Las Vegas to Reno with many stops!!

I will \be taking a 24 day trip starting mid December. The destinations will be as follows;


Las Vegas to Tombstone, AZ
Tombstone to San Diego, CA
San Diego to Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach to Apple Valley, CA
Apple Valley to Bakersfield
Bakersfield to Sacramento
Sacramento to San Francisco
San Francisco to Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa to Reno
Reno back to Vegas.

I will be traveling with my two dogs and one other person (not sure who quite yet). I have a 1989 Ford Ranger that has been repaired to excellent working condition. I am planning on getting either cheap a towbehind trailer or a cheap cabover camper. I would like the trailer cause it will provide more space, but the cabover would work excellently as well.

I will be taking about $1000 to $1500 with me and would like to know from you experienced road trippers, what should I keep in mind, do, see, make sure of...I want to know everything. Weather, road conditions, short cuts...ETC ETC>

I'm willing to make stops and venture off the path a little for some great sights. If anyone can make any suggestions for cool places to visit along the way or a little out of the way, please do!

I can also answer any questions on here as well!

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

Looking at your route, are stops in Apple Valley and Bakersfield essential? They kind of make it difficult to hit the coastal highway, which would be the route I'd want to take from Newport to San Francisco. You could then hit Santa Rosa and Sacramento on your way towards Reno.

As far as things to do, on your first leg alone, you'd have the Grand Canyon, Sedona, AZ, not to mention the Pheonix and Tucson areas.

For your camping set-up, I'd be looking strongly at a cabover option. You're going to be going over several mountain passes, and the additional strain of pulling a trailer is more than I'd want to put on a pickup that's pushing 20 years old, no matter how good of condition it is in.

Your budget seems a little on the light side, if you are only planning to spend $1500. During your 2000 mile trip, I'd be planning to spend at least $500 on gasoline alone. That leaves you $40 per day for eating/camping/misc expenses. If you try and limit yourself to very low cost camping, and do a lot of eating out of a cooler, you should be able to get by, but you won't have much room to splurge.

Good Luck!

I also think your budget is kinda tight. But if you are frugal by eating most meals out of your cooler (or your camper's kitchen), stay in inexpensive campgrounds, and make hiking and other outdoor pursuits the mainstay of your trip activities, you should be fine. But if you can squeeze another $500 or so out, that would be better. Of course, if you have a traveling companion sharing gas, groceries and camping fee expenses, your budget will be eased up quite a bit.

Another reason why a camper makes a better choice is because it's easier to do some free camping along the way. When we had a truck/camper combo, more than once we would find ourselves either too strapped for cash to pay for campground fees or no openings at any nearby campgrounds. So we would sometimes just pull into a parking lot and stay there. Now, if you do this, you want to pull in fairly late and not be sitting up with your lights on for any longer than it takes to climb into bed. And then plan to pull out early. But it's an easier option with a camper as it's smaller and not as conspicuous. You could even park on a residential street doing this. Just don't call attention to yourself at all. Some Wal-Marts, not all, actually encourage campers to do this as well. But check with the store manager first and be sure you buy something there if you do get a free night's stay in their lot.

Of course, our Editor makes a good case for not doing these things for liability reasons I won't get into here. But it's an option to consider. As long as you're careful and use good common-sense, I think it's a good option once in awhile.

Thank you for your input. My budget is tight because yes, I will have a companion sharing expenses. And I also do plan to eat out of the cooler most of the time. I am stopping in AV and Bakersfield to visit friends. I'm not too interested in taking the coast route unless you think its something that cannot be missed. I'll probably be taking another trip in the summer, perhaps I could hit it then?

Also, the trailer issue. It would not be a very large trailer. The problem I have with the cabover is the space. I have a 70 inch long bed with only 38 inches between the wheel well walls. I know from looking at campers that this doesn't leave me with much space. I kind of wanted a few amenities such as porto-potti and perhaps a sink and a stove. I know the size of camper that fits in my truck is either not going to have these things or make the space even more cramped.

However, if you really believe that towing a small trailer would be too hard on my truck, speak again and I'll ditch the idea.

