East Coaster Driving Out West for Elk Hunt

[TaperPin]

Driving while tired has killed 4 more acquaintances than grizzly bears, flesh eating bacteria, alligators, and lightning strikes combined, so be careful. With two drivers I’ve pushed a few 24 hr drives, but we were spent all four times and it wasn’t safe. Young me would drive until my eyes were tired, pull over anywhere to sleep until waking up once, and quickly hit the road. One time I pulled into a pullout on the other side of the road, slept an hour, woke up and drove for what seemed like an awfully long time and eventually pulled into the town I had left an hour prior to pulling over, so always pull out on the side of the road that points to your destination. lol

 

[Legend]

I pull 10 day trips all the time with a 60lb pack and a bow/rifle. You could ditch the luxury items and drive a car.

 

[TaperPin]

Beware of any enclosed trailer on either the I80 or lower I40 route because of wind. New Mexico highways have amazing pothole collections so be prepared for a blowout if weather forces you down that way. For every story someone tells of free sailing down I80 a dozen memories come up of delays from torrential rain, tornados, freak storms, or wind blowing all the semis over. Along I40 they could care less if you have bad judgement, but I80 will close tighter than a ducks butt if conditions are bad. *chuckle*

 

[Tator98]

I’ve seen some crazy setups in our area by the out of town and out of state folks during elk season! Quads over a custom rack above the truck hood, etc.

You mentioned “bringing one four wheeler” and ATV. Assume a quad vs a full size SxS? Given your first hunt trip out West, I would bring your 4 wheeler for the reason you mentioned plus the steeper/narrower trails. If just a quad, seems very doable in your long bed even w/coolers and lots of gear. I see guys running that frequently but also many pulling small trailers. A friend used to run a small quad in his 3/4 ton (no rack, just in the bed) during hunt season and did fine. I tow periodically but wouldn’t want to haul a machine 5,000mi RT.

Good luck on the hunt and post up this fall after your trip.

It is a quad (Honda Rancher, just one). I’ve only hauled it in the back of a pickup a few times but it fits pretty well.

And I will, thank you!

 

[Tator98]

Beware of any enclosed trailer on either the I80 or lower I40 route because of wind. New Mexico highways have amazing pothole collections so be prepared for a blowout if weather forces you down that way. For every story someone tells of free sailing down I80 a dozen memories come up of delays from torrential rain, tornados, freak storms, or wind blowing all the semis over. Along I40 they could care less if you have bad judgement, but I80 will close tighter than a ducks butt if conditions are bad. *chuckle*

That’s a big reason I’m not crazy about an enclosed, plenty of semi’s been laid over by that I80 wind. Also I’m afraid it’ll just be a big wind sail behind the pickup and my 15mpg will turn into 8mpg.

 

[displacedtexan]

Driving while tired has killed 4 more acquaintances than grizzly bears, flesh eating bacteria, alligators, and lightning strikes combined, so be careful. With two drivers I’ve pushed a few 24 hr drives, but we were spent all four times and it wasn’t safe. Young me would drive until my eyes were tired, pull over anywhere to sleep until waking up once, and quickly hit the road. One time I pulled into a pullout on the other side of the road, slept an hour, woke up and drove for what seemed like an awfully long time and eventually pulled into the town I had left an hour prior to pulling over, so always pull out on the side of the road that points to your destination. lol

I've always been worried about this, and sleep with the truck pointed the direction I'm headed.

Last time was yesterday. Lol

The best way to stay awake is sleep a little when you're tired. I'm not too proud, I've taken 20 minute naps in the middle of 3 hour drives. Beats waking up dead.

 

[Headwaters]

This is two weeks of food and hunting equipment including a wall tent in my truck last fall. All valuables go inside covered up with gear bags and sleeping gear. Out of site, out of mind. Stay in nicer hotels in nice towns. Do reviews to avoid sketchy locations. We didn't need a UTV and drove all the 4wd trails in our unit. For piece of mind, bring guns, valuables inside the hotel.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Hi y’all,

Planning my first trip hunting out west as a non-resident this fall. I’m looking at about a 36 hour 2500 +/- mile drive. I’ve purchased a new 3/4 ton crew cab long bed 4x4 gas pickup this spring. I will be going with one other guy who can also drive. Looking for some advice from others who have made a similar trip.

