Cross country road trip

~Gotama~

~Gotama~

Member
In a few weeks, my girlfriend and I'll be embarking on a six week road trip across North America, and I'm hungry for some tips for surviving that much time living out of a car. I've done plenty of weekend car camping trips and slightly longer backpacking trips, but nothing quite like this. Since the road trip is also part of a big move, there's going to be a lot of stuff we need to bring, too. I trust the collective experience of Newschoolers to offer some friendly advice.

The route: From Hartford, CT to Mammoth, CA, by way of Denver, Jackson, Bozeman, Lake Louise, Vancouver and down the Left Coast.

The vehicle: A 2013 Subaru Outback - the perfect car for long journeys into the mountains.

The gear: 3 pairs of skis, 2 mountain bikes, 2 skateboards, climbing equipment, 2 three-season tents, 2 hammocks, normal camp cooking supplies, and everything else we'll need for a winter of SHREDDING in Mammoth.

The organization: We currently have a large roof box for the skis, poles, and some other gear, and are trying to figure out the bike rack situation. If we can fit two roof racks next to the box we can have easy access to the trunk, but we may end up needing a hitch mounted bike rack. I'm tentatively planning on storing extra clothes, winter gear, and things I don't need for the drive but will need in Mammoth inside those big plastic tubs. For things used frequently on the drive (cooking supplies, sleeping gear, toys), I'm thinking of using those shitty plastic drawers everyone buys before going to college and placing them all the way to the back for access through the trunk.

The Questions: What should I know / do / bring that will make this experience be an enjoyable one and not a month and a half of disorganized hell? I'm especially curious about optimizing the arrangement of storage in the car so I don't have to go digging every time I need something. Where do you put the bulky things like ski boots and helmets? Is there a way to keep food refrigerated for more than a few hours? What is that really important thing that I haven't even considered because its so obscure but makes everything better?

Thanks!
 
Sorry to offer no advice, but this sounds cool as hell! Let us know how this turns out, sounds like something I'd like to do
 
Are you planning on sleeping in the car most of the time or camping? That makes a big difference.

Answer me that and I can give you some tips I've learned the hard way.
 
13715143:cydwhit said:
Are you planning on sleeping in the car most of the time or camping? That makes a big difference.

Answer me that and I can give you some tips I've learned the hard way.
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Camping in a tent or hammock.
 
13715144:~Gotama~ said:
Camping in a tent or hammock.
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Oh, gee, that's easy then. You don't even need help haha.

Roof box for the skis and stuff, rack for bikes.

Bins for everything else. Those plastic drawers break way too easily.

There are two schools of thought as far as wether you fold your seats down in the back and make it one big cargo area, or if you pile stuff in the back seat and in the back.

Either way just organize it with the stuff you need the least at the bottom, preferably in the foot space of the passenger seats, and the more important stuff up top.

Just send it. It's sure to get messy no matter what organization system you go with, but after a week on the road you'll figure out what works and what doesn't.

Holler when you come through Jackson!
 
When crossing the boarder, make sure everything is in order in yet car. That way if they do search it, it will be a quicker and easier deal.
 
topic:~Gotama~ said:
In a few weeks, my girlfriend and I'll be embarking on a six week road trip across North America, and I'm hungry for some tips for surviving that much time living out of a car. I've done plenty of weekend car camping trips and slightly longer backpacking trips, but nothing quite like this. Since the road trip is also part of a big move, there's going to be a lot of stuff we need to bring, too. I trust the collective experience of Newschoolers to offer some friendly advice.

The route: From Hartford, CT to Mammoth, CA, by way of Denver, Jackson, Bozeman, Lake Louise, Vancouver and down the Left Coast.

The vehicle: A 2013 Subaru Outback - the perfect car for long journeys into the mountains.

The gear: 3 pairs of skis, 2 mountain bikes, 2 skateboards, climbing equipment, 2 three-season tents, 2 hammocks, normal camp cooking supplies, and everything else we'll need for a winter of SHREDDING in Mammoth.

The organization: We currently have a large roof box for the skis, poles, and some other gear, and are trying to figure out the bike rack situation. If we can fit two roof racks next to the box we can have easy access to the trunk, but we may end up needing a hitch mounted bike rack. I'm tentatively planning on storing extra clothes, winter gear, and things I don't need for the drive but will need in Mammoth inside those big plastic tubs. For things used frequently on the drive (cooking supplies, sleeping gear, toys), I'm thinking of using those shitty plastic drawers everyone buys before going to college and placing them all the way to the back for access through the trunk.

The Questions: What should I know / do / bring that will make this experience be an enjoyable one and not a month and a half of disorganized hell? I'm especially curious about optimizing the arrangement of storage in the car so I don't have to go digging every time I need something. Where do you put the bulky things like ski boots and helmets? Is there a way to keep food refrigerated for more than a few hours? What is that really important thing that I haven't even considered because its so obscure but makes everything better?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Why are you bringing ski equipment in August for a 6 week trip? Ditch the ski equipment, there won't be any snow so you won't need it.

Get a nice bag and keep underwear, socks and condoms separate, and a few pairs of jeans since it's starting to get cold at night.

Have you heard of a cooler? Generally u just put ice packs or ice in them and they keep food cold.

