I would love to do this! This is the best way to tour the US! You all can get tagged in Oklahoma and we have some really nice trails in the mountains in the south eastern part of OK. A pretty cool stopping point is in Jay Oklahoma when they have events (Midamerica). I don't know if Arkansas has tags, but very beautiful country and a lot of trails and parks. Are there any beach areas in the South you can take UTVs on the beach? I think possibly North Padre to South Padre, but not certain they allow UTV's or just jeeps.
I haven't watched this video yet but I will for sure. I just wanted to mention that I met Al, his 2 dogs and his friend when they were on this trip. I had lunch with them in Galeton Pennsylvania, What a great conversation I had with them. I've got to go. Time to watch the video,
I remember - it was the the return leg of the ‘21 loop up to Maine! PLEASURE meet’n you! Actually broke down in Galeton, PA this past loop, in ‘22 - slept behind the hearse at the funeral home and got a tow truck to AJ’s the next morn’n.
@@alroden6802 yes it was 2021 because I remember you mentioning you had been to Maine and was on your way back home. It was a pleasure meeting all of you.
Other than belts, it was wheel bearings and rubber axle boots, which OCCASIONALLY led to adjoining parts - rolled into a gas station and had people screaming that I was on fire. But it was just a smoking wheel bearing, which got hot enough to take out the axle and wheel hub…
Awesome video and one heck of an adventure. Couple quick questions. Out of everywhere you went, what was your favorite place to ride? 2nd, how much problems did you have with law?
The end of the upper TAT ends at the Mississippi River in Minnesota - we crossed the Mississippi a little lower, in Lansing, Iowa, and connected with the TWAT (Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail). That got us up into the Michigan UP where there’s LOTS of trails - old rail beds that go across…got us close to the Mackinaw Bridge, where we went down into lower Michigan… …lower Michigan has trails about half way down, then it was just backroads to Ohio, then along the coast of Lake Erie… This year, I’m gonna widen the loop to go down to Erie, PA and connect with some BDR’s (Backcountry Discovery Routes) through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia - gonna run into the TAT again while on the Mid-Atlantic BDR.
I did trans American trail from Ca to Wilmington and back a decade ago. Dam I’m getting old. Looking at UTV and you just re sparked my next adventure. Ride from my house to NC again. Also want do reno Moab Vegas reno triangle. Great video I know the feeling!!!! I want it again! I’m thinking a regular polarize xp 4 1000 no turbo for my trip. Can and more better or does it matter long I don’t drive to dumb? Being in commifornia, how does pavement travel get looked at by the popo?
California Law Enforcement (Leo’s) frown upon road travel in SxS’s, plated or not. And so does Colorado. Those would be the only two stumbling blocks - doable, but a need for sneakiness… You could go across the upper TAT and do the Michigan UP, then cross Ohio and go down to NC; or cut across New Mexico on Backcountry Discovery Routes to avoid Colorado on the lower TAT - done it both ways…just longer going up and around… I’d be happy to help with routes and mapping whenever you’re ready!
What kinda trouble did you have with the mr blue jeans. How did you get across mackinaw? I crossed a bridge in iron mountain u.p. and my leg was shaking worrying about troopers
Troopers were sweethearts! No issues at all. Got stopped five or so times during the trip in this video…didn’t get bothered even once during the next two trips in the following years…in Michigan, anyway. As far as Mighty Mack - just pulled up to the toll booth, paid my toll, and drove my SxS across. Did it three years in a row with zero issues.
I know this is an older video at this point but could you supply the route you took or message me as I'm really interested in doing this in my X3. Hope you respond.
Pretty simple route, but still put a lot of planning into it, just because… …from Phoenix, Arizona going north, it was just the Great Western Trail with a few modifications to get around there few width restricted parts… In southern Idaho, we connected with the upper Trans America Trail, which got us by Mount Rushmore/Sturgis, through the Badlands, and to the Mississippi River at Lansing, Iowa. Cross the Mississippi there, and rode an ATV friendly version on the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail to the Michigan UP… …took the Stateline Trail across a lot of the Michigan UP and other OHV trails to the Mackinaw Bridge. Paid the toll, cross the bridge and connected with more OHV trails in lower Michigan. Used Polaris Ride Command to stay on the dirt as much as possible across lower Michigan. Then it was blacktop across Ohio - backroads and really nice. Connected with the Trans America Trail in West Virginia for the ride back west. This past year, we took New Mexico to Arizona (Backcountry Discovery Routes) instead of the TAT across Colorado - Colorado requires a bit too much sneakiness to avoid the law…New Mexico is better riding and less stressful, law-wise. Anytime, you wanna do this, I’d be happy to work with you on the route and planning and even provide logistical support enroute…it’d tickle me to no end to see others do this trip!
