4x4 Road Trip

[Neuvik]

Got the call from Adventure Trailers the other weekend that my Habitat was completed and ready to be installed. So my little lady, the hound, and I loaded up the Power Wagon and burned towards Prescott Arizona. Leaving late on Wednesday after work we made Walker Lake just before sunset. The North end of walker lake has dispersed camping. Only a few vehicles were out, so we got a nice spot by the Lake and set up camp for the night. Bugs were a bit annoying, but as evening crept in the winds there blew hard. Didn't bother us too much and we slept through it. large pack of Coyotes made themselves known around midnight with all their howling and yapping. As quick as they came they went.

The next day we did a hard burn continuing on the 95 through all the cool little mining towns past Vegas and onto the 93 to Kingman City. Only stopping to rest and let the dog stretch out. Then we took 40 to 89.

Prescott was beautiful! Just after the Monsoons, so it was green and 80*fs. We stopped at the brewery there, it was okay. But the Superstition Meadery was exceptional! Some really good meads there, I purchased a few bottles for our adventures. The owner is a fire fighter and this was his hobby, starting from just carboys. Now he has some commercial equipment and a second location to be opened in Phoenix soon.

On Friday we dropped our Power Wagon off with Adventure Trailers for the Habitat installation. To keep busy and wear out the dog we went on the Constellation Trail. Prescott is lucky to have some really nice park trails. No graffiti, no trash. That trail was simply beautiful. And the memorial to the downed Constellation aircraft and her crew was erect as an Eagle Scout project. It was really well done!


Wreakage


On the Constellation Trail. Simply stunning.


Wish I brought my climbing gear, I would have played for hours!



Arrived back to AT to see my Truck, and darn did it look sexy, rugged sexy!
Couldn't wait to take this out and try it out. its takes about 30 seconds to set up. The folks at AT were super helpful, running us through everything. The owner hires several Vets from the large VA nearby. Very cool!

[Neuvik]

We then Headed out towards Cottonwood, via Jerome, and old mining town. That was a cool place, wish I could have explored it more. The town is built into a steep hillside. We arrived there pretty late though and had to make it to camp. So it will have to wait for another time.

We made camp on the Verde River. Again Coyotes sounded at night in the distance. And a freaking skunk barked at our now safe and above ground retreat. No more things poking the tent at night for us! In the morning we woke up to cows grazing the hard scrabble. We had the place to ourselves, it was nice!



Maximus on the trail


From the Verde River we drove to Sedona. Where the hippies meet the millionaire yuppies. Lots of expensive cars there, gas was $5 a gallon! But the area was epic in beauty! Though I dont buy the whole magically lay line crap the hippies with their crystals rave about. In Sedona there is a 4x4 guide service called Pink Jeep. They are pretty much known all over, and I highly recommend rolling with them in their jeeps if you want a fun time and dont want to bag your vehicle up. They put on a good show. You can pretty much follow them to all the trails around there. I spoke to a few of the guys, they really liked my truck! Other jeepers were giving it compliments too.

We took on the Broken Arrow Trail. Its difficult but the Power Wagon made it up just about everything. We took the hard route to Submarine Rock, went to Devils Table. The only thing we didnt do was the Devils Staircase. On our way too it, a Pink Jeep came back and informed us a RZR flipped over on it. So we had to turn around. That sucks because it was a 1 way trail. So others behind us has to swing around too. And tale on a pretty hard group of stairs.

Sedona


Maximus on point at Submarine Rock


On the Broken Arrow Trails

[Neuvik]

Broken Arrow Trail is highly trafficked, but there are plenty of pull outs. And everyone was friendly for the most part.



Camera always makes them look easier then they are haha.




Leaving Broken Arrow Trail

[VictorFranko]

Nice, thanks for sharing.
I'd like to get a small trailer, like their Chaser, but dang, everybody's charging an arm and leg for their off road trailers as if the were made out of platinum or something.

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by VictorFranko

Nice, thanks for sharing.
I'd like to get a small trailer, like their Chaser, but dang, everybody's charging an arm and leg for their off road trailers as if the were made out of platinum or something.

Thanks! It was a blast on the trails. We reslly had fun. Wish we could have done more, I will definitely have to return.

Yea their trailers are not cheap. But dang are they nice. I am debating getting one just for extra storage/camp kitchen if I start bringing along more folks on the adventures hehe.

