Quick weekend pic fest

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
03/24/2019 at 23:21 • Filed to: None

I have been working way too hard and way too away lately, so to relax I worked really hard to get out of town...wait, what?

Yeah, I thought it might be fun to run down to Moab...just like everyone else apparently.

we got in at 930 at night and our usual spot (like all the others) was taken so we picked the best spot we could which we discovered was a little mudfy thanks to previous days rain. it dried out a little but it was muddy.

dino tracks. This is the road we camped off of and it also happens to be a backroad into Arches NP...which is good because going in the front door would have been insane based on the traffic.

Top to bottom - the end of the back road into Arches, dually van!, the line for the bathroom for delicate arch hike, said arch.

some kinda balanced rock

Would you take this road or wait in a huge line to pay the fee? Yeah, me too. No low range needed and only careful line choices to stay out of the mud and make sure I don’t smack the running boards. We were behind an X1 for a little while...they were doing it but using every little bit off crossover built-in. Fun fact, my wife who calls off-roading “a redneck activity” wanted to drive the road back. A good sign and she did well. The GX is frankly way too good an off-roader straight from the factory for the people who buy them new. This thing is amazing - Tows like a dream, smooth as silk as a daily, and pretty amazing (and comfy) off road. I could make it a better off-roader pretty easily but I really like the jack of all trades its got going on and the air suspension for towing is the biz. FYI, I got 13.7 mpg towing a 3500 lb trailer average. not great, about 1 mpg better than the cruiser but about 4 mpg worse than any modern pickup would get.

maxtrax were muddy from getting a 2wd f250 out of their campsite that morning. They spent about 30 minutes before I figured out what they were doing and I walked over and popped these in there and out they went.

pretty clouds, even the “pee tree” (as my kids call it) looks cool.

and for obvious reasons, an Athena Missile in a city park.

Its always work to go camping and while the trailer makes it easier (and waaaaaaay more comfy) its always worth it.

DISCUSSION (17)

shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch
03/25/2019 at 00:12

I’m thinking I should buy a nice pop- up for my next camper. The hybrid was really too big for my truck, and the old cheap pop-up I use for camping with my buddy at the race track is way too crappy for my family.

Future Heap Owner > HammerheadFistpunch
03/25/2019 at 01:21

Those pics of your campsite are great; the sky looks gorgeous. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a wide open space without a large mountain range somewhere on the horizon, and I forgot how large the sky can be.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > HammerheadFistpunch
03/25/2019 at 05:47

It’s only in side on view that I think... that Lexus i s actually a Prado. Right?

Camping can be such an arse to sort out going but when you get there you realise it was totally worth it....

adamftw > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
03/25/2019 at 08:22

Yup, 120 Series.

M.T. Blake > HammerheadFistpunch
03/25/2019 at 09:15

Wait... you can four-wheel it in to avoid the entrance fees?

HammerheadFistpunch > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
03/25/2019 at 09:37

yeah it’s straight prado with some annoying changes - no tire on door, stupid lower body cladding, small fuel tank, etc. but with some niceties - 4.7 l v8, air springs instead of coil in back, adjustable shocks, full fancy interior and some extra quietness built in (because Lexus). i was remarking to my wife that it’s amazing that Lexus not only had the gall to sell something like a prado to southern Californians who would never even know it’s full time 4wd, let alone use it... but that they can STILL get away with it today.

as for the second part... agreed completely.

HammerheadFistpunch > shop-teacher
03/25/2019 at 09:43

pros and cons. I’m always looking at a hybrid because o f the insulation and ability to leave it stocked in bear country ( i can’t leave ANYTHING with a smell... including water... I’m my trailer in Yellowstone sure to it being side sided) plus the fact i can’t access any cargo until I’ve set it up, let alone living space. plus the nature of soft sides for wind.

on the other hand the floor space you get with a pop-up is hard to beat and they are airy and bright plus they are sweethearts to pull and store. and huge beds. we've lived ours. we bought it 5 years ago for less than 6 Grand and have made it well worth it for us.

HammerheadFistpunch > Future Heap Owner
03/25/2019 at 09:43

the sky was epic this weekend.

HammerheadFistpunch > M.T. Blake
03/25/2019 at 09:44

yes indeed. two ways actually.

shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch
03/25/2019 at 09:54

The hybrid was great for using, and opened up nice and big between the fo ld down beds and the slideout . It was a bear for my 4.8 and 4-speed trans to tow though. I couldn’t get overdrive if there was anything resembling a grade or even the slightest breeze of a headwind. To do any accelerating or pulling up anything like an actual hill, it would downshift into second and zing the motor to 4,000 rpm. I got away with it since I live in the flatlands, but it was hard on the old girl.

In contrast, when I pull a pop-up you can barely tell it’s there. My highway fuel mileage goes completely unchanged. What I’d really like to get is a Trail Manor hard sided pop-up, but man are those expensive.

M.T. Blake > HammerheadFistpunch
03/25/2019 at 13:30

Couldn’t you get a ticket for not having an entrance ticket?

HammerheadFistpunch > M.T. Blake
03/25/2019 at 13:36

Ye s, but they generally won’ t because many people get in with their annual card. You are supposed to leave your card visible but very few do. Typically we buy an annual card and we plan to again...I don’t mind paying for our parks at all...it was more a convenience issue that a skirting the fee issue since going back to the entrance was a long drive and it was faster and easier to go on the trail because it led right to our camp and right to our hike . We actually planned to do just that to do more hikes on the way out, buy a card and then go into town for supplies but the kids were toast from getting to bed so late the night before so we didn’t.

M.T. Blake > HammerheadFistpunch
03/25/2019 at 14:23

Ahhh gotcha. That sign doesn’t look enforceable. Typically they’re white and black to be obeyed. Brown is for points of interest. Of course I imagine you have to show proof of ticket purchase upon demand...

Cooperd0g > shop-teacher
04/06/2019 at 19:39

What about an A frame?

shop-teacher > Cooperd0g
04/06/2019 at 23:11

You know, I haven't really considered an A-frame. I should look into that.

Cooperd0g > shop-teacher
04/07/2019 at 16:33

They tend to be a bit smaller since they don’t “open out,” but they are a more portable hard side.

shop-teacher > Cooperd0g
04/07/2019 at 19:03

Yeah, that's what I figured. They're definitely worth a look though.