E36 M3 this just hit me, back roads, little towns etc
E36 M3 this just hit me, back roads, little towns etc
I've done the canopy thing, it sucks, especially so if you have limited mobility. Mine was a high top, which at least you could sit up at the back of, but it was just very limited. Fine for a bed to crash in, but not something I would want to do for a month. Standing inside when the weather sucks is very very very nice.
I would look for an older FWC or pop top camper. Those are light enough for the Taco. Head room, a basic kitchen, and a bed. IMO it would make life a lot nicer if your really thinking of doing a month plus.
As to self defense, how about a big ass can of pepper spray? dont need to be as accurate, and should work pretty well for two and four legged issues. Amazon Link
I would look for an older FWC or pop top camper. Those are light enough for the Taco. Head room, a basic kitchen, and a bed. IMO it would make life a lot nicer if your really thinking of doing a month plus. As to self defense, how about a big ass can of pepper spray? dont need to be as accurate, and should work pretty well for two and four legged issues. Amazon Link
Good info, only reason I don't get the slide in is "My Neighbor Hood Covenants" don't allow that.
Man I would love to take a trip like this. If I had the time off I would offer to join you. See the country, one interesting thing at a time. I look forward to reading about your trip.
Oh, and screw the neighborhood covenants, you're not going to be in your neighborhood. Maybe get a bigass tarp to cover it up until needed. 
In reply to The:
Berk them, you wont be there long. Load up and leave!
The preparation started with this thread, I have learned a lot and still need suggestions on things to have, small plug cooler or just hit Whataburger, I only eat once a day, toolkit, light sources, sharp stick, secure extra set of keys outside truck, couple of harbor freight tarps, bungies, wire ties and more wire ties, maybe couple of tent poles, tp, tp,
Man I would love to take a trip like this. If I had the time off I would offer to join you. See the country, one interesting thing at a time. I look forward to reading about your trip
one day you will the time off weather you want it or not, maybe I do a thread like when I built the e46 I have some GRM windshield decals I can put on the truck and, hey are we talking sponsorship deal, I can swing by the office, check my Alaska, Canada and Oregon photo threads unless that berkeleying photo bucket has dumped them. Keep the list of items needed coming.
just afraid of waking up and it's blown away
My camper rig idea os to do a snake configuration of PVC on thw roof in black for hot water showers. Big refill for the plug end, so it's easy to refill from a regular hose. Other end outfitted wirh a 1/4 turn valve to which you can attach a coil hose attachment and trigger spray for "shower head" end. Personally, I would take the firearms and have a lockable safebox in the console. Really wish I could join you.
I keep a Jetboil, with french press tool, bag of good coffee and a Lifestraw water filter with me on the bike or in the truck because no matter where you are - good coffee makes the morning better.
And my grandfather's Estwing hatchet. Because it's old and awesome. They still make them so you can have one... even if it's not from the 1920s.
And a military surplus folding shovel. Because sometimes you have to E36 M3 near camp. Also purported to be useful for slashing the throats (if you can't reach your hatchet while E36 M3ting?) of attackers or disposing of deceased prostitutes.
Oh hell yeah, Estwing anything. Cast iron dutch oven for cooking.
While I can understand the desire to take the Taco since you already have it, I would recommend a used conversion van from the 90's. It already has a fold-down rear bed. Yank the center seats out and you'll have room to stretch out a bit. And you can go from the driver's seat to the "living" area without getting out - something to consider if the weather doesn't cooperate.
They're cheap to buy. Cheap to maintain. And about as cheap to run as the Taco. Higher seating position too, so when traveling you get to see more. When you're done, you'll get about same money back selling it.
ian said: While I can understand the desire to take the Taco since you already have it, I would recommend a used conversion van from the 90's. It already has a fold-down rear bed. Yank the center seats out and you'll have room to stretch out a bit. And you can go from the driver's seat to the "living" area without getting out - something to consider if the weather doesn't cooperate. They're cheap to buy. Cheap to maintain. And about as cheap to run as the Taco. Higher seating position too, so when traveling you get to see more. When you're done, you'll get about same money back selling it.
You are exactly right that would be the answer to 90% of the issues, of course as a GRM'er you got the wheels in my head turning.......man if I had a three car garage.....A VAN yeah anybody want to buy a taco?
