Long road trip...What's the worst that could happen?

[elhombre]

I use to have a 98 taco before my little girl came along, and we traded it out for more room on the current 97 LC. The taco absolutely kicked ass out in Big Bend compared to LC. The roads are good out there. It is easy to go faster out there than say Colorado or Moab. It was not uncommon to drive between 30 and 40 mph on the dirt roads like Glenn Springs and river road with the taco. The LC is a big fat pig when compared to the Taco. The heavier LC wallows along like a fat butt cow at higher speeds. This is my one true gripe about the trade between the two cars. I love my LC now, don't get me wrong, but when it comes to getting around Big Bend, I would take my old Taco for speed and handling.

The best info out there for Big Bend is at Bigbendchat.com. Current spring reports and good advide on back country campsites too. Remember, it is hot out there. A 24 yo guy died just last week out there on a day hike. His two friends almost didn't make it either. It will be hot until November.

Be sure to carry water and backpack if you need to walk out. A good spare is a must. Beware the law enforcement rangers are nothing less than progressive. Read up on the 100 mile Constitution exclusion zone on the internet before you go.

 

[TommyP83]

I use to have a 98 taco before my little girl came along, and we traded it out for more room on the current 97 LC. The taco absolutely kicked ass out in Big Bend compared to LC. The roads are good out there. It is easy to go faster out there than say Colorado or Moab. It was not uncommon to drive between 30 and 40 mph on the dirt roads like Glenn Springs and river road with the taco. The LC is a big fat pig when compared to the Taco. The heavier LC wallows along like a fat butt cow at higher speeds. This is my one true gripe about the trade between the two cars. I love my LC now, don't get me wrong, but when it comes to getting around Big Bend, I would take my old Taco for speed and handling.

The best info out there for Big Bend is at Bigbendchat.com. Current spring reports and good advide on back country campsites too. Remember, it is hot out there. A 24 yo guy died just last week out there on a day hike. His two friends almost didn't make it either. It will be hot until November.

Be sure to carry water and backpack if you need to walk out. A good spare is a must. Beware the law enforcement rangers are nothing less than progressive. Read up on the 100 mile Constitution exclusion zone on the internet before you go.

I just did 4k mile trip in my 91 with around 300k on the clock,i took 120 lbs of tools and spare parts ,i did Red cone pass CO and i wheeled in Moab.I didnt have any problems.

 

[Aggiesdm]

XX2 on what Jonheld said. I did this trip last year and no regrets taking the LC. One piece of advice on bacjk country. Stash water at half way spot and at homer spits overlook. A ranger told us it was not needed because there was a spring at the half way and we could refill there. WRONG. Spring was dry and so was I. No BS I barely made it to the hwy at Homer spits. Nurse happened by with ice in her cooler. I woke up with bags of ice everywhere and EM team pumping me full of IV's. 4bags later I was good to go. On retrospect the ranger that interviewed us for our permits looked like she favored Krispy Kreme's over hiking. Have fun!!

Duly noted! My friend and I are both pretty fit, so hopefully we'll have a good time if we take the basic precautions with hydration/nutrition. Should be fun!

 

[Aggiesdm]

I use to have a 98 taco before my little girl came along, and we traded it out for more room on the current 97 LC. The taco absolutely kicked ass out in Big Bend compared to LC. The roads are good out there. It is easy to go faster out there than say Colorado or Moab. It was not uncommon to drive between 30 and 40 mph on the dirt roads like Glenn Springs and river road with the taco. The LC is a big fat pig when compared to the Taco. The heavier LC wallows along like a fat butt cow at higher speeds. This is my one true gripe about the trade between the two cars. I love my LC now, don't get me wrong, but when it comes to getting around Big Bend, I would take my old Taco for speed and handling.

The best info out there for Big Bend is at Bigbendchat.com. Current spring reports and good advide on back country campsites too. Remember, it is hot out there. A 24 yo guy died just last week out there on a day hike. His two friends almost didn't make it either. It will be hot until November.

Be sure to carry water and backpack if you need to walk out. A good spare is a must. Beware the law enforcement rangers are nothing less than progressive. Read up on the 100 mile Constitution exclusion zone on the internet before you go.

Thanks for the advice. I'll check it out. We've decided that wet gonna spend the first night in Terlingua to have a little fun at the Starlight. Then we'll headed to Chisos Basin and camp in they're campground one night, then head backcountry for two nights. I'll check the websites for sure.

 

[DSRTRDR]

Be sure to carry water and backpack if you need to walk out.

stay with the vehicle when in trouble - you are much more likely to be found with a vehicle than without, not only because it's bigger, but also because the Border Patrol checks it out (don't ask me how I know ) - also, your vehicle and a tarp rigged as a lean-to can provide shade where there is otherwise none

 

[scottryana]

When are you planning on going?

 

[Aggiesdm]

Headed out in Sept

When are you planning on going?

Im planning on heading out on Sept 5-8th. The weekend after Labor Day. I've been out there twice before during that week and its really low-traffic, but we were motorcycle touring during those trips, not hiking or camping.

 

[scottryana]

Cool gotcha, hopefully the temps will be a little cooler for you guys. I was going to say I want to do a quick couple nighter down there and could at least road trip down with you. But I think I am going to wait until mid Oct for some cooler weather for camping out.

 

[Aggiesdm]

Cool gotcha, hopefully the temps will be a little cooler for you guys. I was going to say I want to do a quick couple nighter down there and could at least road trip down with you. But I think I am going to wait until mid Oct for some cooler weather for camping out.

That would be great. Lets keep it in mind for a future trip. Maybe get some of the ACLC guys to caravan out there?

We decided on that weekend because of both of our work schedules. It'll be a little warm, but hopefully we'll camp at higher altitudes for cooler temps. Its just me and my best friend...he has had a rough run of it the last few years with a severely mentally challenged son (13 yrs old) and unfortunately went through a divorce a couple of years ago. He's a great dad and great guy, but because of his situation he doesn't get to go on "guy trips" very often. So we chose a week that worked out for both of us. Really looking forward to it.

Still up in the air about which vehicle I'll take (TACO or TLC). There are pro's and cons to each. It may have to be a game-time decision. Although I will say that the TLC is running pretty darn good right now. She likes all the PM and work I've done for her. I gotta say that she's a slow pig, but I love driving her.

 

[itbrokeagain]

The only time the 3Fe is slow is on long grades. Other than that I think its fine. I just did a 500 mile trip in mine. No wheeling but it handled it fine. I did have an issue though. My fusible links blew. I found a spot where they were rubbing on the battery box. My wifes cousin was with me. I enjoyed seeing him get worried we would be stranded. Quick and easy fix