Mostly dirt to from Phoenix to the Mississippi River in Iowa - the most pavement on that section was getting around the Grand Canyon and across the Colorado River...with the Navajo Nation and just two bridges to choose from, it was 100 miles or so of blacktop to get north. Then there were 50 or so miles of pavement around Mount Rushmore. Then the Mississippi River bridge we planned to cross at Lansing, Iowa was closed for maintenance - that added 50 or so miles of blacktop to get around to another bridge and then back to the Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail (TWAT). The TWAT was a mix of dirt and blacktop to Michigan’s UP - the UP is a LOT of old railway beds. It’s blacktop from about 20 or so miles from the Mackinaw Bridge into lower Michigan and about 40/60 dirt/blacktop to Ohio. Ohio was ALL narrow blacktop backroads - not too much dirt, but it was QUICK to get across...still BEAUTIFUL though. West Virginia was a mix, but was some of the BEST dirt of the trip. The sliver of Virginia, then North Carolina was again a mix of both dirt and blacktop - dirt was graded forest roads...but still NICE. Then it was again a mix all they way through Tennessee - mostly dirt west of there. After a LONG stretch of rocks or mud, the blacktop WAS appreciated 🤠.
For the trip in the video, I purchased the Trans America Trail (TAT) GPX map files from the TAT website, then exported em to the GAIA GPS app for navigation purposes. Also got the Great Western Trail map files from the internet - it was from an Adventure Bike ride, so there were some single track parts that had to be rerouted around. And the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail was a free download too - from their site. Then it was just connecting em all together - the TAT and the GWT connect with each other, so that was easy…had to wing it to get to dirt in Michigan. Got most of the Michigan stuff from VVMapping… When the final route was figured out, it got exported to Google Maps to locate fuel, campsites, and potential repair shops near the route. Still had LOTS of detours to make during the trip - closed roads/washes out bridges…
Badass Trip bro I remember watching the whole thing on Facebook. I have a street legal machine with SD Plates and I wish I could of joined you on this journey
Do’n it again, start’n May 1 - little over a week away. Starting in Phoenix - avoiding Colorado this time because of snow. Gonna head across New Mexico and then up to the TAT on the Oklahoma panhandle, then east to Tennessee and up to West Virginia through Kentucky. Then we’re gonna try to keep go’n north to the Canadian border in the Maine/New Hampshire area before turning west. Plan to do Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin again and head west on the upper TAT through the Badlands and Mount Rushmore. You’re welcome to ride with us!
@@DanielFlores-ey9xi THAT’D be GREAT - I made a new UA-cam playlist, called: Loop Around the USA in a SxS - 2021 Gonna TRY to post daily videos so it’ll show our whereabouts as we move around. Also, just send an email and I’ll send you more contact info: X3Hounds@gmail.com SHOULD be in New Mexico by May 5, Oklahoma by May 7, Arkansas by May 9, Tennessee by May 12, Kentucky by May 14, and then we’ll be in West Virginia a FEW days, from Matelan to Ripley to Harper’s Ferry. Last week on the month SHOULD put us at the Canadian border in Maine. Then, it’s across Lake Champlain to near Columbus, Ohio before going up and across the Michigan UP. Hoping to be rolling through the Badlands of South Dakota to Mount Rushmore sometime in the first half of June, but LOTS can happen along the way to slow us down.
@@DanielFlores-ey9xi just got to West Virginia... gonna get repairs and maintenance done in Ripley tomorrow, then head east and north. X3Hounds@gmail.com or look on Facebook for the Loop Around the USA in a SxS 2021.
As reliable as any SxS can be - mine started the trip with about 27,000 on the odometer... made it all the way around the full 8,650 miles with zero issues EXCEPT for the rear wheel bearings. I SHOULD'VE swapped em before I left, but I wanted to see how far I could go on em - got out to pee in Iowa and got my answer...bearing grease was boiling. Took the knuckles, hubs, and axles with em - overnight shipping was VERY helpful. The other lower mile machine went through two transmissions and a secondary clutch - all repaired along the way thanks to some great people and shops. Got my machine in the shop now, prepping it for this Spring - gonna start the next trip with 40,000 on the odometer. The motor just got rebuilt by the dealer, paid for by the extended warranty company, and it's getting new Keller Mega ball joints, new rod ends (heims), uniballs, and misalignment spacers. AND I put new knuckles with bearings on all four corners along with brake pads. Tossed spare knuckles, hubs, and a few of every bolt and nut on the car in the tool box, just in case. Gonna beat on it a bit around the Arizona Peace Trail to see if anything gives.
I’ve always wanted to do a run like this , I’m from West Virginia. Assuming you would never give up your files as to mapping for gps however would you ever consider someone joining on one of your long rides with you guys ?
You’re WELCOME to ride with us - leaving Phoenix again on May 1, so we SHOULD be rolling into West Virginia around the 10th or so. PLAN is to come up from Tennessee into Kentucky and ride the KAT (Kentucky Adventure Tour) up to the Hatfield & McCoy Trails. From there, we’ll cross West Virginia and connect with some BDR’s (Backcountry Discovery Routes) to ride up and into Maine. You’re welcome to U-haul to Phoenix and ride back to West Virginia!
No trailering for me and the hounds, but we did have to get towed back to Sioux Falls from Iowa for repairs (about 50 miles) - stopped to urinate and heard the grease boiling out of one of the rear wheel bearings. Got that fixed and had the other wheel bearing go out in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - got towed a couple miles backwards to make repairs again. Though we managed to make it around this year’s 11,000 mile loop to Maine and back out west without getting towed or having to do ANY trail repairs besides belts. Although we did limp home at 225 degrees on the temperature gauge and three missing clutch rollers 🤠.
