My van camper

[Campor99]

GO SMALL,GO FAR!

HI ALL YOU VAN LOVING GUY'S AND GAL'S , THANKS FOR CHECKING IN!

TIP OF WEEK: Sleeping in COLD! Well the weather is changing and its getting cool to cold at nights. This is how I stay warm and comfy
                       Most sleeping bags are only good to mid 30's, so you need to add warm extra's. I put a thermal blanket like those used in
                       hospitals, normally available at Wal Mart, or similar stores, this will help greatly. Additionally you can use a comforter folded
                       above and below your bag. I wear a HOODIE, with draw string to keep head warm, sock caps come off during night.In really
                       cold weather i.e, below 30, I wear sweat pants and wool socks. Now I'm good to O.

                       I DON'T USE A PROPANE HEATER WHEN SLEEPING ITS JUST TO DANGEROUS!!!!  I WILL USE A ELECTRIC HEATER WHEN
                       HOOK UP IS AVAILABLE.

AREA OF THE WEEK: SPENT 10 DAYS IN THE BULLHEAD CITY,SEARCHLIGHT, LAS VEGAS AREA, FOUND REASONABLE RV PARK ON BOLDER HWY
                                  ABOUT HALF WAY FROM VEGAS TO HENDERSON.    
 
See you next week, be safe and ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY

 

[Campor99]

GO SMALL, GO FAR!

HI ALL YOU VAN LOVING GUY'S AND GAL'S, THANKS FOR CHECKING THIS THREAD!

WHEW! WHAT A WEEK!!!!!! COMPUTER TOOK THE BIG CRASH, (JUST GOT THE NEW ONE UP AND RUNNING} HEAT AND AIR CRAPPED OUT, NEW TO 
BE INSTALLED THIS WEEK AND IF THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH, RELATIVES FROM OUT OF TOWN SHOWED UP!!!!! YUP IT WAS ONE OF THOSE WEEKS!

TIP OF THE WEEK: BUILDING A CAMP FIRE.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEZE!!!! USE FIRE RING, PREVIOUS FIRE RING, IF AVAILABLE, IF NONE, BUILD YOUR OWN.
This tip will be in two parts next week will be 2nd. 

Starting material. 1. Paper, 2.small sticks, 3.Cotton Balls (that have petroleum jelly or similar on them) very handy. 4.Camp Matches (strike anywhere) type. or
5 Butane lighter (great to have extras) see thru type. 6. Magnify glass for using sun. Matches, lighters and Magnify glass should all be part of your survival kit.

AREA OF WEEK: PIOCHE NEVADA, Located about 175 miles north of Las Vegas. Three state parks close by and lots of gov't lands to boon dock if desired. 
1. Cathedral Gorge. 2. Echo Canyon and 3. Spring Valley. Spent a good time in area, well worth it if your in area. GOT THE WORST HAIR CUT IN MY LIFE WILL
VISISTING THIS AREA AT 9 AM BY A DRUNK BARBER.

Pic's  AWD Astro Van, and the three parks.

Be safe out there and enjoy our beautiful country!

 

[Campor99]

GO SMALL GO FAR !!!!!!!!!!

HI ALL YOU VAN LOVING GUY'S AND GAL'S AND THANKS FOR FOLLOWING THIS THREAD!

TIP OF WEEK: FIRE # 2. This might be a let down for you, but after some thought its better for you to check out
                                   You Tube, you'll see how to build all types of fires from tiny to HUGE! I think you'll enjoy them.

AREA OF WEEK: ELY NV. AND GREAT BASIN NP! Surrounding area has many state and national forest parks. Great Basin Np is GREAT!!!!
                        See pic's Below. Well worth your time if in the area. Of course if you like to gamble a bit, Ely can satisfy your desires.

CAMPER OF WEEK: SPORTSMOBILE 4X4, VEEEEEEEEEERY NICE, BUT PRICEY! Check out their web site for new and used, its fun to dream!

TEASER: Heading to TX tomorrow checking on new ride. Will post pix nex week if successful.

As always be safe and enjoy our beautiful country.

 

[Campor99]

GO SMALL, GO FAR!



HI ALL YOU VAN LOVING GUYS AND GALS, THANKS FOR FOLLOWING THIS THREAD.


THE BIG TEASE, WHAT COULD IT BE? STAY TUNED FOR UNVEILING ON SUNDAY THE 6TH.

As always be safe and enjoy our beautiful country!

See ya the 6th.

