RE: Snow: how deep is too deep for camping?
Or you could go with zero snow -- 8000 ft in the Az strip.
link 1
link 2
And if you get tired of that, you could go to Toroweap or Whitmore Canyon Overlook. .
RE: Denali Hwy vs Fairbanks?
I think it really depends on whether you prefer a city or the wilderness. I enjoyed camping along the Denali Highway much more than the sights in Fairbanks. Many places to camp, hike, and explore.
Here a picture of the mountain from the highway.
http://www.ctwillis.com/Alaska/all_photos/111_1135.JPG width=640
RE: Inverter charging the camper from the trucks batteries.
Wouldn't the efficiency loss be realized only in fuel economy which should be inconsequential?
I'd agree with the first part -- the engine is the energy source in both charge methods. Don't know about inconsequential - but probably. You - as in not me - have to know all the factors and do the calculation.
Heavy duty 12v is cheap, easy, extremely well tested, and known to work.
RE: Inverter charging the camper from the trucks batteries.
Good idea for reducing transmission loss but, imo, loss of efficiency converting 12v to 120v and back to 12v negates the advantage.
I would, and did, stick with the native 12v connected through 2 gauge wire.
RE: VTR - virtual trip report, my last one
Thanks all for the generous comments and compliments.
About 'old' -- I said I was 75, not old. My hope for all of you is that you're in as good condition as I am when you're 75.
And Dave -- keep watching those mirrors. You never know who's coming up behind you in a brand new 2019 GMC Duramax/Allison 3500 long bed dually carrying a 6000 lb Host Mammoth triple slide.
Won't be me -- but still, you never know.
VTR - virtual trip report, my last one
I've had some great trips and it's been a lot of fun, but now my truck and camper are sold, and I'm out of the T and TR business. Though I still feel great, at 75 it's probably time for me to stop being out in the wilderness 50 - 100 miles from any 'civilization'. (even with a personal locator device) Really not interested in touring campgrounds.
Thanks again to Steve_in_29 and the late, great Don Curley for helping me get the camper setup right (for me) the first time. (equipment) Also thanks to everyone's offroad camping inspiration, Dave Rogers (Whazoo).
(btw, he'll never admit it, but Whazoo copied my rig. My truck was 2006, his 2007 - you figure it out)
So here's a 'highlight' reel for anyone interested. All real TRs are on my web site -- www.ctwillis.com
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Initial%20pickup/photos/100_0059.JPG width=640
Initial checkout -- on the Poudre River, not far from Outfitter, and much better that a freeway campground.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Initial%20pickup/photos/100_0077.JPG width=640
Salt River canyon, Az
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/capesolitude.JPG width=640
1st real trip, Cape Solitude, overlooking the Colorado, Little Colorado confluence. One of my favorite places.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/North%20Rim/photos/100_0459.JPG width=640
My 'younger' daze.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/North%20Rim/photos/100_0445.JPG width=640
The LCR. I razzed Whazoo for hiking 2 days to get here, when I could drive - but did he really? I took a similar picture at max resolution and max telephoto to see for sure --
http://www.ctwillis.com/donuts4.jpg width=640
-- and there it is. Proof positive that Whazoo was there!
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/North%20Rim/photos/100_0496.JPG width=640
Another fantastic spot on the north rim -- suggested by Eric seldomseen Smith.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/North%20Rim/photos/100_0551.JPG width=640
The Toroweap overlook.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/CoronadoTrail/photos/100_0804.JPG width=640
San Pedro river valley, near my home.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/CoronadoTrail/photos/100_0823.JPG width=640
Monument Valley in winter
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/SanRafaelSwell/photos/DSC02626.jpg width=640
Seeing double with Whazoo
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/2010trip/photos/IMG_0106.JPG width=640
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/2010trip/photos/IMG_0346.JPG width=640
Alexandia Falls, Hay River, Northwest Territory
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/2010trip/photos/IMG_0413.JPG width=640
Bear Flat, British Columbia
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/2010trip/photos/IMG_0566.JPG width=640
Big Sur, California coast
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/NorthRim2010/photos/IMG_0609.JPG width=640
Steamboat Mountain, CG north rim
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/NorthRim2010/photos/IMG_0665.JPG width=640
Sunset on the north rim
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_0964.JPG width=640
On the rim of Dark Canyon -- only tracks are mine. Another of my favorite places.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_0958.JPG width=640
Dark Canyon
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_1029.JPG width=640
Near the Burr Trail, overlooking Bullfrog marina.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_1052.JPG width=640
Hole-in-the-rock
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_1102.JPG width=640
Left Hand Collet Canyon Road
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_1119.JPG width=640
Smokey Mountain Road
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_1141.JPG width=640
North side, Lake Powell
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/052013/photos/124_1659.JPG width=640
Best spot on the Mogollon Rim
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/127_1773.JPG width=640
Mt Doom -- Grand Tetons
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/127_1813.JPG width=640
Dempster Highway, Yukon
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/127_1804.JPG width=640
Klondike River
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/127_1831.JPG width=640
2nd time at the Arctic Circle
http://www.ctwillis.com/Alaska/all_photos/112_1237.JPG width=640
1st time, Dalton Highway, Alaska, 2005
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/bear%203.JPG width=640
Camp visitor
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/127_1934.JPG width=640
Saddlebag Lake, Tioga Pass
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Parashant/photos/138_2156.JPG width=640
Near Twin Point, Grand Canyon Parashant
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Parashant/whitmore.jpg width=640
Full size image - worth a look.
