Here I go! Here I come? Where can I go now?

[MrNoodly]

Made it to New Mexico today.  Overnighting at Tucumcari.  

Getting to Flagstaff from eastern NM means a long schlep through lower, hotter elevations. There are closer places with high elevations.

If I were in Tucumcari, I'd head to the Sangre de Christo Mountains in northern NM. For example, state highway 63 north from I-25 takes you along the Pecos River and up into some gorgeous scenery. There are several campgrounds in that area. Or there's road 475 east from Santa Fe. Or the Jemez Mountains west of Santa Fe (highway 4). 

And then I'd go north into the mountains of Colorado. Lots of great places, and the weather is excellent right now. I'm in Ridgway, but I've spent the past several weeks all over the central part of the state. I wish I had come here the previous summers.

However, the disadvantage of most mountainous areas is lack of cell signal.

 

[eDJ_]

Sounds like you are doing OK Pam.   Does using he Van's over drive seem to contribute to the over heating ? 
I would hope you could use that feature when on open level roads and get the fuel mileage to higher numbers.

Does your cat ever look out the windows as you travel ?  What's he seem to think of all of this ?   I know I once had neighbors who traveled in their class A and their cat couldn't stand it.   So the cat stayed home when they went out and different neighbors took turns looking after him.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Hey there...glad to see you have safely made it to our end of the land. We certainly hope to meet you and offer a proper welcome to the Tribe

There are about a dozen of us camped a few miles out of Flagstaff in a nice spot. Lots of shade, low 80s, and a nice breeze. Have not been bothered by rangers. Good cell/hotspot signal, and some TV too

I (and others) would be happy to assist with your solar, etc...easy to get shipments here.

Come join us for some great shared dinners and fun evening circles.

 

[pamerica]

Great!   That is even better than what I was planning.  If I come out now will you still be there, dumb question I suppose.

 

[pamerica]

On my way.

 

[pamerica]

Ughhh. I was headed to Storrie Lake State Park, almost there and turned around to come back on 40. Wouldn't you know it, my van got real hot and now I see what you mean about a long, hot trek to Flagstaff and lower elevations. Now I'm really worried about doing that and I don't think I will. So I need to turn around and go back to that state park.. Such an adventure. It's all good.

 

[MrNoodly]

When you're done at Storrie Lake, you could go back to Las Vegas, NM, and head northwest on highway 65 to El Porvenir Campground. Or you could head north on 518 and 434 to Coyote Creek State Park near Guadalupita. If you're going to be in NM for a while and want to stay at the state campgrounds, you can get an unlimited annual pass for $225. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/FeesPermits.html

 

[rvwandering]

Does the engine on your van start to roar extra loud when you're going up a steep hill? Your fan clutch should spring into action and help to cool the engine hence the roar. This is something that's often overlooked or missed in an inspection. When you get a chance take your RV to a shop and have them check it out.

 

[pamerica]

What I really want is to come out to Flagstaff.  I'm thinking if I just drive at night it will be fine. And yes, going up the hills is what makes it go nutty and then again I just went up some more and no problem.  The last time it got so hot a little bit ago it kicked it out of cruise control, going up a steep hill.

I will have it looked at for sure when I can.  Maybe I'm better off staying in New Mexico until it cools off, I don't know. Darn it.  Pulled over on the side of Route 40 to the exit going towards Las Vegas.  Should I stay or should I go?  I sang that as I wrote it.

 

[pamerica]

What I really want is to come out to Flagstaff.  I'm thinking if I just drive at night it will be fine. And yes, going up the hills is what makes it go nutty and then again I just went up some more and no problem.  The last time it got so hot a little bit ago it kicked it out of cruise control, going up a steep hill.

I will have it looked at for sure when I can.  Maybe I'm better off staying in New Mexico until it cools off, I don't know. Darn it.  Pulled over on the side of Route 40 to the exit going towards Las Vegas.  Should I stay or should I go?  I sang that as I wrote it.

 

[pamerica]

Okay, that does it. This Route 84 to Las Vegas is so desolate, I am not doing it. At least Interstate 40 has some traffic.

I  may be asking for big trouble but I'm coming out to Flagstaff. My whole plan with this adventure was to come out and meet some of the tribe, learn about solar, and go from there.  If I break down thank goodness I have AAA Plus RV and a couple dollars.  400 miles to go and I will be taking it easy.

