dshock
Junior Nomad
Posts: 33
Registered: 3-7-2007
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Baja Bound - 1700 miles down!!
After a couple month of rig preparation, we are on the move! We left Monday from Cross Timbers, MO for San Clemente, CA. According to mapquest, this
was a 1600 mile jaunt that should take 24 hours. 31 hours later we rolled into my couzin's driveway! And, it wasn't cruiser's fault. I drove 73-81
mph most of the trip. I did have a couple hours of extreme headwind in NM/AZ that held me under 60, and another stretch in the Palm Desert of 70 mph
+ gusting that again slowed us down. But, overall the truck performed quite well and we were comfortable the whole trip. We have to fly up to Boston
for a couple days, but we will be back on Saturday for some surfing lessons and off to Baja on Monday. Overall, I am confident with the rig after
driving it about 3500 miles in the last two weeks.
I made a few final modifications. Mainly, I mounted the roof top tent. I love it! It is a great modification. We tried it out at a state park in
NM and we were very comfortable! I finished off the rear airbags and with 50 psi in them, they balance the truck quite nicely! And, finally, I added
1/4" spacers all the way around. I gained back most of the right turn radius lost with the new wheels, and no more scrubbing on the rear wheel wells.
I will try to continue to post some pictures of our journey! Thanks for all the help and advice along the way.
Dan
[Edited on 6-7-2007 by dshock]
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TMW
Select Nomad
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Have a good trip.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
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Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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Thanks for the pictures. Looking foreward to the next batch. That tent setup reminds me of a treehouse.Good luck with the adventure.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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no need...he already caught her
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cabobaja
Nomad
Posts: 363
Registered: 9-19-2006
Location: South \"O\", Elias Calles, BCS
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Hey Dan..........surf's up in Baja! Have a great, safe trip!!!!
PS: Your rig is Baja COOL!
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Is there a section of that tent that is overhanging the end of the vehicle? What is the flooring and how is the tent anchored? How is it
supported....by the ladders?
Man, I dont know........what's the big advantage of this over just pitching it on the ground? You will find that bugs, critters and snakes are just a
wee bit less common in Baja than Missouri. Rain is almost non-existant in many places.
But when the wind comes up..........at least with a ground tent you can put your vehicle between the wind and you.
Oh well, where do you figure you will be between 6/17 and 6/23? I'll be on the peninsula in my Lance; we'll look for you.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
no need...he already caught her |
Now I know why you didn't go for the pick-up truck.
She couldn't see over the wheel !!
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dshock
Junior Nomad
Posts: 33
Registered: 3-7-2007
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Man, picking on the small people - that ain't nice... She really is 5' 4", so she does well driving my full size ram pickup, too.
No fishing stuff. We have a 12' zodiac, scuba gear, snorkling gear, backpacking gear and lots of other neat stuff. We might pick up a couple
surfboards along the way, too.
The tent is 48" x 54" when collapsed and sits completely on the roof rack. The rack is designed for the tent. The tent has tracks integrated that
bolt to the rack. Overall a very slick setup. When the tent is setup it hangs over the rack 48". The stucture of the tent will support your weight
without the ladder. However, it is a little more stable with the support of the ladder. The floor is about 3/4" thick and I believe it to be
plywood.
Overall, it has the following advantages:
1) complete integrated package with all part, 60mm foam mattress and rainfly.
2) total setup in 5 minutes.
3) up out of the sand, which is nice because of the heat stored in the sand when the day time temps are high, keeps the sand out of the tent!, and up
away from the kritters.
On the downside, in very high winds it is a little exposed. I believe that it can deal with the winds much better than your average ground tent, but
you bring up a good point on not being able to shelter it with a vehicle.
Thanks,
Dan
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Looking forward to your Baja trip reports!
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Yeah, that's a pretty quick setup time and its pretty cool that it stores where it is.
What's your itinerary......my wife and I will keep an eye out if we know where you generally will be.
I have extra fishing poles..........
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oldhippie
Banned
Posts: 742
Registered: 6-25-2006
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I like innovative rigs. There is no perfect vehicle for baja and therefore folks try all sorts of things looking for perfection.
That ladder looks dangerous to this old dude. How do you get the cooler full of beer and ice in the tent? That's a necessity ya know.
Take along some 2x8 and/or 4x8 1 to 2 foot boards for beneath the wheels to level the truck when camped. Beaches are generally sloped.
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dshock
Junior Nomad
Posts: 33
Registered: 3-7-2007
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Itinerary??? Well, basically we don't have one. Other than 8 days at a resort in Cabo, we will go where the wind blows us for 5 weeks starting
Monday. We are planning to start on the pacific side and then hit the Sea of Cortez further south.
Where is the best place to get Mexican auto insurance as we drive south from Irvine? And, I we can get a tourist permit at the border crossing?
Thanks, guys,
Dan
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
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Location: Sonora
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Get in the declare line at the San Ysidro border (absolute far right lane) and park in there for tourist permits. Easily done in about 5 minutes.
On insurance, there is a link to Baja Bound at the top of the Nomads site. You can pay and print out a policy on line. Or you can buy it at many
places just before you cross the border. Many places at the San Ysidro Blvd. exit....some are even drive-thru.
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oldhippie
Banned
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This is a good place for baja insurance, books, and maps. It's just a few minutes east of I-5 where it passes Mission Bay in San Diego. I've been
buying annual Mex insurance there for years. They have short time policies too. Good people, they know the Mex car insurance business inside out. I
always pay a little extra to get the free legal help with the policy just in case .....
http://www.discoverbaja.com/
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jimgrms
Senior Nomad
Posts: 664
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Location: oceanside ca
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Dshock i envy you and your daughter your trip you have done your homework and are well prepared have fun,and be carefull
also if you are a dealer in those tents or bumpers ect u2u me jim
[Edited on 6-7-2007 by jimgrms]
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PJC
Super Nomad
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Good 'ol 60 series. Those and 80's are the absolute best bang for the off-road buck for all around use.
Good luck on your trip.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
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Location: Sonora
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jimgrms
Dshock i envy you and your daughter....... |
Uh-oh, now you've done it.
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jimgrms
Senior Nomad
Posts: 664
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Location: oceanside ca
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dshock just kidding
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dshock
Junior Nomad
Posts: 33
Registered: 3-7-2007
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Man Jimgrms, that hurts, but it sure made the wife feel good! She is 10 months younger than me and reminds me of it often!
Thanks for the tips on tourist permits and insurance!
Have a great day,
Dan
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