First long road-trip/overland, what do I bring? (On a budget!)

Oh yeah. Bikes are getting left at home, surfboards are too. Not enough waves in wyoming or montana...

Do you know of any affordable skid plate options?

 

that depends entirely on you. if you are just staying on highways and forest roads you likely wont break anything.. if you decide to wheel to your hearts content you might have some issues. in just a few months of traveling and wheeling around i broke both cv shafts, both front wheel bearings, a brake cylinder, a rear axle, bent my whole rear housing, and a few other odds and ends.. but i may have been pushing it a little bit. i would say if you want to get real out there and find the limits of your truck, just find a TW member thats local to go with you, dont try and be a hero and go it alone. i met a bunch of cool cats and kittens on our trip and had my ass saved a couple times by guys id never met. there's some good dudes on this forum.

 

this is some great advice... sometimes the whole better to have it and not need it mentality will have you worrying too much about nothing... the more i hike and offroad and camp and all that the more i realize that if you dont have it... you dont need it... within reason. if i could do it all over again id bring half the shit i brought last time.

 

You were definitely going harder than I’m going to haha. Thanks for chiming in. I’m slowly reading through your trip report. I think i’m going to put one up when we get going hopefully make some friends and hopefully not need anyone to save my sorry ass.

i’ve got the gist of what i should get/bring so i can be self-reliant, so when i actually am getting ready to go in about a week i’ll post a list and link it here so whoever is interested can chime in.

Somebody said always carry some extra beer, so thats first on the list.

 

I’m sure it’s been said but a spare serpentine belt.
Mine broke on me recently while I was in a semi remote area.

 

Was it old?

 

No oem and under 20k being very conservative.

Pretty sure one of the pulleys went bad and caused it to break.

 

Thanks for mentioning this. I ordered one last night. Going to replace it before the trip, n carry the old one.

 

I recently did a camp trip that was one way in and one way out in my tacoma. The road was clear going in, it stormed that night and we had in excess of 15 trees blocking the road on the way out. Some of them we were able to move with a tow strap, or by hand, but we ended up using 4 tanks of gas in my saw. Having 2 cycle oil and a container to mix it in is wise if you’re going to go into a wooded area. We would have been waiting for someone to cut their way in if we didn’t have a saw and fuel/bar oil. That being said, that’s the first time that I have had to cut more than a tree or two, and it’s usually when I’m trying to get into somewhere.

 

This is a good list and I carry most of the above on a road trip- no oil, cigarettes or come-a-long. I think the best thing to do is to get all of the typical maintenance items out of the way before you leave- check everything over, new belt, good tires, front wheel bearings don't have 100K miles on them, brake pads and shoes are good, fluids at proper levels....

 

My wife and I did a 2,400 mile road trip last November from SoCal through AZ up through CO then swung west through NV and back down to SoCal. I basically checked all fluids and changed the oil early prior to leaving because I was gonna overdo the change interval by like 1,500 miles while out. Since it was super cold during our trip I focused more on surviving a snowy crash... i.e. blankets and water/food in case we got stuck in the truck overnight or something. I really wasn't worried about the truck breaking down but you are gonna do way more off-roading than anything I had planned. My truck already always has minor recovery gear (straps and D-Rings), I keep a portable air compressor in it at all times. Misc tie downs, rope, bunjees at all times. The one thing I did get lucky on was my battery died shortly after returning from the trip so i'm thankful it didn't crap out during the trip.

Anyways, good luck and sounds like an amazing trip. My wife and I had a blast even if she was scared shitless half the time driving in some pretty nasty snow storms.

EDIT: since I was reminded... I also brought along chains although I never needed to use them. We went through some gnarly ass storms leaving CO to Las Vegas... it was exactly at the time that huge storm swept across the west coast going east. We left CO a day early so we wouldn't get stuck but then ended up just driving right through the storm on our way West.

 

Ok, I might catch some sh!t for this, but anything more than some clothes, most common tools, basic necessities, air compressor and a plug kit is just going whacky here. My wife and I did 12.5k miles around the country in 2018, it was life changing. I brought a basic tool set which I did NOT touch. However, I used TWELVE of the plugs. My tires were like swiss cheese by the time we got home. A GOOD plug kit will save your ass, and a half decent compressor. If you're planning to air down frequently, spend a touch more on the compressor.

