Author Topic: Trans American Trail Adventure trip 2021 (Read 5271 times)

stlaser · « **Reply #50 on:** March 12, 2021, 10:27:50 PM »

Quote from: JR on March 12, 2021, 08:53:36 PM

What does this trail rate for 4x4? Like on a 1-5 so maybe someone on the fence can decide.

My understanding even a mildly moded 4x can do the rubicon now as they have put "bypasses" on the real hard parts.

JR, idk as non of us have run it. Like I said before if it gets too tough we’ll bypass a section. We’re winging it.......

I am hoping we get a couple bike guys who would be willing to scout for us possibly? That might be helpful.

Oh and who let the rift raft aka Ken in here? I mean don’t you have some lights to hang up or a roof structure to build?

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #51 on:** March 12, 2021, 11:16:33 PM »

I have a hitch mount for a bike and could trail run ahead but carrying much gear and food and so forth on a bike would suck! And as long as I had a ride back to my vehicle at GLO we could do somethin like that?

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stlaser · « **Reply #52 on:** March 13, 2021, 08:54:43 AM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 12, 2021, 11:16:33 PM

I have a hitch mount for a bike and could trail run ahead but carrying much gear and food and so forth on a bike would suck! And as long as I had a ride back to my vehicle at GLO we could do somethin like that?

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I’m sure we can make that work out, jk has a hitch into the bumper. Would prefer if someone had space for rack in a truck bed I’m not having it mounted in my jk hitch whole trip though.

One other thing worth mentioning. I don’t have outside storage at the shop. We do have side street parking and the area is relatively safe (no crack heads etc). However, the zoning does not allow for parking outside in the gated units for days on end.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #53 on:** March 13, 2021, 10:33:23 AM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 12, 2021, 09:54:01 PM

Unless someone has a passenger seat I’m sure I won’t be making this trip.

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Anyone??

oklawall · « **Reply #54 on:** March 13, 2021, 05:46:00 PM »

My truck is a bone stock Dmax along with being my daily driver and my daughter doesn't have her rock crawler scout built

stlaser · « **Reply #55 on:** March 13, 2021, 06:05:04 PM »

Quote from: oklawall on March 13, 2021, 05:46:00 PM

My truck is a bone stock Dmax along with being my daily driver and my daughter doesn't have her rock crawler scout built

I vote to finish the Scout!

JR · « **Reply #56 on:** March 13, 2021, 10:41:15 PM »

I'm sure there will be a seat or 2, its the gear and stuff for the bike that might be an issue.

Dave, you have nice lifted truck, nice tires. Don't tell me the nice rims might get scratched? I don't want to scratch my black rims.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #57 on:** March 13, 2021, 11:27:34 PM »

The truck has a few issues for sure. I definitely don’t care about the wheels and appearance.... I have some axle issues that have yet to be addressed. I also don’t like the idea of wheeling a full-size diesel seem like the ideal option either

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JR · « **Reply #58 on:** March 13, 2021, 11:46:58 PM »

There will many full size I think. Just depends on the trail, I sure don't want to screw mine up!

Bob Smith · « **Reply #59 on:** March 14, 2021, 12:40:28 AM »

Quote from: JR on March 13, 2021, 11:46:58 PM

There will many full size I think. Just depends on the trail, I sure don't want to screw mine up!

Bring your tractor

JR · « **Reply #60 on:** March 14, 2021, 12:56:40 AM »

Dave is the youngster bike guy.

I would have to take the backhoe off and tow it, trailer queen you know.

stlaser · « **Reply #61 on:** March 14, 2021, 09:13:48 AM »

Quote from: Bob Smith on March 14, 2021, 12:40:28 AM

Quote from: JR on March 13, 2021, 11:46:58 PM
There will many full size I think. Just depends on the trail, I sure don't want to screw mine up!
Bring your tractor

Is Ken bringing H? Why do we need a tractor? If so would definitely need backhoe attachment, my 2 cents! Not opposed, just trying to stay ahead of you guys is all.......

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #62 on:** March 14, 2021, 11:57:04 AM »

Are you guys planning on group meals or individual personal responsibility on meals?

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stlaser · « **Reply #63 on:** March 14, 2021, 01:03:49 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 14, 2021, 11:57:04 AM

Are you guys planning on group meals or individual personal responsibility on meals?

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Well, if you’re coming we figured you were cooking for us....