Also ski boots make great necklaces. They also make great condoms if you don't have room. Kinda like when ur getting on a plane and you keep them around your neck. Just Velcro those booster straps together and you got 2 chains/boots

Have fun.

Profit. but good luck if you think in the next 10 weeks you're going skiing troll.
 
13716022:MikeWeinerONE said:
Why are you bringing ski equipment in August for a 6 week trip? Ditch the ski equipment, there won't be any snow so you won't need it.

Get a nice bag and keep underwear, socks and condoms separate, and a few pairs of jeans since it's starting to get cold at night.

Have you heard of a cooler? Generally u just put ice packs or ice in them and they keep food cold.

Also ski boots make great necklaces. They also make great condoms if you don't have room. Kinda like when ur getting on a plane and you keep them around your neck. Just Velcro those booster straps together and you got 2 chains/boots

Have fun.

Profit. but good luck if you think in the next 10 weeks you're going skiing troll.
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Bizarre post.

At first you display that you cannot comprehend reading (the trip is going to take 6 weeks of travel. He is moving to CA, hence the need for skis) Then you try to be somewhat helpful I think? And finally, you try being funny. Funny is the last thing your post was and it wasn't helpful at all.

OP, it sounds like you already have a good plan. The only thing I would say is, plan to arrive earlier than 6 weeks. That is a long fucking time to live out of a car with another person. Unless you're homeless and used to it, I would say try to cut the trip in half.
 
13716048:montageskier said:
Bizarre post.

At first you display that you cannot comprehend reading (the trip is going to take 6 weeks of travel. He is moving to CA, hence the need for skis) Then you try to be somewhat helpful I think? And finally, you try being funny. Funny is the last thing your post was and it wasn't helpful at all.

OP, it sounds like you already have a good plan. The only thing I would say is, plan to arrive earlier than 6 weeks. That is a long fucking time to live out of a car with another person. Unless you're homeless and used to it, I would say try to cut the trip in half.
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Didn't realize OP was moving to California figured round-trip roadtrip. Lived in Squaw for a long time and it normally doesn't snow until mid October and there still isn't coverage.

Anyway have fun OP and you'll love Cali.
 
13716084:MikeWeinerONE said:
Didn't realize OP was moving to California figured round-trip roadtrip. Lived in Squaw for a long time and it normally doesn't snow until mid October and there still isn't coverage.

Anyway have fun OP and you'll love Cali.
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Yeah there is no snow. You could get some turns in if you went to shasta or Lassen....but that's it
 
13716022:MikeWeinerONE said:
Why are you bringing ski equipment in August for a 6 week trip? Ditch the ski equipment, there won't be any snow so you won't need it.

Get a nice bag and keep underwear, socks and condoms separate, and a few pairs of jeans since it's starting to get cold at night.

Have you heard of a cooler? Generally u just put ice packs or ice in them and they keep food cold.

Also ski boots make great necklaces. They also make great condoms if you don't have room. Kinda like when ur getting on a plane and you keep them around your neck. Just Velcro those booster straps together and you got 2 chains/boots

Have fun.

Profit. but good luck if you think in the next 10 weeks you're going skiing troll.
Click to expand...

As stated: the skis are for after arrival.

Socks and underwear bag is a good call - I don't mid wearing the same shorts 5 days in a row, but that's not happening with underwear.

Yeah I've heard of coolers, but usually they keep things cold for about 4 hours and then your food is sitting in a tank of lukewarm water.

This comment about the ski boots... I just don't know what to say.....
 
13716761:~Gotama~ said:
As stated: the skis are for after arrival.

Socks and underwear bag is a good call - I don't mid wearing the same shorts 5 days in a row, but that's not happening with underwear.

Yeah I've heard of coolers, but usually they keep things cold for about 4 hours and then your food is sitting in a tank of lukewarm water.

This comment about the ski boots... I just don't know what to say.....
Click to expand...

Ha I was kidding about the ski boots and didn't realize you were moving. Thought it was a road trip. But anyway grab a cooler, u can always replace the ice in it. Socks and underwear separate is key, like you said you can always wear the same jeans or shorts for several days. Sorting thru all ur clothes to find those items tho sucks.

Good luck on your adventure and have fun dude! Should be a great winter out there.
 
Hitch mount the bikes for sure. Putting them on top will absolutely destroy your gas mileage.
 
13716876:Sklar said:
Hitch mount the bikes for sure. Putting them on top will absolutely destroy your gas mileage.
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Ended up with the best of both worlds on this one. I found a hitch mounted rack with a hinge that swings it around to the side of the car, so the trunk can be accessed and I maintain that aero by keeping them off the roof. 60 bucks on CL, very stoked.
 
13716888:~Gotama~ said:
Ended up with the best of both worlds on this one. I found a hitch mounted rack with a hinge that swings it around to the side of the car, so the trunk can be accessed and I maintain that aero by keeping them off the roof. 60 bucks on CL, very stoked.
Click to expand...

damn that's a fucking steal, those things go for almost 400 new and usually around 200 used

a cooler really is necessary. changing ice is annoying, but if you wrap a blanket or something around it you'll keep it out of direct sunlight and add a few hours to your ice's lifespan each time

longest roadtrip i've done was 4 weeks, last summer. like everyone else has said, bins are your friend. resist the urge to throw things in the back when you wanna be lazy, and you'll be good
 
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