The wrote:ian said: While I can understand the desire to take the Taco since you already have it, I would recommend a used conversion van from the 90's. It already has a fold-down rear bed. Yank the center seats out and you'll have room to stretch out a bit. And you can go from the driver's seat to the "living" area without getting out - something to consider if the weather doesn't cooperate. They're cheap to buy. Cheap to maintain. And about as cheap to run as the Taco. Higher seating position too, so when traveling you get to see more. When you're done, you'll get about same money back selling it.You are exactly right that would be the answer to 90% of the issues, of course as a GRM'er you got the wheels in my head turning.......man if I had a three car garage.....A VAN yeah anybody want to buy a taco?
The argument FOR the Taco is you don't have to bring any tools to work on it. Just the Toyota-Care 800 number and a cell phone. Plus, you won't have to have an engine in the cabin with you heating up your right leg all day and melting your snickers bars or stinking the whole joint up with burned oil stank.
OK since this is near to my heart here goes:
Do everything you can to minimize set up and tear down. It gets old, sucks to do if its wet/cold/raining.
Stove: One person meals are easy on a jetboil type stove, but not as useful for doing anything except boiling water. I have a MSR pcoket rocket, and a Dragonfly, each has different uses. Pocket rocket is small and lightweight, uses Isobutnae canisters, and is quick and easy. Dragonfly, burns anything remotely flammable, flied serviceable, but the set up is a bit longer and messier (liquid fuel).
Sleeping: get a good sleeping bag, it makes everything better, mine is a -15 rating and is comfortable down to freezing temps. The ratings on bags are very arbitrary and generally a "survival" temperature, not comfort. A good mattress really is worth it too.
GPS: get something that works well for you offline! driving is much nicer when you are not worried about where your next turn is. Enjoy the scenery.
Tools: Take what you need to change a tire and AAA. Your not going to the wilderness.
Keys: I carry two, one on my lump of everything key chain, and one on the remote for the truck. I use the remote one for everything, if I forget it inside i have a backup, loose one and hopefully the other is still in my pocket. I also had a key place cut a "door key" (remember those?!) just a matching key without the chip. It will open the door if you lock yours inside. Its zip tied in a piece of old inner tube filled with lube under the truck.
TP, bring a roll and leave it in a zip lock in your truck.
Luxury Items: Awning, easy to mount to your basket and gives some nice weather protection, over the passenger door area. (take the seats out, you get a ton more usable area) shade/keeps rain off for cooking, packing up etc.
A fridge (not a cheap peltier cooler) ARB, Edgestart, Engle, Dometic etc. True fridge/freezers, never look for ice again, always have a cold drink (refrigerated meds?)
Since it was mentioned, the center console lock boxes are useless. Really, have personal experience there.....
Now are you remote camping or staying in CG's rest areas etc?
Do it. Do it any way you want to. I'd suggest one of these if you can swing it. Pretty much zero set up and tear down.
Personally, I'd stay on the road until I was broke, dead, or couldn't move another mile.
In reply to Huckleberry:
Have you ever owned a conversion van? I have. Along with a Toyota pick-up. Both at the same time, now that I think about it...
Was the Toyota (1986 4x4 pick-up; owned 1990-1999) more reliable than the van (1990 E150; owned 1998-2007) - when I think about all of the work I had to do to both of them. No. About even. The van was actually a bit been better. The Toyota was not reliable at all, despite urban legend. THey were just better than a lot of their contemporaries. TBH, I would not trust a modern Toyota any more than any American car. They are not what they once were and everyone else had gotten a lot better.
If traveling in the boon-docks, any local mechanic will work on an American V8. They might bitch about the access in a van, but the work itself won't phase them and they'll probably have the parts on the shelf.
The doghouse in a conversion van is insulated like crazy. As long as it's attached properly, heat is not an issue. Even on the somewhat primitive 1990 van I had.
One thing about a conversion van, they are literally made for long distance, open road travel. It was like driving my living room. I could spend 8+ hours in the driver's seat and arrive not really feeling tired.
Give yourself a date. Something like October 1. Be on the road by then. Go visit Yellowstone before it closes this year. See if you can make Glacier before it snows in. Work your way South. Death Valley will be warm for a while. You have a small window before the north starts to freeze up, if you miss that then you're sitting and dreaming until spring. Don't be that guy. Be the guy who did it instead.
Ian F wrote: Have you ever owned a conversion van? I have. Along with a Toyota pick-up. Both at the same time, now that I think about it...
