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jamesardis · 03-05-2008, 06:55 PM

Can you say "Rockdockin"?--its the best!

rambn · 03-05-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goin camping

Hey Rambn,

A group of us from CA. & AZ. are going boondocking at Quartzsite March 14,15,16. Let me know if you want to join in. It'll only be a couple of miles of maintained dirt road.

If when you enter your 19 ft There is a big wood door that opens to your pantry on your immediate left. Check those screws! Airstream uses the dinkiest screws for that rather heavy door. You don't want to know how I learned this.

this time is a solo trip (well, the dog is coming with). Maybe in the summer? Taking our 5-6 weeks to airstream then. during july-august.

thanks for the invite!

rambn · 03-18-2008, 12:51 PM

Well, I found a nice spot in the Anza-Borrego SP to boondock. It was about a mile south of Hwy S2, down a washboard road. As soon as I pulled into my spot, I hurried back to the Airstream, opened the door and to my surprise nothing had fallen apart or broken. Cool.

I stayed for 5 days and didn't even fill tanks to capacity or use all my freshwater, but I was alone, so that helped on that front.

There were spectacular panoramic views and long barefoot walks in the cool morning sand, admist a desert floor in full bloom.

Already planning my next boondocking adventure, which will be in the mountains towards San Diego.

The satisfaction of camping for free is something you can't buy.

thanks again for all the feedback.

Ray Eklund · 05-07-2008, 11:31 AM

Hi Rambn: I am usually browsing the Western Boondocking and you will find some references to Rockdocking. There are some excellent posts with advice from toilet paper unrolling to using rope to tie cabinet handles shut on rough roads.

Bees are the least of your worries. Your pups will learn not to snap at the bees after being stung once. We have two Blue Heelers and that is how they learned. They also have a natural fear of snakes that are aggressive... like rattlers that coil up and look agitated!

I sense you are a woman traveling (the two dogs are the big clue), but if you can hook up a trailer the rest is just experience. It is not fear, it is inexperience and caution you are feeling. After breaking in some improved gravel to improved dirt you will be able to handle two ruts on a western grassland. If you back over shopping carts at the grocery, drive over curbs without a trailer in tow, you will need to practice where your wheels are tracking. This prevents losing the plumbing, as was mentioned earlier. Watching for brush and branches dragging along the Airstream is a must, and carrying a sharp bow saw is a must off the asphalt.

Carry some tools to tighten fixtures and hinges. They always... always will need attention off the asphalt. Keep some spare wood screws to replace those that have fallen out and cannot be found. They will reappear at the next stop! Go to Western Boondocking to get the feel of off the beaten path travel. The pups will love the open country and bees or not, nothing will happen.

pauly g · 02-16-2009, 11:15 PM

My wife and I were talking today about the damage that washboard roads might cause an AS. We are concerned about rocks flying up from the TV tires and denting the trailer. We towed on some washboard roads this weekend, and just took it slow so that the gravel would not fly. As we use the AS more and more, we are attempting rougher roads in order to enjoy the better camping that is available. I am wondering about putting air shocks on the AS in order to raise it just long enough to clear some rough areas, and then let the air out when back on pavement.

Goin camping · 02-16-2009, 11:34 PM

Paulyg,

Your trailer is higher and shorter than ours.

We've gone over some darn rocky rutted roads without damage.

I once asked Rod at C&G about raising the suspension for off roading. He told me to do what Wally did to cross Africa.

"What's that." I asked.

His answer was. "He slowed down."

Yhottys · 02-17-2009, 01:15 AM

Rambn,

We've attached a video that Gypsygirl1 posted earlier on the forums.

It contains vintage promotional footage from Airstream of a driver taking what looks like a 60's trailer through its paces. We love the driving!

YouTube - KETC \| Living St. Louis \| Airstream Trailers

We're sure you'll be fine.

Happy and safe journeys,

imeynstein · 02-17-2009, 02:15 AM

Broken gas knob on dometic fridge...Still works on the electric setting. How do I replace old knob or should I.....

Journalist · 02-17-2009, 04:36 AM

I've actually aired down the trailer tires a couple of times on severely washboarded roads to allow the tires to flex and roll over the surface rather than beat the trailer to death. After I got to smoother road, I just stopped and aired them back up to the correct pressure. I always carry an air compressor with me when I travel since almost all public sources of air are next to impossible to get 50+ feet of truck and trailer up to, or they aren't working when you really need them.

ROBERT CROSS · 02-17-2009, 05:58 AM

This has been a big help on the back roads of the Adirondack St. Park.

5mph justabout right, if you can hear the stones in the wheelwells, 'yer go'n too fast.

AIR-Quarius · 02-17-2009, 06:30 AM

I watch this little show with my morning coffee!

Ahab · 02-17-2009, 08:30 AM

This was at the end of 21 miles of dirt washboard. No problems.

thecatsandi · 02-17-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambn

I live in the desert region of southern California. There are places in which I would like to boondock, some off them with access via washboarded roads. I've read on this board about stories of such vibrations actually knocking the cabinets loose.

I've had some trouble with 07 Bambi, so I'm a little gun-shy. Although I would really like to go camp where I can find solitude, I wonder if it's worth the risk. I could simply could camp at an actual campground, but that's not the same.

I realize that Airstreams are not off-road RVs, but I feel frustrated that maybe I need to treat the thing with kid gloves for fear that it will fall apart.

Thoughts?

Go slow on the washboard roads. The vibration will not be as bad. and also "make sure your running gear is balanced"

Silvertwinkie · 02-17-2009, 10:02 AM

One place I've gone to about 3 times has 15 miles of washboard roads. I don't go any faster than 8-11 miles a hour and though it does take some time to get there that last leg of the trip, I have not had ANY issues as a result.

I would in the strongest possible terms suggest that you consider mudflap or an enkay type hitch mud flap (or both) to reduce the projectiles that can fly off the rear wheels of the tow vehicle into the trailer.

jimmini · 03-01-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goin camping

Paulyg,

Your trailer is higher and shorter than ours.

We've gone over some darn rocky rutted roads without damage.

I once asked Rod at C&G about raising the suspension for off roading. He told me to do what Wally did to cross Africa.

"What's that." I asked.

His answer was. "He slowed down."

WARNING: DO NOT follow Goin camping down a dead end road with no turn around.It was hard on his trailer trailers.