Its going to have to be your decision on whether you think your truck will be able to handle towing a trailer over this distance. You know it better than we do, and if it is in perfect condition, you'll probably be able to make it without any problems.

However, in general, I'd say that If I had an average pickup that is 18 years old (and presumably has a fairly high number of miles), I probably would not feel confident in its ability to handle such a long journey when you will have to make several trips over significant mountain passes. The size of the engine will also play a role in that decision making. If its a 4 cyl, I'd be even less likely to make the trip than if it has a V6.

There will be trade offs for either option. While having a full trailer will likely be more comfortable to sleep in, its also going to be more difficult to drive, not only over the mountains but also through the major cities your route will take you through.

However, you'll have to weigh the tradeoff and decide what option works best for you.

OK, I also have a 2003 Ford Explorer. Do you think that would be a better option for towing the trailer?

As long as it is in good mechanical condition, I would feel much more confident pulling a trailer with the Explorer.

Having traveled with a truck/camper, a truck/trailer, and in a car with a tent, I'll give you my take on all three.

Truck/Camper: Easy to maneuver through traffic and to park. Difficult to go up and down elevations due to the extra weight. Need to travel at a slower speed due to the weight and how the center of gravity is different with the camper on. Nice to just pull up to a campground, crawl into the camper, and go to bed without having to do anything special. Nice to have a kitchen to pull over anywhere and prepare a good meal. Decreased fuel consumption.

Truck/Trailer: Easy to maneuver but the need to be hyper-vigilant about the space needs for your extra length is tiresome. Difficult to go up and down elevations. Decreased fuel consumption. More of a hassle to go through small towns, to find parking for, and to get in-and-out of parking lots. Sometimes impossible. Can be difficult to get gas in older stations without a lot of space around the pumps. More of a hassle for camping with at night because of the greater need to level it and use supports to keep it stable.

Car/Tent: Funner driving experience. No loss of fuel consumption. Bad if it's raining....not so much for the sleeping if you have a good, rain-proof tent but the putting up/taking down in the rain is not a good time. Can be bad if it's cold unless you have a very good tent, insulated bedding/sleeping pads, and extra blankets. If so, I kinda enjoy the fresh, cold air on my face while I'm nice and warm in my sleeping bag. YMMV. It's still easy to eat out of a cooler with a well-organized cooking/food prep set-up in your trunk for easy access.

Personally, when we had the truck/camper or truck/trailer, we never strayed more than about 200-300 miles from home. Longer trips weren't worth it. We didn't enjoy the driving experience and the increased fuel consumption didn't make sense at all. With more miles, it made more sense to take the car, enjoy the fuel savings, and use it toward an inexpensive motel. We have always eaten out of a cooler a lot, no matter what vehicle we took.

I would only travel long distances with a camper or trailer if I had the luxury of a very long (at least 3-4 months) trip. But for quick roadtrips, to me, it's not worth it.

So, if it were me, I'd take the Ford Explorer. Pack camping gear. And then camp when the location and the weather are appropriate. And stay in an inexpensive hotel if bad weather sets in. But that's me. Again, YMMV.

As for the Oregon Coast.....if you're going to be back up this way again, you could definitely save it for another time. It might be more fun in the summer anyway. But it is definitely a MUST-do. Gorgeous. Stunning. Really.

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Originally Posted by sincitychains

Bakersfield to Sacramento

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Sincity- everyone is bugging you about the gear, but not the route. You have 24 days and you need to explore the Sierra Nevada inbetween Bakersfield (located at the tip of the southern Sierra) and Sacramento. Lot of history and neat stuff, ntm the Sierra Nevada Passes. You might consider going up and over Hwy 108 to Bodie Historic Ghost Town, then double back via Monitor Pass (Hwy 89) to Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4). Even just drive up Historic Hwy 49 (it's 330 miles long!).

There are also THREE(!!) national parks between those two, and those at the very least should not be missed less you've already been there, or would make a special trip just for them. Namely Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite. They make them into National Parks for a reason, they're typically just stunning! Also note Glacier Point in Yosemite. Tedious to get there, but what a view!