JR · « **Reply #64 on:** March 14, 2021, 03:05:40 PM »

I was thinking the same. With all these cooks posting all the time.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #65 on:** March 14, 2021, 03:57:51 PM »

That’s a massive amount of food in reality. Or you could be eating MRE if it’s left up to Don

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stlaser · « **Reply #66 on:** March 14, 2021, 04:32:10 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 14, 2021, 03:57:51 PM

That’s a massive amount of food in reality. Or you could be eating MRE if it’s left up to Don

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Dave, when we trail ride we normally take care of ourselves. I had not thought about any group meals.

JR · « **Reply #67 on:** March 14, 2021, 04:51:58 PM »

I'd say carry for yourself, but a pot luck or group night could be cool too. Not like we are going to go and hide during meals.

oklawall · « **Reply #68 on:** March 14, 2021, 09:18:01 PM »

Quote from: stlaser on March 13, 2021, 06:05:04 PM

Quote from: oklawall on March 13, 2021, 05:46:00 PM
My truck is a bone stock Dmax along with being my daily driver and my daughter doesn't have her rock crawler scout built

I vote to finish the Scout!

In the process of replacing rust with sheet metal already has a 350 in it. Next if I can get it out of the son's back yard (been sitting for about 8 years) an 86 bronco but it is rough

Flyin6 · « **Reply #69 on:** March 15, 2021, 05:43:40 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 13, 2021, 11:27:34 PM

The truck has a few issues for sure. I definitely don’t care about the wheels and appearance.... I have some axle issues that have yet to be addressed. I also don’t like the idea of wheeling a full-size diesel seem like the ideal option either

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Just to offer a counter point, I did just that last weekend. Was way off into the Daniel Boone national forest in the D-Max. Was a hoot, and with that grizzly locker from El Tate, it did great. Never stuck once. I may have scraped up alongside a hard something, regrettably, as the streaks on the fender turned out to be gouges in the paint.
Oh well, life goes on, gouges or no...

JR · « **Reply #70 on:** March 15, 2021, 06:27:25 PM »

Just branches, not uncommon. Its the rocks that worry me.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #71 on:** March 15, 2021, 06:41:51 PM »

Texas pinstripes is fine lol

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stlaser · « **Reply #72 on:** March 15, 2021, 09:14:50 PM »

Scrapes, scratches, gouges and dents all create character. If you’re worried about it you had better keep it in your garage next to your purse......

Flyin6 · « **Reply #73 on:** March 15, 2021, 10:14:13 PM »

Quote from: stlaser on March 15, 2021, 09:14:50 PM

Scrapes, scratches, gouges and dents all create character. If you’re worried about it you had better keep it in your garage next to your purse......

Concur

I'd have to say that truck of mine is quite the character at this point

Who knows you may see it. The suburban is primary, but the truck is backup

Next is the 14bolt install and gear swap on the front diff. Get that in there and do some more HP tuning to optimize that combo. I plan to start pulling the camper around in about a month. That will be the telling part. If that goes OK, then the big burb will show. If not, then the Silverado will do the lugging duties. Heck it wouldn't even know a load that small is back there!

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #74 on:** March 15, 2021, 10:58:08 PM »

Purse and all can stay on roads. I’m ok with it, besides drive my truck... something break.... the torment from the group then be left in a pile of broken parts as Shawn’s jeep couldn’t pull my duramax along, dons burb would run out of fuel, Ken will be busy pulling H along and JR won’t be out of the city busy buying tractor equipment.

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JR · « **Reply #75 on:** March 15, 2021, 11:05:45 PM »

Hey, I will beat your with my purse. Scratches are fine but I avoid narrow wall rock trails, still leaves a lot of 4 wheeling out there. Sure parts break, I have cut trees to make corners.

stlaser · « **Reply #76 on:** March 20, 2021, 09:55:45 PM »

I reached out to Sam today about our trip. I inquired about running the trail with full size trucks and towing tear drop style off road campers. In addition I asked about camping locations along the trail. In the meantime please read this if you’re wondering about your trucks capabilities.

https://www.transamtrail.com/plan/

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #77 on:** March 20, 2021, 10:58:26 PM »

Link covers bikes only, didn’t see truck info

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stlaser · « **Reply #78 on:** March 20, 2021, 11:13:53 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 20, 2021, 10:58:26 PM

Link covers bikes only, didn’t see truck info

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Dave, feel free to do your own due diligence if you have specific questions you need answered about this trail. I just stated I had sent him a message asking about taking full size vehicles on this trail. Here is his contact link below so you can contact him if you wish.

https://www.transamtrail.com/contact/

The link I gave was so you could read this specifically below.

