2021 Ford F250 Tremor Adventure Rig

[mk216v]

Ohhh, awesome to hear, having got a Vice bumper & Fahrt draw system I'm a huge fan of the PNW build quality, those guys get it right up there. Will you post here when they're ready to see?

It's where all the coolest stuff is. (PS--Vice needs to update their site. No Ford bumpers listed).
Will post as I'd really like to see Bret get these. <mind blown>

 

[mk216v]

It's where all the coolest stuff is. (PS--Vice needs to update their site. No Ford bumpers listed).
Will post as I'd really like to see Bret get these. <mind blown>

Not trying to overtake Bret's build thread, but 2 spy shots, and link to my build thread for these engine/trans and rear diff skids;

2019 F350 6.2L 4WD build thread; HPI flatbed, ATO AterraXL composite camper, Carli/King, 37s, 4.88s, etc

Details on “few small warranty items” on something basically brand new and $70k+ would be helpful to share with the community and potential buyers. ON PAPER, the Arterra checks a lot of boxes and something I thought would have taken off big time and sold like hot cakes. I saw some odd red...

expeditionportal.com

 

[UpperLeft86]

So now that I've read through this whole thread, all 16 pages haha, had to say this this setup is goals. Literally the dream truck for me. Are you still happy with the choice to move on from the half-ton platform? Part of me wants to keep it simple with the F150 and an RTT setup. Part of me wants to just move on to a Super Duty and FWC or OEV setup. We have two little ones so space is always a factor (and therefore payload, if we did something like the FWC Raven.)

 

[eyemgh]

So now that I've read through this whole thread, all 16 pages haha, had to say this this setup is goals. Literally the dream truck for me. Are you still happy with the choice to move on from the half-ton platform? Part of me wants to keep it simple with the F150 and an RTT setup. Part of me wants to just move on to a Super Duty and FWC or OEV setup. We have two little ones so space is always a factor (and therefore payload, if we did something like the FWC Raven.)

I had a Raven. Now my son has it. It is tight with 2 people, and would be crazy tight with 4. Plus, loaded, we were bumping up against the GVWR. We ended up with a 8’ Hallmark on a Bowen bed. Agility and capacity are always at odds, but with a full family, you’ll regret not going with a one ton.

 

[UpperLeft86]

I had a Raven. Now my son has it. It is tight with 2 people, and would be crazy tight with 4. Plus, loaded, we were bumping up against the GVWR. We ended up with a 8’ Hallmark on a Bowen bed. Agility and capacity are always at odds, but with a full family, you’ll regret not going with a one ton.

Thank you! That's about what I would expect. Between space and payload, it seems like a one-ton, or at least 3/4 ton (or the F250 Tremor, which as far as I can tell is basically an F350 with a different badge.) I probably should've gone that route from the start, but I didn't quite have the camper bug yet. Now the hooks are set...

There's a nice looking F350 in the Classifieds on here with an 8' flatbed already ...

 

[BretEdge]

Over Spring Break my family and I headed south in search of warmer weather, sunshine and mountain biking trails. We found all of it in Sedona and Phoenix, plus an insane wildflower bloom in the Superstition Mountains. A couple days before we left I had a set of Toyo Open Country R/T Trails installed as the old R/T's were getting a little worn down. As y'all might remember, we had plans to purchase and install the Carli Trophy Hitch so we could carry a 37" spare in the factory location. Several folks suggested that we try fitting one of our used 37's in that space instead to save a few thousand bucks. We did, and it worked like a charm. We didn't even have to deflate the tire, but we did have to wrestle with it a little bit. Worth it! As a measure of safety, I used a cam strap after the tire was in place but it doesn't appear to have budged. Thanks to all those who suggested we try it!

The next upgrade: Morimoto gave us a set of their 4Banger fog lights to review for OutdoorX4 magazine, so we're having those installed soon. We're on track to have the entire electrical system switched over to lithium with new solar panels on the roof, too. Still working on getting everything together for that upgrade and tentatively scheduled for mid-June.

Now, on to the trip. We started in Sedona where we spent a total of one day riding. The next two days were going to be windy - too windy to ride - so we bailed to Phoenix. There, we rode one of our favorite trails (Desert Classic) and some new trails at Peralta Regional Park. We'd planned to ride National and a few trails at Hawes, but as I was getting our Torklift stairs out of the camper they slipped out of my hand and landed on my big toe, crushing it. That put an end to my riding for the trip, but my wife and son snuck in a couple good rides. We found an absolutely epic campsite that required some very tricky driving to squeeze through cholla forests, mesquite trees and other vegetation while dropping in and out of washes. Totally worth the new pinstripes, though. Always cool to fall asleep listening to coyotes yip below the rugged peaks of the Superstition Mountains.

Here's a few photos from the trip. We're starting to plan out our spring/summer trips and we'll have quite a few adventures to post about here, so stay tuned!

 

[mk216v]

Woot woot, you saved a bunch of money with the factory spare location, and didn't even have to go to Jared!
Now get some skid plates so you don't bust your plastic tranny pan.

Keep the adventures and pics coming!

 

[montypower]

Now get some skid plates so you don't bust your plastic tranny pan.

I don't think skids are needed. We've done much more off road than most with no issues. It would require a freak situation to puncture the transmission or engine oil pan. With the trade-off being added weight, service inconvenience and cost. I would recommend HD differential covers if you venture into the rocks!

