TRS VAGABONDS

[Jim Oaks]

Introduction:

Starting in 2024, the TRS Vagabonds are an overlanding group within TheRangerStation.com honoring the original Vagabonds and promoting the Ford Ranger as an adventure and overlanding vehicle while educating and inspiring others. 2024 is the 25th anniversary of TheRangerStation.com and the 100th anniversary of the original Vagabonds last trip.

The Original Vagabonds:

From 1914-1924 Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Thomas Edison, and John Burroughs calling themselves “the Four Vagabonds” embarked on a series of cross-country summer camping trips and their adventures were well-documented and publicized. On these trips they communed with nature, explored their personal interests and acted like boys again. These were not young men. With John Burroughs, “the saintly lover of nature,” passing away at the age of 83 early in 1921, Edison, at 74 years of age, was now the oldest Vagabond, and Firestone, at 52 years of age, the youngest.

Henry Ford’s interest in nature was not new or merely a public relations gambit. Henry and his wife Clara were avid bird watchers and had over 500 birdhouses installed amid the naturalistic landscaping of their Fair Lane Estate. John Burroughs helped them rehabilitate the adjoining land and reintroduce wildlife to the area.

For more information check out ‘The Vagabonds (Ford, Edison, Firestone & Burroughs)‘

(Thomas Edison, John Burroughs, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone on a “Vagabonds” Camping Trip, 1918)​

Mission:

• To honor the original Vagabonds (Ford, Firestone, Edison, and Burroughs)
• To promote the Ford Ranger as an adventure and overlanding vehicle
• To promote TheRangerStation.com as a Ford Ranger resource and expand the TRS community
• To educate and inspire others

When people think Ford Ranger and overlanding, I want them to think TRS Vagabonds. I'd like for the Vagabonds to generate a video from our adventures that will get tons of followers and millions of views. I want us to inspire people to choose the Ranger for adventure and overlanding. Ford has allowed the Ranger to take a back seat to the Toyota Tacoma and Chevy Colorado. We need to inspire a change.

The group is made up of a mix of Ford Rangers from 1985-2023 with different levels of builds and costs to inspire all Ford Ranger enthusiasts regardless of their budget.

See more details at:

TRS Vagabonds - The Ranger Station

TRS Vagabonds are a group of Ford Ranger owners that honor the original Vagabonds, promote the Ford Ranger and encourage adventure travel.

www.therangerstation.com

Current Members:

Snoranger ----------- 2023 Ford Ranger
Jim Oaks ------------- 2021 Ford Ranger
Robertmangrum.rm - 2020 Ford Ranger
Uncle Gump --------- 2006 Ford Ranger
Ericbphoto ---------- 1993 Ford Ranger
85_Ranger4x4 ------- 1985 Ford Ranger

 

[RobbieD]

Cool idea.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

Since showing this to Randy he is frantically trying to find a Ranger to trade his F150 for. He said he really wants to be part of the Vagabonds. So if any of yall around TN have a Ranger and need a good full size let me know. Haha

 

[sgtsandman]

There are qualifiers to becoming a Vagabond. I’ll leave it to Jim to expound on it if he wishes to and to what level.

Just owning a 4X4 Ranger isn’t enough, thus why only a few were selected. His reasoning is sound. So I’m not second guessing who’s on the list.

The best way I can explain it is look at some of the big names in overlanding content, how their vehicles are setup and what they do with their vehicles.

These guys aren’t going to be doing casual trail rides and if you don’t meet certain qualifications, you are going to be an anchor to the group and may end up with a broken vehicle.

So, selection or lack thereof isn’t personal. He has to feel comfortable with both the driver and the vehicle will be able to get through the trip with minimal problems.

 

[Josh B]

The photo of the guy with the knapsack over his shoulder could be easily confused with the Hoboes who used a hoe to carry their knapsack as they went looking for work in the fields during the great depression.
Roosevelt and some of his friends had a club that explored the NE much like your Ford guys too, I wonder what vehicles they used

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The photo of the guy with the knapsack over his shoulder could be easily confused with the Hoboes who used a hoe to carry their knapsack as they went looking for work in the fields during the great depression.
Roosevelt and some of his friends had a club that explored the NE much like your Ford guys too, I wonder what vehicles they used

Hobo is synonymous with Vagabond.

Definition of VAGABOND

a person who wanders from place to place without a fixed home : one leading a vagabond life; especially : vagrant, tramp… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

We included @Uncle Gump
to be sure we got the "wandering around" part covered.

 

[gw33gp]

I am interested in this. I already spend about 4 weeks a year in remote wilderness areas. Many times, in extreme conditions. I have even led a group of mostly Landcruisers into the Maze section of Canyonlands in Utah.

I am pretty sure my 02 FX4 should qualify and in 2025 I plan to get a new Tremor and set it up for remote adventures.

Let me know if I should submit a resume.

 

[Snoranger]

The photo of the guy with the knapsack over his shoulder could be easily confused with the Hoboes who used a hoe to carry their knapsack as they went looking for work in the fields during the great depression.
Roosevelt and some of his friends had a club that explored the NE much like your Ford guys too, I wonder what vehicles they used

It’s called a bindle stick.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

There are qualifiers to becoming a Vagabond. I’ll leave it to Jim to expound on it if he wishes to and to what level.