Even rusted out M100 frames people want $1300 for. It is sorta lame.

Originally Posted by HUTCH 7.62

I want one of their trailers for my Jeep

They are nice, Makes it good for modt because they can leave it at a campsite and goof off without say a roof rack tent on top getting tore up by branches. And not to mention the extra storage. Em jeeps only have so many places to stuff things hehe

[Neuvik]

After Sedona we took 89A up Oak Creek to and then onto forest road 535 to Fry Lake. All the campgrounds up Oak Creek were slammed. And all along forest road 535 was campers, parked really close to the road for some strange reason. I stopped feeling bad about dusting them because there were plenty of places further off the road they could have made camp. The map I had showed that road as a high clearence road. But heck it was one of the finest maintained dirt roads I had ever seen, save but for a few mud holes. One poor sucker was stuck up to his axle in one...but it looked like he was fine, had other vehicles to assist.

Fry lake was just a ditch of water for the cows. But darn the field's were beautiful! Everyone else was camping by the road for some dumb reason. They all had rzrs and atvs so maybe thats why.





After breaking camp we returned the way we came. This time taking the 266 to Oasis and 168 to Big Pine. Before heading up past Bishop to made camp at lake Crowley. The following day goofed off on the many trailes in Inyo national forest. And took a hike up to the Inyo craters. Then on home. I got to spend more time there at Inyo Forest. There are tons of 4x4 trails and lakes out there. But another time I guess haha

Lake Crowley



Inyo Crater.

[HUTCH 7.62]

I want one of their trailers for my Jeep

[VictorFranko]

From Adventure Trailers website, here's a perfect example of what I don't like about fixed awnings, look at where the shade is, at least with an Easy Up you can easily move the awning or your chairs into the ever shifting shady area.
With a truck mounted awning you can't.



Dang, I am liking the looks of that Chaser trailer.
A lot.

[The Papa]

Originally Posted by VictorFranko

From Adventure Trailers website, here's a perfect example of what I don't like about fixed awnings, look at where the shade is, at least with an Easy Up you can easily move the awning or your chairs into the ever shifting shady area.
With a truck mounted awning you can't.



Dang, I am liking the looks of that Chaser trailer.
A lot.

Why can't you just turn the vehicle around?

[VictorFranko]

Originally Posted by The Papa

Why can't you just turn the vehicle around?

The sun never stops moving, therefore the shade never stops moving.
Who wants to keep moving a vehicle once camp is set up? Not me.

[CalNRA]

Originally Posted by VictorFranko

From Adventure Trailers website, here's a perfect example of what I don't like about fixed awnings, look at where the shade is, at least with an Easy Up you can easily move the awning or your chairs into the ever shifting shady area.
With a truck mounted awning you can't.



Dang, I am liking the looks of that Chaser trailer.
A lot.

then put one on the other side of the vehicle since you are willing to move chairs anyway.

[cannon]

Neuvik, Very nice top! And that Power Wagon is no slouch either. You are truly set up for off road camping and exploring.

BTW, If you are never going to take that top off again. Consider registering the truck as a housecar. The truck below is so registered and the fees are less than half of a truck registration.

If you don't mind I'll add a bit more Mopar porn with my old Power Wagon.

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by cannon

Neuvik, Very nice top! And that Power Wagon is no slouch either. You are truly set up for off road camping and exploring.

BTW, If you are never going to take that top off again. Consider registering the truck as a housecar. The truck below is so registered and the fees are less than half of a truck registration.

If you don't mind I'll add a bit more Mopar porn with my old Power Wagon.

Thanks Cannon! And heck yea love to see other folks rigs! Thats a really good looking 1972/73 Power Wagon! I like their grille and hood style from that era. 318 in there? Bumper height looks like you have better approach angles than mine too haha. Bet thats been a blast for years!

Yea I am planning to get it registered as an RV/housecar, I just hear it is a insane theses days. Not to mention they keep denying my license plate names and not sending the money back. Hate the DMV. Anyways that topper is pretty much permanent, it is not easy to take off. And yea Its outfitted for overlanding and we have been taking it out exploring as much as we can haha.

[VictorFranko]

I tent it because Remy sleeps with me. I could never get her up and into a rooftop tent, nor would I want to.
Where does Maximus sleep, in the bed of the truck? On the ground?