Whitmore Canyon Overlook, GC Parashant -- yet another of my favorite places, and likely the best spot on the north rim.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Parashant/photos/138_2216.JPG width=640
'Lake Colorado' have been something to see.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Parashant/photos/138_2201.JPG width=640
Near the bottom of the Overlook 'trail'.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/TontoNF/photos/144_2301.JPG width=640
Salt River Canyon Wilderness
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/TontoNF/photos/144_2308.JPG width=640
The real Salt River, before being tamed for Phoenix.
The most free flowing water in Az (other than the Colorado)
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/TontoNF/photos/144_2384.JPG width=640
High in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/TontoNF/photos/144_2425.JPG width=640
East (more difficult) side, Sheep Bridge on the Verde River
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/TontoNF/photos/144_2442.JPG width=640
The Verde River
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2535.JPG width=640
Bottom of the Shafer Trail, starting on the While Rim
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2576.JPG width=640
The infamous, but trivial, hogback
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2621.JPG width=640
Very scenic camping
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2640.JPG width=640
Labyrinth camp - best spot on the WRT, imo.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2654.JPG width=640
10000+ feet in the Manti-La Sal NF. -- 25 degrees cooler thatn on the WRT
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2658.JPG width=640
Muley Point
Muley Point panorama here
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Ca%20Mountains/photos/146_2703.JPG width=640
Central coast mountains, near Big Sur, overlooking the Pacific
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Ca%20Mountains/photos/0921151444-00.jpg width=640
Leavitt Lake, off the Sonora Pass in the Sierra Mountains
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/E%20Az/photos/149_2992.JPG width=640
Origin of the Little Colorado River, 10000 ft on the slope of Mt Baldy
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/E%20Az/photos/149_2943.JPG width=640
Gila River - still free flowing,a little NE of Tucson
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/SkyIslands/photos/IMG_3223.JPG width=640
Dragoon Mountains, SE Az, location of the Cochise Stronghold
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/SkyIslands/photos/IMG_3247.JPG width=640
'The Gate', near the top of China Peak
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/SkyIslands/photos/IMG_3258.JPG width=640
A fun drive - to a great place to camp
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0216a.JPG width=640
Top of Bobby's Hole -- back door access to Needle District, Canyonlands
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0218a.jpg width=640
Somewhat difficult coming back up -- often much worse.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0227a.JPG width=640
And the end of the trial for me, and as it turned out -- that top part could lay the camper right on the rocks. Looking forward to jefe4x4 making this trip.
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0238a.JPG width=640
Back at one of my 3 favorite places -- rim of Dark Canyon
http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0239a.JPG width=640
RE: Popup truck camper with soft sides
I did it for 2 months a long time ago. Teklanika campground in Denali had a no popup camper rule, but that was for trailers. They considered a truck camper to be far enough off the ground.
But you realize, of course, that an Alaskan Brown bear (and others) gets into anything it wants to - hard side, soft side, whatever. I would not expect that to be a problem, though, unless you are extremely careless.
RE: SRW TC size/weight limit
I would imagine your weight limit would be determined by your tire load capacity. I know it is for my 2006 Duramax. 2 * tire capacity - empty weight on rear wheels = absolute max upper weight limit. The axle capacity in a Duramax is way over 10000 lbs.
And if you start pushing the tire limit, you may need spring upgrades of some style to be happy with the ride.
RE: Don't bend your flimsy steel truck bed
I put a 2x6 crossways at the very front of the truck bed
bradw
You can't fool me, you old fox. I know you put a rubber strip under the 2x6 to protect the truck bed.
importing a truck
Do any Canadian members have the real details about importing a U.S. truck into Canada.
This page https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/road/importing-vehicle/purchased-united-states.html only has the unhelpful generalization that "A vehicle modified from its original state may not qualify to be imported into Canada. Canadian-owned vehicles modified in the U.S. also may not qualify for return to Canada. Examples can include: "
I'm not doing it, but I'm looking for details. For instance, I've added HD top overload springs to carry my truck camper weight, which do nothing when the truck is empty. Is that not allowed?
What about an Eaton electric locker in the front axle. Is that no good?
Camper mirrors? A camper battery charge circuit?
I have emailed the Registrar of Imported Vehicles, but no reply yet.
Thanks for any info
RE: Tripping ol man winter
Dave, I didn't think it was possible, but your photography just keeps getting better and better. Fan-fword-tastic!
Definitely different county than the mountains, and canyons of Az and Ut, but just as amazing to travel.
One question: where's the sled??? So the dogs can pull you home in case of a real snow storm (which was a real possibility).
RE: TR/3 : Threading the Needles (Canyonlands) part way
Modest addition:
I have slightly sturdier wheels: 16x7 steel (not aluminum - never a bend, crack or other problem) GM 3500 wheels for my slightly oversize 265/75R16 tires.
I also have a winch. Deliberately smaller, with synthetic cable, so that I can mount it front or rear in the field. Combined with an 18,000 lb snatch block, that's up to 16,000 lb pull on the truck.
RE: 25 Worst States To Retire In
All the colds states are a bad place to retire. Need sun and warm temps for a proper retirement.
Hey!!! Keep quite about this, will you please?
