We love exploring backroads, mountain trails and spending as much time outdoors as possible. We are obsessed with just about anything that has a motor and we share our experiences as we explore the western United States.
We talk about overlanding, off-roading and camping and everything else that is is generally awesome. Follow us on Instagram for regular updates!
I have a 22 foot travel trailer. I tried those bubble levelers and found them to be very inaccurate so went back to the usual carpenter's level. One thing that helped make leveling a whole lot easier are the Andersen Load Levelers. Just drive on them until trailer is level.
I hope the kids retain great memories of your camping adventures as they grow up! My parents took us camping and it instilled a lifelong love of nature and the outdoors.
The sleepless nights are not fun even at home. High elevation camping sometimes brings rough sleeping. It's nice you guys found some refuge from the heat, it's been a rough summer here in Colorado as well.
Such a great part of the UT desert! That's still on my bucket list, because last time in UT, we had to cancel our Cathedral Valley plans due to heavy rains. Thanks for the video! Overlanding with the family is pretty special.
You're lucky. I have a coleman pop up and the poles are hard as heck to go up and down. Sometimes takes two of us just to get the dang poles extended. And one wont go back down, and is stuck open. So have to put it in the car without a case. I cant find any info on how to fix the stuck poles. Sometimes takes 10 minutes just to get one pole raised, its that had to raise and lower. Any tips?
Love the GX, only reason I bought a Bronco over it was because at the same price the Bronco had more off road features, and I was looking for a turn key solution over a build project that I would usually do. Funny you mention the remote start, I'm surprised Lexus doesn't have a remote start on an app. I think even if you don't get a high trim package you can still remote start any Bronco using the Ford app.
I have another car that uses the app it’s better than a fob IMO. I love starting it before leaving work and it’s ready when I get there. No doubt the Bronco has more features and aftermarket support. Cool rigs IMO.
@@BackroadExploration no car is perfect. Latest and greatest tech is not this vehicle. For me as well, I like well built, made in Japan, reliable and dependable. Can’t have all in one.
@olegnovikov6442 for the most part I agree. For example our Mazda has more tech features than the GX. It’s a basic economy car and Mazdas have nearly as good of reliability ratings as Toyota/Lexus sometimes better depending on the segment. When it comes to the infotainment Lexus is just behind. The new vehicles have made big improvements.
Lexus remote start is a joke. I have a RX and a 23GX and you can remote start from the app and the key fob but it shuts off as soon as you touch the door handle. Just plain dumb and it is that way on both of mine.
I'm thinking about getting this tent to take on multi-day canoe trips.. I've always used lightweight A-frame tents but my knees can no longer take crawling into them.. I just don't know how well this tent will fit in the canoe...
Hey, I have the same tent. If your biggest issue with it is the packed size, let me tell you (you probably know tho), it is not that hard to put it in its original bag, I got 2 straps to compact it a little before putting it into the bag and then it just fits. And the bag it is long but it doesn’t need to be that huge and bulky. What I would love from this tent is a better rain fly , and a kind that can add some little porch roofing on top of the door area
Yeah that's crazy it didn't have a remote start especially for a Lexus and for that price range but you know it's even crazier I just leased a brand new Acura MDX 2022 3 years ago it was a base model with small package but imagine my dismay when I realized it didn't have remote start and if I'm not mistaken it didn't have front sensors I believe and the last almost worse thing I couldn't believe my eyes but unless you got higher than the base model the only interior options were leatherette which I've never heard of before especially on an Acura because I've always loved the Acuras and from what I can remember the only thing that was even an option was the navi and any extra BS stuff otherwise everything was always standard on an Acura and I really couldn't believe that you had to spend at least another 10 grand on a package or get the highest model to be able to get a free remote start I swear I thought and hoped it was a misprint and had to go in person and ask them about it now don't get me wrong I love and loved everything about it overall but I am just truly totally disgusted that Acura has became that petty everything is an option an extra money like BMW which I always hated about them, nevertheless it's an absolute amazing car to look at inside and out and comfortable to drive every day but I am still in disbelief of how low Acura has let themselves get because after I put 7000 cash down at signing there's absolutely no reason I should have still been paying anywhere near $700 a month for a 2022 base model MDX especially considering I was told I was getting it with the technology package because it was a pre-ordered leftover that somebody didn't want because the price had went up from what they were told 6 months before that and I understand that was a messed up time of trying tulisa brand new car which I got suckered into and the sad thing is I would have been better off staying with my beautiful silver 2019 Ford F-150 XLT four-door four-wheel drive with the EcoBoost which I put about $4,000 down and it was only paying about $600 a month and that was fully loaded besides the rear infotainment center other than that it was amazing on gas and never ever had a problem with space which the panoramic roof made it feel endless and the best part is I could take it anywhere treated how I wanted and still made it look sexy after a home car wash I definitely love that thing and the sad part is I could have owned that after the money I just spent leasing this car for the last 3 years which I loved in every way except for their new pricing which Acura has gotten out of hand there...! Anyway sorry for my rambling and my point is I was looking to get a new GX possibly but now I'm not too sure but because I won't be using it for off-roading but if I was going to buy a used car to keep and buy out and then that's definitely still on my list because like it said it's super reliable and will last a pretty long time which you normally would want in a car that you're going to buy to own so anyway thank you for your story hope you have the time to read mine and you get a kick out of it besides I hope it answers some people's questions and helps with anyone's curiosity about where Acura and Lexus are heading considering their the two luxury brands of two of the best, most reliable, long lasting and most sold cars in the market history ever...
