My wife's family is in Travelers Rest, SC. Her grandparents are aging, and its time to go back and visit. It has been several years since we've been there.

Given our latest employment situation, when a member of her family opted to fund the trip I couldn't refuse.

Flying would be quicker, but with 2 large dogs (both of which do not kennel well), and 3 of us traveling...I've decided to drive.

Not only is it cheaper, but I absolutely loathe commercial air travel in this country.

I have two options for the vehicle.

I can drive my 1 ton dually 4x4 diesel which averages (with ULSD, bleh) 21 mpg @ 60mph. We all fit comfortably inside, and it truly is a nice vehicle for a long haul. Also, I have a browning leer 122 canopy on the back, so my wife can stand up in the back and everything is dry and safe from theft. If we choose this vehicle, I will install a bedrug kit as well, further insulating and sound-deadening the back.

The other option is my '96 Eddie Bauer Bronco. It also is 4x4, but instead of the highway AT's the 1 ton has (for mileage), it has a more aggressive AT. Road noise is not horrible, and it is VERY capable in snow and ice...though it doesn't have weight on its side. The bronco gets 17-18mpg on the highway if I go 60mph or less. It'll get 19 if I can find fuel without ethenol. Now, the inside pretty much the same as my 1 ton, but the back obviously doesn't hold as much. 2 large dogs, one of which being a malinois...won't be as much fun in the Bronco. HOWEVER, lately fuel has been cheaper.

The potential for vehicle break down is probably pretty similar, both vehicles need a light tune-up which I'll perform before I go.
If the diesel breaks...it breaks the bank also. If the Bronco breaks, parts are generally much cheaper and easier to get, but the Bronco is a tired gas motor...and my Diesel runs pretty good.

I have a pair of chains for the 1 ton, they go on the outer dually tires.

So...take the truck which has a slightly higher operating cost? Or take the Bronco which has less room, and realistically probably a better possibility for breaking down (gas motor with 160K miles on it).

Hmmm.

Even just typing this out...I'm leaning towards taking my 1 ton. If I end up sleeping on the side of the road somewhere, I'll have a full bed. Dry and comfortable. I can even bring a portapotty and let the 5 year old just climb through the window to use the bathroom (I have a sealed tube connector for the pass through). With my 1 ton, I can bring tons of food. Heck, I can even bring a stove and gear to cook. It's like a small camper. What I really need...is a real camper to make this trip a lot easier.


Now to decide on route......I know the fastest/shortest way, but that involves a stint through Illinois. I'm avoiding that state. After Boise, I have family in Newton, Iowa (Des Moines area)...and that's pretty much it.

I'm considering cutting south and going across kansas instead of nebraska.

So far it looks like Day 1: Boise, then Day 2: Denver area, then Day 3:Mid-state missouri, maybe St. Louis, with arrival into TR very late on day 4 if not early morning of day 5. That's a pretty laid back pace from what I normally do on the alcan, but I think it'll be better for my sanity.

Man, you're in for a fun trip across country with lots to see along the way!

Based on your assessment, I'd recommend taking the 1 ton dually since you're not likely to have any engine issues vs. the tired 5.0/5.8 in the FSB.

I've seen the Bronco, take the dually.

I have done about the same trip a couple of times. My suggestion is to add about one day to your projected schedule. I can't quite explain it but, driving across Kansas is SOOOOOO mind-numbing that it wears you out twice as fast as, say, Boise to Denver. IMO YMMV.

Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by derekc23:
Man, you're in for a fun trip across country with lots to see along the way!

Based on your assessment, I'd recommend taking the 1 ton dually since you're not likely to have any engine issues vs. the tired 5.0/5.8 in the FSB.

That's where I was leaning after typing it all out. My 7.3L is just bullet proof. But the tanny is not....though I won't be towing anything, so even a tranny that's a little tired should be fine. It only occasionally slips when I turn all the power up and romp it to cloud people in smoke. Which is another benefit of taking the 1 ton. It's a ton of fun (pun intended) covering asshole road ragers and other idiots in black smoke....ahhhh...another thread for that one.

So...the concerns with the 1 ton...highway tires. I have chains, but that really slows you down. Can anyone comment about taking hwy 70 from Denver to Topeka vs hwy 80 across Nebraska in December? I've done 80 several times, a couple of times in winter...but never 70.

I've got to start looking at carry laws also. Currently I've only got an Oregon permit, and I doubt I could get my FL one in time for this trip. I've got the packet, but haven't filled it out yet.

Or.....I can add 500 miles to the trip do Oregon, Boise, Vegas, OKC, Memphis, TR....the southern route. That should be pretty devoid of winter conditions I would think. Might even turn on the AC a few times. It's a route I've not traveled before...

It looks like my permit is honored in ID,UT,AZ,OK,MO,KY,& TN (and a few other states...but none that have any bearing on this trip).

How long does it take to get the FL permit back?
With that I could add: NM,TX,AR,MS,AL,GA & NC...grr. I should think about overnighting my paperwork to them.

