2023 Mar 23 Road Trip Westbound

 

 

 

2023 march 21st,  shrewsbury to Erie PA via i-90

before i begin,   the boys (our cats) were funny last night.   Both came to my room at bedtime together, they NEVER do that.    Twitch wanted a blue chair play session (a camping chair I keep in my room).   He likes to lounge in it like a hammock and swat at the string I dangle over the arm rest.    He’s a chonker and doesn’t like to run around.   The most I can get him to do is spin in circles chasing the laser dot.    Anyway,  he saw Princess (his brother) and didn’t bolt, shocking.    This morning when I was going in and out  to load the truck, Princess was on his perch in the entry room by the front door.    In a past life, he was a golden retriever for sure.

Anyway,  the i-90 drive was nice and boring.   good weather.     At some point along the way, I’m going to look for a visor extension.   As we go NorthWest, I get Sun on my left side, and it makes it hard to see.    

Towards the end of the drive today, I just tried to find a semi doing a little over the speed limit, and I tucked in behind.     My running joke is that it’s like being a sled dog. If you aren't the lead dog, the view never changes, but it’s easier to relax.   

Jeff and I go slow to save $ on the mpgs.    Went 68mph most of the time.    got 19.5mpg on the second tank when I spent more time behind a semi with the adaptive cruise on the shortest gap setting.   First tank was low 17’s.   There was a headwind most of the day.

I did get jeff to walk into the Chattanooga rest area just before Syracuse, so he could see how small it was.   there was about 20 people in line at the Chick Fil A and it was 2:30p.m.    I still think the State made a big mistake in the redesigns.     They sized for average number of people, not peak numbers imho.  Time will tell.

So far, I haven’t found that I forgot anything, but I’m sure I’ll discover I missed something soon.   Might not find out until I’m camping in South Dakota.   The truck is pretty loaded though.    Winter gear takes up a lot of space.   An extra duffel, and the diesel heater. 

Tomorrow the goal is to get West of Chicago, hopefully Madison WI.    Today we didn’t do any off highway stops.    Jeff only ate stuff from his van, which is loaded with goodies, thanks to Maureen.   

 My right outer hip would get a little achy after a couple hours sitting, so we stopped so I could walk a bit and stretch.   Getting old, and I find the Ranger cockpit just a smidge too short, but it’s not horrible.    It would help if I lost some weight too.  lol

Anyway, going to go hang out in the Van with Jeff, and then go to bed after Cracker Barrel closes,  they’re open until 9 and it’s 7:45 now.    I didn’t sleep much last night, so I’m sure I’ll sleep tonight.   I hope so anyway, the Cracker Barrell is right next to the highway, but I have earplugs.    The noise is steady, and there's no j braking so far

2023 march 22 wed Erie PA morning after

Waking up at erie….

Lies….lies. lies!  Getting earmuffs to wear over my earplugs.    It was loud last night.    Fell asleep 10ish.  Up at 2.  Still loud.   Woke up 6ish, very loud.   

Thank goodness jacqui wasn't with me in the camper, or I'd be in trouble right now,  Especially with a nice hotel 200 yards away.  (a hilton chain)  Pretty sure she'd have ghosted me in the middle of the night to go get a room.

There's a tractor supply that opens at 8, maybe i can get my small propane tank topped off after breakfast (nope, they were out of propane)  and get ear muff hearing protectors too.   If not, there's a home depot across the main road.  (had to go to Home Depot)  

My man purse worked great.   Ditto on the silver duffel for all my bedroom stuff

2023 march 22 6:30 p.m. Madison Wi cracker barrel

long drive today over 600 miles.    hit gary indiana and chicago during rush hour time, but google directed us around the worst of it.    

Jeff had a glitch with his ez pass when we got off at Toledo so I couldd have Chipotle for lunch, but it was just that toll booth.

Got good gas mileage, but i need to doulble check vs what google says miles wise and what the gas pump says.   Not sure i should believe he computer saying I got 20.4mpg’s today        

So many semi’s , like crazy amt of semis.    Jeff wanted to shoot for Badlands tomorrow but that’s a crazy drive like 12 hours.   So I noped on that.   we’ll hit a cracker barrel 7 hours away in Sioux Falls SD.    then it’s just 4 hours the day after that to get to some of the stuff he wants to see.    It’ll be good to do proper camping soon.  

I got the earmuff style hearing protectors this morning, and I immediately used wire snips to cut one off.    I plan to just cover my left ear, while I fall asleep.   I’m sure it’ll come off while sleeping, but the goal is to get to sleep more easily.   I usually sleep with my right ear down against the pillow, and I don’t hear as well out of the right, so fingers crossed it works.    The Madison CB isn’t as close to the highway so that should help.

I should say my man purse worked well, and the silver duffel was nice for taking everything I needed up to the sleeping area.    Happy with both.

