Solar and Vegas

Hi Gang,
      The run for Oregon began from Why AZ, drove up the entire length of California and into Eugene/Springfield OR. Very cool trip, had good weather all the way there, this was the beginning of March. We had the solar system installed in Springfield at AM Solar. They did not know we were coming, and I lucked out, they did not have a big project going on and were able to slip me in. It took a few days to set up everything, like what we wanted, the cost, some parts that needed ordering, and then the install. They were all very nice to work with and really know what is going on with the RV'er solar needs. If your thinking about solar for your rig, check them out. If your a handyman or woman, you can order right from their website and install yourself. I am not the handyman type, I let the pro's do it, and it works great.

The Battery Solar Box

Batteries, Inverter, Charger

Info Meters

  After the solar was installed we made a mad dash back south right away. It was raining when we left, so we were happy to get out of the mountains before it snowed. Then we had great weather once again back down through California. When we got down to Barstow CA we took a left and went to Las Vegas NV to see family. We are getting more work done on the trailer here in Las Vegas and have been here for a month. Warm and Flat Desert, now that is my kind of country.... lol.

Ride the Rails,
Trainman

TrainmanCam

Why Arizona

Hi Gang,
  We have been camped at Coyote Howls East campground for 2 weeks and love it. Will stay one more week here and head west again. It is in Why AZ, 10 miles south of Ajo. Still getting things worked out as far as seeing what works and what does not work for us. Also going through the bags of stuff and seeing if we will use what is in it or not. So far so good. We survived our first month and almost finished making it past our 2nd month of fulltime camping. YaHoo !! We left Denver January 2nd 2012.

Coffee in the Sonoran Desert

Tent setup 1

Tent 2

Tent 3

Ride the Rails,
Trainman

TrainmanCam

Tombstone AZ

Hi Gang,
    We had a great week in Tombstone AZ. A bonus was a Super Bowl party at the Tombstone RV park we were at. Grandpa made it to halftime then we had to go... he does not like a lot of people talking at the same time .. lol. It was very cold at night all week, but the days were great, 60's and 70's. Took Grandpa up and down the wooden sidewalks on the main street of Tombstone with all the old bars and shops. He liked that, till they tried to Hang him at Big Nose Kates Saloon .... haha.

Grandpa Lynching .....

Campsite

Grandpa Earp Tombstone

   I tried a new sleeping arrangement in the trailer this stop, it worked a little better for Grandpa to get up for the 3am run for the outhouse..... lol. Also got the coffee maker up and running for the morning cup, and our oatmeal breakfast worked well too. Each new stop we are getting something to work for us, or change something we tried earlier. We are learning by experience as we go.

Ride the Rails,
Trainman

TrainmanCam

Made it to Arizona

Hi Gang,
   We left Deming NM today.... finally.!! We waited for a week for parts for the truck. Then after the rear suspension was installed, found out the Frame was bent on the left side where the new part was to go. So had to wait again for the body shop that did frame work to schedule a time to fix. Lucky it was a simple fix and they could do it with no problem.... whew. !! The truck was all set and ready to roll Monday afternoon the 30th. We settled up with the Dream Catcher RV park, an Escapees park, Monday afternoon, so we could leave before noon today. We were there for 2 weeks. They were really nice at the Escapees park, they were not sure of us at first, because of the tent and trailer boondocking. Most visitors were full hookup rigs. They warmed up to us after a couple days and found out we did not bite ... lol.

Oh wow. !!  The truck is much better with the new rear suspension Timbrens. I already had them on the front. Pulling the trailer is great. We just float up and over dips on the highway. A lot safer too. The truck does not dip in the rear with the trailer hooked up anymore. We made it to near Benson AZ today, just north of Tombstone. We will be checking out the OK Corral the next few days.

Ride the Rails,
Trainman

TrainmanCam

Left on the Truck....

Hi Gang,
    The parts we have been waiting for since last Saturday the 14th.... were left on the truck in El Paso and are headed for Arizona.!!  Now they say the RV dealership in Las Cruces should have them back next Tuesday the 24th. Then they will schedule my truck for service. So one of these days... we will get the rear suspension upgrade and be headed for Arizona ourselves... lol. Still staying in Deming NM.

Campsite at Dream Catchers

Grandpa running around the campsite.....

Ride the Rails,
Trainman

TrainmanCam

Back in Deming NM

Hi Gang,
    We are at Dream Catchers RV park in Deming NM. Arrived yesterday and will be here for about a week waiting for the rear suspension upgrade in Las Cruces. They said Monday, but hope they can do it sooner. It is cold here in Deming, will be moving farther west to Arizona next. Hope it will be warmer there.

Ride the Rails,
Trainman

TrainmanCam

Truck Rear Suspension

Hi Gang,
    We are in Las Cruces New Mexico for a few days. I found an RV dealer who will install Timbrens above the rear axle. "Hollow Timbren rubber springs are mounted between the truck frame and the axle. They do not take the place of the existing leaf spring, but work in conjunction with it, acting as a bump stop, to improve the ride of your truck and to protect springs against overloading". That is what they are. The trailer was fine "Empty"... lol. When I had it loaded with our stuff, the rear end of the truck went down a little, so this upgrade should help that and level the truck out when the trailer is hooked up, which is pretty much all the time.

Ride the Rails,
Trainman

TrainmanCam