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Forum
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RE: Who's hitting the road this summer?
Just got on the road Monday for a family campout with my kids in the E Sierra. Usually do 5 to 6 months ramblin', but probably only 3 to 4 this year with a late start and this virus mess. Probably do more boondocking vs. usual USFS campgrounds. Safe travels to all.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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06/17/20 11:15am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Battery Life?
Sounds like GCs are the way to go. However, my truck camper battery compartment won't hold 2. My 2nd 12v is in the truck bed, ahead of the wheel well. If I put the GC there, I would have to rewire for series vs. parallel. Also would have to put the GC on the ground when I take my camper off the truck. To simplify things, I'll just stick with 27DC and hope another brand gives me better luck.
Thanks for the tips.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/26/20 10:29am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery Life?
Perhaps I'm misunderstanding. I read your post to say your solar charging was only reaching 50%.
I can see why you asked your question. :) My statement was surely not clear. Thanks for pointing it out. I'll see if I can edit it.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/24/20 03:31pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery Life?
Thanks to all for the replies. Below are answers to the questions.
2oldman: I've read multiple times that deep discharges shorten the life of a battery, but 50% is no magic number.
time2roll: Until last week, I used the same controller for 14 years, a Blue Sky MPPT. So, the batteries seem to be the variable here.
pnichols: I figured there was some sort of alternative motive in your post. :B
Ralph
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/24/20 01:50pm |
Tech Issues
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Battery Life?
For the last 14 years I traveled 5-6 months a year in my truck camper. The rest of the year it sits on the jacks in my driveway. I have a 125w solar panel to keep batteries charged while on and off the road. Rarely, if ever, do the batteries go below the 50% charge level. Have no microwave or a/c, so minimal current draw.
Have no records, but I think I've gotten at least 4 years on previous sets of 2. However, one of my 2 "travel seasons" old current set won't hold a charge overnight. After full charge from solar, it reaches 12.2v overnight (per new charge controller with history function).
Current batteries are Interstate 27DC Marine/RV from Costco. I think at least 2 of my previous sets (which lasted longer) were the Costco branded ones.
So, my questions are:
1) Results for anybody having the same Interstate model?
2) What other brands have you used with good results? BTW, not interested in AGM or lithium.
Thanks,
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/24/20 11:16am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway Montana
Renee: I traveled all of the the Scenic Byway last Sept (N to S), after visiting my cousin in Dillon. Very pretty drive. Stayed at Price Creek CG. Back in 2014 I stayed at Lodgepole CG, on the other side of the hwy from Boulder Creek, where you stayed.
Hope all is well in Meridian.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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05/09/20 08:01pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: First visit to Quartzite
I zoomed in on the pics I took in your direction, but didn't spot your rig. I did take a walk N of me a bit to your "row", but still nothing in those pics. That would have been something if I had photographed your rig! :) I did have a pic from Mar 11 and Mar 12 that showed recent rain on the ground. I didn't leave until Mar 13, so it must have continued until then.
Safe travels.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/28/20 05:37pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: First visit to Quartzite
Ha! We may have been there at the same time Ralph.
We definitely were!! How coincidental! I arrived the afternoon of Mar 10 and left a.m. of Mar 13. I looked at the satellite map of both of our locations and see where you were. I probably saw your rig from where I was. Why didn't you come over and say hello? :) :)
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/28/20 10:03am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: First visit to Quartzite
Ralph, I guess that your truck isn't a 4X4?
Nope, only 2WD. However, in 130+K miles of ramblin', that's only the 2nd time I've been stuck and needed help. The first time some kind soul unhitched their truck from their trailer and pulled me out for free! At least I didn't also get the "Q flu" on this trip! :)
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/27/20 09:29am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: First visit to Quartzite
Howdy Ralph - re: stuck in sand - I’m thinking of buying a set of Maxtrax recovery boards for just such an occasion.
Someone else I told about my episode suggested them. I might be too old and stiff to dig and place them, though. I think I'll just be more careful. :)
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/26/20 06:53pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: First visit to Quartzite
Very nice. I like Quartzsite. It has an S in it.
Oops! Thanks for the correction. I'll have to remember that in the future (if I can). :)
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/26/20 03:24pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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First visit to Quartzite
Usually do my ramblin' during the warm months, so Quartzite isn't a good choice then. This winter I decided I'd better check it out, before I hang up my steering wheel.