I plugged my tires on the side of I40, 66, 101, I90, you name it, random parking lots. To those guys who say the tire light is useless, I disagree. It let me know that I had an issue before the tire got too low at 75mph on an interstate, or 35 on small town 66 and chewed up the tire beyond repair. Just my .02.

Make sure you've got good wipers. I kept some Stoner's Invisible glass under the rear seats, and some clay bar. Clean windows are a blessing when the sun is blasting you in the face. I see all these trucks that are fitted with crazy stuff to do less than what me and my wife did. My truck is stock, except for 265 Cooper Discoverer AT3s. I rotated the tires in a parking lot. I changed the oil in a parking lot.

 

Look like you’re going through Laramie WY.
Coal Creek Tap and Crow Bar are fantastic.
Depending how long you have there WY 130 to snowy range is Pretty

 

Uh oh. my front wheel bearings.... I have no when if they’ve been changed.

Is there any way i can tell if they’re in bad shape or not?

And about the ciggies.. I think its a little outdated? Maybe some juul pods instead
@RoughRider

That sounds like my day to day setup too. it should be cooling down as we head through wyoming, colorado and az, so thats a good thing to remember.

We will definitely look into it! Thank you!

 

Yeah, stock rigs don’t get enough credit! Adding tire plugs to the list. I just checked mine and they’re crispy. Thank you!

 

I'm going to shamelessly insert a link here. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/four-months-and-20k-miles-in-a-tacoma.408592/ . It gets a little dry when it's just listing roads I took. It details equipment and parts I took on an overland road trip and routes. I did some true overland and many miles of road less traveled. Other than part of arizona, all of california and oregon I covered much of the country you will be traveling. I came into your route from the southeast. Didn't get to arizona until post 15.

If I was going to suggest any change in your trip it would be to take the Old Bannack road from montana down to idaho. You could still go through Glacier and enter Yellowstone from the town of West Yellowstone. See post 75 from thread above. It truly was some of the most beautiful country I have ever been through.

Also not sure about the route down through Wyoming, but you can travel dirt roads all down through the Wyoming Range of mountains. Thaey are in western Wyoming and in the general area you have listed on your map. I didn't travel them in the thread above, but I covered much of them with my girlfriend from La Barge Wyoming.

Nothing or everything. I'm semi drunk and not sure if you posted how many miles your truck has or what you have replaced on it. You can tackle some seriously nasty terrain if you don't smash into it and pick the easiest way.

Nothing is fool proof and mechanical thing fail so always carry enough fuel to double back.

When I made my trip I didn't own a chainsaw. Now that I do I try not to leave home without it when traveling dirt roads I haven't been on in a few months. At the time of my trip above I carried an axe, shovels and various hand tools. I'm stubborn enough that I would have taken my axe to most trees before turning around, but I also had essentially unlimited time. Keep in mind on a big tree that you will get will blisters on blisters unless you swing an axe regularly.

This is another good reason to carry a saw. If you're on a straight though road trip you shouldn't have to back track, but just say you go into campsite a mile down a one way road. Overnight a freak storm pops up and dumps a couple big trees across the road. A saw chain saw will be handy. It will take a days work and condense it down to an hour or two. Chances are you won't use it though. Here's some pictures from a regular dirt road after a heavy spring rain. Two decent sized pines I could have driven under with some smaller trees I could have trimmed, but I hate driving under leaning trees. Only took an hour to clear out with a saw. Pines were not big but were about 14-16 inches at the right side of the first pic.

I need to go to bed. Hope I wasn't too annoying.

ETA: Have to add that if you aren't familiar with cutting down trees that have been dropped by a storm be very careful. Take an extra bar and chains. Unless you've cleared trees dropped by a storm then there's a good chance you will pinch a bar. Carrying wedges and tapping them into the kerf will help, but if will still pinch a bar if you are inexperienced. It's a lot easier to pop a saw off a pinched bar and put on another than get a pinched bar out. If you have no idea about any of that then don't bring a saw and don't try and cut any leaning trees. You can look like bad ass clearing a road, but it can turn deadly quick.

