SoCal planning stages

[squishware]

Been lurking for a bit and by lurking I mean systematically reading every post of possible interest. I have a 2000 f150 4x4 with a 6.5 foot bed and 185k miles. I would like to be able to go anywhere off road but still maintain a bit O stealth. I have owned the truck for about 3 years and used it to carry all my possessions from Florida to California a week after I bought it for the snow in Lake Tahoe. I have a list of repairs to perform and I have yet to buy a cap/topper. From my research I believe my end game will be a steel framed Callen topper on an f250 or f350. The question is do I bother building the f150 to expedite my escape or save up to do it right the first time.

 

[squishware]

This is Venus. She is a cattle dog mix/rescue.

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Squishware and Venus to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you. highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

This is Venus. She is a cattle dog mix/rescue.

1. Love your dog.  I have a Cattle Dog as well.. mine is a little plumper.  I spoil her.
2. I'm in the Southern desert , just inside Cali border. 

FWIW , I think if you can get on the road w/o endangering yourself, do what it takes to get here.  I'm sure others will disagree, but that's my $0.02..

I also have an F150 (2001) with a short bed... I got a real good deal for a truck with only 58k miles.  I have found after one month , that I haven't relied on the topper as much as I thought I would.  After a year or 2 , I might change my mind. 
I'm a bit of a pack rat, and have the bed jammed to the gills... so maybe I AM using it. I was originally thinking I would sleep in the back of the truck sometimes, and I have not done that yet.

I find the 6x12 trailer to be tight enough. 

Hope this helps some...

Pat