I drove over 600k logged miles in Dodge, Ford and Chevy vans in the 90's delivering things. Not all were E350 class haulers - some were plush people movers. The best thing I can say about them is they would run badly longer than most vehicles would run at all. Chevys gobbled ball joints and stunk like oil, Fords just pumped heat all the time and the twin beam front was unbearable... Dodges just crapped thru diffs and fell apart on the inside. None were any good at all in poor weather even with weight on the rear. If I got in early and got my pick I jumped into the Iveco diesel cab-over box truck as my first choice in the fleet.
Was the Toyota (1986 4x4 pick-up; owned 1990-1999) more reliable than the van (1990 E150; owned 1998-2007) - when I think about all of the work I had to do to both of them. No. About even. The van was actually a bit been better. The Toyota was not reliable at all, despite urban legend. THey were just better than a lot of their contemporaries. TBH, I would not trust a modern Toyota any more than any American car. They are not what they once were and everyone else had gotten a lot better.
His modern Taco is under warranty. No working on it. Just calling road service. I have owned 3 different generations of Toyota pickups (gen2 taco, gen1 Tundra, gen3 taco) and all were excellent in terms of reliability. Rust was the only issue with the first two. The 2017 I have now is the best of all of them in terms of ride quality and fuel economy. It's the same truck as "The" has. I won't need to wrench on mine for problems until October of 2019 and probably not then either.
One thing about a conversion van, they are literally made for long distance, open road travel. It was like driving my living room. I could spend 8+ hours in the driver's seat and arrive not really feeling tired.
We can agree to disagree. I do not find the typical conversion vans to be comfortable for long periods because of the seat quality, or great at gobbling miles, really. I find them to drive like 1990s pickup trucks with too much weight in the bed all waffling about on their under-damped live axles. So, I'm not a fan - AT ALL - but if they work for you and you dig them... cool. I've seen some with really nice build outs on the interior. One great thing they do do well is have a giant flat floor and very large interior space to work with. With enough time and money I'm sure the other complaints I have could be addressed.
But, if I was looking for a wholly enclosed vehicle or something with just a bit more interior space I'd trade the Taco for any modern SUV with real 4x4 and some overlanding cred. Like a 100 series Land Cruiser or a 4runner with the rear seats removed. If I eliminated snowy mountain passes, muddy dirt roads and sandy beaches from the routes I think I'd just get an Odyssey.
The wrote:
I had one of those for my Tundra. It was really great for quick overnight trips but not something I'd entertain for every day use over long periods. It's a pain to up/down and you can't move the truck with it in there. Rain pools in the bed and soaks the bottom of the tent in storms.
I'd use a traditional tent and use the truck as a lean-to for a tarp in bad weather, or get a cap and a mattress, or even better... Phoenix custom camper made for the Taco. 1200lbs with propane and all.
edit: $23k, hahaha. Nevermind.
It will start when it has cooled enough to sleep in the back of the truck in Fl, destination Key West.
It will be a camper top so I can still get in the garage
A single Mattress non air, parks, campgrounds for showers, camera's, tools, and the recommended
Maz, thanks for those recommended destination, but I have already covered those if i could find out how to find "Threads You Started" I could show nice photos if that E36 M3 photobucket hadn't crashed.
Are you familiar with Flippac? They're campers with a flip-up top that opens into a nice tall tent and bed. Set up is quick and they're much lighter than a slide-in camper. Linky
If you're doing a cap, get the tallest one that will fit in the garage. Also look for one that has the hinge out and up side panels like a service truck but has screened opening underneath. These are great to get some airflow while keeping rain and bugs out but there aren't many companies that make them. Also think about adding one of the pop up RV vents in the top of the shell.
If you can, run a couple 12v outlets to the back for accessories and phone charging. Consider an led light with a switch too. Some of the newer shells can have those optioned in from the dealer.
thatsnowinnebago wrote: Are you familiar with Flippac? They're campers with a flip-up top that opens into a nice tall tent and bed. Set up is quick and they're much lighter than a slide-in camper. Linky
Was just thinking this. A flip PAC is the way to go. More comfortable for sleeping but stealth for the hoa
http://flippac.yolasite.com/testimonials.php
nobago said: Are you familiar with Flippac?
Thanks for the tip but I am just looking for a dry cool place to lay down. They are nice though.
Do this trip if you feel comfortable.
Once you can't, look into an amtrak rail pass for a different kind of trip across the nation.
Good luck.
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