THANKS! Spent several years poking at the Great Western Trail, from the Mexican border up to the Canadian border above Montana - when we FINALLY got to the Canadian border crossing, the Canadians turned us back, so I started looking at other directions…found Sam Correro’s Trans America Trail online, downloaded it and headed to the east coast, but didn’t like trailering back or the thought of riding the same roads and trails all the way back… …SO, Googled some more and found LOTS of Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR’s), including the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail (TWAT) and the Kentucky Adventure Tour (KAT) and decided to connect em all with National and State Forests roads as much as possible…and to trail systems like Hatfield & McCoy… Planned and plotted on a laptop with the Gaia GPS app and Google Maps - importing GPX files back and forth to find fuel stops…then used GAIA on my iPhone to run the planned routes…
On Gaia gps what did you set your route driving or cycling or did you just manually do your route because I don't want to do that many main highways also do you know a way on that app to include trails or did you do just back roads? Also if it wouldn't be to much trouble would you have the gps files you used on your trip? thank you!
From Phoenix, going north to connect with the upper Trans America Trail in Idaho, we rode the Great Western Trail - that’s the first 1,000 miles or so…it was about 75 to 90 miles of pavement to get around the Grand Canyon and across the Colorado River. From there, we just followed the Trans America Trail by Mount Rushmore and across the Badlands to the Mississippi River - it was MOSTLY gravel oil field and forest roads to Iowa, then gravel roads through the Iowa corn fields. From Lansing, Iowa, we crossed the Mississippi River to connect with the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail - it’s a mix of backroads and OHV trails into the Michigan UP. Across the Michigan UP, it was the Stateline Trail and other OHV trails to the Mackinaw Bridge - the bridge is Interstate Highway with a toll booth, but it’s 45 mph or so across it…no issues at all. Once across, it was 20 to 30 miles of blacktop to connect with the washboardy OHV trails of lower Michigan. Once we got down to the Battle Creek, Michigan area, it was MOSTLY blacktop across Ohio to West Virginia to connect with the lower Trans America Trail - don’t see any way around that…not much gravel or dirt to be had in Ohio. Then we just rode the Trans America Trail back west. This trip, in this video, we crossed Colorado…didn’t do that in 2022… In 2022, we left the Trans America Trail at the Oklahoma/New Mexico border and took dirt roads (Backcountry Discovery Routes) across to Arizona…I liked New Mexico better than Colorado anyway. Didn’t use GAIA in 2022 - I imported the tracks from GAIA into LEADNav routes and put an audio marker at EVERY turn…still recovering from carpel tunnel syndrome 🤠.
Did it with a 10.5 gallon tank the first couple years - got a 14 gallon main tank in it now…gets around 14 miles per gallon… Also have a 9 gallon transfer tank under the front seats for LONG stretches… Probably have about 18 usable gallons, max…250 to 300 miles or so maximum range depending on tires, terrain, and throttle…
I'm doing a trip like this starting in Moab next month. The goal is to make my way all the way to Vegas then CA and back. I've done it before on a dirt bike but the SXS is just so much more comfortable and I don't have to carry a 50lb bag on my back. lol
Hey Al, famn it, I'm even more jealous now. How's that frame holding up ? What else did the guys at CT do to your rig ?? Let me know if you're in Arizona and want to go for a ride someday. I'm in town for a few more days, anyways. Rubberized down buddy, enjoy the ride ....
The frame is holding up GREAT, so FAR - got LOTS of gussets welded in there from CT Raceworx - they also put a cage on it that allowed me to keep my OEM Power-lift windshield AND they put a rain gutter above the windshield to keep water from dripping in, which was MIGHTY appreciated! And they installed an overhead console for the radios and switches to keep em dry and put rubber fist clamps all around the machine for holding shovels, saws, hatchets, and some tools. And put some side and rear facing lights on it. The hounds also got a tool box mounted in the back to ride on. It already had their arms, tie rods, bushings, and gusset kits. Fix’n to get out on the Arizona Peace Trail at the end of the week with a fella from Montana - he’s break’n in his ‘21 RR 🤠.
Blew one belt on this trip - extended the next trip by an extra 2,500 miles and went the whole 11,000 without blowing one…just swapped em every 2,500 miles or so.
I got kinda impatient and threw this one together fairly fast, just to have a video of the trip DONE. Though I’ve got enough video footage of this trip for LOTS more - thought MAYBE I’d try to make a few more with some personal narrative and specific location tags...a little more informative style...
@@alroden6802 it was awesome. 8 days and 1800 hundred miles. We made up quite a bit of our own route and glad we did. We were able to sweet talk ourselves through glacier NP and glad we did. I didn’t have any other way around. The x3s did great and the general hung in there. I watched every one of your videos in preparation and truth be told you were a big part of our inspiration and made me think it was doable in the buggies!
Best adventure video ever, next with the doggies. For myself, waiting here in germany the northern border to danmark and/or sverige will reopen (due Corona). Got my own 2021 XRS MAX TURBO RR (with smart shox) end of march and hit 1000 miles since. Got the first inspection at the dealer and now.....the horizon got wider to me. Lol On the other side, the XRS MAX with smart shox will be the ultimative "power-horse" ever. Hope to enter the danish beach soon, where it's allowed to drove on them with cars and offroader.....
