Road Trips

If you like desolation with drinking water, showers, flush toilets and NO RV's ALLOWED, try Big Bend Ranch State Park. Yes, it's a state park. Buy an annual pass and it's good for all Texas State Parks. BBRSP is 311,000 acres. Lots of isolated, single campsites, NO paved roads. It takes one hour to get from the main entrance to the Sauceda ranger station. We go every year in December for the Geminid meteor shower.
It has the darkest sky in the nation. It's not for everyone, and that's why I love it. Look at the rear tires. My axle didn't break, I use the side storage for the spare so it doesn't drag in the rocks. I take it out and use the space for my potable water and grey water drainage while I'm at camp. First trip with my '89 ambulance conversion. "Black Betty".

I want to go there some day myself. Either by motorcycle or truck. It doesn't matter to me.

Plus it really sounds like a good place for a winter time IDI get together to me.

A meet up would be excellent.
It's got some good 4x4 trails, too. My adult kids followed us in my Tacoma TRD Off-road. We rode the trails in the daytime and watched the sky at night. Not to be spooky, but there is some strange stuff in the night sky. Probably military, but it isn't planes.
Anyway, it is a great spot. Just be prepared. 40 miles to the closest store in Presidio.

dan-o said:

Just be prepared. 40 miles to the closest store in Presidio.

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Where I live, I'm used to that.

miles1400 said:

@catbird7 11.75 sounds pretty good for having a heavy camper in the bed. i can only get 13-14 unloaded, i need to get 3:55s lol

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It’s kinda weird, but I get 12.5 unloaded, and 11.5-12 towing. The worst mileage I got was 10.25, and that’s when I was hauling 22,000 pounds up several grades ranging 5-9%. I have 4:10, zf5, and 35 inch tires. Plus I’m running a turbo. It’s just interesting to me how little my mileage ever changes, no matter the load

Dane Rickford said:

It’s just interesting to me how little my mileage ever changes, no matter the load

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It's kind of like our engines. Every one is a little bit different and acts differently.
In years past, I've seen people claim that their Cummins trucks and first gen PSD trucks would get only about 9-10 MPg empty. I've also seen the same types claim that theirs got 22-24 MPG. Most seem to say that they were getting 15-18 and I feel that this is where the VAST majority fall. This has been all stock as far as I know.
Now for the most outlandish claims:
I say one guy who wrote into a magazine claiming that his Dodge/Cummins would get 27 MPG while towing his HUGE, heavy (I don't remember the exact numbers) down the highway.
The most outrageous claim, though, was from a guy who claimed that his dad's 91(?) Dodge with a Cummins and 5 speed would get 17MPG empty, but would get 22MPG while pulling a mid sized load. He had no clue what I was trying to say when I told him that it was impossible since the engine's working harder and using more fuel when it's pulling a load.

IDIBRONCO said:

...
The most outrageous claim, though, was from a guy who claimed that his dad's 91(?) Dodge with a Cummins and 5 speed would get 17MPG empty, but would get 22MPG while pulling a mid sized load. He had no clue what I was trying to say when I told him that it was impossible since the engine's working harder and using more fuel when it's pulling a load.

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He was just exceedingly confused. It happens with many Dodge owners.

gandalf said:

He was just exceedingly confused. It happens with many Dodge owners.

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I have to agree

Dane Rickford said:

I have to agree

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Me too.

gandalf said:

He was just exceedingly confused. It happens with many Dodge owners.

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Speaking of Dodge owners... When it comes to DUI's, Ram 2500 drivers are #1
(So that have that going in their favor)

Ford F-series drivers didn't make the top 10 list.. but were in the top 50

Interesting article if you're into numbers, and insights.
https://insurify.com/insights/car-models-most-duis-2020/

I couldn't figure out where else to post this. Who wants to argue with Matt's recovery over diesel vs gas for a recovery vehicle?


(Mods, feel free to start another thread with this, or move to a different place or just plain delete if you see fit. I'm just hoping for some good discussion on the merits of our IDIs, compared to gassers.)

Selahdoor said:

I couldn't figure out where else to post this. Who wants to argue with Matt's recovery over diesel vs gas for a recovery vehicle?

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(Mods, feel free to start another thread with this, or move to a different place or just plain delete if you see fit. I'm just hoping for some good discussion on the merits of our IDIs, compared to gassers.)

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I agree with Matt and the main benefit of the IDI to me is that the engine is simple and strong. Doesn't make alot of power. And it's heavy as hell even compared to other diesels.

Here's where I would bust Matt ..

>> concerned about an extra 300lbs in motor
>> welds 1,500lbs of extra steel on the car

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@hacked89 if they can find a f-350 for a recovery vehicle that would be ideal, underengined overaxled. engine that can just chug along with stong axles that arent likely to break.

miles1400 said:

@hacked89 if they can find a f-350 for a recovery vehicle that would be ideal, underengined overaxled. engine that can just chug along with stong axles that arent likely to break.

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1ton trucks are too big for many trails, poor turning radius, and heavy. Same thing we deal with here in the mountains.

Also there's a ratio of axle strength to ground clearance as well don't necessarily need to be lugging monster axles around.

The main reinforcements recovery vehicles need is all the extra gusseting and support where it wants to twist or pull from the shock.
They are leveraging kinetic ropes too which makes quite a difference.

Matt explains reinforcing the banana in an early video.

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