TCM annual Calendar Contest results for 2015

Sal,

Regarding the airbags I mentioned earlier for emergency off-pavement lifting of a Class C's rear overhang ... couldn't one merely leave them un-inflated (~10 lbs. min, I think per the manufacturer) for "no affect" the rest of the time? I leave the ones in the rear (none on the front) on our 4X4 PU inflated to only 10-20 lbs. most of the time so they have no effect on the truck's handling or ride. I only inflate them whenever I need their extra boost for carryng a heavy load.

Another reason for having air bags on a Class C when they are otherwise not needed for weight carrying is to help with leveling of the rear portion of the rig when setting up at a campsite. Just drive onto front blocks to get the front level and then inflate the left/right rear air bags together or individually, as needed, to provide any raising or tipping needed in the rear to complete the overall leveling. I know this sure would make some of our leveling go a lot quicker - especially when off-pavement.

The Monument Valley road was bit "tippy" going down the initial slope, but I just went very slowly following the same track all the tribal tourist trucks were taking. The E450 chassis felt stable and under control - probably because it's so under-loaded with our small coach ... in additon to it's wider rear stance. Our traveling companions in their 24 foot E350 Class C would not go on that loop road with us, however. Here's a view out the driver's side window when we were on the MV loop road:



Glad to hear that the Valley of the Gods route can be taken with a Class C. We came very close to trying it the last time we were in the area but were not sure of what was out there, road-wise. Can you drycamp out there in the Valley of the Gods?

By the way, how do you carry your off-road motorcycle ... front or rear?

I'd sure like to take one of these along on our Class C, but off the front to keep front loading in good shape, and by using a double support rack welded or bolted to both frame members in the front for maximum stability:

http://www.rokon.com/

Salvo wrote:
Have you been here too? About 1 hour south of La Paz BC.

That would be January.

My camper on the Monument Valley road made the circuit fine.



Sure Have, to La Paz.
North and west of La Paz. Camper is hard to see.


Better picture of the TC. North of La Paz.


Any RV and La Paz BC is a very good combo.

Just to prove I like Class C's as well this is the better half and our rented German Class C in Paris, France.
Ford 6 speed manual transmission, 4 cylinder Diesel.

As the OP here, this really fun in seeing more post there RV pics, in Boondocking locations.

Hope to see more pics and comments!

b

Here's us searching for a high scenic bluff in Death Valley that we never found:


Here's us and some friends camped off a 4X4 road in Death Valley:


Here's us camped about 25 miles into the Oregon Outback:


Here's us drycamped (but not in the boondocks) on the beach somewhere in Southern CA:


Here's us looking at a sign up high somewhere in Utah (I think):


Here's us in Utah:


Here's us coming from a horsecamp too early in the season in CA:


Here's us traveling down a road in Utah coming from a rock quarry out in the middle of nowhere:

Hey Les, this thread isn't about what roads a truck camper can travel and not a Class C MH. This is about calender worthy photos!

BTW, I'm positive my MH can also do the Monument Valley loop just fine. DW just wanted to go by motorcycle. And, I think driving 1000 miles south of TJ is orders of magnitude tougher on the chassis than the smooth dirt road to Goosenecks SP. Last time I was down in Baja I blew out a red Koni rear shock, probably when going over an unmarked Topes.

Less Stuff wrote:

My camper on the Monument Valley road made the circuit fine.

Any RV and La Paz BC is a very good combo.

Salvo wrote:
And, I think driving 1000 miles south of TJ is orders of magnitude tougher on the chassis than the smooth dirt road to Goosenecks SP.

Sal,

How so ... due to extreme washboard? ... due to rock crawling? ... due to sharp rocks? ... due to steep side-slip angles ... due to washouts? ... due to deep ruts? ... due to logs across the road ... due to etc.?

That trip of ours into the Oregon Outback took around 2.5 hours to go 25 miles at only 7-10 MPH due to extreme washboarding that would have loosened evey screw going much faster. It just took patience to do it the right way in our Class C, but we made it in and out in good shape. :)

Probably all of the above and then some. You should get out there Phil, give it a try! For the adventurer, Baja is absolutely fantastic.

As mentioned, I've blown a Koni shock in Baja - that's not an easy thing to do. In that same trip, one of my dually tires flatted. The Michelin tire was just a year old. It had a hole in it you can stick your little finger through.

You'll also need a shovel; if you do beach camping. A long tow rope is also advisable. I've used both.

Here's my motorcycle attachment in the back. I need the two extra supports to keep the carrier stable on all the dirt roads.

Sal, that's the optimum setup for a rack ... three support points ... with the outside two probably directly attached to main frame members. I'd like the same setup, but on the front of our Ford.

So ... from what you said earlier in a post ... both you and the DW were on that smallish motorcycle on the Momument Valley loop road? Must have been dusty!

FWIW, we won't set foot or wheel anyplace again in Mexico, camping, until their lawlessness is done away with - which will probably occur, if ever, after we're long gone. However we did camp along the Baja coast on our honeymoon and loved it way back when, and I did some volunteer work there a few years ago along with a big organized group - so no safety concerns. What a bad state of affairs down there in what otherwise could be a great RV'ing country with plenty of RV tourist dollars being spent.

If one doesn't feel safe in Mexico don't go.
But Mexico has charmed me.
Hope to go again.

RV trip down the West coast of mainland Mexico.

Hola 2010

Check out the first part of this trip report down Baja and back up.

Swan Song 2013

We did not boondock at all on our Mainland Mexico trip. But in Baja we boondocked a lot.
Often with other RVers camped nearby.

Man Phil, you sound like an old lady! There's no dust unless you follow another vehicle. Why would anyone do that?

Riding that cycle is absolutely invigorating. Whether we're riding through the redwoods or the sequoias, or through a redrock canyon, on on the beach in Baja, or over in Monument Valley, nothing beats that ride. We use the cycle all the time, to get groceries, to trail heads, sight seeing or whatever. I go by myself on technical trail riding.

I've recall you talking about putting a cycle in front you your MH before. Just do it!

There's lots of peraonoia about driving in Baja. As they say, the only thing to fear is fear itself.

pnichols wrote:


So ... from what you said earlier in a post ... both you and the DW were on that smallish motorcycle on the Momument Valley loop road? Must have been dusty!