Roadtrip tips

[YT-1300]

On our recent road trip we used these collapsible instacrates from Costco. If I remember right I think they were $7 each. They're stackable and three fit perfectly across the back.

Didn't necessarily plan for a blowout but I feel like I got super lucky. Back passenger tire, doing 80ish on the interstate. I was in the right lane and it happened immediately before an offramp in rural South Dakota. By the time I got stopped at the bottom of the ramp it was pancake flat.

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[RyanO20]

If you're going from the Springs to the 4 corners area ever thought about doing Medano Pass? Haven't done it myself but it's on my list... Doesn't sound technical, about a 3hr detour(or camp along the pass) and it dumps you out in Great Sand Dunes NP.

I did this backwards on my last trip out. Went from the springs to Sand Dunes NP, then Madano pass to Hwy 69. Somewhat impromptu, but definitely worth it. We didn’t camp on the pass, but there were a ton of beautiful sites for it.

Was a good warmup before Black bear pass the next day. Definitely recommend this pass, or at least driving through Ouray. Absolutely beautiful drive.

OP, we did a few days in Moab too. Fins’n’Things wasn’t too bad in my Pro. My buddy rented a SXS the next day, so we did Hell’s in it. I would do it in my 4R, but it’d be a little slower going than Fins.

My biggest piece of advice going solo is take your time off road. Like all the time in the world. You’ll be in beautiful places with plenty to take in, and getting out and getting home is your main goal.

Weather that time of year is something for consideration in Colorado.

 

[mbm112]

Wrapped up a six week road trip out west myself. Would definitely recommend hitting up the Alpine Loops or Imogene Pass in Ouray. Also second the recommendation for Medano Pass near Great Sand Dunes NP - it's an easy trail if you want a warm up to some more difficult stuff.

Obviously lots of trails in Moab, but I would recommend Shafer Trail if you're looking for something more scenic, rather than something technical.

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[BearBio]

As a former wildlife biologist, I would recommend a can or two of bear spray.
Some rope to hang food in bear country.

We are leaving on a two week on-road trip in October. We will be going down the east side of the Cascades and Sierras, then cross the desert to Arizona, along and across the Rockies, back across the Rockies and back up the Cascades. Weather can be fickle, to say the least!

We have:
1. A large duffle for dirty laundry.
2 A first aid kit.
3. CB radio (as well as cell phones)
4. Wool blankets (we are staying in motels)
5. Sidearms (we have permits for Washington and Utah==also good for Idaho, Arizona & Nevada))
6. snakes and water/iced tea=in ice chest.
7. GOOD maps=GPS doesn't always work in "uncivilized areas".
8. "Snatch strap"
9. Gore-tex and wool clothing.
10. Extra prescription glasses.
11. G.I. gore-tex bivouac bags.
12. Kitty litter.

Seems like a lot but a wrong turn could be fatal!

Off-road, I would add (This is pretty much my standard list):
1. Hi Lift
2. Traction mats.
3. Small gas stove and propane.
4. Two G.I. -30 sleeping bags
5. Cookset
6. Small ax and shovel.
7. Five-gallon gas can.
8. Trash bag(s).

 

[tls3601]

As a former wildlife biologist, I would recommend a can or two of bear spray.
Some rope to hang food in bear country.

We are leaving on a two week on-road trip in October. We will be goung down the east side of the Cascades and Sierras, then cross the desert to Arizona, along and across the Rockies, back across the Rockies and back up the Cascades. Weather can be fickle, to say the least!

We have:
1. A large duffle for dirty laundry.
2 A first aid kit.
3. CB radio (as well as cell phones)
4. Wool blankets (we are staying in motels)
5. Sidearms (we have permits for Washington and Utah==also good for Idaho, Arizona & Nevada))
6. snakes and water/iced tea=in ice chest.
7. GOOD maps=GPS doesn't always work in "uncivilized areas".
8. "Snatch strap"
9. Gore-tex and wool clothing.
10. Extra prescription glasses.
11. G.I. gore-tex bivouac bags.
12. Kitty litter.

Seems like a lot but a wrong turn could be fatal!

Off-road, I would add (This is pretty much my standard list):
1. Hi Lift
2. Traction mats.
3. Small gas stove and propane.
4. Two G.I. -30 sleeping bags
5. Cookset
6. Small ax and shovel.
7. Five-gallon gas can.
8. Trash bag(s).

I second the traction mats and a real shovel!

 

[tls3601]

Be prepared for unexpected cold weather, especially after you get soaked without rain gear, warm dry clothes are game changers

 

[thirteen]

Good point. Need to order my awning for our Moab trip.

Also, need to make sure i pack my collapsable tenkara fly rod and chest pack.

Before mounting an awning to your rack, check out the Slumberjack ROADHOUSE TARP. It might be a better option for you, maybe not. It's worth checking out. I was set on getting an ARB awing or similar, but this worked better for me.

 

[BorotHex]

Be prepared for unexpected cold weather, especially after you get soaked without rain gear, warm dry clothes are game changers [emoji106]

And I’ll add a safety tip all drivers should implement. If you are driving in conditions where you were suddenly outside the vehicle in the clothes you have on, would you freeze? Wear a coat in the car. Even if it’s to the store, which is where most accidents happen.

You don’t want broken windows or your body lying in snow and you’ve got shorts and flip flops on going to get a gallon of milk. And you’re unconscious.

Wear the clothes you want to be in if you are ejected or similar.

