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Mon May 23, 2016 1:31 pm

I took off the VWoA hardtop and put back the bikini top. Three people put the top on, it is really heavy, This time I used age, cunning and leverage, and managed to get it back up to the ceiling in my garage. I had to stretch the bikini top to get it to fit, but in the heat it will soon fit fine,
I have the FM 2 way radio installed and I think I know how to use it. Hopefully others staying at the AVI on Thursday night will jet me check it out.

Yes I know the garage is cluttered, tidying it is one of the things 'I pretend' I am going to do!

Wed May 25, 2016 5:00 pm

Leaving tomorrow morning at 6 Am, to drive the 550 miles to the AVI casino in Laughlin NV. I will leave the mini van and trailer at a friends house near Barstow and drive the Thingster to Laughlin, on the freeway.
10 of us off-road crazies meet at the AVI casino parking lot, and leave at 10 AM. This year there will be three Things.
Note the three 2 and a 1/2 gallon gas cans, and three gallons of water. It will be a drive of over 150 miles with no gas stations, so carry extra gas. I was rather proud of using the spare wheel tie-down to secure the trolley jack.
The first night's camping will be at 6000 feet so I have a warm sleeping back and lots of firewood.

Wed May 25, 2016 5:56 pm

Oh man, I wish I knew about this. Sounds awesome! Good luck.

Wed May 25, 2016 6:04 pm

sam_w wrote: ...

I've got that same winch in my VW hauling trailer! It's a good unit...

Y'all be careful! I prefer to think of y'all as adventurists, not so much crazies!

Lol!

Thu May 26, 2016 10:24 am

Have a good trip Sam,

always love the pictures and videos you come back with!

T

Sat Jun 04, 2016 8:44 pm

Ok Sam so how was the trip? I see the So Cal Baja group does this trip once a year or so. Is that who you went with? I'm in San Diego and I have been wanting o do that road for a long time. I thought I was going to do it a few times in the jeep but it looks like if it is going to happen it will be in the thing. I'm really looking forward to your post run report! :D

Thu Jun 09, 2016 4:59 pm

Got a short message today that things went "Great". Hopefully he will post pictures or a video.

Thu Jun 09, 2016 11:22 pm

I was talking with one of my neighbors today who had to pull out of the trip with a split in his aluminum fuel tank. Man O Man Id sure like to make that run next year. Sounds like a hoot!

I just noticed how far Sam drove to go on this little adventure... My hat is off to him for no other reason than the seat time! LOL

Fri Jun 10, 2016 6:18 am

I did the first two days, and camped the second night, my accelerator cable got sticky and I kept blowing a fuse, one that ran my auxiliary instruments. When we got to blacktop I decided to call but a day. I didn't want to break down and slow everyone down. I did miss the dry lake and the rock pile monument.
I drove back to Newbury springs, loaded the thingster onto the trailer. It was a great trip. Everything got fixed and the fuse blowing is no longer a problem. In hindsight I wish I had done the last bit, but hindsight is easy.

Fri Jun 10, 2016 8:50 am

So would you do it again in a few years? Or is it one of those "been there done that" things that is now scratched off the bucket list?

Fri Jun 10, 2016 9:03 am

I plan go next year.

Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:48 pm

Metal Twister wrote: So would you do it again in a few years? Or is it one of those "been there done that" things that is now scratched off the bucket list?

Sam has done the Mojave Road trip several times and shared his adventures with us. 8)
2015 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=628060&highlight=

2014 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=595848&highlight=

2013 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=555708&highlight=

Fri Jun 10, 2016 2:08 pm

How cool is that! Thanks for finding those links of past adventures by Sam and posting them up for us to enjoy. Looks to be a great time with great folks.

Fri Jun 10, 2016 2:49 pm

Sam is The official unofficial Thing adventurist! He's got a lot of seat time in his beast, with a couple 3-5k miles journeys around the country!
Much respect! 8)

Fri Jun 10, 2016 2:58 pm

Yeap, he is a Crank breaking Gland nut popping kinda guy. Love them types!
Hopefully we can meet up on the trail someday... Isn't this where someone breaks into a country western tune? :roll:

Mon Jun 13, 2016 11:47 am

Well, here are some pics. It was a great trip, and the Thingster performed really well. I kept blowing a fuse for the tachometer so opted out on the third day. The Mojave Mailbox with the Froggy Shrine is spectacular.

I also took a mass of wild flower pics, but think the admin would scold me if I put up a flower in the desert even if it was from a 73 Thing!

BTW it is good to drive off road with a harness, even if on roads it is difficult to look over one's shoulder.

Mon Jun 13, 2016 12:09 pm

It looks like a fantastic time Sam! Thanks for putting up the pictures and posting up your pre-run info as well. You probably don't realize just how big of an impact it makes on us who are using this post for motivation. I flip through this stuff time to time to motivate myself to work on the Thing. I guess I'm living vicariously through your posts. :P My goal is to be in a position where I can join you guys next year. Just so happens Joel lives right around the corner from my shop and we have since made contact with each other. I was able to quiz him on the trip. If everyone is as enthused as he is it has to be a great experience. Thanks again for the Pics! Any More? :lol:

I'm constantly on the look out for 181 off road improvements as there just isn't near the volume on line as Baja Bug info. floating around. I am curious how you mounted the winch? Have you ever needed to us it? Do you have a pictorial on the winch install by chance? Thanks again, Bob

Mon Jun 13, 2016 12:27 pm

Here is my posting about installing the 5000 lb winch.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=627366&highlight=

I thought I posted it, but what I should have taken was a boat anchor, to pull against when stuck in the soft sand. a plough SP? plow anchor digs into the sand and you can pull against it.

Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:02 pm

I saw a neat article on a old post about winching out of sand. It was out of a early WWll military manual where they suggest digging a hole in the sand and placing your spare tire in it leaning the top of the wheel at about a 30 degree angle. The top of the wheel was exposed, If I remember correctly they buried the wheel about 2/3's deep. Throw a strap around it and through the center of the wheel. Hook on and watch the magic happen. Best to put some sort of weight over the cable just encase. Some guys carry a bean bag just for that.

Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:06 pm

yes, the off road forums also say dig in your spare tyre.