Advice Requested. US, Coast to Coast

[OldButStillJeeping]

Was going to ride my motorcycle this trip, but my old age has me hating anything over 90 degrees F.

So, I'm taking my Gladiator JTM. It's a solo roll as nobody close to me can get the time off.

SoCal to WI, stay a few days with family in WI. Then it's WI to FL, to see more family. Then back to SoCal. All within 3 weeks in August.

I'm not sight seeing too too much, but am ground tenting with a cot much of it. On public lands I can find. I'd rather not pay a KOA if I can camp a few miles down the road on Gov land for free.

No trailer. No hassle. Just me, my supplies, and my JT 'Moe'.

Any advice would be helpful.

Still working on the route. But 15 to 90 to 94 seems the route I'll take to WI.

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[TroutFishingInAmerica]

I have Gaia GPS Premium, it's a down loadable map subscription service. It has some overlays that show Forester Service, BLM, and private lands. It helps when looking for free public camping. Another tool that is helpful (and this one is free) is the app iOverlander, you can filter it for free camping only. I've used both and like them, there's others out there but I haven't used them so I can't comment one way or the other. I just got home from 2 weeks 3,000 miles dispersed camping in my Mojave with a Go Fast Camper. Planning a 4 week trip late Aug into Sept. Drive safe and have fun!

 

[GOCAMPN]

Unless posted, all National Forests are open for free camping.

Along your route specifically, and I know these stops are slightly off course from the fastest route, I've stayed at the:

1) Manti-La Sal National Forest just outside of Moab and it was very spread out and pleasant. When you're on 70 East take the Moab exit and you'll be in the area in less than an hour. I know that's a bit out of the way but in my opinion very worth it, it's a beautiful mountain. My brother is a Park Ranger in Utah, let me know if you need info on the area.

2) I've stayed at Karrer Park in Nebraska, it's simple but free and they have water, bathrooms, a couple covered picnic tables, and a dumpster. When I was there I was the only one in a tent but there was an RV and a couple people just sleeping in their cars. When you're on 76 East just past Pawnee National Grassland (technically you can camp here free but it's pretty barebones and primitive, and there's no shade) get off 76 and turn onto Rt 6 East, the park is in McCook. There's an amazing BBQ place in town towards Walmart, will not disappoint. Overall the campground felt safe, you will hear a coal train roll through at night though.

3) When you leave WI and make your way down 65 South in Indiana, the Hoosier National Forest is a good stop. I was only there for a night so I just strung up a hammock a little ways into the woods from the parking area. It's off 65 before you get to Louisville, take 64 West straight there. Or use this stop to get a hotel, Louisville was an amazing city to eat and explore.

From there I don't have much for you, there's the Chattahoochee in Northern GA but I haven't been myself. Then depending on where you are in Florida there's the Ocala National Forest which has a Jeep Badge of Honor trail. Depending on your trip dates, there's a Smoky Mountain JP Invasion August 26-28th in TN.

Edit: Just saw your projected route, mostly going North then cutting East? My route is diagonal Northeast, not sure if a better option for you. My route starts on 15 but switches to 70 in UT.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

Unless posted, all National Forests are open for free camping.

Along your route specifically, and I know these stops are slightly off course from the fastest route, I've stayed at the:

1) Manti-La Sal National Forest just outside of Moab and it was very spread out and pleasant. When you're on 70 East take the Moab exit and you'll be in the area in less than an hour. I know that's a bit out of the way but in my opinion very worth it, it's a beautiful mountain. My brother is a Park Ranger in Utah, let me know if you need info on the area.

2) I've stayed at Karrer Park in Nebraska, it's simple but free and they have water, bathrooms, a couple covered picnic tables, and a dumpster. When I was there I was the only one in a tent but there was an RV and a couple people just sleeping in their cars. When you're on 76 East just past Pawnee National Grassland (technically you can camp here free but it's pretty barebones and primitive, and there's no shade) get off 76 and turn onto Rt 6 East, the park is in McCook. There's an amazing BBQ place in town towards Walmart, will not disappoint. Overall the campground felt safe, you will hear a coal train roll through at night though.

3) When you leave WI and make your way down 65 South in Indiana, the Hoosier National Forest is a good stop. I was only there for a night so I just strung up a hammock a little ways into the woods from the parking area. It's off 65 before you get to Louisville, take 64 West straight there. Or use this stop to get a hotel, Louisville was an amazing city to eat and explore.

From there I don't have much for you, there's the Chattahoochee in Northern GA but I haven't been myself. Then depending on where you are in Florida there's the Ocala National Forest which has a Jeep Badge of Honor trail. Depending on your trip dates, there's a Smoky Mountain JP Invasion August 26-28th in TN.

Edit: Just saw your projected route, mostly going North then cutting East? My route is diagonal Northeast, not sure if a better option for you. My route starts on 15 but switches to 70 in UT.

Thank you, great info!

As for my route, I've driven the 15 to 70 maybe a dozen times. And the southern 10 route too. So I wanted to try something different on the way east.

I'll look into those places you mentioned, especially for on the way back west from FL.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

I have Gaia GPS Premium, it's a down loadable map subscription service. It has some overlays that show Forester Service, BLM, and private lands. It helps when looking for free public camping. Another tool that is helpful (and this one is free) is the app iOverlander, you can filter it for free camping only. I've used both and like them, there's others out there but I haven't used them so I can't comment one way or the other. I just got home from 2 weeks 3,000 miles dispersed camping in my Mojave with a Go Fast Camper. Planning a 4 week trip late Aug into Sept. Drive safe and have fun!