incredible views there, I was there about 3 months ago, so grateful to have gotten to see such a beautiful place. The boulders near spirit arch are gigantic! it was so neat seeing water out there in the middle of nowhere, and the super old wind-blistered trees. I really wanna move out West soon, after seeing out west, nothing compares, I'm from Florida & am sick of the overcrowded southeast. Can't wait take my truck camper out west.
@@BackroadExploration my mid bracket did not sit flush at all, they are sending me a new mid bracket to hopefully fix the issue. For the top would you have done anything differently or is it mainly the 3m tape causing the issue?
IMO, towing a trailer is for glamping only. We find a nice full hookup park, setup the trailer then explore all day long and return in the evening to cook, clean up and sleep. I also do 4wd camping without the trailer for places that require 4wd. These are two different things.
I can see the appeal. This trailer will go anywhere the rig will. But has way less amenities. But needed the storage to camp as a family of 6. I love the base camp and wheel idea. Likely one we will do once the kids are grown.
I have been pulling my trailer for quite a few years now in the back country. Only 1 time did I get into a tight situation. About a hour of tree and brush cutting and I was on my way again. It is a chance you take for the comfort/convenience they offer. I'll take it. You bringing the trailer in September? Thanks for the video! George.
FANTASTIC! You and I sir are on the same path! I spent nearly 12 months searching for the right rig and trailer. ANYONE looking to do the same TAKE YOUR TIME searching craigslist and waiting for the trailer to show up. Finally found it 3 weeks ago and it is very similar to yours. It is not an old M416 as I wanted it to be a bit lighter and I don't have as many of the kiddos for the larger vehicle. That is an amazing find and the battery box is something I wish I had on mine! I do have the propane tank - small 5 lbs tank fits in yours. I can send pics if you haven't found yours yet. SO many things I love about your setup!
Found a 2019 with 22k miles base model for 39,900 good deal? I'm wanting one for longevity. Also been looking at the Honda pilot trailsport but it 11k higher has warranty and lower interest rate but not sure if those will last 500k. I'm looking for a solid long lasting vehicle. Unfortunately mpg sucks. I like the hybrid RAV4 woodland but it has the CVT transmissions and I am not a fan. Thanks. Any input would be great.
I have not kept a pulse on prices for a bit. But that is a better deal than what I paid two years ago. Mine is a 2017 base. Had 38k miles spent 38k. That was not during peak pandemic but prices were for sure inflated. If you plan to off-road or tow I’d go with the GX. If you never really plan to spend time off-road or only do very mild forest roads the RAV4 or Pilot will give you much better MPGs.
Drove up that road in '23 and enjoyed the old cabins and pictographs. Glad to see your video since I've been thinking about a trailer for a few years and plan to retire in a couple more. I recall loading an '82.5 Westy Diesel in '08 to the gills and driving from Portland to Yosemite, without a reservation. All good. Exhausting since it was always play/explore time for the children while I cooked, cleaned, un/packed, drove and did it all again, every day. jejeje At least the children were impressed forever with a love for the wilds.
Hey, glad to see you back on the trails. I have not been out for a year now. Last time I watched was when you had the Jeep. How are you liking the GX so far? Last time I saw you was when we did Horse thief Canyon for the Petroglyphs. I may be switching my expedition for a quad cab F150 and my trailer. I like the idea of the offroad trailer without having to climb up from a lifted rig. I understand the drawbacks, but a base camp in the right area makes for a better experience sometimes. Looking forward to catching up in the future. Cheers till then my friend. I found a great trail not too far from Aurora Utah and Scipio if you are interested. Cheers.
