Trail Tales: Family Overlanding Adventures

It feels like we meet incredible people every day! And when we talk about where outdoor passions come from it’s a common thread for these folk to talk about their childhood and how they were given the opportunity by parents to go camping and learn about survival. Well, Travis from Family Overlanding Adventures has the same kind of backstory and now he’s doing his all to make sure every young one gets the chance to explore and be inspired by life. Rhino-Rack had a chat with Travis and discovered new ways to get the family ready for adventure and to keep the phone, computer and TV screens at bay for a few more years.

(All images supplied by Travis Sorenson from Family Overlanding Adventures - Check out their Facebook)

Where: New Mexico to Utah
When: June 25-July 7, 2017
Vehicle: 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Rhino-Rack Products:

• Rhino-Rack BackBone System for 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser
• Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform (84”x56”)
• Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning

Rhino-Rack: What is it about hitting the outdoors that gets you going?

Family Overland Adventure: I grew up in Montana being in the outdoors – camping, overlanding, fishing, and hunting. I enjoy the peace and quiet being in the outdoors and getting away from civilization. Now I share my experiences with my family so they have nearly the same experiences from my childhood.

Rhino-Rack: Where was your adventure set?

Family Overland Adventure: The plan was to camp in NM, visit a friend in Southwest Colorado, then join my friend on his houseboat at Lake Powell Utah. After the houseboat, we would return back to Texas. This trip would be spread over 2 weeks. The latest adventure took us from Texas to northern New Mexico for a couple nights of camping at 9,400’ then stayed with a friend in Cortez, Colorado for a couple days to get ready for camping and the house boat in Utah. We drove to Utah for 1 night of camping in the mountains above Canyonlands National Park. In the past, we have completed the Utah Border to Border which is over 800 miles with camping each night on the move over 8 days.

Rhino-Rack: How did you prepare? What are the important steps to take?

Family Overland Adventure: I sold my Bajarack roof rack and needed a replacement. I bought the Rhino Rack Backbone with Pioneer Platform for my FJ Cruiser. I also wired and installed LED light bars on the front and sides. We mapped out our route to find camping sites for northern NM which was going to be near a spot I hunted elk in 2010. We coordinated with my friend for meal planning and camping for the Utah portion of the trip. Most importantly traveling with young kids – lots of snacks, entertainment (books, movies), and bath room breaks have to be planned out.

Rhino-Rack: What were the weather and terrain conditions like?

Family Overland Adventure: Day 1 of vacation was miserable because we encountered a severe thunderstorm with golf ball to baseball size hail. We had to pull over on the side of the road nearly in the ditch alongside a semi-truck to protect the vehicle from the hail. The roof rack, vehicle, trailer and roof top tent all received major hail damage. The windshield was impacted several times with cracks but visibility was still ok. Damages are over $24,000 between the FJ and Trailer. With the weather on Day 1 we were delayed nearly 2 hours so instead of making it to camp we elected to stay in a hotel in Santa Fe to look over the damage. We made it to camp on Day 2. The terrain from Texas to NM was flat with gradual elevation changes. Our camp was at 9,400’ in a meadow for night #2 to get out of the hot weather, temperatures at night were in the low 40’s. Once at the house boat the weather was very hot, over 100 deg F every day; we went swimming in the lake all day long to cool off.

Rhino-Rack: What was it you intended to do/see/ experience there?

Family Overland Adventure: We wanted to camp, overland, go boating, enjoy being with friends, and most importantly relax.

Rhino-Rack: Did you accomplish that?

Family Overland Adventure: Yes we accomplished what we set out to do but now have to deal with insurance companies for the hail damage.

Rhino-Rack: Were there any lessons learned?

Family Overland Adventure: YES! Pay attention to the weather better. We received one severe thunderstorm warning but nothing more. We could have figured out a way to see reports of large hail – if I would have known about the hail I could have turned around to seek cover.

Rhino-Rack: How did Rhino-Rack products help to facilitate your adventure?

Family Overland Adventure: We love the Rhino-Rack BackBone System which we have combined with the Pioneer Platform roof rack, it is the most versatile roof rack on the market. We have extra gas mounted on the roof along with lighting and our hilift jack. We also have the Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning with extensions which we used for shade and to block the wind.

Rhino-Rack: What is it about the destination or the journey of your adventure that makes the trip worthwhile?

Family Overland Adventure: It is both the destination and journey is worthwhile. I want my children to experience new adventures and sites so they can have great memories as I have from my childhood.

Rhino-Rack: Was there any wildlife or landscape that particularly stands out?

Family Overland Adventure: Canyonlands National Park and Lake Powell are beautiful with all the different colors and terrain.

Vehicle Modifications:  2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser

• Expedition One front and rear bumpers.
• Rhino Rack BackBone and Pioneer Platform (84”x56”).
• Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning
• ARB BP-51 suspension.
• Steel Skid Plates.
• Method Race Wheels.
• Goodyear Duratrac tires.
• LED light bars on front bumper, rear bumper, all 4 sides of roof rack.
• 2015 Turtleback Trailer with CVT Mt.
• McKinley RTT

Rhino-Rack Trail Tales

We'll be posting stories taken directly from Rhino-Rack Customers. Adventurers who want to share their explorations around Australia and the world. If you'd like to get involved in the Customer Adventure Series please contact Rhino-Rack through any of our social media platforms below.

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