Got back in from Moab late Sunday night. This is how we looked headed out and fueling up:
We left LATE last thursday night, rolled into Rabbit Valley (western edge of Colorado) at about 1 AM. Let me tell you, it was a DREAM by that point, after making it through the mountains were it was snowing the majority of the way, to be able to hop in the back and fall asleep!! :sombrero: Nothing in the way, just roll back the sheets and snooze!
I spent the better part of Thursday building stanchions to attach our Yakima Frontloaders to. Everything worked out well, but dang that was a lot of work (not to mention a pretty serious cantilevered load!)
I was a bit cautious at first with that load off the back, but once you get used to seeing the bike handlebars swinging in the rearview mirror and calm down, it was A-OK all the way to Moab.
Things I learned Thursday:
- It always takes longer to custom make little things than you think it will, even if you have the material and tools
- I need to build a more robust support for the bike carrier if I use it again, just because
- The second you pull away from your house you will think of 10 things, per mile, that you forgot to pack
We woke up early and took the scenic way into Moab following the Colorado River
Of all the 4wd vehicles I have built, I have never been to Moab. So we spent the good part of Friday cruising around town, buying things we had forgot, fueling up, getting ice, etc. We caravan'd out with some folks I work with, and they had already got us a camp site. Naturally, Moab was PACKED, and just about every camping spot was already taken. We rolled into Horsetheif Campground at about 2 pm. The GF took her dirtbike out for a few hours while I set up camp. It looked a lot like this that night:
Things I learned on Friday:
- It pays to travel with nice people who will hold a camp spot for you
- I need to get a dirt bike (coming soon to Vantom build near you!)
- The TV and DVD player were nice to have to once everybody was headed to bed
Things I learned on Saturday:
- Leaving the key on in the van will drain my battery enough that the van will.not.start.
- I will never leave without our little generator ever again AND
- Add 'battery charger' to the list of things to pack. My buddy had his genset and charger, thank goodness!
We did about 5 or so hours of Mtn biking Saturday, it was great weather, a bit warm. Had dinner with some friends that night which lead to
Things I learned on Sunday:
- Leaving my little Igloo fridge plugged in all night will drain my battery enough that the van will.not.start..
- I will never leave without our little generator ever again AND
- Add 'battery charger' to the list of things to pack. My buddy had his genset and charger, thank goodness! See a pattern here?
- Put the mtn bikes inside the van on the way home - not much room, but more pleasant to drive. No kidding.
- restriction nuts on the drag link tend to work loose, resulting in a very not centered steering wheel. I had to stop a few times on the way home and tighten them back up
I will end this post for now, happy that Vantom never broke into a high temp the entire trip, got 16+ MPG, and got us home safe and sound! I will post again with pictures of the trip.
