5th gen 4Runners in scenic locations

Leicester, NC today

 

Thanks, it was a nice area and trip. When driving on the highway I do NOT tie-down the bike with the ratchet straps. On the highway, I drive as if the bike was NOT there, 75-80mph and even as high as 100mph when passing. This bike has been up there on this Thule rack for about 5k miles without concerns or issues. That said, I check every tiedown point at almost every stop when on the highway, which could be 100-200 miles in between stops. More than 15 years ago, we lost two bikes on a single hatch rack after missing to check the tiedown at a stop just moments before. We did NOT recover those bikes because by the time we made the U-turn someone picked up the bikes and was gone.

As to the ratchet tie-down straps, I only do so when offroad because of the lateral torsion from the bike's top on the base, from the bike's top side-to-side motion. And I use two. Both are high to limit the side-to-side movement. One in the front, at the head tube, and one in the rear, at the rear seat tube (it's a tandem). Tip: I put the ratchet on the rack side. The reason is on the rack side the ratchets pull the bike downward, axial load. On the opposite side, away from the bike, the ratchet pulls the bike in that direction causing the bike to be slanted from its axis.

All that said, when I first put the bike up there, it was the first roof rack, I was concerned too and I did tie it down with the same ratchet straps. It was a 700-mile trip one-way, when out of nowhere a very loud and frightening noise. Guessing it was the straps when in a particular shearing angle through the wind. As the noise was NOT consistent but would abruptly start and end without rhyme or reason and the periods were from just a few seconds to much longer minutes. A lesser volume of that noise can be heard when offroad even at much slower speeds but windy outside. Since taking the straps off that first highway trip the noise has NOT returned, yet. Hope that helps.

 

I have run bikes on the roof with a fork / axle mount on the front, and two ski straps holding the rear wheel down. The longest trip I ever took with that was just under 10k to and from Alaska and we did some legit offroad on that trip as well. No issues at all. Bikes are pretty stable if you two or three point them as Knitted Brow noted.

The top pic kinda shows the setup; although in actual use I replaced the cam buckle straps shown on the rear wheel with ski straps. Please do not judge my welfare bikes.

 

This morning. Blue River wildlife management area.

 

Not scenic, some random construction site in 1988. But a good memory of my 1988 4Runner. Fun to be able to take the top off that thing!

 

Last pic before the lift/ new wheels/ tires goes in on Tuesday!

 

Bulldog Canyon, AZ

 

One of my favorite local drives

 

Currently traveling AZBDR, Globe, AZ to USA-Mexico border. Had lunch in Maimi, AZ. A section of AZBDR through Tonto National Forest was closed due to area still recovering from summer 2021 fires. Sought an alternate route but it was through private property, and with a name like Six-Shooter Canyon NOT worth the risk, thus turned around, taking the much faster but much longer and less scenic route. 175 miles later, slid into this spot on State Trust Land, just south of Winkleman, AZ, had dinner, and to sleep.

 

I was having issues on Saturday - got stuck twice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd0LrMnJ_aM

Check out that Dodge Ram getting Air around 1min 10sec.

 

Woodland Park, Colorado

 

A quick shot with too many powerlines, but Lake Superior!

 

Looks like spring is coming to Minnesota also. Come on spring!

 

Mid 40s today! Can't complain!

 

somewhere heading down the mountain from Seqoia National Park this weekend.

 

Our campsite set-up in Death Valley. Sorry, I know it's hard to see lol

 

Nice, the brush looks pretty dry for Sequoia this early in the season.

 

On spring break with the with and kids in North Carolina.

Our cabin in Elk Valley, NC


Grandfather mountain

Wiseman’s view road.

 

A jog, breakfast, shower and added 136 miles through some scenic backcountry ending up just inside Coronado National Forest facing the Huachuca Mountains to the southeast for the night. Ought to make it to the USA/Mexico border tomorrow.

 

OK, two things.

First, the cabin looks perfect. I want something exactly like that in my neck of the woods...

Second, can you comment on the roof box? Brand/model? Mounted to stock rails (it appears)? Noise, fit etc.?

Thanks!

 

Grew up in NC and went to WCU. Makes me miss home a bit. Great pics!

 

its a pretty nice cabin. I could definitely get used to it.

As for the roof box, it’s a Yakima Skybox pro in titanium color. I can’t exactly remember which size it is but I want to say its the 18? Its also not and exact color match to the Toyota MGM color but it’s close enough. It easily attaches to the factory roof rack. It does make some wind noise but not bad at all.

 

Began the day with the sunrise in the Coronado National Forest. Later, out of nowhere, a horse, a burro, and two dogs cross in front of me. At the Mexico/USA border warned of potential area crime hazards. Lunch at 5,912 ft above sea-level overlooking Mexico. After much more scenic backcountry along the BDR back to Las Cienegas National Conversation Area to air up and pizza for dinner. Then back to the Coronado National Forest just to be warned, again, of potential area crime hazards as I begin to look for tonight's resting place. Moving from the first site, due to littered with shotgun, 5.56, and 9mm residue, to tonight's site just off the trail with the moon rising in the east and the sun setting in the west. But ready to go at the slightest sneeze from the grass. The honking burro I heard once already almost triggered that hasty bug-out! Because, how can one be aware of their surroundings at all times when sleeping without a claymore perimeter? Rhetorical, but thanks.

 

Amazing!

 

You guys have some great shots, especially the ones out west. Here are a couple from a recent off road weekend.

 

After sleeping with one eye open, just in case bandits came lurking, and waking up too early I couldn’t pass on this picture’s symbolism of the cherry on top from the setting moon on the weBoost antenna for a great trip through some AWESOME backcountry and roadways. One of many appreciations of Overlanding in the desert is a clear sight for tens of miles in the distance due to the lack of trees. After breakfast and last night's neighbors coming by to say goodbye I left the Coronado National Forest and headed home. Not too far from where I camped last night, a posse. Who could they be after? Rhetorical, I kept driving. While I passed a number of border checkpoints during the trip, some manned, some not, some appeared ad-lib, and some elaborate and somewhat permanent, today alone encountered many more than the other 3 days combined. After 750 miles (in green), greeted by a full moon at Home Sweet Home. This section of Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route (AZBDR), sections 3, 2, and 1 (Globe, AZ to USA/Mexico Border), is AWESOME and well worth the time, energy, and effort, and the gpx files for the entire AZBDR are free (or donation). The rest of the green is my ad-lib. As the weather warms, looking forward to traveling the AZBDR northward from Globe, AZ.

 

American Canyon, CO? Off Engineer Pass?