Best summary of my Truck build,
Day before the trip begins…..2023 Mar 20, Monday, Shrewsbuy Ma, Loading Up! All packed!
Organization wise, the bags are working out well. I decided to use old grocery tote bags, so I could put shoes/sandals in their applicable duffel, but keep dirt on the shoes from spreading. The old totes are thin, but they breathe unlike plastic shopping bags.
I made the duffel bags in different colors to make things easier to find. They're each 12" x 12" square and 20" long. I also made a man purse, I’ll let you know how it goes using it in public bathrooms. Photos here I expect a few looks, but I don’t care. Clean butt and teeth ftw!
Orange bag behind Driver seat in Truck cab First Aid supplies, water filtration (filters are actually in the dometic cooler so they don't freeze)
Silver bag passenger seat money, Kindle, tablet, bed time stuff
Yellow bag truck bed passenger side extra paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, bleach wipes, shower wipes, soap etc
Green bag clothes
Red bag hiking boots, gear, hiking-specific clothes, jacket
Black bag shower stuff, swimming clothes. One partition is empty, might put dirty clothes there.
large canvas tote bag outerwear, fleece, flannel, etc. Layers I'll want quick access to be outside in cold weather.
On the driver side of the truck bed, I've got the porta potty, lavabox (propane firepit/ammo can), and the dometic cooler. Lots of open space on the driver side, so I can use the toilet. Easier to get to by coming down from the upper bed area. otherwise I have to crawl over the cooler, which isn't pretty.
In the ski box on top of the GFC, I have my Joolca single shower tent, a camp chair, and a mesh tarp for shade. Also put a couple empty backpacks up there. Stuff that takes up space, but doesn’t weigh much. As usual, my sleeping bags and air mattress are stuffed behind the driver and passenger seats in the extended cab area, above the tools. I strapped the tools down, so they won’t turn into missies in a bad accident. I did notice the nose of the truck is higher than the rear now, so I’m going to add more air to the airbags before leaving tomorrow. They’re only 20 psi right now. Will go up to 30-40psi until it levels out. Meeting Jeff ~9a.m. at the Millbury Mass Pike exit’s park & ride lot to heat West. Tomorrow’s goal is Erie PA’s cracker barrel, about 8 hours of driving, via i-90 If I have time tomorrow morning, I’m tempted to go to Flynn’s Truck Stop on the way to meet Jeff, so I can get the front and rear axle weights, but ignorance is bliss I think, and there’s nothing I’d leave at home if I’m overweight anyway. My builder said my truck is safe to carry full GVWR (and then some) after all the suspension upgrades, so I’m not worried. Jeff and I drive like Old Fogies anyway. In the future, I think I'll do front brake upgrades, when the rotors wear out. I’d get the black calipers, red is too showy. Bigger tires will help too, more ground contact when braking.
https://www.mainlineoverland.com/products/powerbrake-x1-big-brake-kit-stage-1-for-2019-ford-ranger