Barn Door for JK factory hardtops

[MattJ]

I used the Rubicans for water for several reasons, most importantly that the Rubican mounts to the side of the slide-out kitchen and therefore is easily accessible when cooking. Filled pots with it, washed dishes with it, drank from it, all right at the kitchen. Wouldn't be that convenient using the side mounts. (I posted a couple of photos of the kitchen-mounted Rubican earlier today so I won't repeat them here)

Also was very nice to put the spare water containers on the rack, out of the way.

Mostly I use the side mounts for spare fuel, although on this trip my distances from gas wouldn't be so far that I'd need to carry any extra fuel so all I carried was a 5-liter NATO can on a tailgate hinge mount, visible in this photo I took in the hotel parking garage in Las Vegas (and the photo above).

Thanks! Good info. After all that, I think I am most impressed by the fact you got your Jeep and the RTT into the parking garage! Great photo.

 

[jscherb]

Thanks! Good info. After all that, I think I am most impressed by the fact you got your Jeep and the RTT into the parking garage! Great photo.

I checked the clearance of the hotel's garage before I left home : http://forum.expeditionportal.com/t...for-JK-factory-hardtops?p=2384503#post2384503

 

[JDaPP]

Thanks for the link for the spigot!

 

[jscherb]

A few photos exploring Death Valley. Didn't take too many photos of the scenery, but here's a few.

First Day

Entered Death Valley through Titus Canyon from Nevada. The 27-mile route takes off across the desert flats near Beatty, Nevada, crosses into California and climbs over 5300-ft. Red Pass. In this photo the Jeep is beginning the climb to Red Pass, the switchback road up the mountain is visible in the distance.

After the pass, the trail descends into Titus Canyon, which becomes very narrow, at one point not much wider than the Jeep.

From Titus Canyon drove to Stovepipe Wells, where there's a National Park Service Campground, but stopped at the Mesquite Flat Dunes for a bit. Mesquite is one of 5 major dune areas in Death Valley: https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/nature/sand-dunes.htm

In this first photo the Jeep is descending from exploring the entrance to Grotto Canyon.

The dunes are very popular, there's a parking area next to the dunes and always people hiking and playing in the sand, if you look closely you can see people in both of these photos.

Camped at the NPS Campground at Stovepipe Wells that night.

 

[jscherb]

Second day.

Explored Mosaic Canyon, a it's a short hike through a water-sculpted canyon, then took off across the flats into Cottonwood Canyon and Marble Canyon. The Cottonwood/Marble trek was 40m miles off pavement.

An interesting feature far into Cottonwood Canyon is a very large cave.

Camped in the wild in Cottonwood Canyon that night. Set up camp near the entrance to the canyon with a view 10 miles across to the Mesquite Dunes, this is sunrise the next morning taken from the roof top tent.

 

[jscherb]

Third Day.

Explored the Skidoo town site and mining ruins. According to the NPS sign, at its peak in 1907 Skidoo had 700 residents but today there's no trace of the town.

Mining ruins at Skidoo:

Restoration project anyone?

In this shot the Jeep is on a peak above the Skidoo site and 5600 feet above the valley floor below. The photo doesn't do the elevation justice.

After leaving Skidoo, drove to the -282 ft. elevation Badwater Basin salt flats. Along the way explored the salt formations at Devil's Golf Course and the scenic Artist's Palette drive.

Camped the third night at the NPS campground at Furnace Creek, where I met up with Jeepforum friend Steve who was camped there with his LJ Safari Cab (production #4) and his well outfitted Jeep-tub camper:

Over the 3 days did just under 100 miles off-pavement.

Like I said, I didn't spend much time taking scenery/trail photos, so there's not much more than what's above. I did take photos of the camping/kitchen setup, I'll get those posted next, just haven't had time to get those photos uploaded yet, still driving home. At Omaha as I''m posting these, heading for Elkhart today.

 

[jscherb]

Camp set up in the desert; at the entrance to Cottonwood Canyon in Death Valley.

 

[jscherb]

This photo is for for Donny, who likes to wear flip flops at the camp site (so do I). The new steps are comfortable to use in flip flops . The steps were very handy for setting up the RTT.

 

[rubicon91]

This photo is for for Donny, who likes to wear flip flops at the camp site (so do I). The new steps are comfortable to use in flip flops . The steps were very handy for setting up the RTT.

hahahaha there you go! Yes a must have is flip flops. Thanks Jeff for the great pics. The setup and scenery look absolutely awesome!

 

[Comanche Scott]

Awesome pics and write-up. Glad to see you guys had a great adventure! :beer:

 

[jscherb]

This came in handy while camping... at a Five Below store I found a 10' USB cable, it's perfect to reach from the outlet in the dash up into the RTT so I can charge the phone at night but have it handy in case I need it.

Because of where the outlet is located in the dash, I can look out the front-facing window of the RTT, down through the side window of the Jeep and see the voltage display, so I can check battery status without leaving the tent.

 

[jscherb]

Another RTT trick I found useful - saving space in the Jeep, I carried the table and chairs on top of the RTT. The RTT travel cover fits nicely over them and the travel cover straps secure them in place.

The table and chairs are also in place in this next photo, you can't even tell they are there.

 

[jscherb]

On the way home from my trip I stopped in the Iowa80 truck stop and picked up a stainless steel step to try on the HD door hinges. I'm guessing most people would want the black steps, but perhaps some who like chrome/stainless accents would want these.

The hinges themselves are powder coated stainless, so it would also be possible to buff them to a shine.

Anyone like the idea of shiny stainless steps or hinges?

 

[MattJ]

I used the Rubicans for water for several reasons, most importantly that the Rubican mounts to the side of the slide-out kitchen and therefore is easily accessible when cooking. Filled pots with it, washed dishes with it, drank from it, all right at the kitchen. Wouldn't be that convenient using the side mounts. (I posted a couple of photos of the kitchen-mounted Rubican earlier today so I won't repeat them here)

Also was very nice to put the spare water containers on the rack, out of the way.

Great pics - thank you for the detailed photos of the camp set up. How did you like the tire-mounted side table? Looks little low, especially for someone tall like you (and me).

Also, I was VERY thankful that I was using your side-mounted MORryde jerry cans this weekend. Temperature dropped to record lows and I had to improvise to thaw out our water supply! I guess this is the OPPOSITE of the challenges that usually happen in Death Valley . . .

 

[PaulJensen]

On the way home from my trip I stopped in the Iowa80 truck stop and picked up a stainless steel step to try on the HD door hinges. I'm guessing most people would want the black steps, but perhaps some who like chrome/stainless accents would want these.

The hinges themselves are powder coated stainless, so it would also be possible to buff them to a shine.

Anyone like the idea of shiny stainless steps or hinges?