 

[speedhighway46]

Campor99's big "unvail" on Sunday;
My daughter's 40th birthday on Monday;
That "other thing" on Tuesday . . .

My life is so stressed; time to go camping!

 

[Campor99]

GO SMALL,GO FAR

HI ALL YOU VAN LOVING GUY'S AND GAL'S, THANKS FOR CHECKING OUT THIS THREAD.........!

Well this is a change of format a bit as it's the REVEAL OF MY NEW [TO ME] project OFF ROAD TRUCK!

MEET THE "BEAST" [named by girl friend]

Basic description: 1988 Chevrolet Suburban 10 4x4
                                350 V8  EFI, 4 Speed transmission, 
                                16 in wheels with TOYO AT tires

Found truck after 6 mos search in Texas, the vehicle is in great shape and still has original paint on frame as it
was bought new in San Antonio.  Personal truck of Chevrolet dealer, who used it for his hunting pleasure. Needless
to say it was very well maintained.

As always be safe and enjoy our beautiful country.

More about truck and plans in following weeks with mods and such.

 

[speedhighway46]

What a find!

 

[highdesertranger]

nice burb. yeppers those are Texas bumpers. added bonus rear barn doors, nice. highdesertranger

 

[Ballenxj]

Just found this thread, and find it interesting.
It would seem you go through more than a few vehicles. Are you just trying them out until you find the right one?

 

[Campor99]

Just found this thread, and find it interesting.
It would seem you go through more than a few vehicles. Are you just trying them out until you find the right one?

My Jimmy is for ranch commute, old worn and no longer dependable for long distant travel, but thats to be expected with 325k!
Astro is for highway and easy terrain camping trips and more for gas economy, will be doing a fast trip to Nevada and Arixzona
for the RTR this Jan. 
The Beast will be for crawling up to high meadows and touring the mountains of Nevada and such. Going places the Astro wouldn't
handle.

Thanks for checking out the thread.

 

[Ballenxj]

Thanks for checking out the thread.

Judging by the length of this thread I'll have to read it in sections as I can.
325K on your Jimmy? Sounds like it has treated you well.  
Have fun at RTR. One of these days I be there too.

 

[Campor99]

Judging by the length of this thread I'll have to read it in sections as I can.
325K on your Jimmy? Sounds like it has treated you well.  
Have fun at RTR. One of these days I be there too.

Should you desire, you are welcome to post on my thread pix's of your ride and description. I'm sure
the readers would like to see other persons vehicles.

Best Frank

 

[Campor99]

GO SMALL,GO FAR!

HI ALL YOU BUCKAROO VAN LOVING GUY'S AND GAL'S, THANKS FOR CATCHING THIS THREAD! 

WHY THE "BEAST" WELL ITS A LONG STORY SO WILL MAKE IT IN TWO SESSIONS. 1. i WAS WANTING A TRUCK FRAME. 2. WING WINDOWS, FOR CAB, EASIER
TO VENTILATE CAB VERSUS ROLLING DOWN WINDOW. 3. MINIMAL ELECTRONIC'S TO BREAKDOWN. 4. MECHANICAL SHIFT OF 4X4 TRANSFER CASE, RATHER
THAN ELECTRIC OR VACUUM OR COMBINATION OF BOTH. 5. PROVEN ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN. WHICH LEAD ME TO EITHER A 350 GM ENGINE OR FORD 3OO SERIES 
OR DODGE 318/360, ALL GOOD ENGINES. 6. I ELIMINATED THE FORD AS I HAD BAD LUCK WITH 2 NEW FORDS AND THEY SEEM TO ME NOT AS DEPENDABLE, AND MORE PRICY TO MAINTAIN, LEAVING THE GM'S AND DODGE. (AT THIS POINT I WAS LEANING TOWARD A DODGE POWER WAGON, WITH A 360 ENGINE,(NO DIESELS DO TO FUEL AVAILABLITY WHERE I WOULD BE TRAVELING, AND HIGH MAINTENACE COSTS AND PURCHASE PRICES ON HIGH MILEAGE VECHICLES.) 8. KNOWING I WOULD NEED A 
BED CAP ON DODGE AND I WOULD BE TRAVELING ON MANY,MANY MILES ON DIRT AND GRAVEL ROADS AND DUST WOULD COVER EVERYTHING, LEAD ME TO THE GM
SUBURBANS, WITH LARGE INTERIOR AND BASICALLY DUST FREE. 
.    SEE "BEAST' ADDITIONAL PICTURES

TIP OF WEEK: DRINKING WATER PURIFICATION, 1/4 TEASPOON OR 6-8 EYE DROPS OF CLOROX WILL PROVIDE 1 GALLON OF SAFE WATER. WATER SHOULD NOT 
HAVE A LOT OF SUPPENDED MATTER, LET SETTLE/OR FILTER BEFORE TREATING, LET SIT FOR A BIT UNCOVERED IF ABLE TO ELIMINATE CLORINE ODOR.

