Steve's 2016 TEP Modification and Adventure Travel Thread

[Ohio_Steve]

Thanks, Ken.

Still tentative, but something like this, on the outbound leg.

That gets us to Grand Tetons, probably up to parts of Yellowstone again, Smith Rock, Columbia River, and maybe up by Mt St Helens and Rainier.

 

[KENGNJ]

At the Nebraska border go north to Mitchell, SD. Them hit the badlands, rushmore, deadwood, and devils tower.
Nebraska is a long haul.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Ohio_Steve]

At the Nebraska border go north to Mitchell, SD. Them hit the badlands, rushmore, deadwood, and devils tower.
Nebraska is a long haul.

That's what we did last year. A quick stop at Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse, then a more relaxed, extended stay coming back, visiting the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Badlands, Deadwood, Custer State Park, Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, etc.

I haven't been across Nebraska since 1977, so it will be all new to me again.

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Day 29, 9:18 PM EDT We're back home in NE Ohio! We drove 6785.5 miles, and according to the onboard computer, averaged 16.6 miles. The 4Runner now has 10,063 miles on the odometer, and has performed flawlessly. Time for the 10K service.

And we continued with the no interstates travel, adding about 30 miles total over the last three states. That's less than 100 miles from Salt Lake City to Cleveland, and about 300 miles since leaving Seattle. We drove approximately 120 miles of non-paved roads.

We had a wonderful trip, saw some amazing things, and ate too much fantastic food. Thanks to everyone who has followed along with us, and to the new folks who've found us during our travels.

We don't know what or when the next adventure will be, but continue following to find out.

 

[TPz_Fuchs]

Looks like an awesome road trip. And as we all know ,road trips are good for the soul.

 

[Ohio_Steve]

I updated the first post with recent changes.

 

[Ohio_Steve]

On Thursday, [MENTION=139465]Ohio Hawk[/MENTION] [MENTION=149963]JMFP![/MENTION] and I got started on installing our three racks. Later, two other local 4Runner owners joined us for conversation and to help out. It was a fun day.

We probably took too long on the first install, making sure everything was lined up, measured twice, etc. By the second rack, we had it figured out and installed it (mine) in about half the time.

Anyway, we didn't have time to start the third rack, so we used the rest of the time to install my Gobi ladder and struts, as well as the two fairings and the remainder of the cross bars.

Photos:

On Friday, I installed my OPT7 32" lighter and the Road Shower 2.

And on Saturday, I installed the ARB 2500 Awning. I originally intended to mount it from the side rail using spacers. But the sag in the awning bag would rub on the vehicle, and it looked like it might occasionally interfere with the doors.

So I used a pair of Rhino-Rack Foxing Awning mounts that I had previously used on my Outback (and drilled to the correct 1.88" ARB spacing.) These work great! I mounted them to the Prinsu rack using the rack's supplied mounting rings. I'll eventually get appropriate fasteners to use, so that someone can't walk off with my awning using just a screwdriver or a sturdy stick.

I temporarily placed my MaxTrax where I think I'll mount them and took a few more photos. I really like the rack! It is *much* quieter than my Thule crossbars with Yakima LoadWarrior basket, and offers a lot of space and configuration options. I highly recommend it!

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Looking good! How do you like that Road Shower?

Thanks! I hadn't used it prior to installing it Friday, so not really much experience.I'll be doing some testing, hopefully a video, and a full review here soon.

I can say that customer service is excellent! [MENTION=139465]Ohio Hawk[/MENTION] and I each bought one. Mine arrived with a broken aluminum valve handle. A replacement arrived three days after I reported the problem, and when I wrote to let them know that the replacement arrived and to thank them, they told me that they were already investigating a packaging redesign to prevent it from happening again.

I filled it up, leaving about 1/2 gallon air space, pumped the tank to 25 PSI, and the water came out strong enough to wash off some of the crappy powder coat on my sliders! It lasted much longer at pressure than I expected, too.

Overall, the quality seems very nice, and with the exception of the valve knob, the packaging was great, protecting the tank and components.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Interesting read. Thanks for sharing.