Won't post it, but Check this out!. Shot that last weekend at Glacier Point. And yes, it's straight down all the way to the bottom. Makes me want to take up base jumping. ;)

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Originally Posted by pashnit

Shot that last weekend at Glacier Point. And yes, it's straight down all the way to the bottom. Makes me want to take up base jumping. ;)

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Just makes me dizzy -- great angle though! Have you ever done the hike to the top of Half Dome? That is fun and just enough crazy to be appealing to you, I would bet.

Mark

Nice pic!!

JuDY: I've done a lot of tent camping in my 24 years and I can tell you I absolutely love it. However, I really wanna do the camper thing. I'm traveling with my two dogs in the winter. None of us will be able to handle the cold. Not only that, but my tent is enormous and quite a pain to put up and take down with any less than 5 people. I don't want to buy another tent and I really don't want to risk the rain pissing me off. I've camped in the rain before...as fun as it it, its very irritating when putting up and taking down gear. I don't really want to stay in hotel rooms as that will ruin the whole "roughing it" concept for me. I know campers aren't totally roughing it, but they are one step up from a tent for me...and in the winter its completely necessary.

As far as my route goes: I'm going to pick up a few maps and guides from AAA and do some more research on the net before I take this trip. I will most likely change around destinations and time spent in places to accomodate my travel partner and my spontanuity. I do however, have specified destinations such as Apple Valley and Bakersfield because I have friends that I would like to visit there. (so I know those two places are extremely uneventful) I will check out a few of the places that were mentioned by Pashnit and perhaps add them to my itinerary.

So back to the trailer thing. I'm aware of the lowered mileage on my MPGs...I'm aware of the slower speeds I will be forced to travel at. I'm still really trying to decide between a cabover and a trailer. I would like space and convenience...but I would also like something that isn't going to make me go 10mph and break my vehicle down.

Keep the feedback coming by the way...I love it and I'm learning a lot.

Oh, as a dog lover, I don't want your dogs to get cold. I was going to give you a bit of a flip answer...get an easier tent to put up/down. Mine is about a 5-minute, 1-person job that sleeps 2 people and a dog quite nicely. But that doesn't solve the problem of the cold now, does it?

I think each solution (camper vs. trailer) have their strengths and weaknesses. Is it possible to go to a dealer and ask to have them mounted to your pick-up for a try-out? Maybe go to a place that rents them and try one out one weekend, and the other the next? That really might be the best way to resolve the dilemma.

To be honest, when traveling with dogs, a camper or trailer really does make a big difference. As long as they aren't barkers, you can leave the comfortably while you go exploring for awhile. That's harder to do when they're stuck in a car.

Oh, just a thought....how about a small teardrop trailer? They are very cool-looking, lightweight, can be towed with even a small 4-cylinder car, and don't have hardly any impact on fuel consumption. I have been yearning for one. It solves both the cold problem (and the rain problem) and gives your dogs a comfy place to hang-out while you go exploring. It might be a great option for you.

i have not heard of teardrop trailers...can you post a link so I can see what it looks like?

Here is an article about tear drop trailers and other types of vintage trailers.

hmmm...those are awfully nice...the only problem is price. I'm seriously in the market for something not more than $700. However, if I had the money, I'd totally go for one of those.

Wow...I think I just figured something out that could have helped me weeks ago...

Until now I've been looking for cabover campers that were 6ft. I have a 1989 Ford Ranger (sure I mentioned that already) extended cab (jump seats) and a 70 inch long bed....


can I use an 8 ft cabover for this??? I just saw a pic of an 8 footer on a dogde dakota!!!


Anyone know cabover campers really well?

Have you ever thought about just getting a cab for the pick-up bed instead of a full-blown cab-over-camper? You could add a porta-potty, make up a nice kitchen box from wood that can easily pull out to the tailgate and you could cook under the propped-up backdoor for rain protection, and you can insulate it and get a portable propane heater for warmth. And it won't be heavy enough or big enough to cost you much in extra fuel consumption. Might be an economical solution to your dilemma.

Not sure what you mean by just a cab...

Again, space is a factor. 2 dogs and maybe even up to 4 kids.

I think Judy was refering to a topper to go over the back of of the pickup bed.