Colorado and Wisconsin required some sneakiness. Crossed the Mississippi River after dark on a weekday when enforcement was lighter and went through Prairie du Chien on residential streets, then stuck to ATV routes as much as possible - there were a bunch of four or five mile stretches that were illegal, but they were rural enough to avoid the law. Entered Colorado before dawn and got across Trinidad before the law was finished having breakfast. Then stayed on the dirt as much as possible - went through Salida on residential streets to avoid the state routes/troopers. Still had a seven mile stretch of state road getting up to Marshall Pass and that WAS a bit risky, but there was no avoiding it. To get from Silverton to the dirt to the west, required a predawn run up the Million Dollar Highway and across Ophir Pass in the dark - not much enforcement that time of day. Then it was all dirt to Utah. Granted, there was a small town in Ohio where we got caught outside a donut shop and invited to leave and not return - probably a good idea to avoid donut shops.
@@alroden6802 damn that is awesome! That route must have taken a shit load of planning. I live in CO and it's bullshit that they won't let us register them here. Some municipalities allow them but there's no way to get them registered.
That is AWESOME!!! We’ve been doing some research on how far we could just get around our state - I never would have imagined you could cross the US (mostly) legally in a SxS! If you don’t mind me asking, any advice on researching your routes? I imagine you just had to go county by county sometimes, except for states where they are street legal?
Got the GPX navigation file for the last 10,000 mile loop on the Facebook Group page - it’s “Loop Around the USA in a SxS.” It’s posted under the file section - uploaded from LeadNav, so it’s a BIG file with MOST of the turns marked with audio reminders…and it’s got all the fuel stops.
That’s the average. Probably a little more on the “rolling” days - spent a few days doing repairs and waiting for parts. But, we DEFINITELY didn’t waste any time - we drove from sunup to midnight on some days, stopping only for fuel and food. Though that’s fairly consistent with the more recent trips - the 11,000 mile loop took 43 days, which works out to around 255 miles per day. And the last trip was 10,000 miles in 40 days (250/day).
@@alroden6802 where did you go with this 8000+ mile trip. Retired truck driver, I would have to drive to drive two round trips from Atlanta to LA and back. And South Bay Florida to British Columbia is 3500. Just wondering
@@tommysimmons5266 - We started in Phoenix and wound our way up to Idaho, zigzagging across Wyoming and across South Dakota and Iowa to Wisconsin, then up to the Michigan UP, over the Mighty Mac and down to and across Ohio to West Virginia. Then it was down through a sliver of Virginia into North Carolina and down to Tennessee, zigzagging across Tennessee to Mississippi and into Arkansas and across Oklahoma to Colorado and back to Phoenix through Moab, Utah. DEFINITELY not a straight route - LOTS of windy gravel roads.
@@alroden6802 that’s what I was looking for, nice. Ever think of doing the Lewis and Clark trail or anything like that? 5 years ago I rode a bicycle with a trailer from Detroit to Nebraska cowboy trail then south into Kansas on 81 until I hit early snow. Doing the bicycle camping thing again soon south of highway 59-89A to the Grand Canyon.
Great video, awesome adventure! This completely characterizes American freedom in offroad. Thank you for posting.
Man I’m rigging up my x3 now for run just like this!! Freaking Awesome trip bud! Thx
I would love to do this! This is the best way to tour the US! You all can get tagged in Oklahoma and we have some really nice trails in the mountains in the south eastern part of OK. A pretty cool stopping point is in Jay Oklahoma when they have events (Midamerica). I don't know if Arkansas has tags, but very beautiful country and a lot of trails and parks. Are there any beach areas in the South you can take UTVs on the beach? I think possibly North Padre to South Padre, but not certain they allow UTV's or just jeeps.
Sir, I must say that's one helluva trip! Happy Trails
WOW that looks like FUN!!!
Beautiful Rhodesian Ridgebacks! Looks like a once in a lifetime trip! Congrats. 🍻
Wow. What a trip! Totally envious! I can image the stories.
That is crazy! I live 5 miles from Willy’s still in Wisconsin!! Love the video!
I haven't watched this video yet but I will for sure. I just wanted to mention that I met Al, his 2 dogs and his friend when they were on this trip. I had lunch with them in Galeton Pennsylvania, What a great conversation I had with them. I've got to go. Time to watch the video,
I remember - it was the the return leg of the ‘21 loop up to Maine! PLEASURE meet’n you!
Actually broke down in Galeton, PA this past loop, in ‘22 - slept behind the hearse at the funeral home and got a tow truck to AJ’s the next morn’n.
@@alroden6802 yes it was 2021 because I remember you mentioning you had been to Maine and was on your way back home. It was a pleasure meeting all of you.
well, color me with envy. this is awesome bro. Cheers from Canada
Then dogs had a blast! Amazing idea. Wish you would have listed the breakdown parts besides the belts. Every state looked enjoyable.
Other than belts, it was wheel bearings and rubber axle boots, which OCCASIONALLY led to adjoining parts - rolled into a gas station and had people screaming that I was on fire. But it was just a smoking wheel bearing, which got hot enough to take out the axle and wheel hub…
Awesome video and one heck of an adventure. Couple quick questions. Out of everywhere you went, what was your favorite place to ride? 2nd, how much problems did you have with law?
Utah is my FAVORITE area - zero troubles with the law so far!
Awesome🤙👍
What a dream this video needs more damn views!! Sharing!
Awesome journey!!!!
If ya ever make it up to Montana let a feller know
Did you do any more videos or any more info on your trip this looked amazing. Nice work!
