Massive road trip to CO

lhsoulrebel

lhsoulrebel

New member
Although I have seen a couple threads that seem to address some of this... This is a very specific set of questions for my needs.
I'm planning a kick ass road trip, with the wife, next aug out to colorado (I live in vermont). The goal being to check out the trails in the san juan mountains, camp, check out the views, ghost towns mines ect.. I have a number of questions pertaining to camping and living out of the 4runner, and equipment needed for those trails (cinnamon, engineer, imogen and ouray passes, mineral creek). This is what I am working with:

4runner
265 75 mud terrains
3 in lift
recovery points, hi lift, chain, snatch strap
shovel, axe, folding saw.
diff breather
are sliders necessary?
Don't have a diff lock, and dont really want to spend the $$ ????
small gas can
fire extinguisher
inverter
compressor
tire repair kit


Other equipment:

Assorted tools, hose clamps
various drive train fluids
maps
gps
possibly a ham radio?? Necessary??

Camping:

dc powered cooler
colman duel fuel stove
sleeping bag pads, pad for back of 4runner, seats removed
appropriate high alt clothing
food water
folding chairs
pots pans, plates knife fork ect
water filter
knife
screen for windows?? Any recommendations??
camera

So here are my questions:

Do you guys think that this equipment list and gear will be enough for for those trails. Any recommendations? In terms of camping equipment that I dont have listed?? Thanks so much in advance this site has helped me immensely, Luke
 
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Probably overkill ;)

Id just bring a tent, sleeping in the back of a 4runner sucks... especially with someone else.

You'll probably want a dual battery to run the fridge, especially if you guys stay put for a few days. I know the ARB's pull like no amps to run, but they are pretty expensive. I personally just like bringing an ice chest. I go to Baja for weeks at a time and just put new ice in every week.

Id keep the truck for keeping everything in, and a tent for people. It gets really annoying packing and unpacking the truck everytime you want to go to sleep.
 
I would do some "shakedown" trips if you haven't already. These will tell you what you need, don't need and are nice to have. I think the biggest thing on long road trips is to get and stay organized. You can do this with plastic bins or you could build a storage platform. Some platforms just get you organized and some also can be slept on. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/81843-rear-cargo-box-thread.html

Pre-trip maintenance is a big one. If you think it should be done then you should do it.

I would consider some type of rooftop storage. Hard cases (bins or top carriers) are easier to stay organized and some are more aerodynamic. Soft roof bags work fine and keep things dry, weigh less and cost less. I would use the roof for chairs and stuff.

You could consider a hitch type carrier. This keeps stuff out of the wind and is easier to access. But it will hinder getting into the hatch and will drag on wheeling obstacles. I would use some type of plastic bins on this.

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I would recommend, if wheeling alone, some type of winch. (Come-a-long etc)
If you want to do some harder trails, hook up with some locals so you don't wheel alone.
I would definitely have a CB radio to talk to locals when wheeling with them. Also great to find out why traffic is stopped on the highway. Ham? your choice. I know of a few wheelers that use them.
Window screens? The Skeeter Beater - Magnetic Screen for your car, truck, SUV or RV. They work well.
High altitude clothing. YES! It does snow all year long at altitude. Be prepared. The mountains can get rain in the afternoons. Colorado is #2 on lighting strikes too. You may want to think about some type of tarp/awning for camp.
 
Gerdo has the right idea. As far as your 4runner is concerned you'll be more than fine. People go camping in everything, literally everything. An important thing to do is like he said, multiple trial runs. You never know what you need and don't need til you go camping.

Case in point, you already forgot some key items:

Flash lights
Toilet paper
Collapsible water jug (trust me, you'll want something you can use for showers)
All in one biodegradable shampoo and soap
Trash Bags
Bug spray
Cash to pay for camp sites. Call ahead to to make a reservation. Aug. can be really busy.
Deck of cards, football, a book, Scrabble (Yes is can get boring at night)

You'll find more as you go more. I have three large plastic bins that I keep my basics for camping in. This way when I go I just grab them, tent, water, and food and I am ready to rock and roll. Sleep in a tent to btw. Make it much easier to change clothes and sleep in general. You can use the hatch of the runner as protection if it rains but I would still get a large tarp and rope. It will rain. Keep your fire wood and food in the back. Stays dry and don't have to worry about animals.