“The TAT is NOT a single track ride with tight sections. It uses public roads and back country roads, both non-pavement and pavement. It does NOT cross any private land or locked gates.”

To me that statement implied as if the trail is easy. Note you may need to take your spinning chrome wheel centers off before making the trip. Likewise, Ken should probably not load his truck bed with H’s fat carcass. Beyond that I don’t know until he responds, when I know it will be posted on this thread.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #79 on:** March 20, 2021, 11:22:50 PM »

Take a step back off the ledge pal. Wanted to verify the link was what ya had meant to post is all,

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stlaser · « **Reply #80 on:** March 20, 2021, 11:46:44 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 20, 2021, 11:22:50 PM

Take a step back off the ledge pal. Wanted to verify the link was what ya had meant to post is all,

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Not on a ledge, just clarifying. Have a good evening Dave.

stlaser · « **Reply #81 on:** March 21, 2021, 10:16:49 AM »

Per Sam, not a lot of detail but I don’t believe there are any concerns past rain which at the end of June should not be an issue either. I never stated exactly when we were traveling.

“Shawn...Thanks for the email. You guys should not have any trouble. The weather (rain) will be your concern.“

JR · « **Reply #82 on:** March 22, 2021, 05:04:58 PM »

stlaser · « **Reply #83 on:** March 25, 2021, 08:46:47 PM »

Currently driving back from Bozeman MT as you can see per my gps. It dawned upon me we are driving up I25 on June 30th and the trail intersects it near Douglas WY. Should we drive all the way North and start it at legit beginning or jump on it here at Douglas. If we start here it might allow us to get farther and closer to Yellowstone over the course of the week. For those who are committed to going what say you? It’s about 3.5hr from shop to Douglas, WY

Edit: btw that’s my wife’s lead foot

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stlaser · « **Reply #84 on:** March 25, 2021, 09:08:09 PM »

Pics I took at 90mph roughly looking SW from Douglas WY area. So we’ll be heading into the Laramie Mountain Range which is in the background. They stand at 11,000 ft highest point.

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #85 on:** March 25, 2021, 09:53:28 PM »

I'd say the trek would be better if we are going into mountains. Driving around the plains is so-so, but approaching the yeller-stones with it's trees and lava pits will give us a good place to hang out amongst some great scenery

stlaser · « **Reply #86 on:** March 25, 2021, 10:37:05 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on March 25, 2021, 09:53:28 PM

I'd say the trek would be better if we are going into mountains. Driving around the plains is so-so, but approaching the yeller-stones with it's trees and lava pits will give us a good place to hang out amongst some great scenery

I tend to agree with this sentiment. It also gets us on trail sooner which is kind of the point. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of boring wy regardless.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #87 on:** March 26, 2021, 10:49:41 AM »

Quote from: stlaser on March 25, 2021, 10:37:05 PM

Quote from: Flyin6 on March 25, 2021, 09:53:28 PM
I'd say the trek would be better if we are going into mountains. Driving around the plains is so-so, but approaching the yeller-stones with it's trees and lava pits will give us a good place to hang out amongst some great scenery

I tend to agree with this sentiment. It also gets us on trail sooner which is kind of the point. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of boring wy regardless.

Boring is why we have "walkie-talkie's"
Ya know, three or four people asking Shawn like every fifteen minutes, "Are we there yet?"
Then you have the "dusties"...The guy who purposely dusts out the guy behind him, "just cause."
And my fav: A dustie armed with several water balloons...

So who do we for sure have going, Me N' Shawn, N...??

stlaser · « **Reply #88 on:** March 26, 2021, 11:28:02 AM »

Yes so far we’re the two confirmed. I have 2-3 guys who are up in the air atm. Including one guy from Douglas, WY

America Mike is planning to go he just didn’t want to say so then have to back out and look like a jerk. Told him it was ok and I’d vouch this wasn’t a one off occasion.