THANKS! Did LOTS of lLITTLE videos , several daily, to show my wife what me and the hounds were up to - packed as MUCH of em into this one as I COULD.
This looks awesome
U have a map of the route u took
Just wondering what trails and roads you used to get from the end of trans American trail to the beginning
The end of the upper TAT ends at the Mississippi River in Minnesota - we crossed the Mississippi a little lower, in Lansing, Iowa, and connected with the TWAT (Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail).
That got us up into the Michigan UP where there’s LOTS of trails - old rail beds that go across…got us close to the Mackinaw Bridge, where we went down into lower Michigan…
…lower Michigan has trails about half way down, then it was just backroads to Ohio, then along the coast of Lake Erie…
This year, I’m gonna widen the loop to go down to Erie, PA and connect with some BDR’s (Backcountry Discovery Routes) through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia - gonna run into the TAT again while on the Mid-Atlantic BDR.
@@alroden6802 Thank you so much for the help and I love the videos keep it up.
I did trans American trail from Ca to Wilmington and back a decade ago. Dam I’m getting old. Looking at UTV and you just re sparked my next adventure. Ride from my house to NC again. Also want do reno Moab Vegas reno triangle. Great video I know the feeling!!!! I want it again! I’m thinking a regular polarize xp 4 1000 no turbo for my trip. Can and more better or does it matter long I don’t drive to dumb? Being in commifornia, how does pavement travel get looked at by the popo?
California Law Enforcement (Leo’s) frown upon road travel in SxS’s, plated or not. And so does Colorado.
Those would be the only two stumbling blocks - doable, but a need for sneakiness…
You could go across the upper TAT and do the Michigan UP, then cross Ohio and go down to NC; or cut across New Mexico on Backcountry Discovery Routes to avoid Colorado on the lower TAT - done it both ways…just longer going up and around…
I’d be happy to help with routes and mapping whenever you’re ready!
You have Facebook so I can message, I have a question about a route on east coast
@@Onlyfoamerz - facebook.com/al.roden.9?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Or just put “Al Roden” or “Loop Around the USA in a SxS” in the Facebook app search box.
What kinda trouble did you have with the mr blue jeans. How did you get across mackinaw? I crossed a bridge in iron mountain u.p. and my leg was shaking worrying about troopers
Troopers were sweethearts! No issues at all. Got stopped five or so times during the trip in this video…didn’t get bothered even once during the next two trips in the following years…in Michigan, anyway.
As far as Mighty Mack - just pulled up to the toll booth, paid my toll, and drove my SxS across. Did it three years in a row with zero issues.
If you guys do this again I’m in !!
I know this is an older video at this point but could you supply the route you took or message me as I'm really interested in doing this in my X3. Hope you respond.
Pretty simple route, but still put a lot of planning into it, just because…
…from Phoenix, Arizona going north, it was just the Great Western Trail with a few modifications to get around there few width restricted parts…
In southern Idaho, we connected with the upper Trans America Trail, which got us by Mount Rushmore/Sturgis, through the Badlands, and to the Mississippi River at Lansing, Iowa.
Cross the Mississippi there, and rode an ATV friendly version on the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail to the Michigan UP…
…took the Stateline Trail across a lot of the Michigan UP and other OHV trails to the Mackinaw Bridge. Paid the toll, cross the bridge and connected with more OHV trails in lower Michigan.
Used Polaris Ride Command to stay on the dirt as much as possible across lower Michigan.
Then it was blacktop across Ohio - backroads and really nice.
Connected with the Trans America Trail in West Virginia for the ride back west.
This past year, we took New Mexico to Arizona (Backcountry Discovery Routes) instead of the TAT across Colorado - Colorado requires a bit too much sneakiness to avoid the law…New Mexico is better riding and less stressful, law-wise.
Anytime, you wanna do this, I’d be happy to work with you on the route and planning and even provide logistical support enroute…it’d tickle me to no end to see others do this trip!
This looks like a blast? How much of your route was dirt and how much was highway?
Mostly dirt to from Phoenix to the Mississippi River in Iowa - the most pavement on that section was getting around the Grand Canyon and across the Colorado River...with the Navajo Nation and just two bridges to choose from, it was 100 miles or so of blacktop to get north.
Then there were 50 or so miles of pavement around Mount Rushmore.
Then the Mississippi River bridge we planned to cross at Lansing, Iowa was closed for maintenance - that added 50 or so miles of blacktop to get around to another bridge and then back to the Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail (TWAT).
The TWAT was a mix of dirt and blacktop to Michigan’s UP - the UP is a LOT of old railway beds.
It’s blacktop from about 20 or so miles from the Mackinaw Bridge into lower Michigan and about 40/60 dirt/blacktop to Ohio.
Ohio was ALL narrow blacktop backroads - not too much dirt, but it was QUICK to get across...still BEAUTIFUL though.
West Virginia was a mix, but was some of the BEST dirt of the trip.
The sliver of Virginia, then North Carolina was again a mix of both dirt and blacktop - dirt was graded forest roads...but still NICE.
Then it was again a mix all they way through Tennessee - mostly dirt west of there.
After a LONG stretch of rocks or mud, the blacktop WAS appreciated 🤠.
How big of a hassle were your dogs? Would you take them on a long trip again?
I take em on EVERY trip - they keep the critters away at night when camping. It IS a bit of a hassle, but, for ME, the pro’s outweigh the con’s.
what app or software were you using for mapping a trip? Also, do you have a map route for this trip that you are able to share?
