leashes and collars. Plastic bags to clean up.

Check the laws in the states you are driving through as pertains to your Glock. It won't do you a lot of good locked up in a box in the back and it might land you in jail if "concealed".

Check the weather along your route every day to avoid a nasty surprise - you might want to re-route rather than getting stuck.

Consider carefully what kind of "offroading" you'll be doing. Will you really need AT tires? If you're heading into snow, then you'll be far better off with actual snow tires - AT tires aren't that good in snow - especially on road.

Have you really been an area where you needed a gas can? It seems like the majority of travel will be on real roads and if you expect to be driving late into the night then just gas up early and often.
 
Was that 20 or -20 degree? I’m a warm sleeper and find that a 15 degree bag can keep me comfortable close to single digits with the right sleep wear. Also think about getting some type of sleeping pad, something with insulation would help with cold loss from insulation compression on the bottom of the bag.

Since your truck is relatively new maybe don’t concern yourself too much with tools. A leather man, duct tape, and some zip ties would probably suffice. Also some spare fuses and cold rated windshield washer fluid.

You’re also gonna need some type of safe for your handgun, maybe look into a console vault as they’re useful for more than just a gun.


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Was that 20 or -20 degree? I’m a warm sleeper and find that a 15 degree bag can keep me comfortable close to single digits with the right sleep wear. Also think about getting some type of sleeping pad, something with insulation would help with cold loss from insulation compression on the bottom of the bag.

Since your truck is relatively new maybe don’t concern yourself too much with tools. A leather man, duct tape, and some zip ties would probably suffice. Also some spare fuses and cold rated windshield washer fluid.

You’re also gonna need some type of safe for your handgun, maybe look into a console vault as they’re useful for more than just a gun.


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thanks for the safe suggestion man! Just ordered the Locker Down console safe! For sleeping bags Im looking at Cabelas brand, they have a 40F, 20F, 0F, and -20F rated options. I'm leaning toward the 20F one but not too sure if that will do the job if I get stuck out in the Rockies overnight for whatever reason and have to sleep in my truck.
 
thanks for the safe suggestion man! Just ordered the Locker Down console safe! For sleeping bags Im looking at Cabelas brand, they have a 40F, 20F, 0F, and -20F rated options. I'm leaning toward the 20F one but not too sure if that will do the job if I get stuck out in the Rockies overnight for whatever reason and have to sleep in my truck.


The safe is a great addition to the 4runner, especially if you have to park your vehicle on the streets.
As for the sleeping bag, it’s hard to say what would work best. If you’re concerned about getting stuck in cold weather at all, probably best to go with a colder rated bag. The 0 degree bag would probably be fine, I think-20 would be overkill. Someone else might have other thoughts on that.
Maybe bring a blanket just in case, they come in handy as well if you’re hanging outside by a fire.


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I've used a Wiggy's sleeping bag for decades and it's kept me alive in more conditions than I expected to experience.

Wiggy's – The World's BEST Sleeping Bags, Outdoor Gear & Clothing

My bag is a dual bag similar to these: -20 Degree F (-60o FTRSS) Rated Ultima Thule Sleeping Bags by Wiggy's.

From a dry hunting cabin to an arctic survival training exercise over 3 days where we saw a high of -10F this bag did its job well.

As others have said, keeping yourself comfortable, clean, fed, and hydrated goes a long way to enjoyment.
 
Uhhh... Dog bowl and some extra bottled water.
You can buy more water/refill along the way.
Tap water in many areas tastes like, yick...

:flock:
 
Dont forget if your carrying your Glock thru Indian land you may have a problem. It is considered another nation. If your not drunk acting like a jerk i dont think you will have problems, but if your doing 20 over and get stopped they may find it. A lot of Utah and AZ have parts that you drive thru and would never know you were on it.
 
Dont forget if your carrying your Glock thru Indian land you may have a problem. It is considered another nation. If your not drunk acting like a jerk i dont think you will have problems, but if your doing 20 over and get stopped they may find it. A lot of Utah and AZ have parts that you drive thru and would never know you were on it.

I plan on keeping it locked in my console safe while driving. Are you saying its illegal to have a loaded firearm in the vehicle while driving through indian reservations? thanks
 
On a side note, sounds like your Chicago to NM route will probably parallel the old original Route 66. There are still sights to see from back when the route was hopping and considered the golden age of road tripping culture. Check it out for some welcomed side trips or pit stops! U.S. Route 66 - Wikipedia


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Dont forget if your carrying your Glock thru Indian land you may have a problem. It is considered another nation. If your not drunk acting like a jerk i dont think you will have problems, but if your doing 20 over and get stopped they may find it. A lot of Utah and AZ have parts that you drive thru and would never know you were on it.


Tribes cannot enforce tribal law on non-tribal members, though they can enforce state and federal law. If in doubt keep it locked up and unloaded with magazine in a separate area. I’ve driven through plenty of reservations with my handgun and have never once had an issue. Drive responsibly, stay on the highway, don’t do anything stupid and you’ll be fine.
Just make sure not to camp, hunt, fish on tribal land unless you have permission. Gaia has a Private Land layer that will tell you where tribal land is and which tribe.


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Solo road trip is just a dream for me, especially with a dog! Hope you can reload your mind and get a fresh view to the most routine things. I think 4runner ORP is a perfect match to the way you've planned.
All my solo trips have been lost in sheets of paper at the college times. We used to write a lot about our dreams and plans. Now, students can use different essay services, like bestcustomwriting.com to have more free time on dream realisation. Good luck!
 
Ditto to what Ascole said in a post above regarding driving through Tribal land. I personally would be more concerned about driving with your little EDC through IL and CA.

I would suggest looking into obtaining a Utah concealed carry permit. It is recognized in many states (not including OR however).

In terms of food, I would go with a small and light weight backpacking stove and a few gas canisters. Also dehydrated backpacking food. It is light weight, easy to store, does not require refrigeration, and can be quite tasty and nutritious.

Your tires definitely need to be mountain/snowflake rated IMHO. Otherwise you will need to carry chains in most mountain areas.

If you haven't already, I would look at REI for sleeping bags, sleeping pad, camp stove etc.

Enjoy your trip, don't overpack and have fun. Remember dealing with small issues along the way is part of the fun.
 
I agree with Ascole. Before making such a decision, you should read the law of your state. Even a basic introduction will avoid problems with the law and help you solve the problem.
 

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