Advocate III
Super excited about my trip to go on the first of many Overlanding trips with my wife and our dog Cannoli. We are either leaving next week or the following, depending on some personal stuff. We plan on going to several ghost towns northwest of Lovelock, then a trip down to Bodie. I have camped, explored both as a family and alone, but a long journey with multiple stops in middle Nevada is a bit unnerving but exhilarating. I hope to share in this post pictures and information when we return. This is our first trip, also the first trip with our new trailer. I am sure we will have some learning lessons, but that is part of the adventure.
I found planning the trip fun. Using different apps, putting everything into Garmin and outlining our route was a good experience. I learned many things during that process. First, Garmin needs to work on its planning tools. Second, a combo of Google Earth CalTopo work excellent and both were free. I was able to use those two tools and bring everything into my Garmin Overlander and 66I. I am confident that I have a good route plotted and ready. Then planning food, water gas was interesting, especially moving from a packed JKU to a Gladiator with a bed. Throw in a new trailer.
Deciding what to take. I come from years of 4 wheeling. Doing that, I tend to over-prepare and bring everything under the sun. Trying to pair it down is a thought process. My Gladiator Rubicon is not as equipped as my JKU but equally as capable. That is purposeful. The Gladiator build differently. I did not want complicated; therefore, I went to a modular style. For example, onboard air is not portable. Lockers are stock lift mild but enough. My focus with the Gladiator from day one was mild and capable. I will not be doing extreme rock crawling, but I needed to be ready if needed. Modular has its limitations. It means I have less room, and for longer trips, I have to conscience what I pack. I am still working on the final packing list and how I am going to fit. I am finding between the trailer and the Gladiator. I should not have any problems with weight or space.
Over the weekend I am going to finalize my list and prepare everything that I am going to pack. Then move the trailer up and load it and the Gladiator for a test. If that goes well I will leave it packed and be ready for launch.
I will update as I can.
Trailer:
I found planning the trip fun. Using different apps, putting everything into Garmin and outlining our route was a good experience. I learned many things during that process. First, Garmin needs to work on its planning tools. Second, a combo of Google Earth CalTopo work excellent and both were free. I was able to use those two tools and bring everything into my Garmin Overlander and 66I. I am confident that I have a good route plotted and ready. Then planning food, water gas was interesting, especially moving from a packed JKU to a Gladiator with a bed. Throw in a new trailer.
Deciding what to take. I come from years of 4 wheeling. Doing that, I tend to over-prepare and bring everything under the sun. Trying to pair it down is a thought process. My Gladiator Rubicon is not as equipped as my JKU but equally as capable. That is purposeful. The Gladiator build differently. I did not want complicated; therefore, I went to a modular style. For example, onboard air is not portable. Lockers are stock lift mild but enough. My focus with the Gladiator from day one was mild and capable. I will not be doing extreme rock crawling, but I needed to be ready if needed. Modular has its limitations. It means I have less room, and for longer trips, I have to conscience what I pack. I am still working on the final packing list and how I am going to fit. I am finding between the trailer and the Gladiator. I should not have any problems with weight or space.
Over the weekend I am going to finalize my list and prepare everything that I am going to pack. Then move the trailer up and load it and the Gladiator for a test. If that goes well I will leave it packed and be ready for launch.
I will update as I can.
Trailer:
