Some background before the ask:
Vehicles and Gear:
The Vehicle - 2020 Landcruiser will have about 2000 miles on the odometer; Timbren SES towing bumpstops, 1400 Propride Sway Hitch; Planning to change oil before the trip to Amsoil 0W-30 and Diff Oil to Amsoil 75W-90 (not sure if I should change oil mid-trip as well given the load...)
The Camper - Forest Rivers No Boundaries 19.3 tandem axle; 24ft long and will most likely be 5500lbs fully loaded; Honda 3000is generator; Yeti Goal Zero 1000 with (2) 100 Watt Solar Panels; 2 Jerry Cans of water and 2 Jerry Cans of gas; various tools including a floor jack
Tentative Route:
8/27 - Depart Davidson, NC
8/27-8/28 - Kentucky, ???
8/28-8/30 - Illinois, ???
8/30-9/1 - Iowa/Minnesota, ???
9/1-9/4 - South Dakota, Badlands National Park
9/4-9/6 - Wyoming, Big Horn Mtn Base
9/6-9/8 - Wyoming, Yellowstone
9/8-9/9 - Idaho, Sawtooth National Forest
9/9-9/10 - Oregon, Alvord Desert
9/10-9/13 - Oregon, Bend
9/13-9/16 - Oregon, Crater Lake
9/16-9/19 - California, Redwood National
9/19-9/20 - California, Napa (load up on wine)
9/20-9/23 - California, Big Sur
9/23-9/26 - California, Yosemite (unable to book any sites, looking for boondocking spots)
9/26-9/29 - California, Mammoth Lakes
9/29-9/30 - Nevada, Cathedral Gorge State Park
9/30-10/3 - Utah, Zion National Park
10/3-10/4 - Utah, Buckskin Gulch/Bryce Canyon/Capital Reef (nothing booked)
10/4-10/7 - Utah, Arches National Park/Moab
10/7-10/9 - Colorado, Mesa Verde
10/9-10/12 - Colorado, Black Canyon Gunnison
10/12-10/15 - Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park
10/15-10/16 - Kansas, ????
10/16-10/18 - St Louis, Friends House
10/18-10/20 - Tennessee, Great Smokey Mountains
10/21 - Back home to Davidson, NC
The Ask:
I would love to get input from this group on:
1) Any must-see locations or campsites that I missed based on current route
2) Any recommendations, particularly for those I have labeled with "???"
3) Any changes you would make based on dates and/or route
4) Things to consider based on time of year
5) Places to explore that are close to planned route
Hey John, You're not crazy... well with a 2 week old, you're a little crazy. But crazy is interesting. I had a similar opportunity back in 2013 and took it. Similar to yours, family of four (my kids were 4 and 6) but we took nine months to do a similar trip. I am sorry to report, the memories will be you and your wife's... the two year old won't remember a thing, obviously, neither will the 2 week old. Our son, 4 at the time, he remembers veeeeery little of the "big trip" as we called it.
We were inspired by the Lin family, known in the full-timing community as the Mali Mish, and coincidentally, we ended up meeting them on our trip and traveled several weeks together. Mali Mish have great Instagram and YouTube accounts, check them out. Another great resource:
www.campendium.com. Brian and Leigh started that sight a long time ago, and it highlights camping spots, boondocking spots in particular. Our old Instagram account is still active, tinfoilhouse. we had a blog, but much to our dismay, it got deleted... very sad about that.
Make no doubt, you are cramming a lot into a short time, don't hesitate to deviate while you are on the road. That is part of the adventure. We did a similar loop to yours, but we started in Kansas and headed straight south to Big Bend NP. If you can find a way to make it there, I highly recommend it. In fact, I strongly suggest you travel farther south on your return trip. After the Great Sand Dunes, head south to Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Oliver Lee State Park NM, and then over to the Texas canyon lands... Palo Duro etc. Trust me, there is nothing to see in Kansas unless you are a big fan of prairies and middle America agriculture.
I understand your desire to explore the coastal California, but don't overlook US 395 in California. You will be near it during your time in Mammoth Lakes. Head south and hit Bishop (Schattz bakery), Manzanar National monument, Bristle cone pine trees, Death Valley, Scotty's Castle, Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, Tuttle Creek campground, Mt. Whitney... all of that is fantastic. There is tons of BLM land to camp in around there. either free or $2 a night. If you can't find a spot in Yosemite, it is an option. Keep checking Yosemite daily... we ended up lucking out and finding a spot for 2 nights, last minute... people cancel all the time. Camped under El Capitan... If you can't find Yosemite spots, look at June Lake, Convict Lake, Mono Lake... all fantastic spots to the east of Yosemite on 395. I am sure a Californian might have more insight.
California is amazing. You could probably spend 6 months traveling up the 1, down the 5 and back up 395...
If you are around Big Sur, hit up Monterey Aquarium (if they are open)... Laguna Seca has a campground inside the race track... it is pretty neat. (mega steep road in and out... 8% or 10%(?) I don't remember. It isn't too long, we did it with a Tundra and a 27' Airstream... it is doable.
The big 5 in Utah are great. Our favorite was the less traveled Capital Reef and the orchards there.
As far as your gear setup.... really up to you and what you are comfortable with and have room for. These beasts are fantastic, but are thirsty and have small tanks, so while my initial reaction to bail on the fuel cans, I see your concern. At least one... generator gas and emergency truck fuel if needed. I would bail on the floor jack... As another Mud member said, the preventative maintenance is over the top... I would invest in a good tire pressure gauge, and some nice D or E rated trailer tires... then check them religiously before towing.
Good luck, happy travels, and happy to answer more questions... I am sambushed on Instagram, I check that way more often...
theswellutah.com
