Help Me Prepare - 1st long trip on the PP

1274 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by ballisticexchris, 5 mo ago

ares

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

Wife and I are going to Big Bend National Park next week. We will be staying in a cabin for three nights. Most of the itinerary is driving the trails; I'm not a walker.

18" trailsport wheels have been purchased. Wildpeak A/T tires have just arrived and will be mounted this weekend.

Wife and I have driven from Texas to Orlando (in an Audi TT which isnt as bad as one would think except the cargo space is nonexistent especially with a full-size spare and jack) which was the longest we've driven together. I've driven from Texas to California and back several times.

Stuff we have purchased/about to purchase:

Most of everything from this post
Emergency Medical Kit
Portable Heat hand warmers
Sealed tank of gasoline (other options? there's a 24hr gas station in the park)
4x 1 gallon water jugs

Stuff that we have on hand that we're taking

32x 16oz bottles of water
Canned food
Snacks
45* and 30* sleeping bags
1x 20" PP Elite wheel as a full-size spare (plus the donut)

Apparently we wont be purchasing hiking clothes and shoes and will just take whatever we have on hand.

Ideas of stuff to bring to the trip in general is appreciated.
Ideas of stuff to bring in relation to the drive/PP is appreciated.

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stevenD

· #2 · 5 mo ago

Bring lots of warm gear, blankets and clothing.

Some personal protection won't hurt either, I bought a cabled lock box, off Amazon, bought a small master lock and have the lock box on top of the spare, locked to a child restraint latch.

Have fun, safe travels and we want to see pictures...!

Reactions: 3

kgilbertsen_1

· #3 · 5 mo ago

What a great park! Lots to see, and a lot of territory to cover. I'd suggest you do the short hike into St Elena Canyon. It's not a difficult hike at all and it is beautiful - well worth the minimal effort and time. We were there in early April and temps were already in the upper 90's and low 100's. Plenty of water is crucial. You will love it.
Have a safe trip!

Reactions: 1

ares

Discussion Starter · #4 · 5 mo ago

stevenD said:
Bring lots of warm gear, blankets and clothing.

Some personal protection won't hurt either, I bought a cabled lock box, off Amazon, bought a small master lock and have the lock box on top of the spare, locked to a child restraint latch.

Have fun, safe travels and we want to see pictures...!

Can you elaborate on the personal protection?

kgilbertsen_1 said:
What a great park! Lots to see, and a lot of territory to cover. I'd suggest you do the short hike into St Elena Canyon. It's not a difficult hike at all and it is beautiful - well worth the minimal effort and time. We were there in early April and temps were already in the upper 90's and low 100's. Plenty of water is crucial. You will love it.
Have a safe trip!

Thanks for the tip. Current forecasts show highs in the mid/upper 60s and low around 39. Should be "comfortable" weather assuming the heat in the cabin works. I dont have any wind-proof jackets so I may look into that.

Reactions: 1

TX3866

· #5 · 5 mo ago

ares said:
Ideas of stuff to bring to the trip in general is appreciated.

Battery booster pack:

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12-Volt UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter Box, Car Battery Booster Pack, Portable Power Bank Charger, and Jumper Cables for up to 6-Liter Gasoline and 3-Liter Diesel Engines : Automotive

Buy NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12-Volt UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter Box, Car Battery Booster Pack, Portable Power Bank Charger, and Jumper Cables for up to 6-Liter Gasoline and 3-Liter Diesel Engines: Jump Starters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Reactions: 1

stevenD

· #6 · 5 mo ago

a gun

Reactions: 4

ares

Discussion Starter · #7 · 5 mo ago

TX3866 said:
Battery booster pack:

Amazon.com: NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12-Volt UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter Box, Car Battery Booster Pack, Portable Power Bank Charger, and Jumper Cables for up to 6-Liter Gasoline and 3-Liter Diesel Engines : Automotive

Buy NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12-Volt UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter Box, Car Battery Booster Pack, Portable Power Bank Charger, and Jumper Cables for up to 6-Liter Gasoline and 3-Liter Diesel Engines: Jump Starters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I've definitely thought about buying those. I plan on having jumper cables but having one of these would definitely be ideal because of the remote trails.

Do you have first-hand experience with that product? It's the "best selling" / "most reviewed" product but has the older microUSB charge port. That's one more cable I'll have to lug around.

ares

Discussion Starter · #8 · 5 mo ago

stevenD said:
a gun

That's what I thought you meant... I haven't gotten into guns because I'll likely want to make it a hobby and it'll likely get expensive quick.

Since I'm a new homeowner, my uncle lent me a shotgun until I buy myself one. My stepdad, is building me an ar15 "pistol." As much as I'd like to take either of those, since they're not under my name (yet), I probably shouldn't.

Reactions: 1

TX3866

· #9 · 5 mo ago

ares said:
Do you have first-hand experience with that product?

It got good reviews on Amazon. I bought one several years ago and once used it to start my wife's civic. Worked great.

Reactions: 1

carpayments4life

· #10 · 5 mo ago

Take a gallon of windshield washer fluid.

Reactions: 2

PNWGarageDad

· #11 · 5 mo ago

Sounds like an awesome trip! Please share some pics!
Yes, shooting is an expensive hobby for sure!

