First Desert Trip

[DeepDive]

Took the LC out to Anza Borrego for its first off road/camp trip. Still running the stock Michelin 265 LTX. Went with a Luno inflatable mattress, which I highly recommend. I had originally contemplated one of the drawer set ups for storage, but ultimately decided to just go with the inflatable by itself. Fit is perfect and I slept like a baby (although it's possible that the exceptional bourbon floating around the site may have had something to do with that). Added a Kelty shelter to the back, mostly to keep gear out of the elements if a storm came through. Also highly recommend that set up. Good quality tent/tarp with strong aluminum poles. Although we had perfect weather conditions, wind can become heavy pretty quickly in that area, so a good quality setup that can withstand winds is important.

Trails we ran were generally pretty easy, with some moderate rock and stream crossings. Lots of sand, with some areas deeper than others. The Michelins generally handled everything surprisingly well. Still considering moving to the Nitro Terra Grappler G3's just to get a little more clearance and piece of mind around the sidewalls. Overall great experience getting her off the pavement for the first time. And, of course, there are few things better than a nice campfire paella!

 

[exabyte]

Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing. The paella looks delicious.

 

[jenos96]

Get ride of the Michelins asap. I also thought they were handling everything well until two of them punctured within a day of each other. Of course ended up spending a whole beautiful Sunday pacing around in a dealership.

 

[DeepDive]

Get ride of the Michelins asap. I also thought they were handling everything well until two of them punctured within a day of each other. Of course ended up spending a whole beautiful Sunday pacing around in a dealership.

Not good. What kind of roads were you on? The Nitto Terra Grappler G3's are a sooner or later thing for me. May make it sooner.

 

[jenos96]

Not good. What kind of roads were you on? The Nitto Terra Grappler G3's are a sooner or later thing for me. May make it sooner.

Pretty tame dirt roads leading to a quarry

 

[DeepDive]

Pretty tame dirt roads leading to a quarry

Not good. Seems that Toyota opted for a good highway tire that "can" go off-road. I like the ride on the Michelins, but can't have a tire failing on relatively easy trails.

 

[gxsandiego]

What trails did you take?

 

[DeepDive]

What trails did you take?

Did Coyote Canyon, Rock House and Fonts Point. Liked Coyote Canyon quite a bit. Great variety. Unfortunately the back of the trail, which is supposedly the pretty special part of the trail, is now closed due to some major storms that repositioned too much debris. Rock house is a nice trail, but not as much variety. Fonts point is a pretty wide and very fun run that terminates at one of the prettiest views I've seen in the desert. Just a spectacular view.

 

[gxsandiego]

Thanks, I did Font Point last month. It was fun, but not real challenging. I'm a newbie to off-roading and I liked the fact that its a wide open trail and there is no risk of running through brush that could scratch up the paint. How do Coyote Canyon and Rock House compare?

 

[DeepDive]

Thanks, I did Font Point last month. It was fun, but not real challenging. I'm a newbie to off-roading and I liked the fact that its a wide open trail and there is no risk of running through brush that could scratch up the paint. How do Coyote Canyon and Rock House compare?

Very different. Fonts Point is all about the destination, although I love the fact that you can blast through those wide slot canyons. The other two are narrower with more variety. Coyote Canyon is a fun trail. Definitely narrower. Nice stream crossing. Couple of more moderate but certainly doable segments.

Love that part of the desert. Heading out to Palm Springs for a few days around the holidays. Mostly golf, so not camping, but I'll probably hit a couple of trails in that part of the desert.

 

[gxsandiego]

We’re headed out there in January. Might give those other trails a shot. Thanks again

 

[shs.1990]

Not good. What kind of roads were you on? The Nitto Terra Grappler G3's are a sooner or later thing for me. May make it sooner.

Added them 3 weeks ago and love them.

 

[DeepDive]

I’ve had them on for a few weeks now. Great tire for these trucks. Would have preferred to keep mpg’s a little closer to the Michelins, but I appear to be down around 2 mpg since installed.