 

[rvpopeye]

Turn off cruise control in hilly territory and don't try to keep up speed going up , let it slow a little like the truckers and save the strain on the ol beast ! (there's usually a slow lane , it's your friend)

 

[highdesertranger]

x2 take it out of overdrive when going up hill, see if this helps. like Tony and Karen said your fan clutch may be going out. however at highway speeds the fan clutch doesn't have much to do with air flow. the air flowing over the radiator should keep it cool without a fan. highdesertranger

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Good advice Popeye. 
In hot weather, we usually call it a day by 10am. We try to have a place in mind where we might find respite. 
Early morning is coolest... Soon as the sun comes up the heat begins. 3-4am start gives you a few hours of cool highway.
I'd make 400 miles in 2 days.

 

[DannyB1954]

This will make you miserably hot, but it will help cool the engine when it gets hot. Roll down the windows, turn on the compartment heater full blast. The heat that you feel is the heat being removed from the engine. If hot air does not come out, you may be low on water. I personally like traveling at night when it is cooler. Or get underway early, (like 4 am), and drive until 10 am or so.
Also have the radiator cap pressure tested. A lot of parts stores will do it for free if you ask. How this matters: for every pound of pressure it will raise the boiling point of the water by 3 degrees F. Once it boils, out it comes as steam. The lower the amount of water in the cooling system, the hotter it will get. Most vehicles have about a 16 lb cap. so 16 x 3 = 48. That plus 212 = 260. That is where the water should boil. if the cap is shot, the water will boil at 212.

This is just a guess, but new caps are not expensive, and like I said can be checked for free.

 

[rvpopeye]

Also when slowing down on hills manually shift the transmission to a lower gear to keep the engine rpm up will help with heat (just don't do it till you slow down ) !

 

[DannyB1954]

Also have the radiator cap pressure tested. A lot of parts stores will do it for free if you ask. How this matters: for every pound of pressure it will raise the boiling point of the water by 3 degrees F. Once it boils, out it comes as steam. The lower the amount of water in the cooling system, the hotter it will get. Most vehicles have about a 16 lb cap. so 16 x 3 =  48. That plus 212 = 260. That is where the water should boil. if the cap is shot, the water will boil at 212.

This is just a guess, but new caps are not expensive, and like I said can be checked for free.

A word of caution, do NOT take the radiator cap off when the engine is hot. Let the engine sit for a half hour or so. If you can easily squeeze the upper radiator hose it should be cool enough.  The lower radiator hose is a different story, It should have a spring in it to keep it from collapsing. If you can squeeze the lower hose, It may be collapsing while driving causing a restriction in water flow. One quick cheap fix for this is wrap the outside of the hose with a coat hanger.

 

[livesimply5]

Hi just curious where those free camp spots are in Florida. We will be going down in Oct. Thanks.

 

[eDJ_]

Just a FYI to anyone here about the Thermostatic Fan Clutch.   If you don't know what it is you can usually see it
on the fan behind the radiator.   Like this:

As it comes in the box as a replacement part

There are also "non Thermo Fan Clutches"  too.   They make more noise but offer more positive cooling.
I've used them both and can tell you that the "non Thermo" sounds like you are running a set of tires that
makes a lot of road noise.  But if you're going to live in hotter climates it may be a good choice.

But this may be something you want to look into if your old fan clutch is diagnosed as being worn so bad that
it won't help cool the engine.   The non Thermo looks like the one above. 

There are also Fiberglass fans where at higher engine speeds the fan blades flatten out producing less drag on the engine.  At higher speeds the engine has more air flowing through the radiator and the fan doesn't have to help move air through the radiator.   All three of these devices work in a similar manner, that is to help move
air through the radiator at lower speeds and freewheel at higher speeds when air is flowing adequately enough to cool the engine properly.  

How long should a Fan Clutch Last ?

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-long-does-a-fan-clutch-last

 

[akrvbob]

And then I'd go north into the mountains of Colorado. Lots of great places, and the weather is excellent right now. I'm in Ridgway, but I've spent the past several weeks all over the central part of the state. I wish I had come here the previous summers.

However, the disadvantage of most mountainous areas is lack of cell signal.

MrNoodly, I'm in Leadville with some great people, and the weather is perfect! I'm pretty sure I owe you a pizza, you better come up and collect!  Bob