Have battened down the camper to the truck, and I’m almost ready to roll.
This man is actually reading the instructions
Sunday a friend attached the Torklift camper tie downs with only a few expletives and those mostly trying to find the right socket, sometimes metric and sometimes standard. What is up with that Dodge? These hunks of metal are beefy and bolt onto the frame, no drilling. I couldn’t pick up either of the two boxes they came in. The part that sticks out beyond the truck bed is easily removed so no shin biters when the camper is off the truck.
And although it was a short drive home afterwards I noticed a difference with less rocking. Since then I gave it the true test going up and down the Yarnell Hill road twice. Feels solid. If it goes over now, the whole truck goes with it. But I’m not going to be thinking about that.
Next to figure out the propane problem. Very important as this provides hot water, cold refrigerator, cooked food and possibly heat. These are no longer luxuries for my kind of camping. So while in Congress Monday, doing laundry, I stopped at BB Automotive and Dave quickly ascertained the regulator and hoses needing replacing. Fortunately the Yarnell hardware store stocked these. And that fixed the problem. So glad neither of the ridiculously over priced 5 gallon/20 lb side-mount tanks need replacing. And I found the ‘L’ shaped adapter so I don’t have to unbolt and remove the tanks to be filled. Not sure my shoulders would put up with lifting 35-40 pounds when full to a level just above my short shoulder height.
Now to fill the fresh water tank and check the water heater and pump. Plus wire in a couple of 12v plugs for my hand-size inverter to plug in the computer and phone/camera chargers. Because there’s a solar panel on the roof I might as well use that sun power.
Many plans are formulating for possible places to go and could be weather dependent to a certain extent. I can feel the desert siren calling my spirit. Soon.
I am a Happy Camper.
It looks huge, even atop your big truck, Gaelyn. But you know what you’re doing. As always we will travel along with you.
It is quite large and even you could stand up inside Steve.
You are indeed a happy camper. That really is a spiffy looking camper on top of your truck.
Hope you make it down to camping with me this summer.
I see a happy camper too. You are ready to roll!
Hopefully next week.
I LOVE that picture of you. You definitely look like a happy camper. Can’t wait to see where you go. I can’t even imagine lifting 35-40 pounds when full to a level just above my short shoulder height. Your short shoulder height is probably a foot above mine. But glad you don’t have to do it.
Thanks Sherry, a selfie. I think the tall counters make me look taller because I’m short much like you.
Happy camper is right! Looks like you are good to go and are ready to hit the road. I’m excited for you.
Me too. Been ready to ‘go’ mentally for over a month.
Looking forward to following your adventure!
Thanks Patti. I’m really looking forward to having some adventures.
This time when you “go camp-n, I’ll follow you.
Love – B
Thanks Berta. Much appreciated. Maybe you’ll even go with me somewhere.
Happy trails. Are you going to South Africa this (our) winter?
No South Africa this year.
If you are still in Calif or Ariz. you had better batten down those hatches as a big storm is a comin.
Be safe in your travels.
Rosemary
Thanks for the warning Rosemary. I’m still in central AZ and not going anywhere until this storm has passed.
Hello Cuz. Happy that you get to travel around, wish I could do the same thing as I’ve always dreamed to do. I want to warn you about ‘Propane tanks’, maybe you already know. When I worked at a Resort, one day on the highway. Two RV’s caught fire, by their propane tanks blowing up. Changing elevations, the gas expands at higher elevations. These 2 RV’s had their tanks to full and the gas couldn’t expand properly, which caused them to blow up. It’s like a balloon going high in the sky. At a time the air in the balloon expands a lot and the balloon pops. Just wanted to warn you about this. Have a Safe and Fun travel, and we all know that you’ll keep us update on your travel. I’m getting close to starting my ‘blogging’ too 🙂
Rick
Thanks for your concern Cuz. I am familiar with propane after living in an RV for over 20 years. Places usually won’t fill them absolutely full for just this reason. Let me know when you have you blog going.
Looking real good….both of you 🙂
Thanks Kelly. Can barely wait to get out on the road and head to the desert. But will wait until this storm has passed.
Looking forward to hearing about your new travels.
If I ever get out of Yarnell I should have some new sights to share.
Such a happy camper indeed! Know how excited you must be. We’re anxious to be on our way as well.
Hopefully next week I’ll take off for places as yet unknown.
It’s all Greek to me, Gaelyn. But, I’m ready to accompany you virtually. Let’s go!
Soon Barb, soon.
Hi Gaelyn – Just found your blog and am enjoying it a lot. Your pictures are great. I am hopeful to get an Interp position in Yellowstone this summer. I may have some question for you…
Congrats on your new camper.
I noticed in the pics that your tie downs have the chain on the bottom and the direct hook at the top. Take a look at the opening of the cylinder that lets the hook move in and out to absorb shock. That opening allows water to get into the cylinder. The end that attaches to the chain is sealed. Water cannot get out. The cylinder will fill up and ultimately rust out or the spring will rust until it breaks.
If you turn the anchor over so the chain end hook attaches to the camper and the cylinder end attaches to the truck no water can enter. No water, no rust 🙂
Hope this helps prevent the problem that I had with my camper.
Thank you so much for that info on the tie downs. Have never had this kind before. Totally makes sense.
Good luck on the Yellowstone job. Be happy to answer questions if I can.
I’m glad you got the propane problem figured out. It is way too expensive to be venting and creating hazards to boot.
I love that you have solar panel on the roof.
It looks like you are ready to roll!!
Was afraid the tanks were going to have to be replaced so I did really luck out on that propane fix. My first solar and I too love it.
Glad to see you’re ready to go. Hope our paths cross somewhere in the desert this winter!
Just waiting out the storm. Hope to meet you somewhere down the road.
Hooray! So where you going?
After this storm passes I want to go to the southern AZ & CA desert for a while.