March 23rd Thursday morning 6a.m. Madison Wi CB

the ear muff worked!!!  even stayed on my head.    Wearing a hat helps with padding so it doesn’t press on my skull too much. 



I think if you’re in a rtt  (roof top tent) and try to sleep at CB’s you need exceptional ear plugs and/or  ear muff protetors on top of the ear plugs.   semi’s engine brake and it’s loud.   But I slept much, much better, and feel much more alert this morning.   Just wait until I get caffeine in me!  mwhahaha

it’s 32f and lightly snowing out, not even sure if it’s snow or just moisture freezing out of the air, it’s very, very light.  

 

 

 

 The challenge will be there’s frost in the tent, so hopefully I can open it up during the day somehere to dry out,   I checked the forecast. It won't be above freeing here until mid morning and that’s too long to wait.

oh one last thing, I raised the seat in the Ranger, and that helped with the hip pain a lot.   I was sitting too low and it was hyperextending my hip I think.  Only downside is hitting my head on the door jamb when I get in/out.    Just have to learn to duck my head more.   Also helps with the sun visor.   I’m not so far back now.

time to read a little and then start packing up before Jeff and I go into breakfast at CB at 7,   On CDT time too, so the fact I slept until 6 is pretty good imho.

2023 mar 23 thursday 12:30 minnesota rest stop lunch

just used the toaster for a warm s’more pop tart   used 3% of the battery  now boiling water for tea

also popped the tent up so things can dry out from the morning

 

2023 march 23 thursday 4:30p.m. Sioux Falls, SD, Cracker Barrel

If I’d thought of it, I would have swung by Enlightened Equipment on the drive today.   they made my lightweight goose down quilt 40F, and it’s where I got my synthetic down hoodie and booties.   They’re like mini sleeping bags for your feet and head.

drive was so much easier than yesterday.    Had a weird glitch with my dc/dc charge controller after lunch.   I’d used power from the lithium to run the toaster and then boil water for tea.   But the dc/dc charge controller wasn’t helping to recharge because I’ve been driving so much, the Ranger’s smart alternator wasn’t charging the truck battery.     So, I had to turn off the dc/dc’s setting for engine shutdown detection to get it to pull from the truck battery.    Just have to remember to turn it back on, or eventually I’d have a dead starter battery.

Anyway, we’re here early so just going to relax.    I might go to Home Depot and look for a new rain jacket, my Frogg Toggs one is pretty tattered.  I just don’t want anything too nice, because I’ll ruin it using it for camping.   After that, going to get some greasy fast food.   Had leftover salad and leftover chipotle for lunch.

The good news with this Cracker Barrel is that we’re well away from the highway, so far less road noise.   The bad news, a low of 18F for tonight.    I’ve slept fine in 15F though and I brought all the gear for that.    Time to go relax.


had a quick dinner at wild buffalo wings (gourmet!!!!)    anyway, after that, spotted this poor car.   Hail damage I assume

2023 Mar 20 packing for Arizona Utah roadtrip

Best summary of my Truck build,

https://forum.gofastcampers.com/t/2020-ford-ranger-lariat-supercab-gfc-with-solar-panel-wind-fairing-expedition-one-bumpers-and-victron-battleborn-energy-system/16813 

 

Day before the trip begins…..2023 Mar 20, Monday, Shrewsbuy Ma, Loading Up! All packed! 

 

Organization wise, the bags are working out well. I decided to use old grocery tote bags, so I could put shoes/sandals in their applicable duffel, but keep dirt on the shoes from spreading. The old totes are thin, but they breathe unlike plastic shopping bags. 

I made the duffel bags in different colors to make things easier to find. They're each 12" x 12" square and 20" long. I also made a man purse, I’ll let you know how it goes using it in public bathrooms. Photos here I expect a few looks, but I don’t care. Clean butt and teeth ftw! 

 

Orange bag behind Driver seat in Truck cab First Aid supplies, water filtration (filters are actually in the dometic cooler so they don't freeze) 

 

Silver bag passenger seat money, Kindle, tablet, bed time stuff 

 

Yellow bag truck bed passenger side extra paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, bleach wipes, shower wipes, soap etc 

 

Green bag clothes 

 

Red bag hiking boots, gear, hiking-specific clothes, jacket 

 

Black bag shower stuff, swimming clothes. One partition is empty, might put dirty clothes there. 

large canvas tote bag outerwear, fleece, flannel, etc. Layers I'll want quick access to be outside in cold weather. 

 

On the driver side of the truck bed, I've got the porta potty, lavabox (propane firepit/ammo can), and the dometic cooler. Lots of open space on the driver side, so I can use the toilet. Easier to get to by coming down from the upper bed area. otherwise I have to crawl over the cooler, which isn't pretty. 

