Loaded up the Expy for a fun weekend at the lake

[JDMitchell]

I finally used my Expy like I intended to when I bought it. I loaded it down with all the gear and "neccesities" then piled my four kids and wife into it, and away we went to the Lake of the Ozarks. It was so nice having all the extra room inside for the kids to sprawl out inside of filling it up with bags and gear. Sitting in the driveway waiting for the kids to rub the sleep out of their eyes.

The back end was squatting just little bit from all the stuff I loaded up.
That cooler was so full of beer and food that I almost didn't get it all the way up into the basket. But there was no way I was gonna ask my 5'3'' 115 lb wife for help.



Here are my kids "testing" the load limit of the rack after we got to our campground.


Out on the boat


I taught my "Mini Me" the knuckle bump.

These are my four reasons for waking up in the morning.

Riding our bikes


Man of the house



Hope everyone had a great Independence Day weekend, I know I did!

Side note: That "el cheapo" Yakima knockoff worked great and I know I overloaded it. There was probably 200 lbs of stuff in it and it didn't even break a sweat. If you are in the market for a rack and don't want to spend a ton of money then I highly reccomend the rack, fairing, and optional extension. Total investment was around $200 for everything. I even had a guy in a really nice lifted scout ask me if I wanted to trade and I said "only if you can get everything in AND on my expedition on your scout, and that includes my kids." He just laughed and said have a nice day.

 

[SOLISIMO]

I literally lol when you mentioned lifting the beer cooler by yourself. I had to do that on my way up to Disney and it was a pain in the ass!

 

[JDMitchell]

I literally lol when you mentioned lifting the beer cooler by yourself. I had to do that on my way up to Disney and it was a pain in the ass!

I am 6'2'' 250 and that was one of the hardest things I have done in a while. I heaved it up on my head then pressed it up onto the side of the rack and slid it in. The sad thing was that I didn't learn my lesson and left it loaded up for when we came home and I had to do it all over again.

 

[SOLISIMO]

Yeah Im 6'4" 280 and had the hardest time in my life. Maybe you can get the yakima bike mount for the roof then get a cargo basket for the hitch to put the cooler on lol.

 

[JDMitchell]

Yeah Im 6'4" 280 and had the hardest time in my life. Maybe you can get the yakima bike mount for the roof then get a cargo basket for the hitch to put the cooler on lol.

I do have a hitch hauler, and I could put bike mounts on top but I liked being able to lower the bike rack to have quick access to the rear hatch. Plus I like a challenge every now and again!

 

[SOLISIMO]

Thats not a challenge Im willing to take on again. Im using that cargo rack, as a matter of fact im searching for one now

 

[JDMitchell]

My favorite lift is hang cleans so maybe that is why I get a kick out of it. All I have to do after that is a balancing act/shoulder press and hope I don't blow a "gasket" in the process.

 

[SOLISIMO]

I will tell you this (Im sure its mental) but when Im driving the expy all loaded and stacked up its feels good like Im king of the road, I cant imagine with a rear basket or bikes back there, even better.

 

[JDMitchell]

It was nice rolling through the campground looking at all the Subaru's, and little SUV's and they stared like I was in a monster truck. There was also a bunch of 3/4 and 1 ton trucks there but they were all pulling 5th wheel campers so they had plenty of storage, but I also had the least amount of money invested in my "Safari Expy" compared to all the other vehicles there, and that gives me the biggest feeling of satisfaction of it all.

 

[walnuts4x4]

I need a roof rack.... might have to copy JD... makes sense for extra space but right now only one kid so still have tons of room in mine... but I would love a roof rack for a spare tire but might have to spend a few bucks more for a heavy duty one.... 37s aint light...

 

[JDMitchell]

I need a roof rack.... might have to copy JD... makes sense for extra space but right now only one kid so still have tons of room in mine... but I would love a roof rack for a spare tire but might have to spend a few bucks more for a heavy duty one.... 37s aint light...

The rack would hold a 37 inch tire with rim, but I would love to see a video of you trying to load it up on the rack.

 

[Explor2Exped]

Great pictures!

Looks like so much fun!!

I'm about to go to the lake fishing here in a minute.

Wish me luck guys, cause last night I had a dream that I caught a HUGE catfish...

 

[walnuts4x4]

The rack would hold a 37 inch tire with rim, but I would love to see a video of you trying to load it up on the rack.

yeah thats the other problem...lol... but thats why I have AAA and if I get a flat ask for a roll back truck so that I can stand on it and take my tire off...lol

 

[tallsville]

damn sol 6'4" 280. not a motorcycle cop i'd like to have pull me over. but damn i wish i was back down to 280. btw jd looks like you had fun.

 

[JDMitchell]

Solisimo, are you seriously a MC LEO? If so, then sign me up. I might be getting out of the Army and would love a job where I get to ride. I already have 11 years experience as an MP and I ride pretty dang good too. Just let me know when guard mount is.

 

[SOLISIMO]

Yup I am. Problem is everything is frozen down here with all budget cuts to the county.

 

[JDMitchell]

Yup I am. Problem is everything is frozen down here with all budget cuts to the county.

What kind of bike are currently using?

 

[SOLISIMO]

Road King, we get new ones every two years.

 

[JDMitchell]

Road King, we get new ones every two years.

Damn, guess I wouldn't work out anyway. I am not a Harley fan.

 

[SOLISIMO]

Yeah they are pigs but its the only bike that can take the abuse that we give them lol