Going Cross-country in my TRD Pro

[Bernie]

I'm planning a trip from the East Coast to the Southwest for Feb-Mar. I'll probably be on the road about 6-8 weeks. Originally, I was planning to sleep in the back of the 4Runner, but I've concluded that will be virtually impossible with the amount of gear that I will have for camping, flyfishing and general off-roading. Now, my plan is to tent camp and mix in hotels and staying with friends. I'm taking a tent, sleeping bag, etc. I also have an Anker Power Station and on induction cooktop. 12-inch electric chainsaw, tarp, poles, table, cooler and fly rods. Also traction boards and recovery strap, shackles, etc. -is there anything obvious that I'm missing?

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[HVLA]

Tire repair kit and cash.

 

[VB4Runner]

A well-stocked med kit, Starlink, and water collection, filtration, and purification are must-haves, IMO, especially if you’ll be getting into the back country.

I keep a firestarting kit as well, but you need to be aware of where you are and restrictions on making fires in certain areas. If you keep road flares in your truck, they’ll work fine.

I like to keep a full emergency change of clothes (wool socks, wool underwear, synthetic top and pants, wool sweater) in a dry stuff sack.

Do you have a tool kit that’s confirmed to have sockets and bits commonly used in Toyotas, as well as a jump starter?

 

[soulsea]

I used to carry so much emergency stuff going out in the desert trying to cover every permutation. Solar generators, fuel cans, chainsaws, tools, shovels, flares, heavy duty jacks, and so much more. In the end, other than what you need for camping, grab a recovery kit, first aid kit, two day survival kit, and maybe sand plates if that's relevant to where you're going.

For anything that would require more intervention I just ended up carrying a Garmin in reach and in an emergency all I'd have to do is press a button and let them come find me. That saved me over 200lbs of weight that I was permanently carrying that I would likely never need, not to mention all the space that stuff used to take and the ordeal of schlepping it.

 

[Bernie]

Tire repair kit and cash.

I have a spare tire, so is a tire repair kit still needed?

 

[Bernie]

I used to carry so much emergency stuff going out in the desert trying to cover every permutation. Solar generators, fuel cans, chainsaws, tools, shovels, flares, heavy duty jacks, and so much more. In the end, other than what you need for camping, grab a recovery kit, first aid kit, two day survival kit, and maybe sand plates if that's relevant to where you're going.

For anything that would require more intervention I just ended up carrying a Garmin in reach and in an emergency all I'd have to do is press a button and let them come find me. That saved me over 200lbs of weight that I was permanently carrying that I would likely never need, not to mention all the space that stuff used to take and the ordeal of schlepping it.

I kind of like your approach, especially since I don't intend to get too technical or go too far off the beaten path.

 

[HVLA]

I have a spare tire, so is a tire repair kit still needed?

Absolutely.

 

[spyder40]

If you add a roof basket and waterproof bag you could throw stuff up top and sleep inside. Throw stuff up there when sleeping and inside traveling

 

[ScoMay]

I'm planning a trip from the East Coast to the Southwest for Feb-Mar. I'll probably be on the road about 6-8 weeks. Originally, I was planning to sleep in the back of the 4Runner, but I've concluded that will be virtually impossible with the amount of gear that I will have for camping, flyfishing and general off-roading. Now, my plan is to tent camp and mix in hotels and staying with friends. I'm taking a tent, sleeping bag, etc. I also have an Anker Power Station and on induction cooktop. 12-inch electric chainsaw, tarp, poles, table, cooler and fly rods. Also traction boards and recovery strap, shackles, etc. -is there anything obvious that I'm missing?

You said “cooler” but is that an ice chest or a fridge? If it is an ice chest, you may drive yourself crazy trying to keep it stocked with ice for 8 weeks although in the winter months, the ice will melt more slowly than it would in the summer. I would suggest a refrigerator if that is not what you have. You could power the refrigerator off of your Anker power station, depending on how much capacity the power station has. And you can charge the power station whenever you are driving in your Pro.

