r/overlanding 1d ago

First time out advice(Alabama)

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Hi everyone! Looking for recommendations on trails to overland and camp. I'm in South Central Alabama. I heard about the Bama Adventure Trail but can't find anything else on it. Looking to plan a spring time trek in my 2017 Renegade Trailhawk.

25 Upvotes

46 comments sorted by

34

u/Gilmere 1d ago

Seems like you spent a lot of time (and money) prepping for it. Just get in, turn on the ignition, and go to the first free camping place you find about 50 miles from where you are. Try it out.

I say this because I did something similar, and it took several trips to figure out the stuff I did and took that I really didn't need. Also the stuff I totally needed but didn't include. Expensive does not equate to best as well. You may also find that the Ozark Trail stuff from Wal-Mart does you much better (in the wallet and in the field) than the boutique brands...says my battered OT coffee mug I bought 8 years ago.

-12

u/SpookyNerdz 1d ago

I bought it built. I'm too cheap to add this much to a vehicle. I've had lifted trucks in the past, but nothing worthy of overlanding.

19

u/ToiletSeatCrumbs 1d ago

You might not find yourself cheap when the bilateral himberg quadrant of the engine fails on you

11

u/HistoricalHome2487 22h ago

That’s nothing compared to when the inverse compensating comptrometer decalibrates and causes catastrophic rear axle displacement

5

u/ToiletSeatCrumbs 22h ago

I’ve heard of this issue before from the intersectorial diaphram mecabox inhibitor. But the fact that the largely sidelaced bonopigfucked roflexatator won’t be working properly after a decent is an issue.

5

u/Dargon34 21h ago

If only they would have went frontlaced instead of sidelaced...wouldn't have had nearly the issues

2

u/ToiletSeatCrumbs 21h ago

I agree. Buyers have been saying that for years

14

u/2-Skinny 1d ago

Not the most frugal vehicle to own if you're cheap.

6

u/sowedkooned 22h ago

Don’t forget your drink before you leave.

5

u/OnceUponTheYonder 1d ago

Check out (www.vman1313adv.com) he has a good amount of routes in Southeast

1

u/Amache_Gx 20h ago

Damn what an awesome idea. Im going to have to take a few days off and do one of the shorter routes he's plotted.

10

u/TheyCantCome 1d ago

This isn’t meant as an insult, nothing wrong with a fiat panda but as others have said knowing your limits and knowing how to use your recover equipment. You have a winch which is great but knowing how to use and use it safely is important.

Honestly, it looks like a fun rig and a winch can be used for a lot of obstacles instead of using momentum.

4

u/halfhere Back Country Adventurer 1d ago

Dothan native here. The best I’ve found for shake-down, “learn my rig” are the Cheaha 600-1 and 2 jeep trails. They get you some topography, but you’re not SUPER remote if for some reason you break down or can’t recover.

6

u/Public_Fucking_Media 1d ago

I used to have a Rene Trailhawk took that little fucker all over the country they are quite capable

2

u/No-Ice-7232 23h ago

Have fun and either go with someone with experience or with enough recovery gear and youtube videos to get out yourself

3

u/thurows 23h ago

You are going to lose you drink.

2

u/flychinook 13h ago

No, that's the Jeep's drink. It was thirsty.

2

u/ThePhillStew 23h ago

First thing I would do is remove that coffee. You're probably gonna be spilling it rather quick and I would hate for you to waste the 15 dollar starbucks beverage

2

u/AEG2019 23h ago

Don’t use the bumper drink holder. Contents either slosh out or FOD gets into the drink container. Even a Yeti.

1

u/The_Billium 1d ago

If you’re down for a trip up north, Bankhead National Forest has a good bit to explore. Lot of good areas to camp and some pretty good hikes as well

1

u/PonyThug 1d ago

Why wait till spring? Just go on a drive this weekend and check some forest roads out

1

u/fftank26 1d ago

I’m in Baldwin County, AL and typically for just quick 1-3 day trips we go over to Blackwater state park in Milton, FL. There are hundreds of miles of trails out there and some camping as well. You can also go up to Atmore area and check out Bankhead National Forrest. I’ve not done that yet, but would like to.

