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RE: Returning to Canyon De Chelly
Great photos certainly and great memories to boot.
However, I think you minimize the negative impact of the surrounding Navajo Reservation on the experience. When we tried to visit the canyon in the fall of 2010, the CG was closed at the monument. No warning anywhere driving down from Colorado as you did. Plus it had an ominous sign warning of risk to personal property left outside your RV. Where else to stay? A VERY FILTHY private CG 10 miles up the road on the south rim. NOPE.
Nowhere else. Period.
Boondocking not possible (Navajo land). All of the motels had fenced parking lots. Hmmm. Not a choice for us, even to abandon the camper for a room. So had to drive 4 hours (until 10PM) to get back out of the reservation where camping was available.
A shame really, given the quality of the canyon itself.
Rick
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rickjo
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05/16/12 07:17am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Cabover support bars
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A MAJOR STRUCTURAL PROBLEM, BETTER GET IT INSPECTED BY A SERVICE TECH.
Ditto. The struts offer NO SUPPORT. They dampen purposing movement. Internal structure has probably been compromised.
Rick
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rickjo
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03/26/12 10:45pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: quick disconnect dangerous?
Not trying to be negative, but why would you want to grill right next to your TC. Even good steaks flare up sometimes and then cause a fire or if you grill cheap hamburger patties that ALWAYS flare up, then having to worry about the lines freezing up or leaking. Now I enjoy cooking and especially grilling/bbqing but I just don't understand why this would be such a great thing. Not having the grill inside or stuffed in a compartment is a good thing but it all seems stressful to me. Just a personal thought.
I understand this point of view. I would have agreed completely until the two times (so far) that it rained when we wanted to barbecue and the only shelter was our two awnings. Our grill has such a nice top cover thingy that flare-ups don't influence my style of cooking. The factory install quick disconnect is worry free.
Rick
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rickjo
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03/25/12 10:44am |
Truck Campers
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RE: quick disconnect dangerous?
Even the factory installed quick disconnect on a Lance has a valve ahead of the disconnect.
The line is already regulated, hence, removing a regulator on a grill is a must. On some brands it's easy, on others, they practically make it impossible. Understand the process before buying a grill for a regulated line.
Rick
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rickjo
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03/24/12 07:50am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: Gila Lower Box
As a resident of SW New Mexico, I have always wanted to explore that area but it remains as one of our visits to be planned. Thanks for the post.
I wonder how many folks following this thread know how to pronounce Gila? You were at the river of course, but there is the town of Gila, the Gila National Forest, the Gila Cliff Dwellings Nat'l Monument, and the fearsome Gila Monster. In all cases, Gila is pronounced "he-la". You can even listen to an audio pronunciation here.
Rick
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rickjo
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03/22/12 09:08pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Flat towing versus trailering, advantages/disadvantages?
...
.....rear view camera is worth while. ... the rear view camera is great. ... useless waste of time and money.
Wayne
Help me out here???
RickYour quote chopped out too much of my post. What you have quoted suggested my post was contradictory. My post said the rear view camera is worth while and great, I went on further to say the "$100 Walmart camera" was useless waste of time and money.
Where do you need help? There are many cameras that are worth while and great, a $100 camera is not one of them. At least in my opinion.
Wayne
Thanks. You've added a bit more context to your previous post. Here's the entire last portion of that one:
Actually, even if you do not tow, the rear view camera is great. I have a $100 rear view camera, and I do not hesitate to say, in my opinion, useless waste of time and money.
A bit difficult to understand your Walmart opinion from that limited wording.
Rick
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rickjo
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03/18/12 07:37am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Flat towing versus trailering, advantages/disadvantages?
...
.....rear view camera is worth while. ... the rear view camera is great. ... useless waste of time and money.
Wayne
Help me out here???
Rick
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rickjo
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03/16/12 10:27pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Flat towing versus trailering, advantages/disadvantages?
I flat towed my Jeep for many years before I purchased a trailer. I always wondered how the jeep was doing behind my truck/camper set-up. It was not easily seen in the side rear view mirrors. With the jeep & trailer combination, i can see the trailer fenders in the rear view mirrors.
I have a rear camera on my TC that provides and excellent view of my Jeep. I put white tape on the Jeep steering wheel to aid in identifying steering wobble. I love to see that tape dead still while going 65 MPH.
Rick
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rickjo
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03/16/12 04:35pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Flat towing versus trailering, advantages/disadvantages?
Brakes???
Here's the entire New Mexico code for towing:
66-7-408. Trailers and towed vehicles.
A. When one vehicle is towing another the drawbar or other connection shall be of sufficient strength to pull all weight towed thereby. When a combination of vehicles are engaged in transporting poles, pipe, machinery or other objects of structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered, the load shall be distributed so as to equalize the weights on the axle of each vehicle insofar as possible.