I've thought about a HD steel gas tank skid (factory one is a joke). However, it would need to be rather beefy steel to handle the truck weight (heavy). Factory skid is a fantastic noise maker to notify you of contact. Then adjust as needed to gain clearance.

 

[mk216v]

I don't think skids are needed. We've done much more off road than most with no issues. It would require a freak situation to puncture the transmission or engine oil pan. With the trade-off being added weight, service inconvenience and cost. I would recommend HD differential covers if you venture into the rocks!

I've thought about a HD steel gas tank skid (factory one is a joke). However, it would need to be rather beefy steel to handle the truck weight (heavy). Factory skid is a fantastic noise maker to notify you of contact. Then adjust as needed to gain clearance.

I know how far/wide you've traveled, but I think you're rolling the dice Peter. One large stick or rock up into your plastic tranny pan, and you're done, game over with a lot of hassle to get the truck to civilization and fixed up.

30lbs and 7 fasteners for an aluminum skid to protect it. I'm not taking any chances personally.
Here's what I have; https://expeditionportal.com/forum/...ing-37s-4-88s-etc.230131/page-26#post-3094481

Issue I see with a fuel tank skid is that it's going to reduce your clearance further (not the case with an engine/trans skid), and a steel fuel tank skid will be lots of weight for sure! Heck, even an aluminum fuel tank skid is overly heavy.

 

[jmnielsen]

Always enjoy following this thread. Partially because your rig is incredibly similar to what I hope to have someday, and partially because I love the photos. Any recent updates?

 

[eyemgh]

I've got a recent update...I saw it in the wild! Nice rig!!!

 

[Tex68w]

Glad to see this is still around and being used properly.

 

[BretEdge]

Always enjoy following this thread. Partially because your rig is incredibly similar to what I hope to have someday, and partially because I love the photos. Any recent updates?

Why, funny you should ask. Writing an update right now that I'll have posted within the hour! Glad someone's interested in the rig and our travels. ;-)

 

[BretEdge]

We spent almost the entire summer running around Oregon with our jaws on the ground, especially up and down the coast. We've spent quite a bit of time in Oregon but basically living there for the summer was a dream come true. Not all roses and sunshine...but mostly.

Rig Update

We replaced the crappy factory fog lights with a set of Morimoto 4Bangers and I cannot overstate how much of an improvement it made. I've long wanted to replace the truly God awful factory halogen headlights with a set of Morimoto's but other upgrades have taken precedence. After seeing how bright the fog lights are, I'll have the headlights in by the end of the year.

The biggest modification: we replaced most of the FWC factory wiring, both solar panels and the entire electrical system with one from Victron and Battleborn Batteries. We now have 400W solar and 200ah lithium batteries, as well as an extra two outlet plug and two more USB outlets. The lowest I ever saw our batteries dip was (I think) 74%, and they recharged insanely fast through solar (and when driving). Never once did I worry about running out of power. We used toasters, charged all of our electronics, all the lights, fans, water pump, fridge, waffle maker....all of it. This is literally a game changer and I can't believe we didn't do it sooner. Power anxiety is a thing of the past.

We removed our Rigd Ultraswing (it's for sale) and installed a Kuat hitch reducer and their Hi-Lo hitch extension, which is much more stable with a vertical bike rack and three bikes attached, and our departure angle is slightly better.

Our next upgrade will likely be the headlights. There really isn't a whole lot more we want to do to the rig/camper but I'm not the first or last person to say that, and then make several more modifications. Headlights, ARB underhood compressor, skid plates, possibly a Transfer Flow fuel tank...and I think that's about it.

The Oregon Trip

We had no real plan; just areas we knew we wanted to visit, mostly for mountain biking. We started in Bend, headed to Oakridge, then over to the Coast, to Hood River, back to the Coast, Eugene and a few spots in between. We're planning to spend next summer on the road too, and we learned a few valuable lessons this time around. In retrospect, we spent too much time driving between spots and not enough settled in a location for a few days. We chased weather and whims, and while that was fun, it led to an enormous fuel bill and we lost time doing fun things. We did make some wonderful discoveries along the way, though.

The Oregon Coast seems to be absolutely littered with bakeries. The best we found was Pacific Sourdough in Waldport. Do yourself a favor and just go. Know that your waistline will likely expand a little bit, though. Also enjoyed Stimulus Coffee in Pacific City, Pastries and Pizza in Bandon, and Coasties Roasties in Newport.

While in Newport we randomly stumbled upon some new MTB trails that are some of the best I've ridden in Oregon, and the trail development is just getting started. I don't think the trail system has a name yet but the climbing trail, Level Up, is actually fun to ride. The descent, Dude Sweet, is as good - if not better - than many bike parks. We did multiple laps all three times we rode there. Yes, we kept going back to ride because it was so good.

We rode all the hot spots: Bend, Oakridge, Klootchey Creek, Whisky Run, Mt. Hood, etc. All were good, except for the McKenzie River Trail. Never need to ride it again. Pretty, but boring.

We did some hiking (Tamanawas Falls was mind-blowing), and a lot of tide pooling and beach strolling. Plenty of time spent doing...nothing.

I know that's not many words to describe an entire summer in Oregon but most people don't read much anyway, and photos tell a better story, so please enjoy the gallery below. Wish I could upload more than 10 photos. Maybe I'll try to do a Part II a little later.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments!

 

[Tex68w]

Stunning photos.