Eureka Dunes, Steele Pass, Saline Valley

[Christopher Thwaites]

Since I flat tow the Jeep it becomes my trailer. How is the trailer on difficult 4wd trails?

Herb, if I had had 4 flats Phil would have just kept on going.

One thing I'm thinking is that because I was aired down my sidewalls were more vulnerable to being pinched between a rock and the rim which is what happened. Another reason to be super vigilant when running aired down. The Quadvan suspension with 30lbs in the tires gave me a very good ride. This was my first trip off road and on washboard and I'm very happy with the vans capability and ride.
Phil's van is diesel so when he drove mine out of Saline Valley he remarked about how quiet it was. He could listen to my CDs in relative quiet but he said my music choices were way off his choices.
What's wrong with Vivaldi, a little YoYo Ma, some Marsalis, Buena Vista Social Club and The Traveling Wilburys! Oh...I forgot....Phil has a subwoofer so his van probably becomes his Mosh Pit.

[pjpvi]

if I had had 4 flats Phil would have just kept on going.

I'd never do that. Chris just would have had to spring for breakfast too!

"It's just human error"

I think it was "You have no one to blame but yourself". It sounds pretty heartless when I type it out though.

Here's a few photos of the trip.


Eureka Dunes Approach


Striped mountains near Eureka Dunes


Dunes


Eureka Dunes Camp


Oreo


Leaving Eureka Dunes


Phil's Van


Ruth's Jeep


Chris's Van


Petroglyph


Steele Pass camp


Moon rise


DV Sign


Jet


Beverage Canyon


Beverage Canyon camp


Surveying Saline Valley

This was a great trip!

Phil

[jage]

I had a friend who blew some of his fingers off- his unit in the army was playing around with some detonators in a field and a small fire started in the grass from one of them. The CO called everyone back and he started humping back with his unexploded detonator in his hand, only to have the cord catch on something and ... well the point is he had a Zep tattoo on that shoulder with the lyrics "Nobody's Fault But Mine" across it. I'm not saying you need to get a tattoo, but you're not the first of us to not be paying attention where you should. In the end, it does make a great story.

[Christopher Thwaites]

Thanks Phil...great pics. I can't believe I fit between those rocks on Steele Pass.
I Just looked at my bill for the tire in Lone Pine.....$394! Be sure to head for Miller's Towing and Tires in Lone Pine when you need tires.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Originally Posted by Christopher Thwaites

Since I flat tow the Jeep it becomes my trailer. How is the trailer on difficult 4wd trails?

The trailer is narrower than the van and not very heavy (~1500#) and since I have an EB, the trailer seems not to track to the inside of the van tracks. Three point switchbacks could be a challenge, but I haven't faced that issue yet.

Mike

[daveb]

Man, nothing like that gut feeling of doom but it sure feels good when you get back on the road. Great pics and thanks for the shop info. I'll file that in my PC. Now you have the honor of being able to add a pic in the post about being broke down. Glad you made it out OK.
Dave.