Great trip, learned a lot

[mikewilley]

We just got back from 10 days on the road.  We went out to Phoenix to visit family and stopped on the way in New Mexico to see the Gila Cliff dwellings and learned a lot that some of you may be interested in.

Jeep Liberty TV Gas Mileage towing our Coleman (or should I say Fleetwood) Santa Fe if we maxed our speed at 75 to keep with traffic and posted speed limits we got 8-10 MPG.  When I lowered the speed to 65 our mileage went to between 17-18 MPG.  What seems to be magic is that beyond 65 there is not enough torque to use O/D so we were running the engine closer to 3000 RPM a lot, instead of a relatively steady 2000 RPM.

Keeping warm We found that by placing two 1500 W ceramic heaters on the floor on medium heat and electric blankets set on low under our sleeping bags we kept Kumphy Kozy even when the temps dropped below 20 F in Silver City, NM.

Water connection We learned that water freezes at 32 F  when our outside hose froze due to the cold night air.  BTW does anyone have a reliable and easy to tote way of keeping your water feed hose warm enough to prevent freezing overnight when the temps will drop below freezing for 6 or 7 hours a day?

I am too young It is very hard to find a camp ground in the Phoenix area (that has water and electric hookups) that will accept campers who are younger than 55.  The world of snow birds is definitely different!

Gila Cliff Dwellings are COOL It was absolutely incredible to be able to see the homes that people lived in on this continent over 700 years ago.  To put this in perspective, that is nearly 200 years before Columbus "discovered" the Americas.

cheers and happy camping to all.

(PS I will post a link to pictures when we get them developed.)

[Tim5055]

Jeep Liberty TV Gas Mileage towing our Coleman (or should I say Fleetwood) Santa Fe if we maxed our speed at 75 to keep with traffic and posted speed limits we got 8-10 MPG.  When I lowered the speed to 65 our mileage went to between 17-18 MPG.  What seems to be magic is that beyond 65 there is not enough torque to use O/D so we were running the engine closer to 3000 RPM a lot, instead of a relatively steady 2000 RPM

I have also noticed a drop in gas mileage as you move above 65.

Water connection We learned that water freezes at 32 F  when our outside hose froze due to the cold night air.  BTW does anyone have a reliable and easy to tote way of keeping your water feed hose warm enough to prevent freezing overnight when the temps will drop below freezing for 6 or 7 hours a day?

I will be interested to see if anyone has an answer to this.  From my experience, most campgrounds winterize their water pipes so you may not be able to get a water site regularly.

I am too young It is very hard to find a camp ground in the Phoenix area (that has water and electric hookups) that will accept campers who are younger than 55.  The world of snow birds is definitely different!

 Having lived in the retirement capital of the country (Florida), I understand what you mean.

[tlhdoc]

It sounds like you had a great trip.  I loose gas mileage when we tow over 60 mph.  The longer the trip the more of a dent in the pocket book this makes, but I like to get there, so I usually go over 60 any how.

Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

[mikewilley]

Almost forgot one of the handiest lessons learned...
Antisway bar squeak When I have my Reese friction sway controller adjusted to give me adequate sway suppression, it groans when I pull into gas stations, etc.  I tried applying the blue stuff that you use to stop disk brake squeal to my sway controller, and viola, I had both adequate sway control and can turn without it sounding like I am twisting someone's arm behind their back.

[Kelly]

I am too young It is very hard to find a camp ground in the Phoenix area (that has water and electric hookups) that will accept campers who are younger than 55. The world of snow birds is definitely different!)

LOL ~ I am too!!  Had the same problem trying to find a 'family friendly' (read 4 kids under the age of 9) campground when we were there earlier this year!!!  Ended up bunking with relatives ...
 
Sounds like you had a great time!  We spent some time at the Cliff Dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park and were also awed by the experience!

[B-flat]

I have done a lot of camping in my years but I have never encountered campgrounds that wouldn't let me camp because of age.

[C. Hains]

How does that work - not getting a campsite because of your age? I'm just curious.

[mikewilley]

How does that work - not getting a campsite because of your age? I'm just curious.

The campgrounds ask your age, and if you are too young they will not take your reservation, or check you in if you just show up.  I guess nobody ever bothered suing for age discrimination   .

My mommy (who by the way can camp anywhere she wants) always told me that if someone didn't want to play with you it was because they didn't know how much fun you can be, so they can't be very much fun themselves!

BTW that didn't make me feel any better when I was a kid, but it seems somehow to apply to this situation  :J .

[Preacher]

I don't know if it works or not, but I did see an RV a few years back that had its water hose wrapped with that electric tape that you can wrap your pipes with.  If it keeps pipes at a house from freezing seems it should work on a water hose.  But like I said, I only saw it and have never used it.

[aw738]

When someone applies for a job you can not discrimiate because of age so why can you while camping? This just isn't right!!!:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Gone-Camping]

Gila Cliff Dwellings are COOL

Hmmmm, maybe give me an idea for a name for my new Hybrid!!!! I never named the Coleman, but the old Starcraft was "The old barge".... A Cliff Dwelling!!! Hmmmm