Also, have you figured out the toilet situation? (Bring a shovel?) If you are going to bury the scat, know in advance that some places now have regulations prohibiting that. Or seek out public restrooms?

Get something like the OnX Off-road app which will help you search out places where you can camp. If you have some sort of app, that will limit the time you spend searching for a place to sleep.

Finally, remember that most anything that you find you need that you did not bring can be bought as the need arises!

 

[Joestac]

I always carry a Noco battery jump pack. I used to carry a Fanttik air compressor before I got the Trailhunter. If you didn't option the TRD Pro with a built-in, I'd recommend that. Keep a Swiss Army rescue tool in my center console along with a very bright LED flashlight that is rechargeable via USB-C. I have two fold out maps in my glovebox, one for the state of Texas, and one for the whole of the US. I also have an extra set of all the normal tools you'd think you might need. I did a trip from Texas to New York two Christmas' ago, didn't need any of it, but was sure glad to have it.

 

[Bernie]

You said “cooler” but is that an ice chest or a fridge? If it is an ice chest, you may drive yourself crazy trying to keep it stocked with ice for 8 weeks although in the winter months, the ice will melt more slowly than it would in the summer. I would suggest a refrigerator if that is not what you have. You could power the refrigerator off of your Anker power station, depending on how much capacity the power station has. And you can charge the power station whenever you are driving in your Pro.

Also, have you figured out the toilet situation? (Bring a shovel?) If you are going to bury the scat, know in advance that some places now have regulations prohibiting that. Or seek out public restrooms?

Get something like the OnX Off-road app which will help you search out places where you can camp. If you have some sort of app, that will limit the time you spend searching for a place to sleep.

Finally, remember that most anything that you find you need that you did not bring can be bought as the need arises!

You said “cooler” but is that an ice chest or a fridge? If it is an ice chest, you may drive yourself crazy trying to keep it stocked with ice for 8 weeks although in the winter months, the ice will melt more slowly than it would in the summer. I would suggest a refrigerator if that is not what you have. You could power the refrigerator off of your Anker power station, depending on how much capacity the power station has. And you can charge the power station whenever you are driving in your Pro.

Also, have you figured out the toilet situation? (Bring a shovel?) If you are going to bury the scat, know in advance that some places now have regulations prohibiting that. Or seek out public restrooms?

Get something like the OnX Off-road app which will help you search out places where you can camp. If you have some sort of app, that will limit the time you spend searching for a place to sleep.

Finally, remember that most anything that you find you need that you did not bring can be bought as the need arises!

Thanks for the good advice. I’m not off road for too many days at a time, so I think I can get by with Yeti cooler and Yeti ice. Definitely need to bring a shovel. I have On-X and hope to spend time on the road learning to use it better. Tight lines and safe travels!

 

[Bernie]

I always carry a Noco battery jump pack. I used to carry a Fanttik air compressor before I got the Trailhunter. If you didn't option the TRD Pro with a built-in, I'd recommend that. Keep a Swiss Army rescue tool in my center console along with a very bright LED flashlight that is rechargeable via USB-C. I have two fold out mas in my glovebox, one for the state of Texas, and one for the whole of the US. I also have an extra set of all the normal tools you'd think you might need. I did a trip from Texas to New York two Christmas' ago, didn't need any of it, but was sure glad to have it.

Thanks for the advice. I have the ARB compressor on-board and the Swiss Army knife and tactical flashlight in the glovebox. Do I need a Glock 9mm?

 

[Joestac]

Thanks for the advice. I have the ARB compressor on-board and the Swiss Army knife and tactical flashlight in the glovebox. Do I need a Glock 9mm?

I usually don't feel comfortable on trips without my Glock 43. I am just mindful of the states that don't have reciprocity with my Texas CHL.

 

[spyder40]

Thanks for the advice. I have the ARB compressor on-board and the Swiss Army knife and tactical flashlight in the glovebox. Do I need a Glock 9mm?

Only if you're a good shot and load +p+ ammo. Otherwise I would stick with a bigger caliber. Large animals like bear don't go down easy

 

[zgreen]

Snacks and beer.

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