One last thing, don't be one of those visitors who goes missing and then they find 2 days later on a search and rescue mission ;) J/k. You'll have a great time!
 
Thanks guys. I have a yakima mega warrior to store things on the roof when sleeping. I'm thinking water resistant bag, and tarp to keep things dry. Baja runner, I'll test fit both of us sleeping in the back, and if it sucks I'll def opt for the tent... We're not large people... I'm 5'9 170 lbs on a tall day, and my wife is 5'3 110lbs, so I'm holding out hope for the runner. I'm thinking of doing most of it solo for the adventure, but would love to meet up with some guys out there for a day trip. Are you guys familiar with those trails??
 
if you are really going for that long I would consider getting one of those platform / selves which plug into the hitch reciever. you could strap a full cooler to it and save a lot of space in the cab.

also I know you are thinking of sleeping in the cab but do that as a backup only. make a tent the primary for sleeping. I feel you are under estimating how much of a pain it will be to unload the vehicle each night.

get two quality single person backpacking air sleeping pads, dont go cheap.

make sure you have a good battery and tools to change a spare.

skip the fridge.
 
Sliders are a good idea, and a winch if you want to make the most of your trip while here. Especially since you'll be a group of 1...
It really depends on where you plan to go though. Some of those passes/trails you wouldn't even need the lift.

The Trail Damage site mentioned above is a good one for reference, along with:
www.bushducks.com
www.frontrange4x4.com
www.colorado4x4.org
...and there are certainly more.
Rising Sun 4x4 club is a well organized group with plenty of trips planned in advance. You might be able to hook up with them if you wanted some Land Cruiser comradery...not to suggest that they are elitist at all...

If we have another winter like last year, some stuff isn't even passable until August or later. Consult the various sites above when you get closer to leaving VT 2012!
 
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Thanks again guys. The trial run sounds like a great idea, I'll def do that, and I'll bring a tent. From what everyone has said, the powered cooler might be over kill. I forgot to mention the duration. 2 week vacation... 3-4 days to drive out there, 3-4 to drive back. Leaves about 6 days to mess around in the san juans. I do have hotel points, so when the car camping gets too much, hilton here we come! Gerdo.... I've been all over that site... Awesome! Gave me lots of ideas... Also have a colorado trails book... I think the alpine loop is where we'll start. So Has anyone done those trails?? Sliders overkill??
 
as stated above id think about investing in a winch and at least one if not two snach blocks... id get a winch on a mobile mount too. you might not need it for this trip but a winch will get you out of what lockers can get you into... id try searching craigslist for a used winch like a warn M8000 or 9.5 on the mobile mount, then just get a set of 18-20' leads(jumper cable clamps on one end and plug-in on the other) to run if/when you need to use it. it could mean the difference between a $1000+ tow bill(use it once and its paid for itself) and or making it out with out any body damage or even with your truck intact. ive never been wheeling in CO, but want to. ive been over the rubicon and all over the PNW, and have used my winch several times. i take it with me every time i go out and while ive only used it maybe 5% of the trips ive been on, its more than paid for itself in the lack of tow bills, and or body damage or broken parts...
it would be a worth while investment, you have the time to look for one used and get a good deal on it, if you dont end up using it then sell it when you get home for what you bought it for and your not out any money, or keep it for when you get that winch bumper... with the winch on a mobile mount you can stuff it into any 2" receiver and with the leads you can run it off any 700cca battery in any vehicle. sure you probably only have a 2" in the back of your runner(tow package) so you might think, "oh well it will only do me any good pulling me backwards... and thats why i say get at least two snatch blocks(pulleys) you can manipulate the direction you pull yourself and or angles of pull, also you can affectingly double your pulling power with just one snatch block... all told a winch on a mobile mount with a couple of snatch blocks and say 4 D rings and one tree trunk saver and one other strap should set you back around $1000-1200 if you get the winch used you could pay $1500+ if you buy new(you can even find them cheaper if your lucky, i got my Warn 9.5ti on a mobile mount with snatch block, strap, shackles, gloves, chain, a soft cover for the winch, and 20' power leads for $750, and it looked like the winch was used once or twice if that...)
 