For the trip in the video, I purchased the Trans America Trail (TAT) GPX map files from the TAT website, then exported em to the GAIA GPS app for navigation purposes.
Also got the Great Western Trail map files from the internet - it was from an Adventure Bike ride, so there were some single track parts that had to be rerouted around.
And the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail was a free download too - from their site.
Then it was just connecting em all together - the TAT and the GWT connect with each other, so that was easy…had to wing it to get to dirt in Michigan.
Got most of the Michigan stuff from VVMapping…
When the final route was figured out, it got exported to Google Maps to locate fuel, campsites, and potential repair shops near the route.
Still had LOTS of detours to make during the trip - closed roads/washes out bridges…
Badass Trip bro I remember watching the whole thing on Facebook. I have a street legal machine with SD Plates and I wish I could of joined you on this journey
Do’n it again, start’n May 1 - little over a week away.
Starting in Phoenix - avoiding Colorado this time because of snow. Gonna head across New Mexico and then up to the TAT on the Oklahoma panhandle, then east to Tennessee and up to West Virginia through Kentucky.
Then we’re gonna try to keep go’n north to the Canadian border in the Maine/New Hampshire area before turning west.
Plan to do Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin again and head west on the upper TAT through the Badlands and Mount Rushmore.
You’re welcome to ride with us!
@@alroden6802 how can I get your info to meet up?
@@DanielFlores-ey9xi THAT’D be GREAT - I made a new UA-cam playlist, called: Loop Around the USA in a SxS - 2021
Gonna TRY to post daily videos so it’ll show our whereabouts as we move around.
Also, just send an email and I’ll send you more contact info: X3Hounds@gmail.com
SHOULD be in New Mexico by May 5, Oklahoma by May 7, Arkansas by May 9, Tennessee by May 12, Kentucky by May 14, and then we’ll be in West Virginia a FEW days, from Matelan to Ripley to Harper’s Ferry.
Last week on the month SHOULD put us at the Canadian border in Maine.
Then, it’s across Lake Champlain to near Columbus, Ohio before going up and across the Michigan UP.
Hoping to be rolling through the Badlands of South Dakota to Mount Rushmore sometime in the first half of June, but LOTS can happen along the way to slow us down.
@@DanielFlores-ey9xi just got to West Virginia... gonna get repairs and maintenance done in Ripley tomorrow, then head east and north. X3Hounds@gmail.com or look on Facebook for the Loop Around the USA in a SxS 2021.
Man this is my absolute freaking dream to do with my defender. How was reliability on the trip. That’s quite a bit of traveling!
As reliable as any SxS can be - mine started the trip with about 27,000 on the odometer... made it all the way around the full 8,650 miles with zero issues EXCEPT for the rear wheel bearings.
I SHOULD'VE swapped em before I left, but I wanted to see how far I could go on em - got out to pee in Iowa and got my answer...bearing grease was boiling.
Took the knuckles, hubs, and axles with em - overnight shipping was VERY helpful.
The other lower mile machine went through two transmissions and a secondary clutch - all repaired along the way thanks to some great people and shops.
Got my machine in the shop now, prepping it for this Spring - gonna start the next trip with 40,000 on the odometer.
The motor just got rebuilt by the dealer, paid for by the extended warranty company, and it's getting new Keller Mega ball joints, new rod ends (heims), uniballs, and misalignment spacers.
AND I put new knuckles with bearings on all four corners along with brake pads. Tossed spare knuckles, hubs, and a few of every bolt and nut on the car in the tool box, just in case.
Gonna beat on it a bit around the Arizona Peace Trail to see if anything gives.
Damn 40k on a SxS!! Wow that's amazing man!!! Great video!!!
I’ve always wanted to do a run like this , I’m from West Virginia. Assuming you would never give up your files as to mapping for gps however would you ever consider someone joining on one of your long rides with you guys ?
You’re WELCOME to ride with us - leaving Phoenix again on May 1, so we SHOULD be rolling into West Virginia around the 10th or so. PLAN is to come up from Tennessee into Kentucky and ride the KAT (Kentucky Adventure Tour) up to the Hatfield & McCoy Trails. From there, we’ll cross West Virginia and connect with some BDR’s (Backcountry Discovery Routes) to ride up and into Maine. You’re welcome to U-haul to Phoenix and ride back to West Virginia!
Did you have any issues with driving in other states with AZ registration? I'm planning on making a road trip in mine soon.
Not many and none that stopped the trips; except in Colorado, back in 2019. I avoid Colorado now…and haven’t had any issues since.
Nice trip. were you able to do it all without trailering?
No trailering for me and the hounds, but we did have to get towed back to Sioux Falls from Iowa for repairs (about 50 miles) - stopped to urinate and heard the grease boiling out of one of the rear wheel bearings.
Got that fixed and had the other wheel bearing go out in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - got towed a couple miles backwards to make repairs again.
Though we managed to make it around this year’s 11,000 mile loop to Maine and back out west without getting towed or having to do ANY trail repairs besides belts.
Although we did limp home at 225 degrees on the temperature gauge and three missing clutch rollers 🤠.
Awesome Video. How do you guys plan such a trip? How you choose the tracks and „roads“? What materials like maps, navigation, Garmin etc. do you use?
