BajaNomad - First time trip questions.

First time trip questions.

willyAirstream - 9-10-2010 at 08:17 PM

I'm crossing at Tecate tomorrow , Sat, Sept 11th and have a few newbie questions. I'm driving a custom '63 Willys ( new HD suspension, fresh 360 engine, new 3 core radiator etc) pulling a heavy 24' Airstream. I'm travelling alone, not counting my 2 dogs. I overheated on rt 94 coming from the east into Campo, near Tecate. There were several vehicles overheated and radiator water every 1/4 mile. Now I'm nervous. If you know the road (94) is this typical conditions on Mex 1? Alot of Steep climbs?
2nd question - Are there RV Parks near the highway in the major cites? Will I have trouble finding a one?
3rd question - A request actually. If someone has some extra room and is going to La Paz or LB, flag me down

I need to loose some weight! Weight being a pop up canopy, a small A/C, and some hand tools. I know it is a long shot, but if someone could do that it would be terrific as I hate to give those things up and afraid of overheating again.
Thanks

rig looks like
this
http://360panoramas.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSCN5345....
blog - http://360panoramas.com

[Edited on 9-11-2010 by willyAirstream]

DENNIS - 9-10-2010 at 08:24 PM

There are some steep hills on the Tecate Road down to Ensenada not to mention twenty miles of BS road work. I would go over to San Ysidro.
You won't miss hills, that's for sure. They're everywhere.......and you should bring plenty of water.
Are you sure you're ready for this trip....middle of summer and all?

gnukid - 9-10-2010 at 08:25 PM

A key to reducing overheating is to use a coolant reservoir to reduce the chance of any air bubbles, a coolant reservoir can be purchased at any auto parts store and installed on site if you don't have one yet.

There are two major hills one in TJ which you'll pass early and the other after El Rosario I think which is more critical, you should definitely watch your fluid levels prior and keep high rpm to increase fan and water flow.

As far as weight you might just leave those extra items behind for someone else later on, you do not need ac after the next few weeks until next year and you can make a canopy or pick one up later.

[Edited on 9-11-2010 by gnukid]

bajabass - 9-10-2010 at 08:32 PM

There are a couple serious uphills Willy, but I may be more concerned about the downhills! Have you done a power disc upgrade? Do you have good trailer brakes? Take the uphills in what ever gear works, and really controls your speed on the downside. Those old Willys/ Jeeps were not known for real strong brakes. They did not need them, they were slow. Great looking rig! Be safe and enjoy!

willyAirstream - 9-10-2010 at 09:09 PM

Well, I'm convinced, I'll get a storage unit! I'll slim down to just the esentials. Disc brakes in front, drums in rear. willys powertrain is from a wagoneer, willy frame, but almost everything else is wagoneer or new. I installed a 1 1/2 gallon reservoir, before I left. Tomorrow i will add another or a larger one. Running 70% antifreeze, so not boiling over, just redlining the temp guage! I will change to a heavier oil also. I have an auxillary elec fan too, it was on when overheating occured. Carrying plenty of water ( 7 gallons enough?)
Yeah, wish it wasn't middle of the hot season, but...
I hope to avoid the construction ( I must avoid it

by taking Blvd 2000, the unmarked one. mex 2 to mex 1.

One more newbie question - is there an auto parts store and storage units near Tecate?

Thanks for the quick replys! You've put me somewhat at ease.

BajaDanD - 9-10-2010 at 09:17 PM

Cut over to SD get a storage unit there. Cross at San Yesidro and take coast route to avoid road work. Take it slow whenever you can.
Good Luck

bajaguy - 9-10-2010 at 09:19 PM

Ix-nay, Ix-nay.....

Otay crossing. 2 storage unit businesses near crossing, then take Blvd 2000 to free road/toll road south

gnukid - 9-10-2010 at 09:21 PM

I don't think another reservoir will change much except perhaps add risk of trouble, I thought the goal of a reservoir was to reduce any air gaps within the system.

There is nothing wrong with stopping during high temps-say 12pm to 5pm and just continue with progress when you can. You have the rest of your life.

[Edited on 9-11-2010 by gnukid]

gnukid - 9-10-2010 at 09:30 PM

wileyairstream

I wish we were driving together...

willyAirstream - 9-10-2010 at 09:46 PM

gnukid - you would out shine me! My paint job is a 10! ( looks ok from 10 ft away )I hope to get a paint job while in LB area.
Is that a yellowstone trailer? Very cool set up! We Should be caravanning

I renovated a Yellowstone once, client spent $28,000 on it.
Reading up on "overheating", loose some weight, add water wetter, decrease antifreeze %, and don't drive when it extemely hot

You're right, I don't need to hurry.

bajaguy - is Otay crossing difficult with a trailer? someone somewhere said it was.

bajadan - city traffic and an 8' wide trailer - ties my stomach in knots

Thanks again!

gnukid - 9-10-2010 at 10:01 PM

The cost of storage unit is high, up to $100 month or more, just bring the items along and gift them if it's too much weight, then get new/used when you can. Storage units are very ineffecient use of your resources.

