MARYLAND TACOMAS

so you’ll have one for sale soon?

 

cheaper, I bet

 

Alright guys, I'm starting over! Now that I'm at my dad's, I'm rent free and will be dumping it all into the truck (don't talk me out of it)! My plan next year is to do a cross country road trip visiting national parks along the way! That being said, I need some assistance with what spare parts I should bring with me in case of emergencies. The end goal is to make it to Moab and then likely head to my LA office and work there for a week before I head back.

Also, anyone is welcome to join! Even if it's for part of the trip and you have to go back. Dates aren't set as of yet but I'm thinking September of next year! Let know your guys thoughts and concerns!

 

So far not much luck finding an inexpensive shop that will build my shock/spring. Called a bunch of local, Bel Air places and they quote me 1.5 hours or about 140-160. I rented a portable spring compressor from Advanced but the shock body is too big to fit in there with the compressor on. Waiting on a few call backs tomorrow and a few wanted me to stop in and show the parts before they give me a quote. My wife just looked at me and said “only you would have that type of problem” lol... she’s not wrong.

I might have to take you up on this if I can’t find a decent place closer.

 

Np, let me know.

 

Condoms! Lots of condoms!

 

Ok, you didn't respond to my short answer so...........

Someone else made the same decision for probably the same reasons except his trip was East instead of West.

"Sorry to hear about your personal relationship situation. That definitely sucks. You can take comfort though in knowing you're not the first, or alone and won't ever be as long as you're a member of this forum. You literally have friends everywhere.

You can attack this adventure a couple ways.

If you wanted to make it as much of a Guy vs Nature & See America trip I would look heavily at as much Overlanding information on forums for each state you intend to drive through. Solo trips like this can be so rewarding but they are also very dangerous. Those guys do this all the time and can provide a lot of excellent information.

If you feel you don't want to prepare for all that and just want to get home, then stick to the more major highways routes. Between states will be faster since the roads are less crowded now but once you get near a metropolis congestion/time will increase.

Regardless which you choose, first and foremost, set up a logical and well planned itinerary, and review it often so you can adjust according to traffic and road conditions. I understand the "Just Go" mentality of things but nothing good ever came from an ill planned solo trip.

Share your itinerary with as many people as you can and select certain ones that won't mind you texting them at the same time every day. I suggest Mom, Dad, siblings first. Or create a group for all of them, then set a reminder on your phone and pick a time you know they will be waiting for your text. Make sure at least one of them confirms they received it, and if not, send another text. Perhaps set up an app on your phones that tracks your progress using GPS that others can see. If you plan on deviating from the itinerary in any way then you must let these people know. It will only take a couple minutes to pull over to send a text and then wait for a reply. My carrier/phone has a function that if I press a physical button more than once it sends out an SOS with a GPS location, and will enable my camera and microphone. I can select who I want it to call.

Also, each state will have it's own Covid 19 restrictions so definitely check out the CDC website, before you leave and along the way. Avoid any areas with higher concentrations of infected people of course. Keep in mind that most businesses that are open are going to deny entry unless you at the very minimum have some sort of mouth and nose covering. Cheap bandannas are great for this and can double as other things in a pinch. They are easily washed and dried.

In general, the weather has been extremely strange recently and northern routes are going to be considerably colder and/or wetter than normal.

I would prepare for the worst possible issues along the way. That way you are ready if it happens, and won't stop your progress.

Depending on your route, you can plan to be close to places that sell things to help with truck repairs along the way should you need them. A lot of auto parts places will loan tools and let you do a repair in their lot in hopes of you buying the parts needed from them. This will save you some room. You might wind up near a forum member willing to drive to you to help out and I am sure that's possible too. I know this has happened in the past. But start a thread and ask for that type of help beforehand and be ready to post your route(s). If the members are sub'd to the thread it will be easier to enable a ICE help network.

But you should definitely take the basics, like a torque wrench, some electrical repair items. Engine hoses are often overlooked and just because your truck is newer doesn't exclude it from a mishap. I would add a tire repair kit. Duct tape is a life saver and can be used for all sorts of things.

