Maine

Check with @Nimble9

 

I could draw it but I have a guy who lasers my stuff.

 

Ehh I was able to stop by Lyman morse steel shop.. said they can do it for around $200.... all 4 brackets... I said go for it!!! Rack setup itself was around $360...

 

Here's the new brackets.. compared to the originals.. not too bad, they need a little massaging, but it's less than 1/16" on each top tab. Excuse the mess by my door..

 

I got out for the first time on dirt roads after installing my Kings. I was following a friend in a 2nd gen and it was frustrating not to go faster! I didn't get my new tires due to an issue at Sullivan Tire in Windham (I don't recommend going there), but the suspension investment is going to be worth it.

I am working on a little project to develop an overland route around Maine. Anyone is welcome to offer insight. I think I am good from Bethel to Fort Kent. The goal is to travel as close to the board of the state as possible on as much dirt road as possible. It's not just about the route, but also where to camp/stay and where to get gas. Basically giving bailout points along the way. I think the further place from a 7-day a week gas station in the US is about 100 miles. I am guessing from Penobscot bay down to Kittery will just be route 1 (ish), but the rest of the state is cool. If people are interested in helping, maybe we make a thread.

 

Please tag me if you make a thread

 

Tag


YOUR IT.....

 

Anyone need a thermostat & gasket for a 1st or 2nd gen? (Also fits other Toyota & Lexus models.) Ended up not needing it and now its just taking up space.

Fitment:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/snn-14108/applications

 

Making a trek around the border of the state on dirt roads would be epic. I would be very interested in helping out and can probably offer some insight through the Western and Northern parts (and maybe a little bit downeast). Though theres really not much to it. The biggest challenge (by far imo) would be gas through Western ME and the NMW. Might only be 100 miles from a gas station, but you might need to drive way further than that to get there haha. Plus you're not going to be getting the best millage out there

 

I've done it a number times, but never as a continuous route. The worst you are from a gas station is near the Quebec border. There is US gas in St. Pamphile which is great, but it's only open M-T and Friday until whenever he decides to close. I am very sure you are never more than 100 miles from a US gas station with the use of bailout routes. That's part of the reason for the guide is to share with people where those gas stations are, what their hours are, cash/card, etc.

 

there are gas stops up north end, and a few on the eastern side of the state owned by Dysarts... Also if you cross to canada there are multiple spots to cross and get gas, however NMW advises against this... (supposed to get a punch/swipe card from them)... you swipe the card it charges your account (like writing a check), and the delivery truck reads off a printout that charges your account when they return to the shop. although I am not sure of the placement of these pumps.. I am going to investigate this more. there are also numerous campgrounds, and guide sites that allow you to purchase ice, and get a hot shower when in season.

found this....... Daigle oils has depots around NMW....

https://www.daigleoil.com/fuel/commercial-fuels/

requires that you call ahead to get a card/key, and pin#

 

Didnt know we were counting the Canadian gas stations haha.

And I bet those DOC stations only sell diesel, being in the NMW

 

I wasn't counting Canadian gas, in the link it says gas is in Clayton Lake. If I had a diesel, I'd probably use it, but in 10 years have never had an issue getting gas. The most miles I've done in a week up there was 1200 miles with a round trip from Bridgton.

 

I tried calling, appears that you have to have an account with credit approval, and get a DOC card, or key... and from the sound of the lady on the phone its for commercial customers only, and looks that the only station with gas is Clayton Lake. while not a huge advantage for us, I would like to at some point make a run at Estcort, possibly see if I can get my passport to cross over and get fuel... but I may just carry maxx fuel in 3 jerry's and a full tank leaving from either greenvile, or ashland, ME and head straight north to escourt and about 45 miles to chamberlains gas station in Maine.

 

Well NMW is open for camping. Not looking to get a huge group, but anyone want to get up to NMW Sunday-MON?? @SR-71A

 

I'm heading up week of June 1st. Got the whole week off. Going to play the weather for, hopefully, a 3 night trip.

 

WELl, made it back... sucessful trip, no accidents,

spotted: 3 female moose right on the road, and 2 black bears,
weather: other than a bit windy on day 1 right off baker lake was excellent, slight overcast, but very good driving weather.

cons, a fully loaded out rig with 3 adult passengers, and stock TRD suspension with 265/70/17s aired down to 22PSI is not for these rutted corugated roads... pretty sure I was tipping past the max payload capacity, I really need to get to saving for my suspension... thinking ICON's...

 

For some reason I didn't get any TW alerts this weekend (event when visiting the site) otherwise I would have loaded up. Seeing black bears is fun, there are only a few times a year where it is "common" to happen upon them. Moose get easier to spot when the days get shorter and the temps lower for sure.

 

Sorry it was a last minute decision to go out, and to be honest the day before didnt know the 19year old daughter and her friend were coming... had to repack almost all my gear to make room in the bed.. and for some reason I cannot get the daughter to realize that space, and weight are at a premium..

I also need to look into some lightweight/compact camping gear options (sleeping bags, camping blankets(they like fuzzy ones, but I find fleece is not a great insulator unless it has a windproof/resistant shell) my only thought is a good 30* sleeping bag, and a sleeping bag liner for the colder nights, wish i could find one that zips in/out of the bag. as well as a decent heavy blanket for the super cold nights (I hate to go light, and suffer for it like I did on a trip last September (froze my ass off at Cucogomac lake dam campsite, dropped to 30* and i was setup for 40's+, heavy sleeping bag zipped open like a mattress pad, and 2 blankets in my RTT, I woke around 2am freezing, and too cold to want to get out of the covers to zip up the bag) now i carry hot hands warmers to throw in my heavy sleeping bag.