We would like to bring with us one four wheeler and of course will have all our gear. Trying to figure out how to get all our stuff out there without getting it ripped off in a motel or truck stop parking lot. It seems like theft is rampant along the interstates these days. I’ve had a camper shell in the past and liked it, but obviously that doesn’t work with a four wheeler. We don’t want to drag a trailer out there. Thoughts on something like the decked drawer system with the four wheeler on top? I’d imagine I’d want to cable/lock the four wheeler and anything else exposed to the bed.

I appreciate any thoughts or advice. Thanks

I drive from Ky to Wy (1500) and Tucson (1900) a couple of times a year. I don't take atvs so no trailer. I can do it in two days pushing, but usually make it 2 1/2 (12 hr driving days). I take valuables in the motel; guns, glass, boots and bag of hunting clothes. I pack some things in my coolers on the way out. If room is tight on the return trip due to meat in the coolers, I have boxed gear/clothes and shipped back UPS.
Take tire plugs and a GOOD air compressor (Viair is my choice) with you. Scout grocery stores/Walmart for dry ice. Most carry it out west. Last 3-4 days for me.

 

[weekender7]

Also I’m afraid it’ll just be a big wind sail behind the pickup and my 15mpg will turn into 8mpg.

Somewhere around 8-10 mpg depending on how hard y'all push it, with an enclosed trailer.

 

[Slickhill]

A Rancher only weighs 4-600lb, no worry at all about hauling it in the back of the truck for me. As stated above, put your guns and valuable stuff/stuff that has to stay dry in the back seat and pile your ice chests and tent etc around the wheeler.

Or bring a trailer if you have too much stuff or have access to one and would be more comfortable that way.

I’ve been all over the western US loaded up like the Joads going to Californy since I was 6 months old for minimum of two trips a year. Roughly 1500mi RT but much of it not just sailing down the interstate. Pickups with overhead campers pulling all manner of homegrown utility trailers loaded down with wheelers and “stuff”. Pickups with a wheeler in the bed and pulling a boat. Pickups with a wheeler and a rick of firewood in the bed pulling enclosed trailers and stock trailers loaded with camp gear. Even drug a 10ft enclosed trailer all the way to AK with my 1/2ton Ford loaded with all my worldly possessions when I moved up.

Stay in decent places with good lighting and back into your spot in front of your room or in front of the front desk entrance. Make sure you have a good Jack and 4way and a good spare plus a toolbox with the essentials to replace a wheel bearing or troubleshoot trailer lights and away you go.

In all those years I’d say we’ve probably put the spare on 6-8 times and one year we did break an axle but it was any easy fix, unhooked, unbolted the axle and ran to town and had it welded back together at a shop. Could have just as easily bought a new one at tractor supply and bolted it in.

Don’t overthink it. Plan for plenty of time and enjoy the trip. Take whatever comes as it comes.

 

[TheHammer]

I do 2 trips a year from Wi. Typically leave after work and drive straight through, as I’m getting older this is starting to wear on me. I will stop in the last decent town near where I’m hunting and get a hotel, everything comes inside! My big tote has wheels, I set my smaller tote on top, tool case & bag on top of that and carry rifle or bow case in opposite hand. Then make 3 separate trips for the coolers and grill.

I do not recommend bringing the atv. On my 12 trips I can count on one hand where I would like to think it could’ve been beneficial to have one when I didn’t. When I first started I brought one, that changed after the 2nd trip. More hassle then it’s worth.

 

[cnelk]

I used to haul my atv with a fiberglas topper.

I just removed the topper side clamps, tilted up the back end of topper [open the topper door], had a couple wood poles ready to hold up the back end of the topper.
Drove the atv in the bed of the truck, lowered the topper, and re-installed the clamps.
The ramps went under the atv, and gear was packed around the bed.

With 2 guys it would be a piece of cake.

 

[Carr5vols]

I have done a 24+ hour drive like this more times than I want to discuss. Make sure to leave when you are going through any major cities at night or middle of day. (I prefer at night) St Louis, Kansas City, Memphis, OKC. Nashville i try to hit at night. The worst part of straight drive is from about 230am until daylight. If you get tired just pull over and sleep your life is not worth it.

I have took 4 wheeler once and used it very little but I also put my f250 in places most will not but do not abuse it. I use a truck as a truck not as a pavement princess.

Everything valuable intruck is under a locked hard tonneau...other stuff on top...