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by VictorFranko

I tent it because Remy sleeps with me. I could never get her up and into a rooftop tent, nor would I want to.
Where does Maximus sleep, in the bed of the truck? On the ground?

Well if the tent is on the trailer its only a little higher above a tailgate. But yea that was a main reason we decided against a roof rack tent. That and the ones without a hard case would get destroyed by branches.

Maximus sleeps in the truck bed yea, we brought his bed along and he loved it. Beats him being cramped in the tent with us. You can enter the tent from the truck bed so he is right with us.

[VictorFranko]

Originally Posted by Neuvik

Well if the tent is on the trailer its only a little higher above a tailgate. But yea that was a main reason we decided against a roof rack tent. That and the ones without a hard case would get destroyed by branches.

Maximus sleeps in the truck bed yea, we brought his bed along and he loved it. Beats him being cramped in the tent with us. You can enter the tent from the truck bed so he is right with us.

Lol, got it, he sleeps in both! I din't realized the tent was open to the truck bed

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by VictorFranko

Lol, got it, he sleeps in both! I din't realized the tent was open to the truck bed

Haha yea he isnt separated from us, I probably should have mentioned too that you can stand up in the truck bed, and enter the tent. Which is great, way more room than a roof rack tent.

[freedom_fighter]

Awesome pics, thanks for sharing... and good looking pup!

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by freedom_fighter

Awesome pics, thanks for sharing... and good looking pup!

Thanks! Appreciate the compliments, as does Maximus! He gets them where ever he goes haha.

[boludo12]

Just shy of an epic thread. Thanks.

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by boludo12

Just shy of an epic thread. Thanks.

Haha thanks! Ill be having some more come out. I need to hook my gopro up. I have some important upgrades I need soon, rock sliders and armoring for the oil pan and transmission.

[The War Wagon]

SCHWEEEEET rig.


As a MOPAR off-roader, I approve of this project!

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by The War Wagon

SCHWEEEEET rig.


As a MOPAR off-roader, I approve of this project!

Haha thanks! Nice rigs yourself! Mine might not be The War Wagon...but it certainly is a Power Wagon

[canative]

How do you like your Power Wagon? Mind me asking what you paid for it? Also, what you paid for your camper tent? Looks really cool. By the way, another Mopar fan here, mine's a '06 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4.

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by canative

How do you like your Power Wagon? Mind me asking what you paid for it? Also, what you paid for your camper tent? Looks really cool. By the way, another Mopar fan here, mine's a '06 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4.

Nice! I was originally looking at the Rebel, but I didnt like the airbag suspention system for what I intended to take the vehicle on. I like the 5.7L, plus theres a lot of them if I need parts hehe. I paid $54k for the power wagon out the door, the topper was 8k. Originally, I went to several dealers looking at TRiD Tacos and they wanted damn near the same and wouldnt budge on the price. Ford Raptors pretty much in the same boat And both don't have the features the power wagon comes with. Both the taco and the raptors are more geared to the desert racer, where as the Power Wagon is gear towards rock crawling.

So far I freaking love the Power Wagon, its basically a 3.5 ton jeep. I should have taken a video of it at Sedona because it was kicking ***, a lot of jeeps didnt attempt the path going to Submarine rock on the Broken Arrow trail. The front lockers and disconnecting sway bar add so much to the capabilities of the vehicle in comparrison to the toyotas, or raptors, or heck even jeeps. Plus with the length and power Its a climbing champ. And the skid plates give a decent amount of protection.

What I dont like is there is no skidplate to protect the transmission and oil pan. The front bumber is used from stadard 2500s so it has terrible approach angles. And the front fenders are also from standard 2500 so they are too low cut to incorporate a larger tire. The transmission buldge in the cab is crazy annoying too. But thats all piddly stuff in comparrision to what you get out of the box. I do think FCA should have came up with a trim package for the front bumber and side panels suites to 4x4 as options like they do with the Rubicons. But its all easy stuff I will change in due time.

I freaking love its capabilities, hands down. I am debating trying to take it on the Rubicon Trail in its stock suspension configuration. But I want rock slider first, and need to think it out more incase I run into trouble haha.


Oh its needs damn Trail Rated Badge!!!!

I should tear them off one of those stupid Jeep Renegades haha!

[cannon]

In case you didn't know. I have a MoPar 4X4 problem...