Left from my home on the central CA coast Feb 28 and returned home on Mar 18. Total mileage was about 1100 mi. Stayed at RV parks in Bakersfield, Barstow, Needles, Joshua Tree and Lancaster. Attended a good bluegrass festival in Lake Havasu, AZ before arriving in the Q area. Spent 5 boondocking nights around Q and one outside of Joshua Tree NP. Below are photo collages of each BLM boondocking spot with brief descriptions and GPS coordinates.
Got back home to a "different world" due to the virus mess. ;( Hope I can get a least a couple of months of ramblin' in this summer. TBD.
https://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/miscphotos/StuckCollage.jpg
https://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/miscphotos/PlamosaCollage.jpg
https://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/miscphotos/KofaCollage.jpg
https://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/miscphotos/RoadRunnerCollage.jpg
https://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/miscphotos/JoshuaTreeCollage.jpg
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/26/20 01:59pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Ramblin' 2019 Video
Cal: Wow, what a photo! Contest winner for sure! :) A much more stormy sky than in mine.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/20/20 01:07pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Do you drink.......
I buy 1 gallon water jugs for drinking, but I do use the onboard tank for brushing my teeth. No problems after 130+K miles and 14 years of half-timing. :)
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/20/20 12:16pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Ramblin' 2019 Video
Many thanks for the watches and comments here! Yes, it does make one antsy to watch nice scenery and be stuck at home. :)
Re MPG: I bought my truck new in late 2005 for my used camper. Looking back at my stats, almost all my years have been 11.0 to 11.4 mpg. Last 3 have been just under 11.0. Now have 196K miles, so maybe it's getting tired (like me). With camper on and loaded with long term stuff, I'm right at GVWR.
Safe travels (when you can travel).
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/20/20 09:26am |
Truck Campers
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Ramblin' 2019 Video
I get around to a YouTube video once a year and I finally finished mine for this year. It's the best photos from my 5 month Ramblin' 2019 trip. My 14th year of ramblin'. See it here . Link to my YouTube channel in signature.
Hopefully there will be Ramblin' 2020 for another video next year (TBD).
Fight off stir-crazy and stay healthy. :)
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/19/20 12:20pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Black spots on ceiling = leak?
Thanks for the additional comments and suggestions. Will let you know the outcome of trying to remove the spots (when I get around to it). Used to use the
de-humidifier crystals on my boat. Will get some of those for camper.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/14/20 09:24am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Black spots on ceiling = leak?
Thanks for the replies! Right after I posted I remembered I hadn't even tried to wipe them off. Just went out and tried with a wet, soapy paper towel. Some came off, some didn't. The ones that didn't appear to be in a shallow indentation in the ceiling. I'll try later with a toothbrush.
My camper is outside in the central CA coast winter and closed most of the time, so mold sounds very possible. Only see it on the ceiling, though.
I agree with the frequent inspection goal, but can't talk the old body into it always. :)
Thanks again,
Ralph
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/13/20 01:30pm |
Truck Campers
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Black spots on ceiling = leak?
Bought my 2001 Lance 14 years ago. Over the last couple of years I've noticed black spots on the ceiling. Pushed on them and they don't seem to be "soft". I'm not very good about caulking maintenance. Getting too old to get up on the roof. :) Think they indicate a leak?
https://www.hogtimemusic.com/nomad/MiscPhotos/CeilingSpots2-crop_.jpeg
Thanks,
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/13/20 11:35am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Plamosa Rd.\ Bouse
The 2nd week of March of this year I camped at Plamosa Rd for 3 nights in my truck camper. Very large area and nearest camper was probably 50 yards away. However, things have probably changed since then. Here's info from the BLM site (see Colorado River District here) re this area now:
Currently, the La Posa North, South, West, and Tyson Wash LTVAs south of Quartzsite, Arizona, and Imperial Dam LTVA in California, remain open to the public, but are at maximum capacity. Capacity is determined in coordination with local, county, and state health and safety officials and on the ability to provide services. Dispersed camping areas near the LTVAs are also full. You should look for alternative camping locations.
BTW, also stayed at Road Runner S of Q and it was very nice.
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Ramblin' Ralph
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04/05/20 10:17am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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