Events/Trails Wisconsin to Utah Road Trip Advice - leaving early April (1 Viewer)

[Dayhiker]

I am looking forward to breaking in my 2011 LX 570 that I bought last November with 97k miles and currently have 101k on. I came from a 2014 4Runner Limited that I put the TRD suspension on and am still currently trying to sell but really enjoyed owning and driving and wish I had the garage space and money to keep and hand down to my kids.

Let me first thank all the people on this forum. I'm sure I'm not alone but I spent a good 2 years on and off again looking at the 200 series and the info shared by so many on here make this a very special community.

I'm looking for some advice or tips from the wise people on this forum for a trip I'm taking my family of 5 on in about 3 weeks. We'll be driving from south east Wisconsin to Canyonlands and Arches. We're planning on stopping in Nebraska for a night and then near Colorado National Monument before our final spot in Moab. I don't plan on any long off roading as my kids will be plenty sick of driving but I do plan on Willow Flats road going into Arches and the Deadhorse state park overlook. I've never been to this area so I'd love to hear any advice from those who have. My kids are 8/9/13 and we planning on doing some horseback riding and hopefully a half day of rafting as well. I know I could probably spend days exploring on my own but that will have to wait for now.

I'm looking for any advice on things to see and also if I'm missing something mechanically.

I have changed the front and rear diff fluid and done my own oil change after I bought it from Carmax. It was a South Carolina car and all records were done at a dealership there that appeared to be on the dot.

Things I'm doing before we leave:
change PCV
install the Land Cruiser roof rails that I need for my longer rooftop box
full flush of AHC fluid - waiting for fluid arrive
New starter
New radiator - I believe I have the small crack many others have seen and I'm not risking that
I'm looking at buying this air compressor: Amazon product ASIN B005ASY23I
I just had 275/65r20 Falken Wildpeaks installed with 0.75 Bora spacers, did the front sensor lift to eliminate the rake and had an alignment done as well.
Anything I'm completely missing?

 

[gaijin]

I just had 275/65r20 Falken Wildpeaks installed with 0.75 Bora spacers, did the front sensor lift to eliminate the rake and had an alignment done as well.
Anything I'm completely missing?

View attachment 1927199

What tire pressure are you running in the LT275/65R20 tires?

And do you have a spare in the same size?

HTH

 

[Dayhiker]

I'm running 36psi as I believe that's what you recommended somewhere for these tires in this size. Please let me know if that's not correct though! And yep I made sure I replaced the spare with the same size. Fits perfectly after removing the small bracket that's held on by 2 bolts. On my 4Runner I didn't get a proper size matching spare and that always left me a bit stressed on longer trips.

 

[32cls6speedmt]

I am not a seasoned veteran but i have read a lot of the forum. I would suggest the lower and upper hose, new clamps, idler pulley, tensioner, water pump, thermostat, and serpentine belt since you are replacing radiator. I had developed the dreaded hairline crack on radiator on 2013 lx, with 86000 miles. My mechanic did state that all the replaced parts looked great but labor is expensive. So, i feel I don't have to worry for a few years.

 

[ckkone]

Dude just put gas in it and go you are worrying too much. As far a things to see, I enjoy seeing rock art and cliff dwellings more than I do going to Moab nowadays. There is just something about being away from the crowds, hiking around and making your own adventures I findn so much more appealing.

In Colorado:
Mesa Verde NP
Ute Mountain Tribal Park

In Utah: (Stay in Blanding or Bluff for a few nights if using hotels and hit these places)
Edge of the Cedars (Excellent little museum)
Hovenweep National Monument
Grand Gultch
Bears Ears
Bluff Fort in Bluff, UT (younger kids usually dig it)
Comb Ridge / Butler Wash
Moki Dugway switchbacks into Valley of the Gods

If you are up for a little driving your kids will love:
Goblin Valley
Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon (just a couple miles from Goblin Valley)

There is so much to do in UT you will quickly realize one trip is not enough.

 

[canyonrider]

I spend a lot of time in that part of Utah with my kids, who are a bit younger than yours. What kinds of things do your kids like to do? Are they up for hiking? Biking? Are you camping? Lots of possibilities, but depends somewhat on their interests. In general, my kids prefer places where they can get up close to cool rock formations, small canyons, arches, etc., rather than overlooks with sweeping views. For example, they absolutely love the Needles but are comparatively so-so on the Island in the Sky.

Willow Springs road into Arches is fun, especially if there's a long lineup at the main entrance gate. No problem in our stock LC. I scraped the rear bumper once or twice, but we were pretty loaded down at the back with camping gear (full cooler, water, etc.). With AHC you shouldn't have any issues. There's a small, off-the-radar picnic area with an outhouse just before you hit the paved road in the park, makes for a good lunch spot away from the crowds.

There are good MTB loops at Dead Horse Point State Park (and on the road up) that are suitable for kids. Otherwise the overlook is the main attraction there.

Like most popular tourist destinations, if you are willing to walk or bike a mile or two, you can get away from the inevitable crowds that will be swarming the more popular "drive-by" attractions. And I would avoid Arches on the weekend if you can.

 

[gaijin]

I'm running 36psi as I believe that's what you recommended somewhere for these tires in this size. Please let me know if that's not correct though! And yep I made sure I replaced the spare with the same size. Fits perfectly after removing the small bracket that's held on by 2 bolts. On my 4Runner I didn't get a proper size matching spare and that always left me a bit stressed on longer trips.