If you are going to do the camp along the way thing and you don't have a winch, get a decent come-a-long, a length of truckers chain, rope, paracord, tie-downs all from Harbor Freight. They will be cheaper and will allow you to recover your vehicle if needed and could also come in handy in some of the more primitive camp sites. Remember, parks might be open but maintenance will most likely not have occurred yet. The sites might need a log or two moved. Ax, shovel, hatchet, hand saw, cans of fire gel (these will work to start fires even if the wood is wet), fireproof matches. Solar blanket, plastic bags, and a couple cheap tarps. A 5 gal bucket with a cheap padded toilet seat is a Godsend if you need to go real primitive. Plus it's your throne so you know it's Covid free. I tarp wrapped around a couple close set smaller trees makes a perfect outdoor potty/shower shelter. Don't forget some biodegradable bags or at the very least some cheap 13 gal trash bags you can use to keep the bucket clean. TP TP TP. It is good for more than it's intended for. But without it. Ew.

Basic personal hygiene including baby wipes. Cash (distributed into various stashes), change (quarters), cell phone and a spare charged battery, 2 cell phone chargers. A cheap piece of insurance I have is a cool solar charger that's about the size of a large cell phone that folds out to expose 3 panels, it will keep a phone charged and act as a backup battery when it is charged itself.

Definitely take an extensive first aide kit with all your prescription medications, and any special prescription instructions printed and laminated inside, especially if you have any special medical needs.

No less than two emergency flashlights w/ extra batteries. EDC knife, or three. I have a hand crank radio with NOAA channels. Depending on your cell carrier, you might not always have cell service so be prepared for that.

A lot of states accept firearms but a lot will not let you travel in them with them loaded unless you're a LEO. Definitely check every law on this if you are bringing any home with you. Personally, I would not want to be anywhere in the woods without something if I were by myself so plan accordingly. Sometimes less is more though so an air horn or mace might be all you need, regardless of the emergency.

Naturally, a case of bottle water, or two, some jerky, dried fruit, juice, whatever else you like to eat that can be cooked over an open flame in a pot or a pan. Instant coffee, etc. Stay away from alcohol. Save that for when you get home. Protein based snacks are best.

A blanket and a pillow so no matter when you lay your head, you'll be comfy.

Lastly, I would post up your trip in some regional state threads on here and let people know what you're doing. The people on this forum as so freaking awesome and some might be able to let you camp out on their property in a pinch. At least then you'll feel safer.

I'll be the first to offer. I have a couple acres in the northeastern part of Maryland about 3 miles south of Pa, and closer to the I-95 corridor. You could camp here out back, in relative privacy on soft grass in my yard, and use my electric/water out there and/or my facilities in the house. Of course you could primitive camp out there too if you wanted. However, a warm shower might be nice too before you head north on the final leg of your journey. I'm sure if others offered the same hospitality your parents would be a lot more at ease too.

Good luck and Vaya con Dios!
Rob

 

But seriously, here's the thread I posted that in and it's full of great resources for a trip like yours. There's even a post from a guy doing the same thing as you and he's in DC.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/corona-cross-country-bay-area-to-maine.665770/

 

Damn dude! Appreciate the kind words and definitely taking everything into consideration. I've got a year to prep and a good amount of those things are definitely already on the list! I've got a lot of planning I need to do and will post it like you suggest! That's a great idea! I've started looking into some overlanding forums and channels to help get ideas on what I need and should prep. Greatly appreciate all the work you put into that post and will keep you all updated as I get everything planned! First thing though is I need to save up and order the bare necessities that way I'll be ready. After that, if time permits, I'll order some luxuries. My job is allowing me to work on the road and I'll still be getting a paycheck along the way as well, so I'll have my emergency funds as well as my check to take care of the truck as needed.

This is something I've wanted to do for a long time now and can't wait to get everything planned out. If anyone has recommendations on certain areas or parks, let me know too!
Thanks again Rob, appreciate the book

 

I have all the faith in the world in you Andrew. Your a very smart and decent young man with nothing in your way.

 

I'm trying to decide what to do here.

New OEM CV axles are $620 for the set.

Napa ones with a lifetime warranty are $192


The napa ones in my 4runner fit great and sealed up very well. Zero leaks, but they are super surface rusty already. I kind of just want new ones but not for $620....

 

Napa and a can of black rest reformer paint gets my vote

 

I’m trying to do a partial big trip in October. I have off almost 4 weeks. Thinking about the Appalachian byway up to Maine!

 

Who in the @$@# would pay that for a CV axle when there SO many options available?

 

cause a lot of the auto parts store axles blow, both literally and figuratively, i went through 4 on my rally focus in one season, and that was with stock suspension and engine

 

Morning Maryland heat advisory today

 

Morning MD.

Saw this Prinsu rack on FB, NIB for 500, in VA though.

 

Good morning, neighbors

 

I'm sweaty just thinking about all the trees I have to cut up still....

 

Finally remember about that ECGs bushing I put in the freezer Sunday morning...