In Wheel Time - Cartalk Radio

Ever wondered what it would be like to cross America primarily on dirt roads? Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal let us ride shotgun on their extraordinary Transamerica Trail adventure – a jaw-dropping 7,100-mile journey with over 3,100 miles on unpaved terrain, all completed in just 29 days.The couple's modified 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness proved remarkably capable, conquering elevations approaching 13,000 feet in Colorado and withstanding temperatures ranging from freezing to a sweltering 111°F in Moab. Their detailed walkthrough of the vehicle's modifications reveals the thoughtful preparation behind such an ambitious journey – from the Thule rooftop tent and ARB awning to the critical Primitive Racing skid plates that protected vital components on rough terrain.What makes their story particularly compelling isn't just the vehicle specs or challenging routes – it's how this journey provided them a completely different perspective on America. Despite both having previously visited all 50