My wife and I are also retired empty-nesters. Probably be taking a long trip out to Charlotte, North Carolina within the next year. At our age will not be doing any camping - probably motels. So my truck will stay at stock weight - just a couple of suitcases, two people - It's possible My fuel savings will offset some of the cost of motels.

After visiting daughter and son-in-law in Charlotte we'll be exploring high-lites of Virginia, N. and S. Carolina and Georgia. (Civil War Battlefields, Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore, Savannah, Charleston, Atalnta, etc).

Going out from Nevada to N. Carolina will probably take southern route thru AZ, NM, TX, LA, MS, AL - - returning probably thru WV, TN, MO, KS, CO, UT.....

 

[cutty01]

Hi Steve - hows the road noise with the Pinsu and all the accessories?

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Hi Steve - hows the road noise with the Pinsu and all the accessories?

So far, *much* less than the Yakima basket with the same things mounted. When the wind is coming from the side, I can hear a very slight whistle from the light bar. On the basket, it was hidden behind the tilt-down fairing so it was out of the wind. I still may mount it in the grill, but I like the amount of light it throws down the road up high.

I'm *very* pleased with the rack!

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Is your awning sticking out past the front windshield?

This much (My awning is an ARB 2500)

How do you feel about the rack? I was looking at the exotechne rack, but there seems to be limited tie down points and anything mounted would need drilling and fabbing. Looks like you have plenty of options for mounting with the pinsu. Any complaints?

Thanks, love checking out your progress. Have you ran into any situations where your stock suspension was an issue?

Thanks

Thanks for following along. I haven't looked at the Exotechne rack much, so can't really compare. And I've only had mine on for a week.I can say that it is *very* solid. I use it to pull myself up onto a tire and it doesn't budge. I could feel the previous basket on the OEM rack flex when I'd do the same thing.

I have not tried standing on it yet. Weather has precluded doing much more at this time. I have leaned heavily across one crossbar, loading in the center, and it didn't seem to flex.

Each crossbar has two t-slots on the top and bottom face, and one t-slot on the front and rear face. And it uses commonly available 80/20 Series 10 components. But any 1/4" carriage bolt will work as well. We ordered stainless ones from McMaster-Carr to use for mounting various things.

In addition to the crossbars, each side rail has lots of room left for utilizing the slots for straps, QuickFist, and other attachments. I really can't imagine a more versatile system.

You do need to plan ahead when mounting on it, though. You need to loosen one end of a crossbar, and take the fasteners out of the other to slide the t-slot nut or carriage bolt into the crossbar. I found that out *after* mounting the awning, which blocked the passenger side crossbar fasteners. :: Fortunately, the way I ended up using the Rhino-Rack mounts, it wasn't a problem. If I'd used the spacer method I originally intended, I'd have been irked with myself for not planning ahead.

I hope that helps,
Steve

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Also, are you still fully stock suspension? Run into any issues yet?

No apologies necessary, and I'm glad I could help with your questions.

Yes, my suspension is stock, and I have had no problems at all. However, I'm in Ohio, and only get somewhere where the 4Runner uses a smidgin of its capabilities a couple times a year,. And then I don't get into difficult trails, as I'm usually alone, days from home, and inexperienced.

 

[lukeskywalker]

Hey Steve,

Nice rig.

Any insight on the cost of the shower vs building something yourself? Why did you decide to purchase the road shower?

Also, have you had any thoughts on rooftop tents?

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Hey Steve,

Nice rig.

Any insight on the cost of the shower vs building something yourself? Why did you decide to purchase the road shower?

Also, have you had any thoughts on rooftop tents?

Thanks,

Building a shower would be substantially less costly. But in my opinion, the PVC/ABS shower tanks do not function as well as an aluminum tank. Aluminum transfers heat far better than plastic. Pour boiling water into an aluminum cup (single wall) vs a plastic one to see. The downside is that aluminum transfers that heat back out faster in the evening.

I have a Hinterland RTT, but haven't taken it on any trips yet. It was an intermediate option while waiting on my Hiker Trailer, but both arrived the same week...