I want to run my kernel of an idea past the sc/out/s, and see what I'm lacking or forgetting

>planning road trip next spring
>have lots of gear, but definitely need to buy more. Own a bivvy tent but its quite small
>have a decent amount of money, in the way of $2-3k
>own a Suburu with few enough miles to make it
>plan on buying bag of rice and beans, flavorings, and largely eating that and other cheap preservables.
>Have decent amount of experience in hiking, camping, but not a lot in intensive travel
>Driving west first to my friend in Utah, and then probably up the Canadian Rockies

So those are the perimeters, here are the parts I am less sure of...
>want to move from Fed land reservation to Fed land, essentially disperse camp for free each night
>Don't know what kind of trouble I could get in for bringing my knife/knives/hatchets, and a .22 bolt action
>Don't know how to address the crime threat
>Most stories I read have travelers staying with or working with locals they recently met, is this a common situation?
>Is $2K enough money

Any advice or input would be appreciated, or where I can find answers to these questions on my own.