TR: Anza Borrego Desert: Arroyo Seco Diablo

anutami wrote:

RWDIII wrote:

By the way that bullet you found is a 50 cal,probably from an aircraft.

Wow! didn't realize it was a 50 cal. I always see military jets flying low around the area. I can't imagine them shooting live bulletts, although the live impact carrizo area is somewhat close and the bullet has been there probably a long time.

Been there since WW2 when the whole area was a gunnery range

Anu,
Another great trip through the Arroyo Secco del Diablo (dry wash of the devil). The Arroyo is an especially lonely place. Malarimo. In spanish, "bad to get to" is an apt description. A lifetime ago Jeanie and I were on our first Jeep trip with the then 4 yr. old Jeep CJ8 (so, 1986) and decided to go up the great blow sand hill to Arroyo Secco del Diablo. It was a tight squeeze getting to the foot of the dune from Fish Creek, the jeep's sides dragging on the sandstone cuts and axles all twisted up. Pressure was down on the original tires, seat belts fastened, we attempted to go up the 'big drop off' in 2nd gear, low range with a flourish. We got to within 25 feet of the summit and bogged down in the soft blow sand. Back down. Take more air out of the tires. Try again. Blow 2nd gear in the T-4 stock trannie. Never make the top. Tail between legs, limp home with a loud, obnoxious, "clunk, clunk, clunk" anytime we're in 2nd gear (since half the teeth were laying in the sump). I wound up just skipping 2nd gear. Search for a T-19 trans to replace the woefully inadequate Warner Gear T-4. It came to pass. Even that one was later replaced with an NP435.
Ah yes, memories of Arroyo Secco del Diablo.
Your TR makes me want to go back once again and live the whole experience.
jefe

Dome wrote:
takes a long time for the huge pictures to down load.

sorry if you still have dial up internet, that is why I post on anzaborrgo.net for the huge pictures because I am blind :)

gitpicker2009 wrote:
Very nice. Got a question though: When you're using your rig in that type of environment, how tight are the settings on your tie downs, and do you worry about flexing, etc?

thanks

You have to gauge with your specific truck and camper combo how your tie downs should be. Mostly it is by feel, and the fight to stop camper roll. I usually keep the rear tie downs pretty loose and the front hand tight snug (that as with my old happijacks and had an issue losing my camper The Story) In the case of my Old Wolf Creek I believe my rear passenger came loose and lost it completly and then the stress of the front passenger was too much for the inferior design of the tie downs.I don't worry so much with flexing because I take it pretty slow and steady + my old Wolf Creek flying out of my truck and staying intact is a testament how solid this camper is (not to mention is still staying intact when the tow truck driver uprighted the thing). I keep notice of the caboover area structure and make sure It is not coming apart, but that is why I have insurace for and I bought a truck camper to do such trips. With my torklift fastguns it is so much easier to adjust them as needed, but common rule of thumb keep tight enough to stop the camper from moving around. There are a lot of other factors as well. Some other factors which have helped a lot are reduce your air pressure in your tires, rubber matt in truck bed and the Torklift stable loads have made a huge difference. I don't find my camper moving around that much and have not installed center guides yet or eliminated my A/C.

Nolan

RWDIII wrote:

By the way that bullet you found is a 50 cal,probably from an aircraft.

Wow! didn't realize it was a 50 cal. I always see military jets flying low around the area. I can't imagine them shooting live bulletts, although the live impact carrizo area is somewhat close and the bullet has been there probably a long time.

Pictures are awesome man.

takes a long time for the huge pictures to down load.

Lucky, lucky children! That is the way to spend quality time with the kids -- well done!

Nice trip report, we're headed down that way over President's weekend in Feb.

Very nice. Got a question though: When you're using your rig in that type of environment, how tight are the settings on your tie downs, and do you worry about flexing, etc?

thanks