Desert Truck Camping

[Geterdone]

We are still looking for more recommendations for heading SW to do some winter desert truck camping..Arizona, NM, etc are all on the possible list....we reviewed a blog called "Two Happy Campers" and got some insites there. We specifically need to know about cell service (Verizon), refueling sites for diesel and propane, food supplies etc. Any safety considerations we should be aware of and or stuff to pack we would not normally have along East Coast. So please send your thoughts...also carrying firearms...AR, handguns etc.

thanks,

steve

[TxGearhead]

^^I've never spent much time in Arizona or New Mexico, but all the above is very true on the Texas border, especially isolated areas.
Situational awareness is important.
Don't mess with Border Patrol or the agents at checkpoints away from the border. If you have helicopters overhead there is likely something happening...and not good.

[ppine]

In winter you are probably going to be in the southern half of AZ and the southern third of NM. The Border Patrol has a strong presence. There are road blocks and lots of Spanish culture.

Phone service will be erratic. You can travel around and find a high spot and usually get service with some effort, but don't count on it all the time. Diesel and propane are available lots of places. Firearms are easy to carry in NM and AZ.

In the bush in the SW you have to learn to size up people. It is sometimes hard to tell the difference between ranchers, ag people and those running drugs from Mexico. Do you speak any Spanish? Do you understand Mexican culture?

At one time Quartzite was the place for rocks and gems. Most of that activity has moved to Tucson. Now it is just a gathering of RVs in the middle of nowhere with few amenities and a lot of people.

[TxGearhead]

^^^I don't know if I'm up for it but I would like to hike up to the old Reavis ranch. Elisha Reavis was known as "The Hermit of Superstition Mtn." He was a cousin about 3x removed. Very interesting fellow.
A cousin of Elisha's, and mine, was James Addison Reavis, also known as "The Baron Arizona". He pulled off one of the most incredible land frauds ever known. Made a movie about it. He eventually ended up in prison.
So I need to kick around Arizona sometime, maybe next winter.

[Fuller_Johnson]

We stayed some around Roosevelt Lake last winter. We stayed at Cholla and Windy hill NF campgrounds. Then it was a 8 Bucks a night with a tonto pass and a Geezer pass. Both had Showers but we found the Cholla to be Hotter as the campground is Solar powered.

This year I understand they have put in Fee Machines and some campgrounds have went up to 10 Bucks and some down to 6 with no showers. The beauty of the fee machine is you can get your camping pass right there instead of buying it at Wallmart etc.

The drive up the Apache Trail from the Roosevelt Dam to Tortilla Flat is a Must do and you can do it with a truck camper. Stop at Tortilla Flat for a Cowboy Burger. Google Going up Fish Creek Hill and go to Videos for a preview. Well be going back around Jan 7 or so. So if you see 2 Old Geezers from Wisconsin with truck campers there stop and say Hi.

[Harleybullet]

Quartzite is the place in January..shows, flea markets.RV show and the BLM is exrensive.... enjoy

[Kayteg1]

They where hot in 120F weather.
Did not research the issue, but I think they used solar heaters.

[Testudo]

Kayteg1 wrote:
...I discovered Burro Campground this summer, who is having hot showers. With senior pass it comes to $7 a night...

That looks like the BLM's "Burro Creek" campground near Wikieup, Arizona. ...Since when did they get hot showers there ? ! ?

[TxGearhead]

I kinda want to poke around the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix. Lots of history. Probably places to boondock but I was looking at the area around Lake Roosevelt and Lost Dutchman State Park.

[Nemo667]

Geterdone wrote:
We have a propane generator, 100w solar panel, refrigerator and we would like to see some of what Arizona and NM offer in way of camping at parks or boondock. We are both in our late 60's, just do not want to wander into isolated places without knowing what we are getting into incase of breakdown or any emergency. We have a new RAM 4wd truck carrying our camper. So we are honestly open to go anywhere one might recommend. We are comming from W.Pa. We have access to military facilities, I am retired Army.

thanks

Garmin Explorer...We took this to Alaska this year and had zero problems communicating with out cell. Ymmv...good luck.

[work2much]

Edd505 wrote:
What are you looking for? I live in NM - PM me and I can give you some ideas for boon docking BLM land.

We are heading out to NM this winter. Should be there in about 4 weeks. If you have some spots you can recommend would love to hear about them. We can go 7-10 days between dumps. Thanks in advance!

Here are the spots we are thinking about now. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make the map interactive. This is a screenshot.

[bka0721]

You will do fine, with the plans you have already.

There are lots of places you can escape to with or without 4X4, as there are some amazing roads and regions to explore. If your idea of Quartzite n' such sound exciting, I would stick to those areas. Try Quartzite and go out and explore the region. For the last 8 winters I have spent them boondocking exclusively in the Mojave and Chihuahuan Desert.

As for the guns, you won't need them. You are more at risk in your home than boondocking. Crime Reporting Statistics proves this. But there are plenty of opportunities for shooting, so bring them if you would like.

Two Happy Campers are a great source of information as Melissa writes really well and they are happy to share. Each person/TC owner has their own needs and styles, gather information that best suits your own needs. Avoid those that tell you that you should do it their way.

There are some good articles on exploring in a Truck Camper Magazine, like the article;

Personal Safety in a Truck Camper

checking the site or clicking on the author/byline you will find more information that might help you with your planning and execution.

Have fun!

b

[Geterdone]

Thanks, both Quartzite and Burro sound EXCITING...

[CAJW]

Check out Quartzite, AZ. Lots of boondock opportunities, but you might have to drive a bit on gravel roads for some privacy as lots of snow birds spend the winter there. The up side is you’re not far from fuel, groceries, rv repairs, etc..,if you need them, just be advised it turns into a sea of rv’s near the town from late November till it hits about 95-100 degrees.

[Kayteg1]

I found boodocking with TC pretty hard to do. We like to shower every day and that gives us 2 days before we need to dump. 
That said, I discovered Burro Campground this summer, who is having hot showers. With senior pass it comes to $7 a night and this is the picture across dump station. 
You are in the middle of nowhere, observing the scenery and vultures.
No phone coverage, but I found it actually relaxing.

[bighatnohorse]

Snakes and biting stinging insects tend to hide under rocks or debris. Always use a stick or something, never your hand if you're doing something like building a campfire ring.