I used to have Gaia. I guess I'll have to download it again for this trip. You're not the first who's mentioned it.

Thank you

 

[tcass]

you should get a tent that will fit on the back of Moe.....lol. up out of the dirt and critters....i understand about the heat. at 69, I'm the same way. safe trip.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

you should get a tent that will fit on the back of Moe.....lol. up out of the dirt and critters....i understand about the heat. at 69, I'm the same way. safe trip.

Yeah, I agree.

Frankly, there's so many rooftop type tents and bed racks available, and they're crazy expensive for what they are. And most I've found are months out for shipping.

I think I can build one for less than a grand, and that will include a half - high bed rack. I just have to find a quality sewing company.

I really don't want the roof top tent to sit much higher than the cab roof when traveling, and still want some access to the bed. So I want 1/2 height bed rack.

As for an inside the bed tent; Every example I've seen takes as much time to set up as a ground tent! Plus my Gladiator is new, I'd rather not scratch it up with straps running over the bed sides. Not yet anyway.

I don't mind a ground tent as a temporary solution, as long as I have my cot. Without a cot to get the up off the ground, no way. That stuff is for younger folks.

 

[kevman65]

Fair warning on Indiana, it is road construction season. The state is screwed up top to bottom and side to side.

I-65 south is CLOSED in downtown Indianapolis, take I-465 around town.

There is probably construction all along I-65, check online often.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

Fair warning on Indiana, it is road construction season. The state is screwed up top to bottom and side to side.

I-65 south is CLOSED in downtown Indianapolis, take I-465 around town.

There is probably construction all along I-65, check online often.

I plan to go around the big cities. I live near Los Angeles! Lol.

Great info. Thank you.

 

[GOCAMPN]

For the tent idea, I don't know how much luggage you are travelling with but this site has defective tents for $25.

Backroadz CAMO Truck Tent (IMPERFECT) - Napier Outdoors - US

This forum actually has a thread on it, apparently it's an issue with weatherproofing but not unfixable.

Hell of a deal on a Truck Tent $25 | Jeep Gladiator Forum - JeepGladiatorForum.com

 

[A 2]

Ive done my fair share of road trips. Check out freecampsites.net. And BLM land. Also, in a pinch, Walmart’s, indian casinos, and truck stops.
I would get some kind of cover for the bed before a RTT. The ground tent should be a backup. Having the ability to jump in the back and go has been ideal in many situations.

 

[spectre6000]

My wife and I have been coast to coast in (formerly) our '62 VW bus. Sometimes you get long stretches where there are very few campgrounds or they're all full. One trick we learned was that Wal-Marts often allow people to camp in their parking lots. Ditto with highway rest stops. If you can camp in the vehicle, it's a free solution. Meet some interesting people too... Very interesting... Though that could have had more to do with the bus. We also stayed in an RV campground outside of NYC (in view of the statue of liberty). Apparently they don't always require that you actually be in an RV. Can be very inexpensive, often have showers, and that one even had a laundry facility. Which was a nice to have at the midway point on that trip (our honeymoon).

 

[tcass]

Yeah, I agree.

Frankly, there's so many rooftop type tents and bed racks available, and they're crazy expensive for what they are. And most I've found are months out for shipping.

I think I can build one for less than a grand, and that will include a half - high bed rack. I just have to find a quality sewing company.

I really don't want the roof top tent to sit much higher than the cab roof when traveling, and still want some access to the bed. So I want 1/2 height bed rack.

As for an inside the bed tent; Every example I've seen takes as much time to set up as a ground tent! Plus my Gladiator is new, I'd rather not scratch it up with straps running over the bed sides. Not yet anyway.

I don't mind a ground tent as a temporary solution, as long as I have my cot. Without a cot to get the up off the ground, no way. That stuff is for younger folks.

I was looking at them yesterday....there's a "crap-ton" and they are expensive. you're right, many are just a ground tent built for the bed with a little extra straps to take the rainfly over the bed rails. i like the idea of 1/2 height bed rack. Mine is new too, 01 May and already has 5500 miles on it. they add up quick.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

For the tent idea, I don't know how much luggage you are travelling with but this site has defective tents for $25.

Backroadz CAMO Truck Tent (IMPERFECT) - Napier Outdoors - US

This forum actually has a thread on it, apparently it's an issue with weatherproofing but not unfixable.

Hell of a deal on a Truck Tent $25 | Jeep Gladiator Forum - JeepGladiatorForum.com

I'm going minimalist on this trip. Most of my camping gear is designed for motorcycles. So it's lightweight, compacts well, and generally too expensive. But I already have it so I'll use it. But, because I'm driving it now, I will allow myself some niceties because I have more room in the JT.

I own a toyhauler travel trailer that I could take, but my Super Duty gets about 10 mpg on flat land towing it. So that's not going to happen. And honestly, pulling a trailer is a pain in the ass. I do short trips with it, usually less than 300 miles pulling a trailer. And I only own it because I have a wife who loves the niceties of home while camping.

And she's not coming on this trip. So I can go caveman. And be free.

JTM it is!

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

I was looking at them yesterday....there's a "crap-ton" and they are expensive. you're right, many are just a ground tent built for the bed with a little extra straps to take the rainfly over the bed rails. i like the idea of 1/2 height bed rack. Mine is new too, 01 May and already has 5500 miles on it. they add up quick.

The miles do add up quick. Looks like I'll be putting an additional 6,000 to 9,000 miles on my JT just this trip. I almost want to rent a car.

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