Hondo Garage's New Thing

Vote one way or another I don't care, it's not like it was a win win situation last one. The point is people won't break your crap open with you in it if they think you're packing. Also I was unaware some Walmarts don't allow that which alters the story. I also use freecampsites.com which pretty much covers every single remote and not area with places to camp for free or a very low fee. Packing out is definitely an issue which people should care more about, but everyone is itchy to be instfamous and get 'sponsors' and breaking the law and taking shortcuts is now acceptable by them. Shame.

I like the contractor idea LOL

 

You guys need to live closer to public land.

 

I am packing... still no desire to advertise it. Lol... i find avoiding confrontation has been my key to success. We actually have a TON of open free land up here. Not western quantities but 10’s of 1000’s of acres.. again we’re talking Cross country travel stealthing is handy for a variety of situations.

 

+1, and I've been in a ground tent 99% of my life. You can always find a place to set up a tent.

At the end of the day, people will make whatever excuses they need to in order to convince themselves that purchasing item X is "necessary." (I'm as guilty of it as the next guy.)

 

That's one side of the coin. The other side, is that the 90% of time that you're not using your vehicle to camp in, it'll attract potential thieves by advertising that you may have a firearm stashed inside.

I recently read an article about a string of vehicle break-ins (in some part of the US); the thieves were specifically targeting vehicles with decals that promoted hunting and other outdoor activities that would lead to expensive firearms and gear being in the truck. Every broken in vehicle had some decals of the sort.

 

This x100. Use common sense, don't attract attention, and don't create confrontation. People that leave their ego at home and use their head rarely have any issues.

 

Someone asked earlier what the height from the Decked to the bottom of the GFC panel is, answer is 30”.

Someone else asked if you can get a beer from the side panel. Yes, mine is a 63 qt, which is the lower profile one. The 50qt is shorter but taller....

If anyone needs anything else please ask.

 

Both questions were mine. And I appreciate it!
Now to figure out if mine is 50qt or 63qt.. lol

 

You’re very welcome. Sorry it was sooner but i was on the road all day. I belive the 37 and 63 are low profile, the 50 and the 83? Are tall.

 

I dont want to muddy the thread but I am looking for some input on my plan to either pick up or ship my GFC. The primary drivers here are trying to pick whats the best use of my money and my time. The trip is happening either way, but I am trying to see what people think about my options. I would have started a new thread for the poll but I felt it wouldnt get many views and poor participation. I figured since it involved a GFC that it might fit into this thread, kind of.

I attached an excel file that lays out the basics. I am looking for which option you believe is the best and why. Feel free to add pros/cons as well.

So far the trip will be my wife and I so I do not have anyone tagging along that would/could provide input.

Edit: Added Option D which is the same as Option A but with freight shipping instead of white glove delivery.

 

In Bozeman and look who I saw!

 

Lol Cody, I love your analytic take on things, I’m the exact same way. Something you may want to consider is Gas Mileage with the GFC installed. To be fair I’ve only had mine on for 3 days but, yesterday I filled up before heading up to a buddies house about 100 miles away. I’ll tell you MPGs on highways take a hit!!!!



I normally get 17-18 without my GFC, I’m lifted, on 255 85 R16’s, Full skids (Aluminum) and Steel Sliders, also a few lights and stuff that break up the air flow, but I was completely un-ladden, no gear whatsoever. Around town and to work (55 mph) I didn’t see much of a change but highway pressing 70 I REALLY dropped off. Just an FYI.

That said I vote for shipping... and do the trip next year Late Spring lol.... figure if you’re gonna spend the money to go out there you might as well get the most out of it! My wife and I are gonna head to Yellowstone than to Utah Early June for 2-3 weeks, join us. I just think Nov you won’t have as much fun as you could in a warmer month.... but, either way it’ll be an amazing experience. Shipping is clearly the cheapest option too.

Oh, and you only have white Glove on here. I’m fairly certain you can use a freight company and do the install yourself for 7-800. The install isn’t “easy” but it’s certainly not complicated if you have 4 or 5 friends it would be a piece of cake.

 

Leave home on the 15th and pick up the GFC on the 17th. Two long days of driving but worth it and doable. After install on the 17th head south for 5-10 hours depending on when the install is completed. At this point you have a nice place to sleep so planned stopping points are less crucial and you can wing it and still sleep comfortably. See whatever sights you want and then head back on the 25th for two more long days to get home.

 

I will add the option for freight shipping and weight that in as well. I will have to make it option D.

I hadnt figured the mpg with the gfc, I estimated 18mpg round trip for my calculations. I majored in chemistry and did my research in analytical chemistry so that is probably where my analytical side comes from. I would push it out but this is the only time my Wife can go (she works and is in college, 2 schedules to work with) and next year she will be taking more classes than she is right now. Also my vacation doesnt carry over and I saved a lot of my vacation time specifically for this trip. lol.

 

We are leaving on the 15th but can not leave until 7pm because my wife has class from 5:30-6:45p. I would hope to make it to Nashville on the 15th, thatll at least knock out ~5 or 6 hours of driving time.

 

That changes it a bit, costs a full day pretty much. Depending on how long you’re willing to drive on the 16th you might be able to arrive in time for an evening install on the 17th. You’ll gain an hour with the switch from central to mountain time which might make enough difference for that to work for GFC.

 

For sure. One of the primary reasons I am considering the shipping options now is due to weather and yellowstone national park will be closed.

 

Damn you guys get crazy good gas mileage. I’m lucky if I get over 200 miles to a tank.

 

Sorry about the big pics.....can't seem to get them to post as thumbnails

Yellowstone in the winter is honestly my favorite time to go. The crowds drop from mass hysteria levels to almost true wilderness. There were hours at a time that I didn't see another human. Not to mention the animals are pretty phenomenal. You might have to work a little harder to get to some of the destinations, but that is what snowshoes and cross country skis are for. FYI, the majority of roads will be closed but I believe the 60 mile stretch in between the North and Northeast entrance stays open. That cuts straight through the famous Lamar Valley, home to a wolf pack or two.

Yellowstone is one of the first trips I am going to make with my GFC in November/December after I get back from Iceland. Pics from my last trip, it's definitely worth it:

 

Second on PNW Explorer's post. November is a perfect time to go. It's mostly moderately cold temperatures with little snowfall. Last time I drove through (2016) it was 30-40°F all day long. A lot of people drop off around that time. You also will get to drive through the mountains in Fall, which is definitely a recommend. I would bring 0°F camping gear just in case as nights can get cold. I found sleeping in my car with the window cracked to be perfect with a good bag. If it were me, I would take the short route along I-90 to Bozeman and then cut down and go sightseeing/GFC'ing through the mountains. Would only take ~1 long day to drive over (I assume you're from Seattle area since it says Auburn). I drove to Missoula in 10 hours going 70-75 the whole way, Bozeman is about 2 hours more. Once you cross Idaho mountains speed limit opens up to 80mph.