THANKS! Spent several years poking at the Great Western Trail, from the Mexican border up to the Canadian border above Montana - when we FINALLY got to the Canadian border crossing, the Canadians turned us back, so I started looking at other directions…found Sam Correro’s Trans America Trail online, downloaded it and headed to the east coast, but didn’t like trailering back or the thought of riding the same roads and trails all the way back…
…SO, Googled some more and found LOTS of Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR’s), including the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail (TWAT) and the Kentucky Adventure Tour (KAT) and decided to connect em all with National and State Forests roads as much as possible…and to trail systems like Hatfield & McCoy…
Planned and plotted on a laptop with the Gaia GPS app and Google Maps - importing GPX files back and forth to find fuel stops…then used GAIA on my iPhone to run the planned routes…
On Gaia gps what did you set your route driving or cycling or did you just manually do your route because I don't want to do that many main highways also do you know a way on that app to include trails or did you do just back roads? Also if it wouldn't be to much trouble would you have the gps files you used on your trip? thank you!
From Phoenix, going north to connect with the upper Trans America Trail in Idaho, we rode the Great Western Trail - that’s the first 1,000 miles or so…it was about 75 to 90 miles of pavement to get around the Grand Canyon and across the Colorado River.
From there, we just followed the Trans America Trail by Mount Rushmore and across the Badlands to the Mississippi River - it was MOSTLY gravel oil field and forest roads to Iowa, then gravel roads through the Iowa corn fields.
From Lansing, Iowa, we crossed the Mississippi River to connect with the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail - it’s a mix of backroads and OHV trails into the Michigan UP.
Across the Michigan UP, it was the Stateline Trail and other OHV trails to the Mackinaw Bridge - the bridge is Interstate Highway with a toll booth, but it’s 45 mph or so across it…no issues at all.
Once across, it was 20 to 30 miles of blacktop to connect with the washboardy OHV trails of lower Michigan.
Once we got down to the Battle Creek, Michigan area, it was MOSTLY blacktop across Ohio to West Virginia to connect with the lower Trans America Trail - don’t see any way around that…not much gravel or dirt to be had in Ohio.
Then we just rode the Trans America Trail back west.
This trip, in this video, we crossed Colorado…didn’t do that in 2022…
In 2022, we left the Trans America Trail at the Oklahoma/New Mexico border and took dirt roads (Backcountry Discovery Routes) across to Arizona…I liked New Mexico better than Colorado anyway.
Didn’t use GAIA in 2022 - I imported the tracks from GAIA into LEADNav routes and put an audio marker at EVERY turn…still recovering from carpel tunnel syndrome 🤠.
@@alroden6802 thanks so much love the videos keep it up,
Mate this is insane, what size fuel tank and mileage would you get if you aren’t going crazy ? Would love to
Do this over in straya
Did it with a 10.5 gallon tank the first couple years - got a 14 gallon main tank in it now…gets around 14 miles per gallon…
Also have a 9 gallon transfer tank under the front seats for LONG stretches…
Probably have about 18 usable gallons, max…250 to 300 miles or so maximum range depending on tires, terrain, and throttle…
I'm doing a trip like this starting in Moab next month. The goal is to make my way all the way to Vegas then CA and back. I've done it before on a dirt bike but the SXS is just so much more comfortable and I don't have to carry a 50lb bag on my back. lol
How’d your trip go?
Hey Al, famn it, I'm even more jealous now. How's that frame holding up ? What else did the guys at CT do to your rig ??
Let me know if you're in Arizona and want to go for a ride someday. I'm in town for a few more days, anyways.
Rubberized down buddy, enjoy the ride ....
The frame is holding up GREAT, so FAR - got LOTS of gussets welded in there from CT Raceworx - they also put a cage on it that allowed me to keep my OEM Power-lift windshield AND they put a rain gutter above the windshield to keep water from dripping in, which was MIGHTY appreciated!
And they installed an overhead console for the radios and switches to keep em dry and put rubber fist clamps all around the machine for holding shovels, saws, hatchets, and some tools. And put some side and rear facing lights on it.
The hounds also got a tool box mounted in the back to ride on.
It already had their arms, tie rods, bushings, and gusset kits.
Fix’n to get out on the Arizona Peace Trail at the end of the week with a fella from Montana - he’s break’n in his ‘21 RR 🤠.
@@alroden6802 The rig is looking awesome Al
Did yall have any trouble with the Drive Belt ..
Blew one belt on this trip - extended the next trip by an extra 2,500 miles and went the whole 11,000 without blowing one…just swapped em every 2,500 miles or so.
Any gpx files?
This would be awesome
great video. just wish it was longer and more to it
I got kinda impatient and threw this one together fairly fast, just to have a video of the trip DONE.
Though I’ve got enough video footage of this trip for LOTS more - thought MAYBE I’d try to make a few more with some personal narrative and specific location tags...a little more informative style...
Love the video! Were doing CDT in July on cam am max xrs. Seems like you guys do 200m+ offroad no problem in a day. How long does that take usually?
Sunrise to Sunset most days - how’d your trip go?
@@alroden6802 it was awesome. 8 days and 1800 hundred miles. We made up quite a bit of our own route and glad we did. We were able to sweet talk ourselves through glacier NP and glad we did. I didn’t have any other way around. The x3s did great and the general hung in there. I watched every one of your videos in preparation and truth be told you were a big part of our inspiration and made me think it was doable in the buggies!
