Car Camping / Trip Reports / Photos / Buildouts / “Overland” / Expedition Rigs Area (homeless?)

I am working 3-4, but off 5-7 we will have to have a mini meet if you are free!

 

Sounds good.

 

That is an excellent idea even the glossifier would work cool thanks

 

My parents and girlfriend teamed up and got me an OzTent RV4 for my birthday! I'm psyched to take it out, its going to be a huge difference from the 2 person backpacking tent I've been using on trips the last couple years.

 

Not a Tacoma but definitely expo related.
Spotted this morning in Rosebud,TX by a co worker of mine.
Family from Germany doing a US tour stoped for the night. My friend stopped and welcomed them to Texas.

 

Backcournty Navigator is a great app. I use it on my phone, but I'm definitely wanting a bigger screen so might get a gps tablet soon. I know it's not really unique to BCN, but I love that kmz/kml files are directly compatible with the app. I found an excel macro that converts a series of text lat/lon to a kml, then I can add/edit points in google earth, then import directly to my phone/app.

The other app I tend to use concurrently with BCN, is Avenza. It's a free app that uses georeferenced PDF files. You log in to a website from your desktop and choose maps to download - there are a LOT that are free, but a bunch are pay maps, too. I mostly use the Forest Service MVUMs, which are free. I like using the geoPDFs because it's a little easier to route find with the MVUMs when you don't have all the extra info like topo lines etc... - All you see are the roads.

Also, since the maps are just geoPDFs of other published maps (like the MVUMs) it's real easy to use the app and your paper MVUM map together. Even a tablet screen is real hard to try and plan out a longer route. Paper maps are still the way to go.

 

Are you able to use US forest service maps? I've found these to be most useful for driving around the Sierra Nevada. For hiking/backpacking I find I prefer USGS topo maps.

I use Giagps on my iphone and it works great. I have an android tablet that I use Custom Maps with a georeferanced PDF map of Baja (there aren't many good maps for down there). I'd love to use GiaGPS on the tablet but it kinda sucks. I've been thinking about using Backcountry Navigator but would like stick with one mapping app across both devices.

 

Yes, BCN uses several maps, FS maps are one of my favorites to use. I've found that at least on my phone, the FS maps are a little easier to read while driving, since the text and coloring of the maps seem to be a little easier for me to read.

Since I work for USGS, I contractually obligated to say that I like the USGS topo maps as well (I really do, though).

When I plan out a trip, I will download the FS and the USGS topo maps on the BCN app, and if applicable, the MVUMs on Avenza, too. Then bring along whatever paper maps I have, too.

 

Nice! Good tips. I can take hours looking at topo maps.

I love going to USGS store in Palo Alto. They close by the time I get out of work so I make it a point to take a sick day or leave early in order to pay them a visit.

 

I work out of Sacramento, and have only found a couple excuses to go there. Since I have easy access to electronic maps from work, I don't tend to need to go there too often.

I'm not sure when, or if it's been finalized yet, but they're actually looking to move out of that facility. The rent is just redonk expensive, and the landlord (I think) is looking to raise it even more. It's a cool campus, but as a federal agency with an ever shrinking budget, it's just not the place to be anymore.

 

Sounds like typical Bay Area kinda thing to happen to a cool place.

 

Damn, how did I never know about this? Thinking back, I remember as a kid taking a field trip to the USGS campus, but I had no idea and never would have imagined there was a store.

 

Actually, before you get too excited...

They ended their walk-in sales last September for security reasons.

https://www.usgs.gov/news/menlo-park-map-store-changes-walk-policy

 

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/188141-Flippac-for-6ft-bed-Tacoma-3500

 

@Lots2Learn58 @EatSleepTacos @bski22

 

What's everybodies preferred offroad maps software? Gaia, Hema, other? Looking for suggestions / opinions.

 

He’s giving it away at that price.

 

but will it fit a 2nd gen? Since it was mounted on a 1st?

 

4k seems to be the going price for a used flippac now, either way its still a good deal for what you get. When I drove out to CA last a flippac popped up that fit my ram for 2500 in near perfect condition but I couldn't pick it up since the bed space was taken with the tents that didn't fit on the trailer

 

Look up the factory long bed dimensions for the different generations. I bet it would fit.