 

In the ski box on top of the GFC, I have my Joolca single shower tent, a camp chair, and a mesh tarp for shade. Also put a couple empty backpacks up there. Stuff that takes up space, but doesn’t weigh much. As usual, my sleeping bags and air mattress are stuffed behind the driver and passenger seats in the extended cab area, above the tools. I strapped the tools down, so they won’t turn into missies in a bad accident. I did notice the nose of the truck is higher than the rear now, so I’m going to add more air to the airbags before leaving tomorrow. They’re only 20 psi right now. Will go up to 30-40psi until it levels out. Meeting Jeff ~9a.m. at the Millbury Mass Pike exit’s park & ride lot to heat West. Tomorrow’s goal is Erie PA’s cracker barrel, about 8 hours of driving, via i-90 If I have time tomorrow morning, I’m tempted to go to Flynn’s Truck Stop on the way to meet Jeff, so I can get the front and rear axle weights, but ignorance is bliss I think, and there’s nothing I’d leave at home if I’m overweight anyway. My builder said my truck is safe to carry full GVWR (and then some) after all the suspension upgrades, so I’m not worried. Jeff and I drive like Old Fogies anyway. In the future, I think I'll do front brake upgrades, when the rotors wear out. I’d get the black calipers, red is too showy. Bigger tires will help too, more ground contact when braking. 

 

https://www.mainlineoverland.com/products/powerbrake-x1-big-brake-kit-stage-1-for-2019-ford-ranger

Kitchen Pantry Bin/Drawer

 

I've got a couple videos doing a walk through.

https://youtu.be/dDtpdMwbhEc

https://youtu.be/2PyH-rWTV2g

The plastic bin will contain small containers of rice, beans, spices, and other pantry stuff.    Stuff I don't want to leave in the truck all the time during the Summer heat.    Also makes it easier to load up food stuff in the house and carry it out to the truck

also added these grommets for the tent awning poles.

Rear Bumper Musical Chairs

 

I moved the spare more to the center which covers the backup camera in the center blue Ford oval decal. I found a new backup camera, but I needed to move it to the center of the original license plate location, so I moved the license plate to the passenger side swing arm.

At least this was relatively cheap, the license plate bracket and light were $40. The aftermarket backup camera from Rostra was $165. The only downside is the automatic tailgate lock doesn't work anymore. But I have to manually unlock the GFC window anyway, so no biggee.

the new backup camera

more photos, click here.

Jan 28th

I move the backup camera because the image was very hard to see.

Everything was super overexposed/washed out. I realized it was probably because the backup camera was shaded in the rear bumper recess.

Icon Stage 4 Ford Ranger suspension upgrade

 

 

When I got the truck new, I felt the suspension was a bit "floaty". Probably made that way to be comfortable, but as I added more and more weight to the truck, the truck sway and diving/lifting was pretty bad. The Icon Stage 4 upgrade fixed all that, and the truck handles great now.

I'll be updating the tires soon too. As you can see there's plenty of room, but I'm not going huge. the stock tires are 30.5", going to get 32" tires.

Making Duffel Bags, removing Drawer from Truck

 

 

 

I decided to repurpose the 2nd drawer of the truck into a junk drawer for the basement. Mostly, I wanted to save some weight and space in the truck. I think the drawer and enclosure is at least 75lbs. Bags weigh a lot less, and they make it easier to move stuff back and forth from the house, instead of leaving everything in the truck to freeze/roast.

Soon, I'll have a new blog post on a smaller drawer I'm going to make using an under bed plastic bin. The advantage of a plastic bin is that I can load it with food pantry stuff in the house and then carry out to the truck.

Ditto with a new blog post about making bags. More on that later. Never thought I'd learn to sew, but here we are. Surprisingly, woodworking and sewing overlap quite a bit. The ability to read plans, measure, draw lines, visualize stuff in your head, etc is very comparable. And now that I've made one bag, I plan on using 1/4" plywood scrap to make templates so I can cut the fabric panels and add chalk lines to the pieces more quickly, so it'll be easier to make more bags. In that case, my woodworking will actually directly benefit my sewing.

Here's the 2nd drawer I'm talking about. Now removed from the truck.

It's new home in the basement, by the walkout door to the backyard.

A lot of clutter is now more under control. Weed wacker line, rope, garden hose parts, and misc junk. Everyone needs some junk drawers.

Winter Time Heating Pads

 

On my Arizona trip we first drove West via i-90, leaving mass March 21st. We saw some downright chilly weather along the way. Low's in the single digits at night.

back in December 2022, I'd gotten these 12volt Facon pipe elbow heating pads and with some foamboard/reflectic, they worked great for keeping my water jugs from freezing, and keeping my batteries happy.

I remember we drove to Albany when there was a cold snap. When I started the drive the batteries were only like 5F, and the heat pads got them up to 30F in no time so they could start charging, like maybe 1 hour. Very happy with that.