Right you are! Sounds like you have tires well covered.

 

[Dayhiker]

This is great stuff, thank you very much ckkone! I'm sure I could spend weeks out there. I know I'm worrying a little much but it's stuff I want to get done anyways.

 

[Dayhiker]

I spend a lot of time in that part of Utah with my kids, who are a bit younger than yours. What kinds of things do your kids like to do? Are they up for hiking? Biking? Are you camping? Lots of possibilities, but depends somewhat on their interests. In general, my kids prefer places where they can get up close to cool rock formations, small canyons, arches, etc., rather than overlooks with sweeping views. For example, they absolutely love the Needles but are comparatively so-so on the Island in the Sky.

Willow Springs road into Arches is fun, especially if there's a long lineup at the main entrance gate. No problem in our stock LC. I scraped the rear bumper once or twice, but we were pretty loaded down at the back with camping gear (full cooler, water, etc.). With AHC you shouldn't have any issues. There's a small, off-the-radar picnic area with an outhouse just before you hit the paved road in the park, makes for a good lunch spot away from the crowds.

There are good MTB loops at Dead Horse Point State Park (and on the road up) that are suitable for kids. Otherwise the overlook is the main attraction there.

Like most popular tourist destinations, if you are willing to walk or bike a mile or two, you can get away from the inevitable crowds that will be swarming the more popular "drive-by" attractions. And I would avoid Arches on the weekend if you can.

No camping this time, but they do enjoy climbing and shorter hikes that have interesting things exactly like you mentioned with rock formations and canyons. I've watched videos on the Willow Springs but having your input makes me more excited for it and exactly what I was looking for. We won't have our bikes but I think Dead Horse will still be a stop to explore. I just looked more at Needles and that definitely seems like something I should take them to. Thank you for the info!

 

[molanginaeda]

Have a great trip. I wish to spend more time in Utah.

You can also do the Shafer trail/Potash road from Canyonland to Moab.

 

[Sandroad]

Sounds like a great trip! As I look at the photo of your truck, it seems a bit "nose up" to me. By the time you load the family and all the stuff for the trip, I hope that doesn't end up "squirrely" on you on the highway with the front too high in the air. The original rake in the truck was to account for loads leveling it out.

 

[Dayhiker]

Sounds like a great trip! As I look at the photo of your truck, it seems a bit "nose up" to me. By the time you load the family and all the stuff for the trip, I hope that doesn't end up "squirrely" on you on the highway with the front too high in the air. The original rake in the truck was to account for loads leveling it out.

Yeah that was a quick photo at work this morning. That's on an incline so it's deceiving. It's perfectly level on flat pavement. The AHC should keep it level after putting our stuff in. We're not carrying anything really heavy as we're not camping or bringing bikes this trip.

 

[TeCKis300]

Sounds like a great trip! As I look at the photo of your truck, it seems a bit "nose up" to me. By the time you load the family and all the stuff for the trip, I hope that doesn't end up "squirrely" on you on the highway with the front too high in the air. The original rake in the truck was to account for loads leveling it out.

Raising the nose will reduce caster (and steering self-centering) a bit. But AHC does lower ~1" at 65mph, so it'll bring caster back at higher speed for more stability.

Leveling in an AHC truck doesn't quite have the same drawbacks as an LC. As AHC is constant height regardless of load, it'll retain the same posture as if it were empty.

 

[Dayhiker]

I thought I would give an update and thoughts after getting back from this trip. Approximately 2500 miles round trip. We could have spent weeks out in Utah and western Colorado and barely scratched the surface. I only had 3 full days in Moab last week which was not nearly enough. I didn't even get to explore Canyonland's but did get to Deadhorse State park and do some offroading in Arches NP and also on some BLM land outside of Grand Junction,CO.

I put the Land Cruiser roof rack on my LX in anticipation of my large roof top box that I used on my 4Runner. I installed it a couple days before leaving and took it for a ride and realized I really didn't want the additional wind noise, even with how well insulated the LX is. I have a rear hitch carrier and bag and after driving across all of Iowa,Nebraska and Colorado I am so glad I did not keep the roof box on. The hit to fuel economy and additional wind noise while doing 85mph would have drove me a little nuts I think. As

This trip really solidified my appreciation for the LX and the AHC system. It just does everything. I am an offroading rookie and I didn't do anything crazy by any stretch as I was either by myself or with my 13 year old with no recovery gear. Willow Flats Road and Salt Valley Road to the Tower Arch is where I got to spend a few hours exploring and the LX with the 275/65r20 Falken's made everything absolutely effortless. I also got to explore some BLM roads near Colorado National Monument by myself for a while and took a side route and quickly thought I was over my head but the LX in 4 wheel low and in it's highest mode crawled right out. It's ability to do these things and then get back onto the freeway and cruise in quiet comfort with 5 people on board is what really makes it an amazing platform.

When I was looking to upgrade from my 2014 4Runner Limited, I looked at all kinds of options including Ford F150's and the Sequoia. I really was set on a Land Cruiser but the limited supply and higher prices kept pushing me back towards the LX. I still prefer the looks of the LC but the overall package of the LX with the AHC has been the perfect fit for me and my needs so far. I still question if I shouldn't have gotten the bigger Sequoia and it's IRS and superior 3rd row but after getting to actually use the off road abilities for a bit, the LX really proved itself to me.

 

[Dayhiker]

Some more pictures.