AREA OF WEEK: ELY NV TO TONOPAH NV. 170 MILES , NO GAS, SO MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE WITH FULL TANK. HWY 6 WILL TAKE YOU TO LUNAR CRATER AND WARM SPRINGS NV. SPENT NIGHT AT LUNAR, ONLY ONE OTHER THERE IN SMALL PICKUP WITH BED CAP. 

BE SAFE AND ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, AND SEE YOU WITH PART 2 OF GETTING THE "BEAST"

 

[highdesertranger]

your in my backyard. have a great time. highdesertranger

 

[Campor99]

GO SMALL, GO FAR!

HI ALL YOU VAN LOVING GUY'S AND GAL'S, THANK FOR CHECKING THIS THREAD!

WAS UNABLE TO FINISH PHOTOS OF LUNAR CRATER. SO HERE ARE A FEW ADD'S.

TIP: A VAN IS A SMALL SPACE, SO WHEN YOU START ADDING CABINETS AND FIXTURES
YOUR FLOOR SPACE SHRINKS.  THIS IS WHY I TRY VERY HARD TO BE A MINIMALIST. SPEND
TIME TRYING TO MAXIMISE YOUR STOREAGE SPACE TO PROVIDE DOUBLE DUTY WHILE PROVIDING
EASY ACCESS.

THE ATTACHED ASTRO/SAFARI IS HIGHLY MODIFIED BUT CLEAVER, THE EX-MILITARY BLUE BOX 
WOULD BE A NEED RIDE.

THANKS TO THE STATE OF NEVADA FOR MANY GREAT ADVENTURES 

BE SAFE AND ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY

 

[masterplumber]

That's a newer model flight line van than most I see for sale. They do make cool traveling homes.

 

[Campor99]

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING

GO SMALL, GO FAR!

THE BEAST AND HOW LONG TO FIND. I ALSO CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING. 1. LEAF SPRINGS FRONT AND REAR. 2 BARN REAR
DOORS FOR MORE FLEXIBILTY. 3. HEAVY DUTY FRONT AND REAR. 4. STOCK WITH NO MODIFICATIONS TO ENGINE OR FRAME.
(MOD'S COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS IN CASE OF BREAKDOWN IN REMOTE AREA, AND DELAY REPAIR DUE TO FINDING PARTS AND 
EVEN KNOWING WHAT THE PART WAS.) 5. RUST FREE, FOR ALL THE KNOWN REASONS.

FINDING THE "BEAST" TOOK 6 MONTHS, I ONLY CONSIDERED TRUCKS FROM TEXAS AND ARIZONA DUE TO LACK OF RUST. I STARTED
SEARCHING SALE BY OWNER ONLY ON CRAIGSLIST. AFTER 5 MONTHS DECIDED TO SEARCH ADDING DEALERS AND AUTOTRADER. FOUND
BEAST IN TEXAS, PERSONALLY OWNED BY CHEVROLET DEALER IN WEST TEXAS, USE ON RANCH AND WITH LOW MILES. MADE DEAL ON 
PHONE, WITH PROVISIONS OF TEST DRIVE AND INSPECTION OF TRUCK. JUMP A AIRLINER AND 4 DAYS AFTER FINDING, THE BEAST WAS
HEADING TO MISSOURI. **** WILL COVER WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO TRUCK TO DATE IN NEXT FEW WEEKS AND DRIVE HOME. *****

AREA OF WEEK: "NOWHERE NEVADA" WARM SPRINGS, AT THE INTERSECTION OF HWY 6 & 375 DOWN ROAD FROM LUNAR CRATER GOING
WEST TO TONOPAH. NOT MUCH THERE NOW BUT ABANDON BUILDINGS AND A HOT MINERAL SPRING POOL TO TAKE A DIP WATER HAS
LIGHT SULPHUR SMELL.  CHECK OUT YOU TUBE VIDEO'S, THERE ARE SEVERAL, "WONDER HUSSY'S" VIDEO IS MOST COMPLETE. THANKS
WH!