Your temp problem could be a radiator cap issue. Try a different cap with greater pressure lbs rating-experiment.

I don't see why you need 7 gallons of water when you will be passing water stores every 50 miles. They'll have cold water.

Maderita - 9-10-2010 at 10:29 PM

I respectfully disagree with a lot of the advice given.
Carry the 7 gallons of water. You are so ridiculously heavy that a few pounds means little. You will need that water to get going again should you boil over.
A larger overflow tank is not going to make it run cooler. Heavier oil will also create more drag in the engines' rotating assembly, robbing some efficiency. A higher pressure radiator cap will not make it run cooler, it just raises the temperature at which boil-over occurs.

The #1 problem is:
"Running 70% antifreeze..."
Etyhlene glycol type antifreeze does not dissipate the heat well when in concentrations that high! *** Reduce your mixture to 50% ***
(WillyAirstream had that right).

Plan to drive desert sections in the cool part of the day.
Turn on the heater for the long upgrades if it is already running hot. The heater core is like an additional little radiator under the dash. Turn off air conditioning if you have it. Not pleasant, but I've resorted to that trick, which made the crucial difference.
If overheating on a long grade, you could pull over at a turnout. Leave the engine running and spray some water through the grill at the front of the radiator.

bajaguy - 9-10-2010 at 10:35 PM

No problems with Blvd 2000. Some slight grades when approaching Hwy 1, but you should be able to make it without any problems

Bajatripper - 9-10-2010 at 11:24 PM

Quote:

If someone has some extra room and is going to La Paz or LB, flag me down I need to loose some weight! Weight being a pop up canopy, a small A/C, and some hand tools. I know it is a long shot, but if someone could do that it would be terrific as I hate to give those things up and afraid of overheating again.
Thanks

I don't have any extra room, but I'll follow close behind, for when you need to unload some of that excess weight :lol:

BajaDanD - 9-10-2010 at 11:58 PM

What city traffic are you talking about. You dont need to go all the way into SD there are storage places right off the freeway. Otay mesa crossing there are storage places. Ive never crossed into Mex from there only out. so dont know about pulling a trailer in there.
How much weight can you drop? sounds like it wont matter much.
Still think you should take the Scenic route/toll road from TJ to avoid road construction and the steep single lane road out of Tecate. The toll road is 2 lane each direction with no steep grades up or down. Either way you still have to drive through Ensenada and then you have to drive Mex 1
You think pulling that trailer through the city turns your stomach in knots. Man are you in for a thrill ride.

David K - 9-11-2010 at 12:41 AM

Why did he wait to the last minute to ask these questions?

There is construction south of Ensenada and south of El Rosario... so that is unavoidable using Hwy. 1.

Oh, and NEVER blend more than 50% anti freeze with water... never!

cabo3100 - 9-11-2010 at 08:19 AM

OH Crap TOPE!!!!!!~ :fire:

mtgoat666 - 9-11-2010 at 08:43 AM

looks like you already got some good advice. you made it from colo to tecate and only overheated in campo, so assuming nothing broke in campo, sounds like you will do ok -- just change that radiator fluid, and carry extra water.

yes, there are a number of long grades on mexico hwy 1 (someone mistakenly told you just 2 long grades). some long and steep, some are long and gentle.

that is a heavy load, and maybe old radiator. have you considered putting in larger/more efficient radiator? is your water pump pumping quickly enough? if you got slow water pump or undersize radiator, you will have problem on hot days.

BooJumMan - 9-11-2010 at 11:19 AM

I'd double check to make sure there is no air in the system. You've probably already done it, but run the engine with the cap off and get rid of the air.

Also I'd probably just remove the thermostat until I figured out what to do. But, dont take my advice since I am not a mechanic.

Nice truck though!

Skipjack Joe - 9-11-2010 at 12:13 PM

Goat is right - there are a lot more than 2 upgrades in your journey. Google map the highway below El Roasrio and it will become evident. It's up and down for a 100 miles all the way past Catavina. Then there's the Santa Rosalia grade coming back. And another doosey between Pt Escondido and Constitucion.

And yes, there will be plenty of RV parks available for you. Rancho St Ynez at Catavina has a huge open space for you to park in peaceful surroundings.

DENNIS - 9-11-2010 at 12:25 PM

Hey Willy...Are you going to leave the trailer down there or try to bring it back up?

