Long bed conversion sounds like a great idea, unfortunately I am sure it is quite expensive. Plus, Utah is a cross country trip from TN ! I would go if was a bike trip...
In fact, Last May, I took a trip of lifetime going on Route 66 from Nashville, starting in St.Louis and ending a Pier 1, LA.
Took me 2 weeks, stay on Route 66 90% of the time, a couple of times I even had to back track because the Route ended in Dead End
But it was a great trip. Did it by myself, since I could not find anybody to go with. It was probably better anyone, because on the way back home, I was able to stop at Death Valley, Meteor Crator and Grand Canyon.
Anyone up for a ride on Blue Ridge Parkway this May??