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RE: Bilsteins vs. OEM Dodge shocks
I went from the Rancho 9000s to the Bilsteins. The Ranchos didn't hold up for me with 2 of 4 giving out after one year. I went with Bilstein 4600s and have never looked back. I've used them on two different trucks and love them.
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Mello Mike
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06/18/13 04:37pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: TC vs Pull Behind...????
Ah, the age old dilemma, which class of RV works best for me? This article and poll I wrote last year addresses many of the points you raised. It may help you out.
RV Debate
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Mello Mike
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06/18/13 10:50am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah
Great report, Mike! Those sand pipes are pretty weird -- my DW was just fascinated by them, for some reason -- that's her standing at the base:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AhgEF9XgabY/T8AySpEvDnI/AAAAAAAADb8/Arv1yIdG8fs/s512/sandpipe2.jpg height=600 width=400
Cool! On which trail was that sand pipe located?
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Mello Mike
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06/18/13 08:24am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah
We must have just missed seeing u! :) We arrived on Memorial Day & stay 3 days. It's one of our favorite places to camp. So convient to many good hikes. The best the trip was Willis Creek Slot Canyon.
We left late Friday afternoon. What time did you get there? We looked for other TC'ers but didn't see any.
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Mello Mike
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06/18/13 08:23am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: a man, his dog, fly rod and TC in the Sierras
Looks like a beautiful area, Buzz. I'm going to have to get up there soon.
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Mello Mike
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06/18/13 07:59am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Anybody driven Cottonwood Canyon Rd in Southern Utah?
Just located this page with the latest road conditions for all of the GSENM backways.
GSENM Road Condition Report
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 11:25am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Anybody driven Cottonwood Canyon Rd in Southern Utah?
Yes, if the road is dry it is actually super easy for any vehicle. The Cottonwood Canyon road is kind of a major dirt road and it gets quite a bit of traffic. You'll like it for sure as long as the washboarding is minimal.
Keep in mind that if you are driving up north soon that Hwy 89 south of Page is still closed. When you take Hwy 160 east to Tuba City, there is a good shortcut accross the Rez between Red Lake and Kaibeto. This shortcut only ahs 5 miles of dirt road that is good.
Stop in the Big Water VC to check out and ask for highlights to see on the Cottonwood road.
Rob P.
Excellent! Thanks, Rob. It's the side to side sloping that concerns me the most.
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 10:53am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bilsteins vs. OEM Dodge shocks
Now that makes sense. I have the 4600 series of Bilsteins on my current, unlifted truck. I believe the 5100 series is for lifted 4x4 trucks. No wonder you had such bad rocking and rolling. Yikes!!!
Bilstein 4600 Series Shocks
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 10:10am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Anybody driven Cottonwood Canyon Rd in Southern Utah?
Mike,
I've driven Cottonwood Canyon Road dozens of times. The condition varies dramatically denpending on when it was last graded. If it rains or if the Paria River cuts into it can be really bad or destroyed. I have not driven it this year. Obviously it has not rained much lately so the big concern would be how bad the washboarding is. And the washboards can be so bad you wouldn't want to drive it on a pleasure trip.
It is definitely true that if that road is wet it is impassable. I was once forced to turn around on that road when it was wet in my full size Bronco. The details of that turnaround are even amazing. The mud that forms is the stickiest most slippery I've ever experienced.
You should be able to get a current road condition report from the BLM visitor centers in Big Water or Cannonville.
The views are great from that road. We have used this road to hike Hackberry Canyon, The Box, visit a BLM dinosaur discovery, visit Grosvenor Arch and more.
Rob P.
Thanks, Rob. Looks like you have quite a bit of experience with this road. Assuming the road is dry, do you think my truck and camper combo can safely negotiate this route?
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 10:06am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Anybody driven Cottonwood Canyon Rd in Southern Utah?
Mike,
Cottonwood Canyon Road is one I use frequently, as in good weather it provides a useful and scenic shortcut between U.S. Hwy 89 and Utah 12. There are some great hikes along the way, and of course the country is beautiful. Be warned however, as the road is one of those backways that becomes a trap for the unwary when it rains - See the link for the "Impassable when wet" below.
Listed below are entries are from my previous blog posts and RV.Net trip reports about this wonderful 47 mile dirt road.
