Trip report: The Tioga Area of Yosemite

rexlion, I've got to be fair to Toyota. It has been a great truck -- 90,000 miles with virtually no repairs. And we have really beaten up this poor little Tacoma.

The problem isn't the vibration while off-road towing, since I have to go so slow to protect the trailer. The problem is how I drive on the forest roads without the trailer -- there are long stretches of washboard, sudden "rock gardens" in the roadway, potholes the size of bathtubs. I do my best to avoid damaging the truck, but my best is often not good enough.

I would estimate that we drive on really bad forest roads for about 500 to a thousand miles a year -- certainly not all the time, but often enough to shake things up.

profdant139 wrote:
It turns out that the blower motor was really toast -- a connector plug had shorted out, burning the components. The mechanic showed me the bad motor -- melted plastic, scorch marks, very dramatic. He said that this sometimes happens with vehicles that have done a lot of rough off-roading, because of the vibration.

But...but...it's a Toyota! They aren't supposed to do that!
;)

It turns out that the blower motor was really toast -- a connector plug had shorted out, burning the components. The mechanic showed me the bad motor -- melted plastic, scorch marks, very dramatic. He said that this sometimes happens with vehicles that have done a lot of rough off-roading, because of the vibration.

Thanks for refreshing the memories of the many wonderful hikes I've done in those Tioga areas.

Awesome report and pictures It looks like you had a great time. As far as the blower motor, definitely check the fuse, you just never know if it's blown. If the fuse is good take out the three screws holding the motor in and make sure it's not stuck with anything sicked up off the floor of the truck.

Cal, the lake is a lot lower than that right now -- I hope it will rise as the snow melts!

Very nice -- thanks. Picture postcard area, here's one of Saddlebag lake.

Thanks for the nice pictures and trip report.

As usual great pictures and comments. TY. 106F...that’s hot!