I've got the hi lift jack with the winch kit. Not ideal, but it should get me out of a sticky situation... I'd love a mobile winch, but I don't have a tow hitch.. I'm thinking of some snatch blocks to aid in a funky situation, as I'd prefer not to pay for the arb and winch... as I just don't go wheeling enough to justify the purchase (3-4x a year).
 
id get a tow bar receiver if i was you... the winch would pay for itself if you used it once, in my SAR group a guy had his radiator blow on a logging road(gravel road) and the tow bill to come get him(no extraction, just loaded it onto a flat bed) was $987.xx, nothing fancy just a broke down tow, and because it was off of the pavement they rapped us, and they will do it to you, just an fyi. but hopefully if you do get stuck there will be someone else to tug you out for a beer or two...
 
Will the OP really need a winch & sliders?

I mean he is going camping with his wife right ... it is doubtful that he will run any trails that require sliders or a winch.

In my opinion you probably won't want to do that kind of wheeling with a 4Runner filled with several hundred pounds of camping gear anyways.

You can go through some pretty decent trails without sliders and a winch. I wouldn't try to combine "fun camping & light wheeling with wife" AND "hardcore wheeling where you need a winch and sliders" - it just won't work that well in the practical sense. All your gear (2 weeks of camping stuff) will go flying everywhere, you will be top heavy and your wife will probably be pissed. I would stick with the light wheeling to fire roads around lakes, old mines ect.

If you were in California I would suggest some of the national and state parks like Joshua Tree, Big Bear Mountain Area and Anzo Borrego areas that have plenty of med-light trails near springs and lakes.

Lastly, from a safety standpoint, if you REALLY need a winch for the trail you are on, then you REALLY need another vehicle to be present as well.


my 2 cents :bat:
 
lhsoulrebel said:
oh, forgot to ask... Do I need to do/ worry about anything to do with the 4runner at high alt??
Click to expand...

Loss of power. Nothing you can do about it, just accept it.
I have a Engel Fridge and would never do a long trip without it. It kicks butt. No need to buy ice. No wet food. No sloshing water. It is a true fridge. A lot of the plug in coolers only chill ~40 degrees cooler than the ambient temp.

Boy, you will only be 5 or 6 hours from Moab. Moab is epic! I would spend less days traveling out and back so you can make it to Moab!
 
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I drive out to CO from Alabama every summer, camping every stop along the way. San Juans are beautiful. I don't go hardcore off road in the 4runner while there, since my cousin I visit has a Land Cruiser and knows every road and trail in the state, it seems. You will definitely lose lots of power, as many areas are over 10000 ft. Use a tent for camping. Don't use a hitch haul, you will drag it on the ground very easily. I used one the first summer I was there, big mistake. Ouray is a nice place to stay, and soak in the hot springs. Have fun....
 
Just came back from CO a couple weeks ago. The family had a blast. We were going to go camping in a few different areas but too many reports of bears. Drove the T4R out there and back with no issues except the water pump went out a hour and a half from the house outskirts of the Walls of Jericho in AL
 
beerstash said:
Just came back from CO a couple weeks ago. The family had a blast. We were going to go camping in a few different areas but too many reports of bears. Drove the T4R out there and back with no issues except the water pump went out a hour and a half from the house outskirts of the Walls of Jericho in AL
Click to expand...

sounds great, yeah i would deff sleep in the 4runner if i was just with my family, as for water pump did it keep opening or closing
 
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