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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
Mood: Waiting
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Is it possible to mount two spares on your rig? I never leave without an extra. It's easy for me in a large truck.
[Edited on 6-22-2019 by Marc]
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Pappy Jon
Nomad
Posts: 494
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Wrong side of the Continental divide.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Temp rising.
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I'm glad to see Geoff's post elevated. I'm kicking back with two screens, one with Google Earth, the other with this report plotting his GPS points.
I really need to deal with this itch.
"The association of flowers and warm-blooded love is more than a romantic convention; it is based upon one of the great advances in the evolution
of life." Ed Abbey
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3507
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: | | At this point, I decided my van had accumulated too many insults. I had a substandard spare tire, a noisy loose rear brake pad, a detached muffler, a
cracked windshield, and now a leaky radiator. I purchased some packets of stop-leak powder back in Bahía de los Angeles. (At 20 pesos each, I
splurged and bought two.) I realized it was time to call it quits, and limp my van 1700 miles back home to Seattle. |
Impressive amount of photos and effort into this report. Very nice.
I have questions, respectfully, about your above statement. Did your van accumulate the problems before or during your time in Baja? When did
you realize you had a substandard spare tire and a loose rear brake pad?
All these problems read like you were ''winging'' it.
Limping 1,700 miles home had me really scratching my head. Really?
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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geoffff
Senior Nomad
Posts: 674
Registered: 1-15-2009
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Quote: Originally posted by Lee  | I have questions, respectfully, about your above statement. Did your van accumulate the problems before or during your time in Baja? When did
you realize you had a substandard spare tire and a loose rear brake pad?
All these problems read like you were ''winging'' it.
Limping 1,700 miles home had me really scratching my head. Really? |
Hi Lee, I appreciate direct questions! I have a feeling we have a different tolerance for physical safety risk, or at least the potential discomfort
of getting stranded somewhere.
All these issues happened during my trip, while south of the border.
My substandard spare - this is the only tire I could find for sale in middle-Baja with an inner diameter that would fit on my rims. It was a new tire,
just undersized - and probably not rated for the weight of my van at highway speeds. I didn't want to end my trip early (midway through the time I
had). I very rarely damage my tires enough to need to use my spare. I usually can patch leaks in-place. But I wanted to have at least something I
could roll out of the backcountry with.
The brake pad - my van always has lots of shakes and rattles underneath, and at some point in my trip I noticed a new sound. It was coming from one of
my rear brakes, and stopped when I applied the brakes. My braking ability didn't seem to be diminished.
The radiator leak - When this happened I knew it would be the end of my trip. I figured I would try to get as far north as I could, just topping it
off as it leaked. I didn't really want to stop somewhere in Mexico to wait for a new radiator to be shipped in and replaced.
Perhaps "limping" home was a bit of a strong word on my part. Highway driving is pretty easy on the van, and mechanics are never all that far away. I
wanted to get these extensive repairs done at home by my own mechanic if I could.
-- Geoff
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 545
Registered: 6-4-2012
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Geoff, I felt the same way a couple of decades ago when I had a Ford 4wd van. They are not a factory 4wd van even though Ford parts are used for that
front axle.
The one time I was run off the road by a tractor trailer very early in the morning south of Constitution my heart was beating in my chest. I somehow
managed to slow down with the passenger side wheels off the road, that is, until I hit a concrete culvert. Boom! Thud! and I came to a dead stop in
a cloud of dust.
Eventually someone lets the cops know and they came and towed my van back to town where it sat for way too many days. I did not have your fine Bag
Bound Insurance since that was long before you showed up.
Since I was heading to the East Cape they shipped the van there to fix it. That never happened. No one there knew how to repair it.
Weeks later, after I flew back to SD, they shipped it up to the border where I could tow it and get it back on the road. I understand well the impulse
to try to limp home across the border if at all possible.
With my current Sprinter van, I would feel the same. I have used your company for a couple of separate winter Whale magic trips and will again next
winter, though next time I will get a full years coverage instead of 8 or 10 days worth.
I appreciate your supporting this site and hope to see you on the road sometime. Love the photos. Keep them coming. Peace, love and fish tacos.
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 545
Registered: 6-4-2012
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Baja Bound of course, not Bag Bound. Duh.