B. When one vehicle is towing another and the connection consists of a chain, rope or cable, there shall be displayed upon such connection a white flag or cloth not less than twelve inches square.
I'm sure other states may be more restrictive.
Rick
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rickjo
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03/16/12 10:18am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Flat towing versus trailering, advantages/disadvantages?
myself if i tow anything behind my tc it will be flat towed, but i will convert to locking hubs on all wheels to take the drivetrain out of the loop when towing
X2.. I deliberately bought my used Jeep because it had 4 locking hubs. With good alignment (not always assured after wheeling'), tire wear hasn't been an issue.
Rick
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rickjo
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03/16/12 08:54am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Death Valley NP Suggestions
I liked the dispersed camping at Hole in the Wall. Just about the limit for a TC but good Jeeping past there.
Also took the TC up Trail Canyon a ways. Lots of Truck and Jeeps came out after we camped.
Download the "Backcountry Roads" brochure from the Park Website. Very helpful.
Rick
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rickjo
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03/06/12 10:07pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: which insurance company should I use?
thanks to all. I ended up with Geico.
As a matter of fact, it truly was funny.
I just saved a ton of money by switching to Geico:)
They offered me a huge discount by combining my Harley, Dodge Ram, Vokswagen Jetta and the TC all combined.
Truthfully, it's saving me about 550 bucks a year, and the Tc insurance ended up being only about 250 a year.
You mention Progressive for some of your previous insurance (the Harley), but you never said who insured your Dodge and VW. As I said earlier, I'm with State Farm. 4 vehicles and my home. TC was only 50 bucks a year. It's often hard to compare apples and oranges but you seemed to have saved over insurance previously held with more than one insurer. I think any total bundle would have saved you significantly.
With Geico, you get Warren Buffet but no local agent. Obviously lots of folks save as you have, but a total package anywhere is the better way to go.
Rick
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rickjo
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02/24/12 09:57am |
Truck Campers
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RE: which insurance company should I use?
State Farm costs me approx. $50 per year when added to the truck policy. They have a schedule for many popular models.
Rick
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rickjo
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02/17/12 07:55pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: How often have you needed or wished you had 4WD
Just an observation on ONE of my uses of 4WD. I always use 4WD low to back under my TC and to drive out. Never have to touch the accelerator pedal and it just creeps along.
And yes I do use the 4WD in many situations for boondocking.
Rick
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rickjo
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01/12/12 07:21pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Truck camper miles traveled in how many years?
Approximately 40k miles in 5 years. Averages 8k per year. But Alaska trip in 2009 was exactly 10k miles door-to-door. So most years are something less.
6.0 Ford has gone thru all fuel injectors and recently, the oil cooler. Only 70k on the clock so can't decide whether to upgrade to new Ford Diesel (at current diesel fuel price differential?) or go with what I have...
Rick
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rickjo
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01/10/12 11:13am |
Truck Campers
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RE: truck tow
On my Ford, the tow mode also downshifts the tranny when the brakes are used going down hill. Most important feature in my opinion. Does the dodge do that as well?
Rick
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rickjo
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01/01/12 09:54pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: The Kitchen Sink - TCM Survey Results
Very interesting. I would not be without the double sink and obviously most people feel that way: thus the survey results. I don't see a big difference in counter space as we use the sink cover for one side that came with the RV when cooking for more space and then remove it for washing up. Thus very flexible use of space.
Single sink probably does look like much more counter space when walking through new rigs but with the sink covers, I doubt it is actually true.
Ditto. Our sink cover on the larger bowl doubles as a cutting board so meal prep with the cover, wash up without the cover.
Rick
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rickjo
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01/01/12 09:51pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Hitch extension stay chains
Yup. Chains and turnbuckles. It's surprising how they loosen up when flat towing my Jeep.
Rick
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rickjo
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12/14/11 07:39am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Arizona-Boondocking in Phoenix
Amen. Lots of space here in Arizona. That's one reason why I love living here. The 4 Corners area has perhaps the best Boondocking in the country.
I agree with your 4 corners opinion, except for the Navajo Reservation. Tried to go from Mesa Verde to Canyon De Chelly. Monument CG closed for repair. Privately owned CG filthy. No boondocking choices on Navajo land given local attitudes. This is a reality. Heading south to return home was 4 more hours to get to Lyman Lake state park at 10 PM. Beautiful park BTW.
Rick
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rickjo
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12/06/11 08:15am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Cassette toilets and grey water tanks
Are you really making so much gray water in an average camping trip that this is an issue?
I typically dump 12-15 gals. Two or three days accumulation. That's 84 - 120 lbs. Definitely worth it.
Rick
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rickjo
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11/23/11 01:06pm |
Truck Campers
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