Cottonwood Canyon - the Heart of Grand Staircase - Escalante
A Tale of Three Roads - Part 1
Impassable when wet
Eric,
I should've known that you were well acquainted with this road. :) I should've looked at your blog first before asking this question. Looks like you've had some adventures with that route. I hope I never catch myself in a situation like that. Getting stuck is not my idea of fun. :)
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 10:03am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah
Mike
Another great rip report and I really enjoy them. I had to chuckle when I read the part about very few others walking the trails. Unfortunately alot of that is today's society. The word "exercise" is not in alot of people's vocabulary. But its great for folks like us who like the trail systems all to ourselves. LOL
So true, Kerry, so true. :)
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 08:32am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Anybody driven Cottonwood Canyon Rd in Southern Utah?
Mike,
The first time, we took several day, camping and hiking along the way. The second time, it took about four hours, but we were just motoring along.
Steve
Sounds great, thanks!
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 08:11am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Problems with bears and cougars....
I witnessed a black bear incident that was very funny although it could have been serious had things been a little different.
On the Cades Cove loop in the Smokies, a large Mama-bear and two cubs crossed the road and caused a bear jam. A bunch of cars stopped and were taking pictures thru the windows.
Of course, in every crowd there always has to be at least one or more idiots! This van pulls up and 4 people jump out and run toward the cubs to get a picture. Mama-bear sends the cubs up a tree and the photographers keep coming closer to the cubs. At this point Mama-bear does a bluff charge toward them that happens so fast it is over in the blink of an eye. If she had not stopped she would have bull-dozed all 4 of them before they could even think of moving.
As the 4 dove back toward the van and peeled away (probably toward the closest laundry!) we were laughing so hard we couldn't breath.
When you hear people tell you that 500 pound bears can run at 35 mph for short bursts, believe them :)
That is pretty funny. However, if that was a Grizzly with her cubs it would've ended up quite different. Mama Grizzlies don't mess around.
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 07:34am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Anybody driven Cottonwood Canyon Rd in Southern Utah?
Mike,
We have with our truck and large canopy (small camper). There are some nice hikes as well as some nice places to camp along the way. As long as it is dry, the road is fine for all types of vehicles (not towing) However, I wouldn't go anywhere near that road if it has recently rained (or if rain is in the forecast).....
Have a nice trip,
Steve
Cool! Thanks, Steve. How long did the drive take you? 4 hours? 6 hours? My curiosity in this route has been peaked by recently driving the first 9 miles to Kodachrome Basin State Park.
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 06:50am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bilsteins vs. OEM Dodge shocks
Something isn't right with the installation or the shocks. Bilsteins are perhaps the best shock on the market. Are you sure the shocks they installed were brand new and were properly installed? I've owned severals sets of Bilsteins on various rigs and could never do what you described.
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 06:47am |
Truck Campers
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Anybody driven Cottonwood Canyon Rd in Southern Utah?
I'm doing some research for our next trip and was curious if anyone has driven this road in their 4x4 or 4x2 truck camper. The scenery along this route looks pretty spectacular.
Here's some info on the route if you're curious:
Cottonwood Canyon Rd. Scenic Byway
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Mello Mike
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06/17/13 06:17am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah
Thanks, everyone.
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Mello Mike
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06/16/13 08:28pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Wolf Creek 850 - dinette vs roll-over sofa
After trying to convince myself to go with a used lance 815 or a 845 I came back to the Wolf Creek 850 and actually pulled the trigger. Rumor has it that my camper will be the first 2014....and if the changes on the Northwood Mfg website are any indication she should be a beauty!!! 6 to 7 weeks the countdown has begun! Oh and to wrap up this thread I did order the sofa option. I guess it may be appropriate to start a new thread with photos when it is finally here?!!
I, too, looked hard at a Lance 845, but went with the WC 850. What options did you decide on?
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Mello Mike
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06/16/13 02:52pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: So what did you do to your Truck Camper today?
In finally installed the remaining 5 LED clearance lights on front of the camper, washed it and the truck and then installed the Fantastic Fan vent cover on the new roof. Going to order the red (back) clearance LED lights next.
Dak
Alright, Dak! You know the drill. If you don't include pics, it never happened! :)
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Mello Mike
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06/16/13 11:56am |
Truck Campers
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Trip Report: Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah
This topic has been moved to another forum.
You can read it here: 27022113
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Mello Mike
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06/16/13 09:15am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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