PHOTOS WARM SPRINGS AND BEAST.

THANKS TO THE STATE OF NEVADA FOR MANY GREAT ADVENTURES

BE SAFE AND ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL CONTRY, AND ENJOY THE HOLIDAY!!!!!!!

 

[Campor99]

GO SMALL GO FAR !!!!!

HI ALL YOU VAN LOVING GUY'S AND GAL'S, THANKS FOR CHECKING THE THREAD. HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT TURKEY DAY!
DID A 1400 MILE TRIP IN ASTRO VAN FOR BUSINESS AND SEE FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAY. WAS GREAT AND GOT 18.5 MPG.

VAN'S; IF THINKING OF ASTRO AWD VAN, LOOK FOR PRE 1999, AS THEY HAVE A BORG WARNER, MECHICAL TRANSFER CASE, MY 2000
            2000 HAS A ELECTRICAL CONTROL AWD AND ITS A PAIN IN YOU KNOW WHAT. 

TIP OF THE WEEK: FILL THOSE SMALL WATER BOTTLES WITH TAP WATER AND SAVE A TON OF MONEY. WALLY WORLD SELLS GALLON JUGS
                               OF WATER FOR 88 CENTS, THATS 6 CENTS PER REUSED 12 OZ BOTTLE, TAP WATER OF COURSE WOULD BE MISCULE IN COST.
                               VERSUS A $ 1.00 OR MORE FOR A CONVIENCE STORE BOTTLE.  DUH! BE SMART WITH YOUR DOLLARS.

AREA OF WEEK: MOVING WEST FROM WARM SPRINGS ON HWY 6 TO TONOPAH NV. COULDN'T GET ALL PICS OF WARM SPRINGS SOOOO ONE OF POOL 
                           THAT YOU CAN TAKE A DIP IN IF DESIRED. THEN ON TO TONOPAH. GREAT LITTLE TOWN GOOD PLACE TO CHILL FOR A WHILE, AND
                           RE STOCK SUPPLIES AND SIGHT SEEING OF OLD SILVER MINING TOWN. THEY SAY IT HAS 800 MILES OF TUNNELS UNDER THE TOWN.
                           NEAT MINING MUSEUM PARK, AND THE CIRCUS MOTEL, A REAL HOOT!

BE SAFE OUT THERE, AND ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.

 

[highdesertranger]

thumbs up on the mining museum in Tonopah it's a must see. highdesertranger

 

[Campor99]

GO SMALL GO FAR

HI ALL YOU VAN LOVING GUY'S AND GAL'S, THANKS FOR CHECKING THE THREAD.

HELP WANTED: NEED YOUR INPUTS ON WHAT TYPE OF TIRES TO PUT ON THE "BEAST" AM THINKING OF THE 
B F GOODRICH AT KO OR THE COOPER DISCOVERY AT 3. YOUR INPUT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

WHY THE BEAST AND THE ASTRO, WELL THE ASTRO IS FOR EASY TRAVEL AND BEAST IS FOR THE HINDERLANDS. 
ASTRO WILL BE DOING A 4000 MILE TRIP THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON. YOU INVITED TO FOLLOW THE TRIP WILL BE
HITTING DEATH VALLEY PER PLAN. THEN ON TO THE RTR. HOPE TO SEE SOME OF YOU THERE.

TIP OF WEEK: IT THE FIRST OF THE MONTH SO CHECK THOSE FLUIDS, TIRES  AND GENERAL CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE.
                        YOU SHOULD MAKE A HABIT OF THIS CHECK MONTHLY OR MORE OFTEN IF DOING LOTS OF MILES. COLD 
                        WEATHER NORMAL CAUSES A NEED FOR ADDED AIR IN TIRES. 

AREA OF WEEK: TONOPAH NV. SPEND A NIGHT AT "CLOWN " MOTEL FOR A NEEDED SHOWER AND CATCH UP ON LAUNDRY.
                           SPEND NIGHT CAMPED IN TONOPAH STATION CASINO PARKING LOT AND TOURED THE LOCAL AREA. RICH
                           HISTORY AND GOOD PLACE TO CHILL FOR A WHILE. RADAR HILL DATES BACK TO COLD WAR DAYS, WHEN
                           AIR DEFENSE COMMAND HAD A SQUADRON THERE, ITS NOW PART OF THE FAA CONTROL SYSTEM.

BE SAFE AND SEE OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTY, TIL NEXT WEEK