But if you are now talking 4 kids and 2 dogs, obviously a pickup isn't going to work anyway.

Your very limited budget and growing traveling party is going to make it very difficult for you to find anything that will work well.

good luck

Small kids...2 dogs...just need room to sleep.

You guys aren't being very positive about this. I think it will work. I'm not looking for anything special. Just something to keep the rain out and provide a nice little haven.

Oh and the initial road trip won't be with all the kids. I'd take them somewhere nearby like Flagstaff or Cedar City...

I know you said up to 4 kids and 2 dogs.. but that's a lot to carry -- to the point I suspect you'd have a hard time fitting them into an Explorer or an extended Cab pickup for a long trip, with lots of miles per day.

Hmm.. another thing to, is that when you stop somewhere they're all going to *explode* out of the car, just to burn off energy. Trying to stuff them back into a camper or trailer may not be a good idea.

My suggestion would be go back to the camping idea -- and pick whatever vehicle is largest with most number of seats with seatbelts that will survive the trip. If your Explorer has the 3rd row of seats, that might be an option.

Get a cheap ($50?) cargo bag for the roof, so you can clear out as much stuff from the passenger area. You'll need the volume for the kid's traveling entertainment -- books and CD players (with headphones!) and games and etc. as well as 4 passenger. And get at least 2 tents -- maybe 3 smaller ones. One for you, and at least one for the kids... Add in a couple of collapsible camp chairs (for you! like $10 apiece), and maybe an "Easyup" sun/ rain shelter ($50?), and you'd be reasonably ready to go. You'll want the acreage when you stop just to spread things out so people aren't snapping at each other after being cooped up in the car all day.

Now, if you have a smaller load of kids and dogs, then you could go for something with a smaller footprint -- back to the camper or trailer.

Background: I support a local Boy Scout troop, and have traveled up to half a day each way with up to six, 11-14 year old boys in the vehicle with me. Camping gear on the roof, but they each have a daypack with their personal gear in the car.

While I appreciate all of these ideas...maybe I didn't express my intent on the camper enough. Really, the road trip is expressly for the camper experience. I'm not even all that intent on seeing the sights along the way...however, I might as well if I'm going to be doing this traveling.

When you say that the trip is more for the experience of sleeping in a camper or a trailer, then why burn miles? Just find either a camper or trailer and stay close to home. But there are no campers that will sleep you, 4 kids, and 2 dogs comfortably. They're just not big enough. And even getting a trailer to do this might mean getting a bigger trailer than you might want to tow with your older pickup.

Add to that, I doubt you will find any for $700 or less. Sorry. When we bought our camper almost 20 years ago, we did only pay $300 for it. It was a bargain but was quite old and in pretty sad shape. It took about another $300 (if I remember right) and hours of work to get it in shape for the road. It slept 4 plus a dog that slept on the floor. And the 2 kids were crowded after they got to be about 10-11 years old. About 8 years ago, we upgraded to a small trailer. It took about a year of rather diligent looking around our area to find a trailer that met our needs for under $2000. And prices have gone up since those times. The most the trailer could sleep was 6 but one of the beds was pretty crowded with 6. 5 was a better fit. Plus dog on the floor, of course. Probably could have had 2 dogs but that would have made this way too crowded, imho, with little floorspace to walk around.

I don't know if it's possible to find something in today's world, with today's prices, for $700 or not. But I think you will have to really do some hard looking to find it. Sorry if that sounds negative to you. I just know what I see out there and for something like $700, you're not likely to find anything that is currently road-safe.

A good place to look around and get a feel for prices would be on Ebay. Check out the RV section for the truck campers and travel trailers.

Actually I've found quite a few campers for under $1000 in several places. I'm prepared to travel a few hundred miles for a really good one.

Why not stay close to home? What would be the point in the road trip? LOL.
I also plan on using this as a mobile weather tracking unit next summer when I chase storms.


I've checked ebay...not much of a selection there. I'm looking for a 6ft Six Pac. My dad found an awesome one for 2900 bucks and is considering paying a bit more for something this awesome.

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Why not stay close to home? What would be the point in the road trip?

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Some of the best roadtrips you can take are just a hundred miles from home.