My pretty boy (RIP) and some jeeps.


And the Dodge with my baby girl in it.



And jeeps scattered around the yard.

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by sgt1372

FWIW, I would NOT recommend running the Rubicon w/your Ram. While it sounds like the drive train is up to it, I think the truck would be too long and wide to negotiate the entire trail, particularly one set of narrow rock gates that I recall, without some body damage.

I ran the Rubicon in a heavily modded Jeep TJ that I owned at the same time as the FJ but chose the TJ for the run because of the widder turning radius of the FJ. That turned out to be the better choice because there were sections that I do NOT think the FJ could have negotiated as easily as the TJ. There is a giid reason why you mainly see only Jeeps and other narrow, short wheel based 4wheelers on the Rubicon.

That said, most trucks that I've seen on the trail enter from the Tahoe end, where it is wider and straighter, down to the Spings and head back the way they came. The most difficult section of the trail is the descent and ascent down/up Cadillac Hill. Best to be in low/low when going down and make sure you have enough clearance for the 4 ft ledge that was there the last time I went up the hill.

Unless things have changed, you will probably have to build up some rock steps to get up and over that ledge going back up as I did in the past. It was hard to stand up straight and felt like 45° slope when I got out of the TJ to do that, so make sure you're in gear (or park) and have your e-brake fully engaged and your wheels blocked, if you have to do this or you may be in for a very rude surprise.

Happy wheeling!

Thanks for the info sgt1372! It's a naieve dream to be sure haha. I am still extremely new to 4wheeling so really just exploring and enjoying the overlanding aspect for now. I got some mods to do way before that anyways.

Originally Posted by cannon

In case you didn't know. I have a MoPar 4X4 problem...

My pretty boy (RIP) and some jeeps.


And the Dodge with my baby girl in it.



And jeeps scattered around the yard.

Haha! Nice love it, better to have more to do than nothing to do haha! Good looking dogs too! Is that M34 running? Looks like a fun project!

[cannon]

Originally Posted by Neuvik

Thanks for the info sgt1372! It's a naieve dream to be sure haha. I am still extremely new to 4wheeling so really just exploring and enjoying the overlanding aspect for now. I got some mods to do way before that anyways.


Haha! Nice love it, better to have more to do than nothing to do haha! Good looking dogs too! Is that M34 running? Looks like a fun project!

The ambulances are M43's but you probably know that.

runs great and all systems are operational.

Have you thought about adding windows to your top?

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by cannon

The ambulances are M43's but you probably know that.

runs great and all systems are operational.

Have you thought about adding windows to your top?

Woops, dyslexia at work haha!

If you are talking about windows in the topper we decided against that for added security. I usually take a few rifles with me so I like them secured in the back if my girl friend and I go out to dinner or we leave the truck at a trailhead for a hike. When its folded out for camping there is plenty of light inside, plus the bed has LED lighting. When folded for travel I havent been bothered by too little light getting stuff out of the back.

[cannon]

I believe to register it as an RV you need bathroom. kitchen etc. A shell or camper shell and you can register as a Housecar.

The 73 has been a blast. Sadly Just don't drive it anymore. Have a jeep and am converting an AWD Van for camping with wife and dogs. 3 GSDs take up some floor space.

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by cannon

I believe to register it as an RV you need bathroom. kitchen etc. A shell or camper shell and you can register as a Housecar.

The 73 has been a blast. Sadly Just don't drive it anymore. Have a jeep and am converting an AWD Van for camping with wife and dogs. 3 GSDs take up some floor space.

Yea your right, looks like I have to fill out form REG 256A, and do their little dance. Guess I got to go knock it out.

Thats a shame, but with 3 GSD's I can totally see that not being sufficient in space hahah. Im not allowed to get another, but I m8ght bend the rules and say someone just dropped another shepard at the door hehe! Good luck with the van, send us some pictures too when its done haha!


And for no reason heres two pictures from last weekend camping at Lake Britton weekend of the 8/9. Girlfriend had never seen Burney Falls so went up to see my Grandma further north and that. Stayed at these coordinates 40.997779,-121.583148

[cannon]

Originally Posted by Neuvik

Yea your right, looks like I have to fill out form REG 256A, and do their little dance. Guess I got to go knock it out.