I took I-70 to Denver and then booked it north on I-25 to I-80 up in Wyoming to avoid the big Rockies west of Denver since I had a U-haul truck with a car trailer because I didn't want to deal with them.

But I did the trip in the summer so I can't speak of what it would be like if you're hit with wintry weather. But 70 is pretty easy going through Kansas and Missouri.

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
It looks like my permit is honored in ID,UT,AZ,OK,MO,KY,& TN (and a few other states...but none that have any bearing on this trip).

How long does it take to get the FL permit back?
With that I could add: NM,TX,AR,MS,AL,GA & NC...grr. I should think about overnighting my paperwork to them.

Can you get a PA non-resident permit? They typically only take 7 days to receive in the mail from the Centre County Sheriff.

I've done this trip about 15 times by way of 84 to 80 to 70 (skirt Iowa, then skirt St. Louis), then cut through IL, IN hit Louisville, then W.VA, VA and come into NC via 77 then 52.

The long flats of 80 in the winter can be brutal with the winds across Nebraska. But is 70 any different across Kansas?

Both of those routes make it nearly impossible to avoid IL...but given my carry permit situation, both of those routes involve a lot of travel in states I can't carry in anyway.

If a FL permit can happen in time....I'll totally go the southern route through Las Vegas and across Memphis to Atlanta then up.

I'm going to see the twins in GA regardless...So I'll get through GA no matter what on this trip.

quote:

Originally posted by derekc23:

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
It looks like my permit is honored in ID,UT,AZ,OK,MO,KY,& TN (and a few other states...but none that have any bearing on this trip).

How long does it take to get the FL permit back?
With that I could add: NM,TX,AR,MS,AL,GA & NC...grr. I should think about overnighting my paperwork to them.

Can you get a PA non-resident permit? They typically only take 7 days to receive in the mail from the Centre County Sheriff.

That would certainly help...that only leaves SC,MS,AL, NM & NV for states that I can't carry in. That may be a wise option regardless of FL.

I'm going to look into that right now.

SC is a bugger for getting a permit in though. I can't say that I own land in SC...so a non-resident permit doesn't seem an option. They only recognize resident permits from states that I also can't establish residency in.

I need to buy about 5 square feet of land in SC. Anyone selling?

quote:

Originally posted by countrygun:
I've seen the Bronco, take the dually.

I have done about the same trip a couple of times. My suggestion is to add about one day to your projected schedule. I can't quite explain it but, driving across Kansas is SOOOOOO mind-numbing that it wears you out twice as fast as, say, Boise to Denver. IMO YMMV.

Good luck.

BUWAHAHA!

lol. I cleaned it when I got back....

I love my Bronco...but my Dually is a bit more dependable I suppose. It's just that when the diesel, or any 1 ton part breaks...it costs a LOT! But...they don't break very often.

Yeah...I think we're decided on the truck for sure. I'll leave my toy at home.

Rental cars are also fun

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
That would certainly help...that only leaves SC,MS,AL, NM & NV for states that I can't carry in.

It would actually only leave SC & MS where you can't carry.

AL, NM, & NV are open carry states. Take along an OWB holster. Note, however, that AL prohibits OC while in the vehicle.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
That would certainly help...that only leaves SC,MS,AL, NM & NV for states that I can't carry in.

It would actually only leave SC & MS where you can't carry.

AL, NM, & NV are open carry states. Take along an OWB holster. Note, however, that AL prohibits OC while in the vehicle.

I'm just as happy with a pistol on the dash that is loaded or in a holster in between my seat...as on my person anyway.

My only concern for carrying on my person is rest stops and gas stops. I've seen some shady stuff go down at rest stops. Gas stops can be mitigated by stopping at big truck stops that are well lit with lots of people.

For those interested in the Non-Res PA license....I located this link:

http://www.co.centre.pa.us/she...ense_application.asp

And...I'm on my way to the post office in a few minutes.

quote:

Now to decide on route......I know the fastest/shortest way, but that involves a stint through Illinois. I'm avoiding that state. After Boise, I have family in Newton, Iowa (Des Moines area)...and that's pretty much it.

Do yourself a favor. Take the shortest route. Don't subject the wife, kid, and dogs to any more car time than they have to. 3.5 days in a car is a LONG time.


Kevin

So...now that the permit part is settled...getting back on topic.

Routing.

What's the weather like across I-40 in December? From AZ to SC?

Be aware that I-40 is closed at the TN/NC line. May be awhile before the rock slide is cleaned up.

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
So...now that the permit part is settled...getting back on topic.

Routing.

What's the weather like across I-40 in December? From AZ to SC?

South of St Louis (St louis included) gets very little snow or anything in December. If you stay at that area or south of it you shouldn't run into anything but rain and that's not above normal.

I can't speak for the Southwest area, but in teh Southeast area you should be good to go on I 40.

Kevin

I-40 in December around Flagstaff can be BRUTAL in the snow, especially just east of Flag.
I haven't lived there in quite a while, but if you can avoid it, I would.

Ed