Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

These would work well as a stock replacement.
https://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/...-front-hilux/chromoly-um07-marfield-27-spline

 

Yep, I can and it is quite comfortable when solo. The raised floor I built creates a nice smooth open 5x5 foot space where I can sleep diagonally just fine despite being 6'1" in a short bed. Normally two action packers and a yeti live on the floor. In full stealth mode I can tuck those in opposite corners and still sleep comfortably diagonally (the Flip-Pac is tall enough closed that the APs can actually stack on top of each other). Usually though I'd at least put the APs under the truck which gives me quite a bit of space to sprawl out. The Flip-Pac is high enough inside that I can still sit quite comfortably on my 9 inch high raised floor with the Flip-Pac closed.

So if I'm solo I usually don't bother opening the Flip-Pac when there are strong winds since it is just quieter and more comfortable to sleep with it closed in those situations.

And yeah, I'd strongly recommend to a typically solo camper that a nice tall shell plus a raised floor makes for a really nice, comfortable cozy "cabin" as it were. With a LB would be fine for two. The combination of a raised floor so that most of your gear lives under you and doesn't need to be removed along with a high ceiling for comfortable headroom is what makes all the difference in my book. In my old truck I had a cab height shell and my pseudo raised floor was higher making it quite claustrophobic. It was a good bolthole for sleeping out of the weather but not comfortable or practical at all for lounging. The extra headroom is what makes it really work.

In the event that wind or other foul weather strikes while my daughter and I are out my plan to leave the Flip-Pac closed and I'll sleep in the back while she sleeps in the back seat of the cab. We can have the rear cab window open to allow her easy access between the cab and the Flip-Pac. I think we'd be plenty comfortable and she'd be entertained by the novelty of the configuration. Bad weather with all three of us would be more of a challenge!

 

Not sure if those will work. I count 26 splines on the stub.

 

There's no good way to prepare for wind besides have something hard sided to sleep in. When solo I use a tent cot which you can move around pretty easy to use the truck as a wind break. That makes things slightly less fucked.

 

not an ideal set up, but works for me and one dog.

 

How do you do that? I mean get everything flat like that? Are you removing the rear seat or something?

 

...^^^... Very cool pics

 

the rear seats were removed and replaced with plywood platform for two dogs to ride and sleep. the front seat is currently removed, but replaceable, and a separate platform made that bolts in where the seat mounts. i no longer have a rear seat.

 

I recently went through the same decision making process (Spot vs. inReach) and settled on the inReach. The reason was largely this: I've read numerous reports of people activating a messaging option (non SOS) on their Spot (something like "I'm okay, but need help"), and that message never reaching its intended recipient. With two way messaging, a reply will be the confirmation you need.

I used the inReach on a recent 16 day trip (with Death Valley as part of it) and loved the two way messaging. Very handy. Also really liked having access to weather forecasts - also saved my butt a few times.

 

I had a similar experience. I was stopped at a viewpoint along Saline Valley Rd that overlooks the Racetrack, and as I was enjoying the views a fighterjet came out screaming from behind the mountain, turned and hauled ass in another direction. I barely got my jaw off the floor before a second one did the same exact thing. Pretty damn awesome!

 

"long time listener first time caller" So I'm getting ready to move to Death valley in May which will be quite the culture shock coming from WV. I am due for a new cell phone and was wondering if you guys knew the best providers for the Furnace Creek area as well as the rest of the Region? Would like to get it now when the cell store is just down the street as compared to the hour to Pehrump. I have US cellular now and i get spotty coverage basically west of the mississippi. Beyond the fact that its like living in an oven any things i should prepare for? Thanks

 

Verizon. But just so you know, in DV, they all suck.

 

yeah from i looked into once you get past the resort area its dead, i have a 2m mobile I used during bear hunting, I'm sure it can come in handy out there as well.

 

Pretty much dead unless you're up high or near one of the resort areas. The 2m will definitely come in handy.

 

Just curious why you are moving to DV? I'm guessing work.

 

If you're going to be living in Death Valley, you should probably get used to that hour drive to Pahrump....

 

On the upside. It's a beautiful drive.

 

I don't think an hour drive to pahrump will be that bad for me, as im used to spending some time in the car to get to the walmarts. I'm moving to DV to work at Furnace Creek as the golf course superintendent. Not particularly looking forward to the 120degree days but am excited for the adventures to come.

 

What part of WV you coming from? We were in Harpers Ferry before moving out here.

 

Living in Beckley for the next month