Wintering at Caballo Lake State Park, NM

[user 423]

Arrived last week, checking things out. Shopping at TorC for my Mr. Heater setup. It's been 70 during the day here and mid-30's at night so a sleeping bag is enough. It will get much colder in January, I'm sure but should get at least into the 50's during the day.

My recently purchased '93 Ford conversion van has problems with the front suspension and rough-running, so I'm delaying buying a cargo trailer until I get those problems sorted out.  There's a pretty big climb from Alamogordo to Las Cruces and the old van was huffing pretty hard just pulling itself over the pass.

So I'll have to make do living in the van for the next two months or so. I've found that even though the top is only a mid-high version and I can't stand up all the way, it is much better than a regular roof van. The high top has lots of built-in storage around the edges and that is very handy. With my milk crate bed platform and loose camping gear, it's kind of like a Class B-

 

[tx2sturgis]

Have you had a chance to visit Hatch NM yet?

 

[user 423]

Have you had a chance to visit Hatch NM yet?

Drove through there, didn't stop. Was very tired and it was getting dark and I wanted to check out the state parks in daylight.  I had planned to do a lot of exploring, local ghost towns, Silver City, etc. but need to have the van looked at after the holiday.

Recommendations for Hatch?

 

[bigsallysmom]

^Sparky's green chili burger.
Baquera's Grocery in Arrey (Right hand side. Almost across from the school) if you don't want to go all the way into Hatch. They also have a free book hutch to the right of the front door. The only place around with non ethanol gas.

 

[user 423]

Thanks BSM, I'll have to take a ride down there and try that (the burger).

I had a really bad start to 2018 today. The outer door handle on the side entry door was broken when I bought this van but I had gotten used to just reaching in through the front door and opening from the inside.

Well today THAT broke and I couldn't get in the side door......not good.

So I've spent the past 3.5 hours unbolting the hinges, cutting speaker wires, removing the hold-open arm thing,etc. so I could get the door off. Then the hard part was removing the door panel because this conversion van has a pretty fancy interior with carpet covered plywood with screws that were lost deep into the carpet and it was a bitch trying to get them out. I finally had to cut and break apart the door panel to get to the door mechanism.

I'm not familiar with Fords at all but it looks like there is a cable actuated setup that releases the latch....couldn't figure out exactly what it needs as it got dark on me. Will try tomorrow.

So I put the door back on and now have a 2' piece of angle iron held on by C-clamps that locks the door closed and I have to climb to the back between the seats.

I hope the rest of the year trends better...

 

[bigsallysmom]

I hear ya slow2day. I've got an older van and finding more stuff to fix. I need to tighten down the van's side mirrors which are migrating in as I drive. To do that I have to remove both door panels to get to the mirror mechanisms. I've been putting it off, but suddenly it got much colder. Beginning to get a bit too chilly to roll down the window and push it back into place. I think my panels are held on by carpeted clips which means they are going to look a lot worse by the time I jerk everything loose.

 

[user 423]

Beginning to get a bit too chilly to roll down the window and push it back into place.

On my old Dodge I had the same problem but solved it by carrying along a cane that I use occasionally when I have knee problems. The driver side window didn't open but I was able to adjust it easily through the wing. And the cane was long enough to reach the PS mirror.

 

[user 423]

Here's a pic of my trashed door and temporary security measure:

 

[tx2sturgis]

Well, Katy bar the door!

 

[user 423]

You know I might just leave it like that through the winter because trying to figure out how the mechanism works and exactly what broke while looking at it with a mirror (everything's backwards) ain't too fun.

 

[tx2sturgis]

You might want to try a ratcheting cargo strap, one hook in the door, the other end under the front seat frame or across the van to another secure point. 

Obviously, dont ratchet it down TOO tight. 

You might be able to work the ratchet from the front passenger side, and in an emergency you can cut it with a knife.

On my van with the sliding side door, the latch mechanism has a screw that backs out occasionally, and then the outside handle wont work. I just re-tighten the screw and all is well.

 

[user 423]

You might want to try a ratcheting cargo strap, one hook in the door, the other end under the front seat frame or across the van to another secure point. 

The strap is good idea because sometimes I'll need to use that door. Thanks.

I'm using two on the rear cargo rack, so I'll need to head to WM and get a couple more.