mjmcdowell
Explorer
I decided to post in this section this time sorry for the bouncing around. First, THANK YOU to all who had input for me before I left and to those who just read my posts. My truck preformed without a hitch, "Ford Tough" as did the Hankook AT tires. The high speed, heat and gravel for hundreds of miles, they did not let me down, I recomend them for you people out west, as some of this gravel was made up of sharp edged stones also. I did however fail in sealing my tail gate, dust got into everything!!!!, I think I have solved the problem for the return trip on the 900 mi. round trip on the TTR, all on gravel! Bugs were not a problem, I had repellent but the breeze and the smoke took care of them. The Hitch Haul also worked like a charm altho the bottom and other parts were pretty well sand blasted, zip ties to hold reflectors, I will wire them next time. I do not use bunggee cords, breakage and snap back.... don't want to lose ant teeth or an eye.. ratchet straps are the only way to go. The 4 CARB Blitz cans did not leak and the spouts worked just fine. I have heard people say that the Thule towers come loose from the tracks (mine are mounted on an Leer cap) with a Moab basket. No problem, the basket carried a second spare 2 folding tables and 2 small action packers plus on the rt. side of the load bars a pair of bridging ladders and on the left side my 10' Kayak. The "Trashroo" carried the trash generated until I could dispose of it. Worked great, good product! Crossing into Canada was not a problem, my gas can's were empty ( why carry the excess weight when not needed) the did not even give them a glance. The paper work for my little 12 ga. Coach gun was in order w/20 rds slugs and 000 buck, in fact the agent wondered why only one firearm! (returning to the US was also not a problem, the border/customs agents were more interested in my gear and remarked about the Sat. phone in particular, not a word about the shotgun. Every one I talked to were very friendly (some wondered why I wanted to go so far up into the bush) I told them that I wanted to experience the solitude and beauty of there provence and that it was an adventure for me. If anybody has questions I would be glad to answer them, soon will come the photos I have a lot, stay safe, mjmcdowell