ETA II: You could also cross the divide basin in wyoming instead of traveling I80. If I have that part of your route correct. There are some great dirt roads from southern wyoming into nothern colorado too. Post 33. I'm reliving that trip. Forgive me.

 

Still one of my favorite pics

 

I'd say if you are far enough where problems become life or death. Far like you need a HAM to call for help I'd put a winch and your tire equipment (ie. pump, plugs, tube) at the top. Close 2nd would be extra fuel and your medical supplies.

If you are far enough in to be bushwacking by yourself and remote enough where the phone doesn't work then self recovery is going to be the greatest threat to anything.

Edit: just re-read your post. I would also spend serious time going through the maintenance like fluids, plugs, filters, belts, hoses, etc.

Never ceases to amaze me see broken trucks on the trail with something like a blown radiator hose. Good maintenance goes a long way for reliability.

Maybe get a checklist together and make a point to stop at intervals to check fluids, lugs, leaks, etc.

 

@Hartford No need to apologize. I’ll be adding your thread to the reading list for this week. Thanks!

I have a saw i can borrow from my parents this coming weekend, but think i’ll steer clear just because I’m not experienced enough. Manual labor is something i’m good at anyways.

As of right now, I’ll be leaving San Diego on Sunday, and making my way to Humboldt Co to get everything together.

@Slum Lord

Good point. I’ve been slowly knocking things out but I’m getting an oil change this week, belt is in the mail, plugs are in the Amazon cart, and i’ll check the hoses tomorrow.

side note:
I want to do a cowl induction setup before I go but thats unnecessary. But it would be cool. But i don’t need it. Probably irresponsible.

Trip starts on the 20th!

 

Remember Harbor Freight has decent come-a-longs for $25 and then buy a 4 lb hand sledge and 1-2 hardened steel stakes or crow bars. You ask why - dirt roads and mud holes with no trees around - been there ha ha and that got me out in minutes (trip before many hrs without the stakes). A heavy tow strap and a few clevis to attach if needed. Cheap peace of mind. As for a chain saw yea but messy so I carry an axe and bow saw.

Behind the rear seat is a good tool kit, zips, duct tape and then air pump, tow strap, receiver hitch tow block, and gloves. Under floor add a 21mm socket/racket and torque wrench for tire work and tire plugs.

In rear tool box as others stated:
axe
bow saw
20" crescent wrench
4 lb hammer
folding shovel
jumper cables
rope
plastic tarp
old drive belt
bottle jack
two 12x12" plywood square (jack base in mud/sand0
two 12'x30' plywood for tire ramps again sand/mud
cook stove and white gas (starts wet wood too)

In back extra water, good cooler (always food/beer in it), gas can (only a good one does not stink/fume so up to you), my old 12v AGM battery fully charged (can mount under hood but costs a few hundred) or a jump box, plus all the camping gear and tent. Cloths in plastic bins protect from dust and wet. Note Tacoma shells suck dust in the tailgate gaps and coat everything - can use blue painters tape to simply seal bottom and sides inside on long dirt road runs) - don't laugh dust will fill the shell!

Assume your day packs are stocked with medical, knife, space blankets, space bag (can climb in), matches, compass, mole skin, hat, good rain gear, water filter, headlights and extra batteries, etc so if away from the Tacoma you can survive overnight if required.

Did a 3 month trip FL to AK 18,000 miles and used camping gear and tarps alot for rain. Stove used and white gas for wet wood. Axe and saw to cut wood. Did not use much else but had it for peace of mind. Watch gas gauge and fill early for runs and fill the gas can before unknown off-road trips. Off road use your brain and crossing water check depth first (rope on person wade out better than stalling Tacoma). The air pick up is in the passenger side inner fender - go in slowly avoid bow wakes.

Humboldt grad 1981 lived in OK by the sea (Mckinleyville) was a fun time and always at clam beach. Left CA for Colorado mts then on to FL for work - now retired so time to get back to CO out of this heat!

Been on many cross country trips off road usually by ourselves so carry all the junk.
Don't get bogged down over thinking all the stuff as you will acquire it as needed (or after ha ha ) and others will help you on the road if you need it.
Things happen, have a beer, relax, and enjoy! As a final note most women enjoy a hotel shower/bed once in a while I learned and cheap peace offering!