Reactions: 3

lvdukerider

· #12 · 5 mo ago

If your unfamiliar or unaccustomed to firearms O.C. (pepper spray) and a BB bat can be very effective, (and potentially less litigious), alternatives.
This sounds like an fantastic journey, please post pictures and keep us posted.

Reactions: 3

ballisticexchris

· #13 · 5 mo ago

I will lay out my stuff in a the next few days and take pics of both dedicated gear that stays in the Honda and gear that goes back and forth between whatever vehicle I'm driving.

Reactions: 3

Driv3r

· #14 · 5 mo ago

A portable tire inflator.
FORTEM Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor 150 PSI, 12V Electric Air Pump w/LED Light, Digital Tire Pressure Gauge w/Auto Pump/Shut Off, Carrying Case (Red) https://a.co/d/3TT4g1o

A water sprayer. To rinse utensils, or to wash up.
Itisll Manual Garden Sprayer Pump Sprayer Safety Valve Adjustable Nozzle 0.5 Gal https://a.co/d/eHrvUrM

A rechargeable power station. I have a bulky ECOFLOW for emergencies, but this may be a smaller option
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300, 293Wh Solar Generator (Solar Panel Not Included) for Outdoors Camping Travel Hunting Blackout https://a.co/d/dhkxypX

A multitool knife.
ROXON S801S STORM 16 in 1 multitool pliers EDC for Camping, Outdoor with Lockable Saw Blade with Nylon Case (S801S) https://a.co/d/3Zxtrcd

The next items, I don't personally own, so I can't confidently recommend them. To sleep inside the Passport, there is the expensive Luno Life mattress made to fit after you empty the entire trunk area (not ideal, but an option), the OEM tent that attaches to the trunk of the Passport, and then this smaller option for the backseat in the link below, small but inexpensive.

HIRALIY Car Air Mattress Backseat Inflatable Car Mattress Portable. https://a.co/d/8gyUL1G

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Driv3r

· #15 · 5 mo ago

Strike that last paragraph. I failed to read that you will be in a cabin. Sorry about that.

ballisticexchris

· #16 · 5 mo ago

4

ballisticexchris said:
I will lay out my stuff in a the next few days and take pics of both dedicated gear that stays in the Honda and gear that goes back and forth between whatever vehicle I'm driving.

As promised here is what I bring for a typical road trip. The snow cables, tarp, Mexican blanket and wheel chock are always in vehicle. The rest gets swapped back and forth between vehicles. I only bring my folding shovel, traction aids and folding solar panels if I'm camping off road. Here is everything packed nice and neat in the tray:

Hood Trunk Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive design

Everything laid out. I have quick steel, duct tape strips and safety wire inside a zipped compartment as well. My headlamp is over 15 years old. I used it to climb Half Dome and daily for almost 10 years for night fuel deliveries:

Hood Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive exterior Automotive design

This is my Viair 400P compressor and GOOLOO 4000A Jump pack. I also carry tire plugs, deflator and gauge:

Hood Luggage and bags Vehicle Motor vehicle Bag

Now for my energy source for powering cooler and charging accessories (if needed). In this picture I have it hooked up just as I would when plugging into vehicle. It's a Jackery 300. I plug an inverter into the cig socket and plug the Jackery into the inverter. I also plug a "Type C" from Inverter into the Jackery. This is the most efficient way to keep the Solar Generator charged using pass through charging. All the while having the ability to keep cooler powered when parked overnight. This setup works perfect when you are traveling on road trips and stopping overnight. If parked and camping, then I simply break out the portable 100W Rockpals solar panel and plug it into the Jackery:

Motor vehicle Hood Automotive tire Bumper Trunk

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Reactions: 5

PNWGarageDad

· #17 · 5 mo ago

ballisticexchris said:
As promised here is what I bring for a typical road trip. The snow cables, tarp, Mexican blanket and wheel chock are always in vehicle. The rest gets swapped back and forth between vehicles. I only bring my folding shovel, traction aids and folding solar panels if I'm camping off road. Here is everything packed nice and neat in the tray:

View attachment 16878

Everything laid out. I have quick steel, duct tape strips and safety wire inside a zipped compartment as well. My headlamp is over 15 years old. I used it to climb Half Dome and daily for almost 10 years for night fuel deliveries:

View attachment 16880

This is my Viair 400P compressor and GOOLOO 4000A Jump pack. I also carry tire plugs, deflator and gauge:

View attachment 16879

Now for my energy source for powering cooler and charging accessories (if needed). In this picture I have it hooked up just as I would when plugging into vehicle. It's a Jackery 300. I plug an inverter into the cig socket and plug the Jackery into the inverter. I also plug a "Type C" from Inverter into the Jackery. This is the most efficient way to keep the Solar Generator charged using pass through charging. All the while having the ability to keep cooler powered when parked overnight. This setup works perfect when you are traveling on road trips and stopping overnight. If parked and camping, then I simply break out the portable 100W Rockpals solar panel and plug it into the Jackery:

View attachment 16877

Thanks for sharing! Really good info! I'm slowly buying my camping/overland gear.

Reactions: 1

ballisticexchris

· #18 · 5 mo ago

PNWGarageDad said:
Thanks for sharing! Really good info! I'm slowly buying my camping/overland gear.

You're welcome and thank you as well for your tips and suggestions regarding your setup.

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