Charles is a possibility and so is JR

Utah Dave but we need to keep him away from ledges as he has a fear of them

Local Jeep guy here to me named Timothy Floyd (he would have to duck out mid week to head to Cali though)

Is it Dave from KY too? Somebody near you Don?

dave945 · « **Reply #89 on:** March 26, 2021, 12:46:45 PM »

I’d love to be able to, but I have youth activities bracketing the dates for this trip. If my daughter who will probably leaving home at the end of the year wasn’t intent on going to these activities we’d be out there with you.
But to look in the plus side, it gives me an extra year to get the Blazer fully ready for fun.

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Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #90 on:** March 26, 2021, 04:10:43 PM »

I’m pretty sure I’m not making this trip, the logistics of a bike on the trip, I’m not set up the haul equipment in that manner. I’ll be ok not attending.

Thank you for keeping me off cliffs anyway

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #91 on:** March 26, 2021, 06:18:12 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 26, 2021, 04:10:43 PM

I’m pretty sure I’m not making this trip, the logistics of a bike on the trip, I’m not set up the haul equipment in that manner. I’ll be ok not attending.

Thank you for keeping me off cliffs anyway

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Read that wrong the first time...Thought we were gonna toss him off one ;-))

stlaser · « **Reply #92 on:** March 26, 2021, 09:09:41 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on March 26, 2021, 06:18:12 PM

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 26, 2021, 04:10:43 PM
I’m pretty sure I’m not making this trip, the logistics of a bike on the trip, I’m not set up the haul equipment in that manner. I’ll be ok not attending.

Thank you for keeping me off cliffs anyway

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Read that wrong the first time...Thought we were gonna toss him off one ;-))

No sir, that will be H if Ken shows up with her.....

KensAuto · « **Reply #93 on:** March 26, 2021, 11:03:19 PM »

Ken's trying to plan a week off to hit idaho again. Some day I'll start taking more time off but right now I'm limited to 3 day weekends.
....And I'm not sure if I could resist ramming Shawn off the road somewhere without cell service.

stlaser · « **Reply #94 on:** March 27, 2021, 12:20:50 AM »

Quote from: KensAuto on March 26, 2021, 11:03:19 PM

Ken's trying to plan a week off to hit idaho again. Some day I'll start taking more time off but right now I'm limited to 3 day weekends.
....And I'm not sure if I could resist ramming Shawn off the road somewhere without cell service.

You definitely would have the weight advantage with the truck bed loaded

America.Mike · « **Reply #95 on:** March 31, 2021, 08:56:04 AM »

Ok I’m currently working on my list of things to finish. I have a list of things currently waiting for delivery for the camper. Problem is the shipping carrier times are not definitive delivery dates currently.

Parts being delivered this week.

(Fingers crossed)

1. fridge /freezer . (being delivered friday)

2. Solar panels , gc2 batteries. and controller (Friday delivery)

3. Door lock parts (should be Thursday)

4. Stove (TBD) small grill will work if needed

5. Led lights for camper (Friday)

6. (4) Wavian nato jerry cans (Friday)

About all I got so far. The ups guy is going to hate me haha.

Also do you guys know a place that sells topograph maps for these locations?

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #96 on:** March 31, 2021, 11:46:43 AM »

Mike, you're still National Guard, right??
Go see your S2 shop and order some 1:50,000 and maybe something even smaller. They can get them for just about every spot on earth. Aside from that you could purchase and download the data from Lorain and a few others then just chop and paste to get a detailed map of the trail +, say 10-20 miles each side. Could cut and paste then print the strip, while loading the data onto a thumb drive to download onto a laptop (Like mine!)

America.Mike · « **Reply #97 on:** March 31, 2021, 12:36:25 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on March 31, 2021, 11:46:43 AM

Mike, you're still National Guard, right??
Go see your S2 shop and order some 1:50,000 and maybe something even smaller. They can get them for just about every spot on earth. Aside from that you could purchase and download the data from Lorain and a few others then just chop and paste to get a detailed map of the trail +, say 10-20 miles each side. Could cut and paste then print the strip, while loading the data onto a thumb drive to download onto a laptop (Like mine!)

Sounds good! I’ll go bug the guys at hhc then and see what they come up with.

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JR · « **Reply #98 on:** March 31, 2021, 12:58:58 PM »

You 2 planning an assault?

America.Mike · « **Reply #99 on:** March 31, 2021, 12:59:38 PM »

Quote from: JR on March 31, 2021, 12:58:58 PM

You 2 planning an assault?

Bwhahaaa

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