R1T camping/overlanding adventure! Ochoco National Forest.

[jjswan33]

Now that I have gotten my setup nearly dialed in and my knee has healed up enough here is my first camping/overlanding mission in my Truck.

Started in Sandy OR at home with about 75% SOC then headed over Mt Hood on HWY 26 to a Chargepoint station in Madras, OR (62.5kW). I arrived at 35% and I charged up to 80% SOC which took I about 1 hour. From there I headed East on HWY 26 towards Prineville and entered the Ochoco national forest on Mckay Creek Road I took an off-road trail off to the right a mile or so in. This trail was a bit primitive in places but no problem for the truck, due to a technical issue I did not record a track for my drive in but now looking at the map I am not entirely sure how I got through to where I did.

I found a nice dead end with a fire ring and hills going down in three directions. Tested out my ‘camp kitchen’ setup to make some dinner with truck power then setup my tent with some string lights and a heated blanket for warmth and slept through a rainy night. Rain stopped by the time a woke up in the AM and I enjoyed some sunshine while I ate breakfast. Went for a short hike to a rock outcropping before finishing packing up and heading out for the day.

Traveled further into the forest over something called the historic summit trail, very scenic and interesting drive. Mostly puddle jumping but some light mud, narrow roads with drop offs and some cool rock formations. After a 38 mile drive with 3000 ft of vertical climb I ended back out on hwy 26 and I headed back towards Madras with my 80 miles of range. Charging up in Madras then off back over Mt Hood towards Sandy.

The black circle on the map is where I entered the forest. Super fun and can’t wait to have more R1T adventures.

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[R1Sky Business]

Now that I have gotten my setup nearly dialed in and my knee has healed up enough here is my first camping/overlanding mission in my Truck.

Started in Sandy OR at home with about 75% SOC then headed over Mt Hood on HWY 26 to a Chargepoint station in Madras, OR (62.5kW). I arrived at 35% and I charged up to 80% SOC which took I about 1 hour. From there I headed East on HWY 26 towards Prineville and entered the Ochoco national forest on Mckay Creek Road I took an off-road trail off to the right a mile or so in. This trail was a bit primitive in places but no problem for the truck, due to a technical issue I did not record a track for my drive in but now looking at the map I am not entirely sure how I got through to where I did.

I found a nice dead end with a fire ring and hills going down in three directions. Tested out my ‘camp kitchen’ setup to make some dinner with truck power then setup my tent with some string lights and a heated blanket for warmth and slept through a rainy night. Rain stopped by the time a woke up in the AM and I enjoyed some sunshine while I ate breakfast. Went for a short hike to a rock outcropping before finishing packing up and heading out for the day.

Traveled further into the forest over something called the historic summit trail, very scenic and interesting drive. Mostly puddle jumping but some light mud, narrow roads with drop offs and some cool rock formations. After a 38 mile drive with 3000 ft of vertical climb I ended back out on hwy 26 and I headed back towards Madras with my 80 miles of range. Charging up in Madras then off back over Mt Hood towards Sandy.

The black circle on the map is where I entered the forest. Super fun and can’t wait to have more R1T adventures.

Great looking kitchen....especially with a full blown microwave... u kept electric blanket plugged in all night?

 

[jjswan33]

Great looking kitchen....especially with a full blown microwave... u kept electric blanket plugged in all night?

Thanks. Have about $300 into my kitchen including the Microwave which I already had.

Yes on the heated blanket, also the fridge was plugged in over night. I used 2-3% 54-51 overnight which I suspect is negligible compared to what I would of lost without those accessories plugged in.

 

[Gabe1aron]

Nice to know that it took 40% of the battery to get up and over Mt Hood to Madras. That gives me plenty of confidence to know that I could easily make it from PDX to Bend without needing to stop and charge. I will be getting my R1T with the same wheels and tires.

 

[jjswan33]

Nice to know that it took 40% of the battery to get up and over Mt Hood to Madras. That gives me plenty of confidence to know that I could easily make it from PDX to Bend without needing to stop and charge. I will be getting my R1T with the same wheels and tires.

Definitely. That was my backup plan if the chargers in Madras weren’t working but luckily 2/4 were functional. Will be even easier as soon as the EA station in Sandy fires up.

 

[R1Sky Business]

Thanks. Have about $300 into my kitchen including the Microwave which I already had.

Yes on the heated blanket, also the fridge was plugged in over night. I used 2-3% 54-51 overnight which I suspect is negligible compared to what I would of lost without those accessories plugged in.