Here is the better question, if all you want is the experience of using a camper, and you don't even care if you see the sights, then why bother with a long roadtrip?

As far as your camper situation goes, I don't think we can provide any more help. If you believe you can find a camper that will provide enough space for you, 4 kids, and 2 dogs, your 18 year old pickup, and do it all for $700, then you are set.

I, like the others, am not sure how you're going to find something that fits these criteria, but if and when you do, please let us know what you come up with.

Dad is going to see it today (it was a cab-over camper shell for $400). And the long roadtrip, well I live driving! Also, I've seen just about everything nearby...and my favorite places are on my list for this trip.

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Originally Posted by sincitychains

Dad is going to see it today (it was a cab-over camper shell for $400). And the long roadtrip, well I live driving! Also, I've seen just about everything nearby...and my favorite places are on my list for this trip.

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Maybe it will be OK -- Pretty scary proposition for me though.

Mark

If you're looking at a camper with interior amenities like stove, fridge, table, storage, beds, etc., I doubt you're going to find anything usable, sturdy, and in working condition for that price. I hope I'm wrong and you're find a great deal.

However, you also called it a shell. A shell is just the exterior with no amenities inside. If that's the case, $400 is a realistic price to find a used shell for. But you won't get all the things you say you wanted. However, this is a fine way to travel/camp.

In either case, I'm unconvinced that you will be able to get all those kids and dogs in there and travel safely and comfortably.

Actually, I'm more concerned about safe traveling right now. How can you fit 4 kids and 2 dogs plus you, the driver, in a Ford Ranger safely? Even if you put the dogs in the camper/shell while driving, are there enough seatbelts for the rest of you?

Yes there are enough seatbelts...the Ranger takes 3 in the front and two in the back in the jump seats...seatbelts for all. The dogs can ride in the camper...just a small dog and a medium sized dog.

Sorry about the CL ad (Editor)...didn't know that was against the rules.

Anyway, the camper is in rough shape and will need some cleaning and new curtains...will also need some exterior painting, but my parents are VERY good at finding these things. They put a deposit down on it and I should be driving out to Riverside, CA to pick it up in a couple weeks.

thanks for all of your help and suggestions. I'll be checkin out now!

Come back and tell us about your trip when you return. Hope it turns out great!

As long as I'm allowed to post pics here I'll show em all! Either that or I'll put a link?

What am I allowed to do?

If you're only doing a few pictures, you can post them right here. But, if you want to share a lot, it's better to give us a link.

Looking forward to 'em.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84...s/IMAG0009.jpg
Well, here she is in all her glory. $300 with some improvments on the inside and out. Taking her for a test run this weekend to Barstow. Just a quick overnighter with the kids and the dogs. Thought I would let you all know. SHe is running tip top except for an electrical issue I have to work out, real small one. I have changed my trip itinerary around due to the fact that no one can get the time off from work or have enough money to join me on the entire thing. I will only be visiting places where I know people, sac, SF, Newport...and then go straight to Arizona for a rodeo.

It looks like $300 plus a bit of work got you a nice traveling rig. It looks far nicer than our old $300 camper...long since died and gone to camper heaven, i.e. permanently in the deep woods as a hunting pitstop.

Enjoy and let us know how your trip turns out.

I actually left my old tent on some BLM land a while back. IT was quite tattered and I finally decided that even though I'd had it since I was 6, that it was time for it to go, so I gave it a propper burial and left it standing gloriously! LOL.

Will take some pics this weekend and post them.

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Originally Posted by sincitychains

I actually left my old tent on some BLM land a while back. IT was quite tattered and I finally decided that even though I'd had it since I was 6, that it was time for it to go, so I gave it a propper burial and left it standing gloriously!

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How does that differ from littering on public property?

Your new ride does look good and it certainly is several hundred dollars less than the minimum I would have counseled!

Good luck.

Mark

I suppose you could call it littering. I'm an advocate of keeping public lands clean, its not like it was a billion loose papers flying all over. Just a tent.

Anyway, the weekend trip went great and the kids had a blast, as did I. In fact, we stayed two days extra because we were having so much fun.