Our adventure habitually takes us outside the boundaries of regularly traveled roads as well as along everyday commuter routes. On our journey it helps to know where we are, where we’re heading and to document those travels. Stumbling upon interesting history and culture along the route and even finding hidden geocache treasures can be an extra-added bonus. Several …
Month: December 2015
I’m a firm believer that everyone on an adventure should, figuratively, carry their own weight. When out on a hike this means Willow has to carry her own backpack. Her standard load is her water in two one liter Platypus soft bottles (one on each side for proper weight distribution), her booties in case they’re needed, …
After installing the dual-battery system I needed a way to keep it charged up when we’re not on the road. I looked at both wind turbines and solar options. Most turbine options need a mast of 20′ or (ideally) more to get them up and away from turbulence caused by the ground, nearby trees, rock outcroppings and the …
I’m sure I wasn’t the first to come up with the concept but I’m pretty sure I was the first to put a name to it. Poop Karma© is the number, positive or negative, which is the differential between how much waste your dog leaves and how much more than that you pick up. Kind …
UPDATE (Dec. ’23): We upgraded to a larger, dual-zone fridge for longer adventures. ======================== After deciding to undertake this adventure we set about thinking what we’d need and how to set it up. One of the most important things we need is to store refrigerated food for long periods of time. After the Tacoma was acquired, the ARB Fridge/Freezer and the …
In no order of importance and just off the top of my head at the moment: For the Tacoma: • Bumpers. Front for sure. Rear would be nice as well as much to carry extra Jerry cans and another spare as anything else. I like the ARB and its price but not its weight. There’s …
I traded in my old mid-90’s snugtop camper shell for a brand new snugtop Hi-Liner. I now have no idea why. I am extremely disappointed in the fit and finish and lack of attention to detail they took when making it. The installation was of the same low caliber as well. Aluminum drill shavings were left in and …
I am the 2nd owner of this Tacoma. The previous owner did several upgrades to it and a couple of them I even like. One that was not to my liking was his change to 15×12 wheels with substantially larger than stock Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ 33×12.50R15LT (318/72/15). While certainly fun and cushy off-road they had their drawbacks. …
Quick deflation is cool but the flip side of that is the re-inflation when you leave the off-road world and reenter paved roads. I have found that about 48 psi, cold, is my best option for comfort on paved surfaces. When I started airing down for off-road fun my target is ~25 psi and I was …
I usually like to drive fast enough to essentially skip across the tops of the washboard rolls which seems to be between 30-35mph. In sand or on rocks reducing your tire pressure gives you a larger tire tread contact patch and softer, more flexible and pliant face and sidewalls which help grab hold off, roll …