| Pages:
1
2 |
El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
Member Is Offline
|
|
Crazy idea? South on a Rhino
I've been thinking of buying a used Yamaha Rhino for use at our place on the near east cape. My quad is getting tired and it would be nice to have
something I could haul a couple grand kids around in.
So here is the crazy part. I'm fantasizing about driving it down from Tecate ( or ??) this winter on dirt roads as much as possible. Seems like it
would be a great adventure to camp and hotel it along the way.
I'm pretty much done with highway 1 after about 100 trips over the years. These days we fly. But seeing some new dirt road stuff i haven't seen would
make a trip down memorable.
Naturally I would have the rig checked out thoroughly before attempting this and would expect to take at least a week+ for the journey. A couple
hundred miles a day, max. And I'd have a buddy with me to share the pain.
My destination is on the east cape road near La Fortuna between San Jose del and Cabo Pulmo. My Yamaha quad has worked flawlessly for 14 years, so I
hope a Rhino would as well. But yes, it would be a drag to get stranded. What could possibly go wrong?  Route recommendations, advice and general comments welcome!
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64492
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Tom, sounds like fun... Get an inReach or Spot so we can follow or at least get you help if needed. The inReach and newer Spots allow you to
communicate messages rather than just send your location and SOS.
Why not use Hwy. 5 and avoid all those towns and cities on Hwy. 1? You are not afraid of dirt roads!
|
|
|
El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks David. Yes have driven Hwy 5 many times. Better way to go indeed.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
|
|
|
RnR
Senior Nomad
Posts: 836
Registered: 5-1-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
Follow the route (or selected parts) of the Baja 1000 from northern Baja to La Paz. Pretty much dirt the whole way.
And, you could mark one off of the bucket list, '"run the Baja 1000".
From La Paz to the East Cape is easy. The coast road from Los Planes to Barriles. From there, I am sure that you know the way.
Buen Suerte.
|
|
|
4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4167
Registered: 4-24-2009
Location: La Paz, BCS
Member Is Online
Mood: happy - always
|
|
great idea!
Harald Pietschmann
|
|
|
bkbend
Senior Nomad
Posts: 693
Registered: 11-27-2003
Location: central OR or central baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
I was spending the night once in San Ignacio and some folks in the room next to us had arrived from San Felipe on Rzrs. They said they did only about
5 miles on pavement. That's half the way there.
|
|
|
bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2423
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
|
|
El Jefe little words of wisdom. Im a off road nut since late 60s to date. I did in fact buy a Rhino. Do NOT Buy one. Engine between driver and
copilot seat. It makes so much racket it sounds like. Driving a passenger Van with engine cover off. Problem number two Engine heat to driver and
copilot real bad. Pay more get the Razor only problem they have rubber belt drive in time breaks. So you need carry spare or change when worn.
|
|
|
bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2423
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
|
|
El Jefe little words of wisdom. Im a off road nut since late 60s to date. I did in fact buy a Rhino. Do NOT Buy one. Engine between driver and
copilot seat. It makes so much racket it sounds like. Driving a passenger Van with engine cover off. Problem number two Engine heat to driver and
copilot real bad. Pay more get the Razor only problem they have rubber belt drive in time breaks. So you need carry spare or change when worn.
|
|
|
ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
|
|
x2 on the rhino. Way too hot. I had an Arctic cat that was the same way too.
|
|
|
El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
Member Is Offline
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  | | El Jefe little words of wisdom. Im a off road nut since late 60s to date. I did in fact buy a Rhino. Do NOT Buy one. Engine between driver and
copilot seat. It makes so much racket it sounds like. Driving a passenger Van with engine cover off. Problem number two Engine heat to driver and
copilot real bad. Pay more get the Razor only problem they have rubber belt drive in time breaks. So you need carry spare or change when worn.
|
Thanks! This is the kind of feedback I need. Come to think of it I have a friend who has a Rhino and has to wear big ear protectors. OK, back to
Craigslist.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
|
|
|
bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2423
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
|
|
Yes ED engine in back no racket no heat. The rhino rest your arm normal thing to do on engine cover. You have burned yourself after many mods. I did
for more cooling sound proofing. All did not help very happy it is gone.
|
|
|
ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider | | Yes ED engine in back no racket no heat. The rhino rest your arm normal thing to do on engine cover. You have burned yourself after many mods. I did
for more cooling sound proofing. All did not help very happy it is gone. |
I put in a big stereo. Only time I could hear it was when I was parked and engine off.
|
|
|
caj13
Senior Nomad
Posts: 998
Registered: 8-1-2017
Member Is Offline
|
|
The Baja XL people say you can complete their whole event in a side by side (excluding the short USDA section)
|
|
|
advrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1847
Registered: 10-2-2015
Member Is Offline
|
|
What a plan, go for it in a RZR as others have said! Had a rhino and they are way out dated, at least get an 800, or better a 1000 with power
steering! The power steering is so nice and makes driving it much more fun. But whatever you get make the trip, with some planning you can do almost
all dirt.
|
|
|
Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6741
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
|
|
I agree with the RZR being a better choice. However I like my Ranger it can more easily carry tools, spare parts camp gear and gas. For the spare tire
make sure it will fit the front and rear.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
|
|
|
advrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1847
Registered: 10-2-2015
Member Is Offline
|
|
Nothing wrong with the rangers either, several guys I know have them and they hold up good. Rhinos are cheap but most have been beat pretty bad along
with the other issues people pointed out.
|
|
|
basautter
Senior Nomad
Posts: 862
Registered: 7-1-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
Sounds like a great trip! I agree with earlier posts that you need some type of communication device beyond a cell phone (SPOT, inReach or Sat
phone). Also, I would find out if the Rhino has any inherent design issues, and bring spare parts accordingly. The most common issues I see with
UTVs are flat tires and broken CVT belts. Otherwise, have fun!
|
|
|
El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
Member Is Offline
|
|
Great input Guys! An InReach will be used for sure. And as far as the rig goes the Rhino is out. RZR or Ranger most likely. I'm kind of leaning to
Ranger at this moment because it looks more like what I need. Hauling folks, beach chairs, cooler, umbrella and surf boards down to the beach will be
it's new mission in life. No dune jumping and race suspension needed. Prices on used Ranger four-seaters are closer to what I want to spend as well.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
|
|
|
Craig B
Newbie
Posts: 14
Registered: 10-4-2018
Member Is Offline
|
|
These machines are great fun down here. A great point was made about the mid engine machines being noisy but they are also a pain to get to service
points. The 800 RZR is a good example, have to take the back apart just to check the oil, and most of these machines do use a bit so it's important to
check every morning.
Changing the belt is the same issue, a pain....Sounds like a great adventure though, we love taking multi day rides...
|
|
|
motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
|
|
A trip like what you are considering for sure would be a great adventure. I have no experience owning Ranger/RZR type vehicles , but have about 26
years riding dirtbikes all over Baja on multi-day trips and day riding. Whatever rig you end up with, use it stateside in similar terrain for a
several day trip (camping raises the demand for vehicle prep, etc) and see how it works for your needs and holds up mechanically before you set out on
a Trans-Baja adventure. Work the kinks out before you rip out of Tecate or Mexicali....
I have witnessed a lot of folks coming up with a great idea for Baja adventuring and are woefully under-prepared/equipped....mechanically and
strategically.
Hauling a cooler and a few lawnchairs to the beach is a whole different trip than pounding sand and rocks for days on end....
You have a dream that is worth operationalizing.....hope you do it.
Don't believe everything you think....
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