 

[BlackCloud]

If you are fortunate and unwise enough to bring a needy, beautiful 22 year old blond w/ you, be sure to return her to her parents when done. If that is not your choice, then certainly don't drive her vehicle all the way back to FLA w/o her and then refuse to say anything to anyone about it as if it'll just go away like a pimple.

 

[Endle55_5earch]

I got caught up in the "Youtube 4x4" blackhole, wondering if I had the right gear or wanting latest equipment, and it kept me from just going. Do your research and just go!

Water, Food, Sleeping Accommodations, Spare Tire/Tire Repair Kit/Tools, and First Aid... if you're off-road a set of "Faux Traxx" will be a good idea too. The rest are luxuries and you can add/subtract from your kit as you go.

When you start getting into serious wheeling start with sliders then add more armor as you need it. I know when I hit the alpine loop my high clearance bumper and sliders gave me extra confidence and peace of mind that I wasn't going to have major body damage.

As far as navigation I switch between Gaia and Google Maps.

 

[johnnygraphic]

Thanks for the tips all. Just downloaded the Gaia app and learning how to navigate in it. Wondering which would be better, the app w/subscription or a dedicated gps unit like a garmin.


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[Matt831]

Gaia GPS all the way. I use an iPad mini with a dedicated GPS receiver.

 

[mbm112]

Thanks for the tips all. Just downloaded the Gaia app and learning how to navigate in it. Wondering which would be better, the app w/subscription or a dedicated gps unit like a garmin.


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100% Gaia all the way. I look up trails on trailsoffroad.com and push the trail maps to Gaia.


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[johnnygraphic]

100% Gaia all the way. I look up trails on trailsoffroad.com and push the trail maps to Gaia.


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Gaia GPS all the way. I use an iPad mini with a dedicated GPS receiver.

Thanks!!! Helping to make my decision easier.


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[cjalexander]

Thanks for the tips all. Just downloaded the Gaia app and learning how to navigate in it. Wondering which would be better, the app w/subscription or a dedicated gps unit like a garmin.


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Another vote here for Gaia.
Idk if you have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but Gaia works with those if you want to put the map on the built-in nav screen. I've used it that way and just on a mounted phone. Downloadable maps, MVUM layers, cell coverage maps for major carriers. Plus it's great if you do other outdoor activities. Hiking, MTB, hunting, etc.

 

[johnnygraphic]

Another vote here for Gaia.
Idk if you have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but Gaia works with those if you want to put the map on the built-in nav screen. I've used it that way and just on a mounted phone. Downloadable maps, MVUM layers, cell coverage maps for major carriers. Plus it's great if you do other outdoor activities. Hiking, MTB, hunting, etc.

It’ll show up on the nav screen? Cool!!! Currently have iPhones, but don’t want to rely on cell for positioning. Will it switch to using the cars GPS or still running it thru the iPhone?

If I buy a tablet, I doubt I would get an iPad, probably a Lenovo or Samsung and add a GPS antennae. I’ve seen the one that looks kinda of like a black puck.

Also, how many GB memory do I need to run maps etc?


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[Akkording]

Good point. Need to order my awning for our Moab trip.

Also, need to make sure i pack my collapsable tenkara fly rod and chest pack.

I gave up on awnings.
Roadhouse Tarp | Slumberjack
Much more functional and additional shade.

 

[bigdaddy2021]

I gave up on awnings.
Roadhouse Tarp | Slumberjack
Much more functional and additional shade.

Thanks to both who posted this comment, it’s definitely good to have options.

For me, awnings are the way and the truth, LOL. In fact i’ve had an awning that spent time on 3-4 different vehicles. It was just plain wore out.

As such my new ironman awning is sitting in my garage, as i wait for my LFD crossbar shipment.

Ironman has a good design, side walls and an annex available, and has a trick LED light for evening cookout’s/meal prep. All for a reasonable price.

 

[Hammer0313]

It’ll show up on the nav screen? Cool!!! Currently have iPhones, but don’t want to rely on cell for positioning. Will it switch to using the cars GPS or still running it thru the iPhone?

If I buy a tablet, I doubt I would get an iPad, probably a Lenovo or Samsung and add a GPS antennae. I’ve seen the one that looks kinda of like a black puck.

Also, how many GB memory do I need to run maps etc?


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I have an iPhone 6s with the minimum 16G and I had plenty of storage for maps, I don’t take a lot of photo so that helped. You don’t need a tablet, just create your routs on your home computer/work computer and then open the App on your phone and download the maps you want straight to your phone. After you download the maps there on your phone so you don’t need cell service to use them. Gaia is a really solid product, once you get to the trail just open the Gaia app and it starts working with/without cell phone coverage.
I use the vehicle’s GPS to get me across the U.S. or the basic maps on my phone. Once I’m off grid is Gaia all the way.

 

[johnnygraphic]

I have an iPhone 6s with the minimum 16G and I had plenty of storage for maps, I don’t take a lot of photo so that helped. You don’t need a tablet, just create your routs on your home computer/work computer and then open the App on your phone and download the maps you want straight to your phone. After you download the maps there on your phone so you don’t need cell service to use them. Gaia is a really solid product, once you get to the trail just open the Gaia app and it starts working with/without cell phone coverage.
I use the vehicle’s GPS to get me across the U.S. or the basic maps on my phone. Once I’m off grid is Gaia all the way.

Thanks for that info! I'll get the subscription and start messing around with it. I queued up Gaia on Apple CarPlay, but since I was driving, it wasn't much use. So, I'll need to experiment with it.

THANKS AGAIN to the collective knowledge out there on this forum!