 

[WRO]

I do 15+ hour west coast drives, we put our elk deer etc in a kill bag once they’re cold for travel. It’s the way to go.


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[Weldor]

I’d like to drive straight through but I don’t think we can safely. Probably will need at least two stops, either sleeping in the truck or motel. Any tips for staying awake driving?

Take the breaks and get some sleep. If you do a marathon you will be beat when you arrive. Of course you can do the topper and a small quad trailer.

 

[robtattoo]

Like others, I've been doing the top from TN to WY every year since 2010.

A small 8x5 tip-up trailer is 100% worth taking, if you're hauling the 4-wheeler.
I hunt solo, but I'll load my bike & it's trailer, generator (bolted to deck) & 'scrap' cooler (usually filled with propane tanks) alongside water & gas cans on the trailer. Good coolers with food, camping gear (canvas tent) kitchen equipment, etc in the truck bed, inside a secure shell (I wouldn't be without a topper) & clothing/firearms on the back seats. I know I'm spreading it around like this, but I could easily carry gear for 3 guys like this.

Everything in the trailer is locked together & to the frame with 10' cable locks & strong 'D' shackle locks.
The truck bed is locked overnight & everything on the back seat comes into the hotel with me. I haven't had a moments concern over theft. I just park sensibly.

This is my setup from 2 years ago. I carried 4 weeks worth of gear.....

 

[D_wit22]

Rent a truck instead of driving your own. In pa I can rent a full sized truck for $30 a day unlimited miles. Do the math, but it’s way better than taking your own truck.

 

[Crowmangler]

We did this 4 years in a row from NC. A 3/4 ton with long bed can hold a shit ton of stuff.

For just 2 ppl if you can't fit everything in there you really need to reconsider your choices of what gear you're taking. Just ask others & read past post on here because most people take way more crap than they need or will ever use, especially clothes. Be sure to take an extra pair of boots for each person & 1 extra weapon just in case.

Both of you should do a dry run pack & load everything you plan to take & see how it fits. Then start figuring out what you can do without.
If you're dead set on the ATV just put it in the back & put the rest of the stuff around it or strap it to the racks.
Good weatherproof boxes like the Hardigg or Pelican or army surplus ones are the best option if you can get one.. If you use totes make sure you can secure the lids really good (not just duct tape)
Make a list of everyday stuff you don't need to haul & buy it out there.
Remember, you can always buy a cooler or 2 if you kill something.

I'd highly recommend not bringing any kind of trailer for all the reasons already mentioned.
The hitch haulers are a much more convenient option IMO just remember they're back there when in tight spots.

We always had 3 ppl so one could sleep in the back seat while the passenger kept the driver awake. The worst part is going across Kansas/ eastern Colorado from 2a - sunrise. If there's only 2 of you just pull over & take a nap for a few hours.

Always give yourself an extra day on the way out to allow for truck/ weather issues & to get acclimated to the altitude.

 

[huntabsarokee]

I have done this trip many times and plan to again this summer. We typically take an enclosed trailer but we have 4 guys so more crap. Since you have a long bed put the ATV in the bed and strap down the coolers to the ATV racks. Put a hitch haul on the truck and can put another cooler there with food or gear. Should be plenty of space along the sides of the ATV for gear just put in water proof bags. Guns can go inside the truck. Bonus is 1 guy can lay down in the back seat and sleep unless you want to fill it with gear.

As far as hotels on the way out we only ever did that 1 night but agreed I would rather skip that risk. I would just sleep inside the truck at a truck stop for a few hours or rest area. Would not be afraid of theft while getting gas. We have stopped at all times of the night along 80 and never had an issue. Most of the truck stops are well lit.

 

[MallardSX2]

A guy I know went to Colorado with a few of his friends and lost EVERYTHING to thieves at a hotel. They even took their sleeping bags. They thought that the locks on the truck cap would keep out the riffraff.....lmfao.

Buy yourself a cheap dedicated (lockable) enclosed hunting trailer. Replace the bearings and put good tires and bearing buddies in it, get you 2 good spares and take your grease gun with you.

Put a motion alarm in your truck if you stop at a hotel. Its the ONLY way I will stop. I have alarms all over my truck when I stop. If someone if going to even touch the truck, someone is going to notice....The wind actually set them off one year in Nebraska...

I get crappy fuel mileage pulling my stuff to Colorado in an enclosed trailer, but I don't worry about anyone stealing my stuff.