Overland

RubioJF said:

Good morning everyone I’ve been looking to getting into overlanding or prelanding,brolanding. I have a 2013 raptor. I can’t seem to find a good rack to start with since there’s so many out there. Any recommendations for a good rack where I can still send it and shred? Thanks!!

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I have a trailer I bought for less than the cheapest rtt and makes it so much easier to setup and break down camp. But if you want to go RTT I suggest getting Deaver heavy duty leaf springs and some géiser springs up front. Then check out forged offroad. You don’t want to put an rtt just on the bedrails the aluminum will bend if you wheel too. Forged Offroad bedrack goes on the bed and also reinforces your bed from flexing. From there travel as light as possible strap things down and retorq after every trip and you will be golden. IMO.

Raptor 2014 said:

The raptor is wide and does not fit on lot of un-improved roads. Running boards provide no protection nor do the skid plates.
It is a great vehicle but it has its limitations.

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Totally true, but my wife and I drove most of the Transamerica Trail last year, plus up over Imogene in Colorado, and never had a problem with width. I think you'll love it as an overland rig--but we weren't trying to take little trails.

I have to admit we ducked off the trail every night and stayed at a hotel. So while the driving was awesome, I can't tell you if carrying all that camping gear will make your experience less fun. I can't imagine it would. The Raptor is fun no matter where we are!

Did you run Black Bear pass in Colorado? Long way down and tight turns.

Raptor 2014 said:

Did you run Black Bear pass in Colorado? Long way down and tight turns.

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No, we went over Engineer down into Silverton and spent the night. Then instead of following the trail, we went over Imogene into Teluride and picked up the trail on the other side. I don't know if Black Bear is more or less difficult than Imogene. As I recall, someone said the Raptor might be too long to make the turns on Black Bear, so we went Imogene. Did we blow it?

Did Black Bear in my JKR (2 door). WON'T do it in my Raptor, too tight on the decent into Telluride.

I used my rack to go camping all the time with a RTT with no problems. I don't do any crazy off roading, just trails to the campsite and everything hold up nicely. I install airbags in the rear so I could loaded up the bed and the RTT. When the truck is not loaded up, I let the air out on the bags so the truck will ride like stock. I would think installing the Deaver HD+3 would be too bouncy of a ride when the truck is empty which is 80% of the time. You could check out the forums discussion on the air bags, it has some very good informations and that's why I went with the bags.

I'm sorry - I wasn't trying to be a ****. I was just giving an example of the raptors limitations. I think the Raptor is un matched currently by any truck but for over landing, I would purchase a Ford Ranger, Bronco, Toyota or Jeep. You will have access to many more remote areas because of the narrower track.

Raptor 2014 said:

I'm sorry - I wasn't trying to be a ****. I was just giving an example of the raptors limitations. I think the Raptor is un matched currently by any truck but for over landing, I would purchase a Ford Ranger, Bronco, Toyota or Jeep. You will have access to many more remote areas because of the narrower track.

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That depends on where you go. The Western deserts are pretty wide open. I carry a saw and I have a few desert pinstripes, but mostly have no problems.

GordoJay said:

That depends on where you go. The Western deserts are pretty wide open. I carry a saw and I have a few desert pinstripes, but mostly have no problems.

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Agreed - Baja, Deserts, open areas - The Raptor Rules

We do Camping and Off-roading with our rig. 2013 with Yakima HD Rack and Tent. 8 gal. of water and 7 gal. of fuel in Rotopax. We take the dog, and Dometic fridge in the back seat. We also take a Porta-potti and a gas griddle. No issues, and we have a totally comfortable camp. I'm doing some more upgrades to our set up including solar and a house batter in the TSC box. That way I can make coffee with my Oxxbox and no gennie. We've used a little Honda gennie in the past to run the Dometic during the day. And the Oxxbox when we want to make coffee or tea. Hell, we have a couple of chairs and a nice outdoor rug/matt too! Folding table. That said, I am thinking about some Deavers, when I make the pull out kitchen. This is what we bought the bloody thing for......