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 545
Registered: 6-4-2012
Member Is Offline
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As for carrrying two spares. I always have, as previously mentioned here. My first spare mounts under the rear of the van, like all Sprinters. My
second spare now mounts to the driver side rear door. It used to ride on my roof rack. A little extra tire insurance is always a good thing when one
is out in the boonies.
I can't wait to go back. Your efforts are appreciated.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3507
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by geoffff | | Quote: Originally posted by Lee | I have questions, respectfully, about your above statement. Did your van accumulate the problems before or during your time in Baja? When did
you realize you had a substandard spare tire and a loose rear brake pad?
All these problems read like you were ''winging'' it.
Limping 1,700 miles home had me really scratching my head. Really? |
Hi Lee, I appreciate direct questions! I have a feeling we have a different tolerance for physical safety risk, or at least the potential discomfort
of getting stranded somewhere.
All these issues happened during my trip, while south of the border.
-- Geoff
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Thanks Geoff. Definitely a different tolerance level for having adventures in Baja. Glad things worked out in your travels. You covered a lot
of ground in remote areas. Again , great report.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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matthew_mangus
Junior Nomad
Posts: 81
Registered: 10-4-2019
Location: Portland, OR
Member Is Offline
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Great photos and trip report!
Oh man, it looks like we were just a week or so ahead of you on our trip in Feb 2019. We stayed at both Shell Beach and the Morro Lighthouse (I think
from gleaning info from a previous trip on your blog). My pics from that trip are here: http://picti.net/PIVOJ (ignore the stupid email request feature and insert a bogus address like 1234@gmail).
One last thing; the next time you find yourself in Black Rock Desert, work your way to the hot springs pond at Soldiers Meadow and then on W through
High Rock Canyon. We just ran through it a couple of weeks ago and it was a nice way to finish up after hanging out on the playa.
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geoffff
Senior Nomad
Posts: 674
Registered: 1-15-2009
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Wow, thanks for sharing! It's fun to see those places again through your eyes. I love the photos where you captured that warm contrasty late afternoon
lighting. And I figured out where your "tidal point" is 
And, yes - I have explored High Rock Canyon. I need to get back there someday... http://octopup.org/sw2006/blackrock#High_Rock_Canyon
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3074
Registered: 5-21-2013
Member Is Offline
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Just catching up on missed messages.
Another great thread that I missed when traveling north from San Felipe. Thanks Geoff Very impressive trip report.
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GregN
Nomad
Posts: 100
Registered: 5-13-2004
Location: Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
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Great trip, great photos. Some memories, yet plenty of interesting and new-to-me stuff.
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ursidae69
Nomad
Posts: 275
Registered: 2-22-2004
Location: Youngsville, NM
Member Is Offline
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What a great thread. Many memories and many great places I need to go see!
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basautter
Senior Nomad
Posts: 862
Registered: 7-1-2013
Member Is Offline
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Wow, lot's of awesome pics and a great writeup! Thanks for sharing!
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Mark_BC
Nomad
Posts: 137
Registered: 12-1-2013
Location: Vancouver, BC
Member Is Offline
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I think a second spare is a good idea. It can be a skinny one of the same diameter up on the roof.
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HeyMulegeScott
Senior Nomad
Posts: 699
Registered: 8-25-2009
Location: Orygone/Mulege
Member Is Offline
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Thanks, David. Agreed. Hoping to go see this one soon. I will post a report.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64848
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Scott... Did you get over to Pintada yet?
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HeyMulegeScott
Senior Nomad
Posts: 699
Registered: 8-25-2009
Location: Orygone/Mulege
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I didn't join them but some friends were just there. He said the canyon was hot and had a lot of mosquitoes. The beach at Santo Domingo was his
favorite and an amazing spot.
[Edited on 4-10-2021 by HeyMulegeScott]
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shmalbatross
Newbie
Posts: 1
Registered: 9-8-2021
Member Is Offline
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Amazing trip, amazing writeup. Keep it up!
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El Vergel
Nomad
Posts: 197
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: San Felipe - Puertecitos Rd., Km. 35 and Santa Mon
Member Is Offline
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Fabulous post! Thanks for the tours.
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