BajaBlanca - 9-12-2010 at 04:52 AM

yesterday, Les and I took some of the bicycle club kids to Vizcaino so that they could ride the trail before the day of the BIG race ....driving back from Vizcaino to La Bocana, in the afternoon, at about 4,

THE TEMPERATURE WENT FROM 95 down to 75

in the last 5 miles to the coast.

willyAirstream - 9-12-2010 at 06:36 PM

Well, just finished Dinner at Mama Espinosa's, parking here for free, internet for free, whoo hooo. Crab Barritos by the way. Anyhow, took Sat off to change radiator fluid ratio, checked thermosate etc. Fouind a new friend near Tercate to stash some of my stuff until I can arrange a pick up. Crossed at Tecate at 8 am and proceeded tpo miss blvd 2000 amnd ended up on Mex 3. Sooooo 20 miles of construction road ( glad it was a Sunday, no heavy work. I bounced around, went up hills at 5 mph and only had a slight temp. rise at trhe military check point ( see trip report soon). Anyhow, Mex 3 and Mex 1 were no where near as bad as I thought from readimng the forum, sure you have got to be aware and drive like a bull fighter, but not really bad. Mex 3 wiith a trailer Should be avoided tho, it felt like 200 miles of wash board and took 2 hoirs for 20 miles. Anyhow, all is well, thanks to all for the advice, especially the detailed u2u's!!

Dennis- I plan bring it back and forth, why do you ask?

Have a new rad, 3 core, heavy duty.

The key to problem = "ridiculously heavy" by Maderita
Thanks! Got rid of 400 lbs, now only slightly heavy. Knew those tricks, except spraying rad, good to know.

Thanks to all
on to GN in the AM

David K - 9-12-2010 at 08:19 PM

Thanks for letting us know how you are doing Willy!

DENNIS - 9-12-2010 at 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willyAirstream
Dennis- I plan bring it back and forth, why do you ask?

No real reason. Just wondered. Sounds as tho you're on top of it all. Good luck.

toneart - 9-12-2010 at 08:54 PM

Willy,

I only saw this now. I have the name and phone number of a mobile mechanic in El Cajon who solved a problem very quickly for a woman friend with whom I was caravaning, last year. He came right out to our motel. But now it is too late for that.

Sounds like you have solved your problems for the trip down, and have managed some very steep terrain. With a new engine and a new radiator, you should not be having overheating problems. Maybe some Nomads can offer suggestions for a dependable mechanic to check it out, somewhere along your itinerary.

Perhaps the vehicle and its radiator is just too small to haul all that weight, as suggested by others. You have now handled that too.

I, like Dennis, wondered if you are bringing the trailer back, only because that grade just north of Santa Rosalia is probably the steepest you will ever encounter.

Good luck in your travels! You are now a veteran Nomad. :yes:

willyAirstream - 9-13-2010 at 06:16 PM

I'm in GN now, great fresh sea scallop dinner at Malarrieo's, 175p and rv space, shower and elec for 18usd. Perfect!
Taking it slow and easy. Yes, the overheating problem has not occurred again and I have been in steep grades and crawling behind trucks at 3pm at 5 mph. I feel confident about the cooling now. When you add it all up, I'm carrying alot of weight, even still. When/if I bring the trailer back, it will be much lighter! Never this much stuff again!! My dog Gunner is anxious to meet Paco! and explore Mulege! tomorrows goal. I will probably spend a day at Santispac or Coyote.
Just remembered, Paco is not there yet, right?.

Can someone recommend a spot to stay 1/2 way between Mulege and LB?

Thanks to this great community for putting me at ease and for the great tips.

toneart - 9-13-2010 at 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willyAirstream
I'm in GN now, great fresh sea scallop dinner at Malarrieo's, 175p and rv space, shower and elec for 18usd. Perfect!
Taking it slow and easy. Yes, the overheating problem has not occurred again and I have been in steep grades and crawling behind trucks at 3pm at 5 mph. I feel confident about the cooling now. When you add it all up, I'm carrying alot of weight, even still. When/if I bring the trailer back, it will be much lighter! Never this much stuff again!! My dog Gunner is anxious to meet Paco! and explore Mulege! tomorrows goal. I will probably spend a day at Santispac or Coyote.
Just remembered, Paco is not there yet, right?.

Can someone recommend a spot to stay 1/2 way between Mulege and LB?

Thanks to this great community for putting me at ease and for the great tips.

Yup! Paco is not there yet. Pull through The Orchard and pass by my casita #90 and give me a report. The roads are good in there and your trailer can pass through easily. Tell any neighbor that you see, that I sent you through.

Tony

willyAirstream - 9-13-2010 at 08:45 PM

Will do! Thanks, Tony

willyAirstream - 9-14-2010 at 10:39 PM

Quote:

only because that grade just north of Santa Rosalia is probably the steepest you will ever encounter.

Holy Moly, glad I didn't have to drive up that grade! Down was bad enough! the trailer and I will have to retire here, too steep to get home

Any more grades as steep as that between Mulege and LB?

I'm going to chill here for a few days.

Tony, you're house is fine, but leave more food next time and I couldn't find the boat keys. NOBODY around. I was going to stay there , in RV park, but the sign is down and no rv'ers ( yet?) Looks like very little clean up has been done, based on Pompanos post from last year.
Mulege is heaven btw.

[Edited on 9-15-2010 by willyAirstream]

David K - 9-15-2010 at 08:43 AM

The next big grade is south of Loreto when you climb up the mountain to go to Insurgentes/ Constitucion and south... It is not as steep as the Santa Rosalia one!