We're u plugged into 12V or 120V? Both?

 

[SteveInBend]

Did you have a chance to see if there's been any progress on the RAN charging station in Madras?

Plateau Travel Plaza
215 NW CHERRY LN, MADRAS, OR

 

[RealBillNye]

Looks like a fun adventure!

How do you go about finding overland campsite destinations? I think I have backpacking in the PNW figured out, but I have a hard time finding overlanding destinations that aren't also campgrounds (which defeats the purpose IMO).

 

[jjswan33]

We're u plugged into 12V or 120V? Both?

Both were plugged into 120V. I haven’t figured out 12V yet that I trust when it is on or off.

 

[R1Sky Business]

Both were plugged into 120V. I haven’t figured out 12V yet that I trust when it is on or off.

Since you're sleeping on vehicle. The car is "ON" the entire night? Is that right?

 

[jjswan33]

Looks like a fun adventure!

How do you go about finding overland campsite destinations? I think I have backpacking in the PNW figured out, but I have a hard time finding overlanding destinations that aren't also campgrounds (which defeats the purpose IMO).

Boondocking isn’t that hard, been doing it for a while in my camper van before I got the Rivian. Gaia GPS helps to find BLM or NF land. If you find small shoots off the roads they will usually end in a camp site and with a little research ahead you should be good to go.

On this trip I drove past at least 15-20 different camping spots, some better than others.

Also apps like iOverlander are useful.

 

[jjswan33]

Did you have a chance to see if there's been any progress on the RAN charging station in Madras?

Plateau Travel Plaza
215 NW CHERRY LN, MADRAS, OR

No I did not, wasn’t even aware of it. Will have to check next time.

 

[jjswan33]

Since you're sleeping on vehicle. The car is "ON" the entire night? Is that right?

Not sure why it would be. AFAIK the car can go to sleep while it is unlocked, at least that is my experience based on time it takes to ‘wake up’ sometimes.

 

[kylealden]

Now that I have gotten my setup nearly dialed in and my knee has healed up enough here is my first camping/overlanding mission in my Truck.

Started in Sandy OR at home with about 75% SOC then headed over Mt Hood on HWY 26 to a Chargepoint station in Madras, OR (62.5kW). I arrived at 35% and I charged up to 80% SOC which took I about 1 hour. From there I headed East on HWY 26 towards Prineville and entered the Ochoco national forest on Mckay Creek Road I took an off-road trail off to the right a mile or so in. This trail was a bit primitive in places but no problem for the truck, due to a technical issue I did not record a track for my drive in but now looking at the map I am not entirely sure how I got through to where I did.

I found a nice dead end with a fire ring and hills going down in three directions. Tested out my ‘camp kitchen’ setup to make some dinner with truck power then setup my tent with some string lights and a heated blanket for warmth and slept through a rainy night. Rain stopped by the time a woke up in the AM and I enjoyed some sunshine while I ate breakfast. Went for a short hike to a rock outcropping before finishing packing up and heading out for the day.

Traveled further into the forest over something called the historic summit trail, very scenic and interesting drive. Mostly puddle jumping but some light mud, narrow roads with drop offs and some cool rock formations. After a 38 mile drive with 3000 ft of vertical climb I ended back out on hwy 26 and I headed back towards Madras with my 80 miles of range. Charging up in Madras then off back over Mt Hood towards Sandy.

The black circle on the map is where I entered the forest. Super fun and can’t wait to have more R1T adventures.

Maybe this is a weird request But do you mind sharing a few more shots of your truck with the tent closed from a few angles? Very interested in seeing how it fits with the roadshower.

Do you find it difficult to open/close the XCover without bumping the fasteners up against the rear window? It looked a little tight when I was looking at measurements.

 

[jjswan33]

Maybe this is a weird request But do you mind sharing a few more shots of your truck with the tent closed from a few angles? Very interested in seeing how it fits with the roadshower.

Do you find it difficult to open/close the XCover without bumping the fasteners up against the rear window? It looked a little tight when I was looking at measurements.

Sure I can take some more photos later after I give the truck a bath. I haven't noticed any issues opening closing the tent can you clarify what fasteners you mean? There is room between the tent and the back of the truck and also room to move it further back if needed.

Only issue I have observed so far is I couldn't get the poles for the rain fly on the drivers side in between the road shower and the tent. I am planning on shifting the tent a couple inches further to the passenger side to fix this.

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