I need that twat sticker!! 😂
A que velocidad cruzero realizaron esta aventura
Thats fucking amazing!
You really distorted the music by slowing it down, watched it at 1.25 speed and it was perfect. Looked like an awesome trip
Your machine has 35 thousand miles? That’s insane, just shows how much one of these babies can do!
39,200 on it right now - if it doesn’t break, it SHOULD have close to 50,000 miles by the end of June.
@@alroden6802 is it a Turbo R or Turbo RR?
@@gaelramirez6077 - it’s a Turbo R…one of the first four seaters from 2017…154 HP.
@@alroden6802 that’s amazing man. We recently went a pre ordered a 2021 XDS Turbo R Max Tan edition, can’t wait to see the power this thing has!
Best adventure video ever, next with the doggies. For myself, waiting here in germany the northern border to danmark and/or sverige will reopen (due Corona). Got my own 2021 XRS MAX TURBO RR (with smart shox) end of march and hit 1000 miles since. Got the first inspection at the dealer and now.....the horizon got wider to me. Lol
On the other side, the XRS MAX with smart shox will be the ultimative "power-horse" ever. Hope to enter the danish beach soon, where it's allowed to drove on them with cars and offroader.....
I'm assuming you had to ride some roads that weren't legal for UTVs. How did you do that without getting in trouble with the arbitrary rule enforcers?
Colorado and Wisconsin required some sneakiness.
Crossed the Mississippi River after dark on a weekday when enforcement was lighter and went through Prairie du Chien on residential streets, then stuck to ATV routes as much as possible - there were a bunch of four or five mile stretches that were illegal, but they were rural enough to avoid the law.
Entered Colorado before dawn and got across Trinidad before the law was finished having breakfast.
Then stayed on the dirt as much as possible - went through Salida on residential streets to avoid the state routes/troopers. Still had a seven mile stretch of state road getting up to Marshall Pass and that WAS a bit risky, but there was no avoiding it.
To get from Silverton to the dirt to the west, required a predawn run up the Million Dollar Highway and across Ophir Pass in the dark - not much enforcement that time of day.
Then it was all dirt to Utah.
Granted, there was a small town in Ohio where we got caught outside a donut shop and invited to leave and not return - probably a good idea to avoid donut shops.
@@alroden6802 damn that is awesome! That route must have taken a shit load of planning. I live in CO and it's bullshit that they won't let us register them here. Some municipalities allow them but there's no way to get them registered.
I’ve been on the trans Wisconsin adventure trail in my jeep, cool you guys were able to do it in a side-by-side!!
That is AWESOME!!! We’ve been doing some research on how far we could just get around our state - I never would have imagined you could cross the US (mostly) legally in a SxS!
If you don’t mind me asking, any advice on researching your routes? I imagine you just had to go county by county sometimes, except for states where they are street legal?
This trip, I just downloaded the BDR tracks and the TAT files - and the KAT and OAT routes along with the TWAT.
Any way u can share this exact route 😢
Anytime you’re ready to start planning it, I’d be happy to help in ANY way I can…
What width are you running on that thing?
It’s EXACTLY 70” wide, wheel to wheel, but it fit through the few 65” or less gates we came across.
Cual es el modelo de neumatico que cambiaron
Would you consider selling your GPS coordinates for this trip? I’d be more than happy to pay you for them.
Got the GPX navigation file for the last 10,000 mile loop on the Facebook Group page - it’s “Loop Around the USA in a SxS.”
It’s posted under the file section - uploaded from LeadNav, so it’s a BIG file with MOST of the turns marked with audio reminders…and it’s got all the fuel stops.
@@alroden6802 absolute legend, thank you!
Any GPS File ?
Anytime you’re ready to start planning, I’d be happy to help…the route changes from year to year…some things close down…some areas are best avoided…
Your average is 247 miles a day.
That’s the average. Probably a little more on the “rolling” days - spent a few days doing repairs and waiting for parts. But, we DEFINITELY didn’t waste any time - we drove from sunup to midnight on some days, stopping only for fuel and food.
Though that’s fairly consistent with the more recent trips - the 11,000 mile loop took 43 days, which works out to around 255 miles per day.
And the last trip was 10,000 miles in 40 days (250/day).
@@alroden6802 where did you go with this 8000+ mile trip. Retired truck driver, I would have to drive to drive two round trips from Atlanta to LA and back. And South Bay Florida to British Columbia is 3500. Just wondering
@@tommysimmons5266 - We started in Phoenix and wound our way up to Idaho, zigzagging across Wyoming and across South Dakota and Iowa to Wisconsin, then up to the Michigan UP, over the Mighty Mac and down to and across Ohio to West Virginia.
Then it was down through a sliver of Virginia into North Carolina and down to Tennessee, zigzagging across Tennessee to Mississippi and into Arkansas and across Oklahoma to Colorado and back to Phoenix through Moab, Utah.
DEFINITELY not a straight route - LOTS of windy gravel roads.
@@alroden6802 that’s what I was looking for, nice. Ever think of doing the Lewis and Clark trail or anything like that? 5 years ago I rode a bicycle with a trailer from Detroit to Nebraska cowboy trail then south into Kansas on 81 until I hit early snow. Doing the bicycle camping thing again soon south of highway 59-89A to the Grand Canyon.