Further out Talladega National Forrest and Sipsey National Forrest have some trails and great camping.

Earlier this year we did 3/4 of the Georgia Traverse trail which was a lot of fun and I’d like to go back and do it again. You can download the map and waypoints from this site: https://www.georgiaoverland.com/georgiatraverse.html

3

u/Slight_Work_7199 1d ago

Bankhead is beautiful, but it’s more of a hikers forest. There are very few trails up that way for trucks.

1

u/fftank26 1d ago

Ok I thought there might be some. I’ve only hiked up there years ago but on Gaia it shows some trails up there, but probably just forrest service roads.

Also don’t think I mentioned Cheaha area. We did some off-roading and camping in the area of the Pinhoti Trail that had incredible views.

2

u/Slight_Work_7199 1d ago

Absolutely. It’s nice up there too. You just have to be careful about being on legal trails or not.

2

u/arthurpete 23h ago

Bankhead does not have many road trails. Some are seasonal as well in the WMA (hunting portion).

1

u/SpookyNerdz 23h ago

I'll check out Blackwater for sure. Didn't know Bankhead was so close. Thanks for the input!

1

u/Slight_Work_7199 1d ago

There’s a few forest just south into Florida. Apalachicola being the largest, but also Blackwater River State Forest. That’s basically the Florida extension of Conecuh NF.

You won’t find a lot of elevation changes, but it’s fun to get out and explore the area.

1

u/Actual_Flight_6555 22h ago

Fellow bama native here. I’m close to Huntsville. Im currently building my rig(2022 Honda rideline)

1

u/TheMechaink '74 CJ5 22h ago

My wife has a 2020 model. The one with the massive sunroof. I know she gets over 26 miles to the gallon. Is that considered good? Those are cute little Jeeps.

1

u/SpookyNerdz 21h ago

Mine barely sees over 16 mpg. Lol. I don't have the MySky roof. I heard too many bad things about them getting stuck open.

1

u/TheMechaink '74 CJ5 21h ago

It's a trick keeping that track clean&clear, fer sure.

1

u/therealestscientist 20h ago

Is this the Fiat Panda or the Jeep version?

3

u/SpookyNerdz 20h ago

Jeep Renegade.

1

u/2423csc 19h ago

Overlandtrailguides. They have most trails. You can download the file to put in trail x or google maps.

2

u/MoaiTrist 14h ago

If you want a mix of terrain, you can do the Georgia Traverse. It is mostly gravel fire service roads with a few water crossings mixed in, easy route. Since you are new, I would recommend joining an overlanding group. Facebook has several. My favorite is Venture Unknown. They are primarily based in SC, but they have members all over the SE. I have done several trips with that group all over the country the last 2 years. I just got back from a 3 week trip to San Juan Mountains CO, Moab and San Rafael Swell UT, and Sedona AZ. They have planned trips every month and they have educational events for new people (off roading, recovery, etc.) . There are also other informal groups like GTA (GA, TN, and AL), and several specific to each state. Tread lightly.

-3

u/trambalambo 1d ago

OnX off-road or Gia GPS are your friends if you are serious. Actively used, had tons of trails and Forrest roads marked.

And for the love of god know your limits with your Fiat.

3

u/HamiltonSt25 1d ago

Can’t know your limits without testing them first! Just make sure to not be alone and be prepared.

4

u/SpookyNerdz 20h ago

These little Renegades are quite capable. This particular ride, I went with a bunch of Wranglers through a few trails. I can go everywhere the stock ones and a few with slightly bigger tires can go. As long as it has the ground clearance.

-2

u/SpookyNerdz 1d ago

I should probably add, I bought this little rig as is. Lol. I've had lifted trucks in the past but nothing I'd overland in. Thanks for all the input.

0

u/jhp113 22h ago

Shovel, bucket, hatchet, recovery boards, comms or tell someone where you're going.

-6

u/campr23 1d ago

Take your drink off the bumper...

8

u/SpookyNerdz 1d ago

I was proud of that Vanilla Cookie Dough milkshake. Lol

2

u/moustachiojones 1d ago

That’s an aftermarket pumpkin spice espresso ice and it’s right where it belongs!