Just owning a 4X4 Ranger isn’t enough, thus why only a few were selected. His reasoning is sound. So I’m not second guessing who’s on the list.

The best way I can explain it is look at some of the big names in overlanding content, how their vehicles are setup and what they do with their vehicles.

These guys aren’t going to be doing casual trail rides and if you don’t meet certain qualifications, you are going to be an anchor to the group and may end up with a broken vehicle.

So, selection or lack thereof isn’t personal. He has to feel comfortable with both the driver and the vehicle will be able to get through the trip with minimal problems.

Not saying he would be accepted. Of course that would be Jim's call. But he is an experienced 4wd driver and has had many over the years. His truck would be in proper shape and self sufficient of course before he even wanted to get in. As far as the overlanding setup we usually have any items he doesnt already have in his current F150. But the fact that he is interested I find super cool. Means Jim is onto something that could help the forum grow. Even if he was to find one there's no garranty he'd have the lift and stuff done in time or if he'd even be invited on the inaugural ride. I feel lucky to be included myself. I'm really excited for the opportunity and adventure.

 

[Snoranger]

Not saying he would be accepted. Of course that would be Jim's call. But he is an experienced 4wd driver and has had many over the years. His truck would be in proper shape and self sufficient of course before he even wanted to get in. As far as the overlanding setup we usually have any items he doesnt already have in his current F150. But the fact that he is interested I find super cool. Means Jim is onto something that could help the forum grow. Even if he was to find one there's no garranty he'd have the lift and stuff done in time or if he'd even be invited on the inaugural ride. I feel lucky to be included myself. I'm really excited for the opportunity and adventure.

There’s always next time.

 

[sgtsandman]

There’s always next time.

That's what I'm hoping for.

 

[sgtsandman]

Not saying he would be accepted. Of course that would be Jim's call. But he is an experienced 4wd driver and has had many over the years. His truck would be in proper shape and self sufficient of course before he even wanted to get in. As far as the overlanding setup we usually have any items he doesnt already have in his current F150. But the fact that he is interested I find super cool. Means Jim is onto something that could help the forum grow. Even if he was to find one there's no garranty he'd have the lift and stuff done in time or if he'd even be invited on the inaugural ride. I feel lucky to be included myself. I'm really excited for the opportunity and adventure.

My post wasn't really directed at you or him, it's just how it fell as I was writing it.

I do agree that the whole thing is an exciting concept and I do hope it will help grow the forum. Possibly also drive those already here to make it so they and their vehicle qualify to be a part of it. I'm hoping for next year. I know the 2011 isn't ready yet. I might be able to get it capable of doing the trip in time by the 2024 inaugural but I also understand Jim doesn't want "might be able". He needs able now for planning purposes.

The 2019 is closer to ready but hampered by it's main mission as a family vehicle and filling in as a backup if either the 2011 breaks or my girlfriend's car does the same. Being that she is partially disabled, I have to watch what I do to it. I could install steps but I hate those things. All they do is collect mud, snow, and road salt. A rock slider set would be more useful but based on how they have to be designed, they sit higher and may negate any benefit steps would otherwise provide. She already has to reach down and lift her leg with her hands as she is getting in as it is.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I forgot a link in my original post:

TRS Vagabonds - The Ranger Station

TRS Vagabonds are a group of Ford Ranger owners that honor the original Vagabonds, promote the Ford Ranger and encourage adventure travel.

www.therangerstation.com

 

[bobbywalter]

Hmmm ... if I build a newer ranger based thing....have to consider werewolfin' the critter.....

ctis is tempting....

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[Josh B]

TRS Vagabonds,
Never heard it called that before, actually rarely recall it being Vagabonds.
There was a series of PBS series, some about national parks, others about notable people, including both presidents Roosevelt, Teddy and Franklin D, who were I think 5th cousins or so

Henry Ford was not put out front on most of the PBS specials except in rare times it was speaking specifically to the manufacture of automobiles, and if there was a PBS special speaking specifically of Henry Ford I don't recall it

But they did cover the roads from the Lincoln Highway to the Interstates, and the National Parks coast to coast, also a bit now and then about the Vagabonds, although I don't specifically recall it being addressed by that name

I had a buddy call me that once, somehow I dropped by to say how do and he gave me a handshake and called me a vagabond. I have rarely even thought that till now, nor what it really even meant. He was a great fella. once I looked him up and he was moving, using his sisters car, I rode along as she realized her trunk was full of chickens, and said "They had better not Sh*t all over my trunk! He said, "Don't worry my dear, these are the Sh*tless kind!" He called me one Friday evening after stopping by the farm here to see my Dad and talk about raising bees, he had a pacemaker and had been given a new one, he was all hyped about raising bees, we talked about 45 minutes and monday I got a call at work, he had died that same night, his body had rejected the new one :/

It is a shame those PBS series hadn't said more about the Vagabonds, it was certainly a story worthy of telling