 

[evillinux]

Looks like an amazing time! Also thank you for the recommendation of the air mattress I've always been curious for a good brand to check out sounds like the Link is a winner!

Also I think you mentioned you with the Nitro tires, did you go stock size or did you go up a size? I've been eyeballing them as my replacement tire when the OEM stock wear out or I eat some nails (all my vehicles each nails for whatever reason constantly lol).

Was coyote cayon's water still pretty low on the water? I was out there about 2ish weeks or so ago and there was some water not much, figure with the dry winter there still isn't a lot of water in the crossing.

 

[DeepDive]

The Luno air mattress is very comfortable. I’m not a guy who usually sleeps well on air mattresses, but this one worked for me. I didn’t go stock size on the Nittos. Went with 275/70/R18, so they’re slightly bigger than the stock Michelins. Fill the wheel well a little bigger. No additional poke, since I went with the stock wheels. Just think it’s a better tire on these trucks. Works well off road and I don’t feel any decline in on road performance. You do have to accept that economy will decline a little.

There was some water flow in Coyote Canyon. Made for a nice crossing. Just wish the back side of the trail was still open. Closed from the last big storm and no indication of when it will reopen.

 

[evillinux]

The Luno air mattress is very comfortable. I’m not a guy who usually sleeps well on air mattresses, but this one worked for me. I didn’t go stock size on the Nittos. Went with 275/70/R18, so they’re slightly bigger than the stock Michelins. Fill the wheel well a little bigger. No additional poke, since I went with the stock wheels. Just think it’s a better tire on these trucks. Works well off road and I don’t feel any decline in on road performance. You do have to accept that economy will decline a little.

There was some water flow in Coyote Canyon. Made for a nice crossing. Just wish the back side of the trail was still open. Closed from the last big storm and no indication of when it will reopen.

Awesome thanks for the information I'll have to think about picking up one of the air mattresses, would be fun to do a camp in the back of the LC!

Good to hear the tires are working out well, I'm debating whether I want to upside or stick with stock size primarily because the LC is semi my daily driver and my Tacoma more of my off-road/camping/over landing/adventure vehical and built out slightly better for things. I'm not too worried on MPG I accepted I bought an SUV and I pay premium I rather a bit of luxury and enjoyment and smiles per gallons than worry too much about the MPG. It honestly can't be any worst than my Taco which averages 12-15 because it does such short distance travels at time and my old '97 if I'm lucky got 19 but I'd say averaged more like 13 lol.

Didn't know they had the side closed. I know last time I went down the path the gate was closed that normally was open and then you go up the rocky hill to the upper part of that is what is being referenced? Still plenty of fun in the Borrego area luckily. Thanks again!

 

[DeepDive]

Yes. Gate was closed. Guys I spoke with had the sense that so much of it was rearranged in the last big storm that they may not reopen. Concerned that too many people will get stuck and need to be helicoptered out.

Think we all buy off on the fact that you’re not buying these for the fuel economy. I was hoping to at least stay above 20mpg with the new tires. I do use mine as a daily driver.

 

[evillinux]

That makes sense on the gate closure. I know last time I went to the top which was a couple years ago the rocks were semi-rough. The next time I went I went up a bit and turned around because some of the rocks were just want to pointy or just at all kinds of weird angles that I didn't want to risk the tires catching wrong and causing damage or getting stuck knowing my luck lol.

But Toyota said I am buying a 'hyrbid' so that is suppose to automatically increase my MPG lol.
I honestly really like the hybrid setup, it really rreminds me if the original Pround with the electric motor+engine functions and it feels exactly the same honestly. My dad had an '03 Prius and when the car turns off the motor it has same feel I remember and then also the kick on feel of both electric, gas and turbo all kicking in the torque and power. I do enjoy watching the boost gauge and the electric gauge I have for display. I make it a game to see how fat I can drive on just the electric before the motor kicks back in when I am in my work or other parking lots haha.