Thats a shame, but with 3 GSD's I can totally see that not being sufficient in space hahah. Im not allowed to get another, but I m8ght bend the rules and say someone just dropped another shepard at the door hehe! Good luck with the van, send us some pictures too when its done haha!


And for no reason heres two pictures from last weekend camping at Lake Britton weekend of the 8/9. Girlfriend had never seen Burney Falls so went up to see my Grandma further north and that. Stayed at these coordinates 40.997779,-121.583148

Post all the pictures you can. Always great to see where folks are going.

Around here it is all I can do not to be up to my ears in GSDs. Wife has a GSD collection problem.

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by cannon

Post all the pictures you can. Always great to see where folks are going.

Around here it is all I can do not to be up to my ears in GSDs. Wife has a GSD collection problem.

Haha on my end she is keeping me from getting more.

Ill keep the pictures comming haha! When your rocking your jeep do they sleep below the bed area? I wanted a jeep but the little lady flat out refused saying there wasnt enough room. I should have shown her that top you like the one you have.

[cannon]

Originally Posted by Neuvik

Haha on my end she is keeping me from getting more.

Ill keep the pictures comming haha! When your rocking your jeep do they sleep below the bed area? I wanted a jeep but the little lady flat out refused saying there wasnt enough room. I should have shown her that top you like the one you have.

Yep, I take the upstairs and the pooch that came along gets the downstairs. I only bring one dog so there is room for stuff and dog.

[BillyGoatCrawler]

Nice $10,000 tent!

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by BillyGoatCrawler

Nice $10,000 tent!

Haha, whats an extra 2k anyways right? I mean you get to keep the box it came in!

We had done the tent route for years, I think I left some photos in my other threads. The set up and break down time started to get annoying, especially when we come in at odd hours. We also do a lot of cold and wet weather camping were being on the ground is a detriment. Nemo the tent manufacturer for the habitat is very high quality I have their 4 season tent for backcountry split boarding.

But the purchase of the habitat was a big descision to make, this addition was not cheap at all. Comparing to say a Four Wheel Camper we would have been at 20k for Hawk or 14k for Shell with them being tripple the weight. Thats if you can find someone who will do the MSRP too. The wait list 9 months! So naturally dealers are taking on more $.

Using a roof rack tent you are at 4k for a hard shell and then you need a topper that is actually engineered for the weight otherwise the fiberglass starts to splinter. I think there are only two made, one by ARE, so toss another 2.5k in. But you cant stand up, have less room and I dont want to lift the dog up in there haha.

[BillyGoatCrawler]

This thread is dying so it’s not technically hi jacking right? It’s reviving?

Here’s my mopar camper project. 1990 Power Wagon with 12 valve Cummins and Four Wheel Camper. The truck has been in a junk yard for 11 years and needed a lot of work to get back on the road, but she’s rolling now.





ETA: I’m on my phone and looks like the resolution might be doo doo...

[Neuvik]

Originally Posted by BillyGoatCrawler

This thread is dying so it’s not technically hi jacking right? It’s reviving?

Here’s my mopar camper project. 1990 Power Wagon with 12 valve Cummins and Four Wheel Camper. The truck has been in a junk yard for 11 years and needed a lot of work to get back on the road, but she’s rolling now.





ETA: I’m on my phone and looks like the resolution might be doo doo...

Naw throw the rigs up! Nice project truck, congrats on brining to back to life! Did it still have the cummins in it after those 11 years? I was having trouble with my images too, phone ones turned to crude resolution.

[BillyGoatCrawler]

Originally Posted by Neuvik

Naw throw the rigs up! Nice project truck, congrats on brining to back to life! Did it still have the cummins in it after those 11 years? I was having trouble with my images too, phone ones turned to crude resolution.

11 year old fuel that was black with algae (microbes) growth, no front axle, radiator leaked heavily, power steering box was blown, turbo had blow by, a few electrical problems, and some other smaller stuff... but the body(aside from paint) and Cummins are good to go and I got it for cheap. I’ve fixed everything since.

I’ll paint it soon and probably make an aluminum flat bed with side boxes for gear storage.

[BillyGoatCrawler]

Neuvik, I saw the one pic looking up from the inside at the deployed tent. What does it look like closed up? How much cargo room?

Can you leave sleeping bags in the tent area when closing it up or do you have to remove it all in order to fold down? I like your hard top. I've only seen the roof top mounted tent/treefort configurations that are all the rage on Tacomas right now.