Death Valley
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Forum Name: Camping Adventures
Forum Discription: Post your camping adventures here for all to share
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7313
Printed Date: 06 May 2025 at 3:22am
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Topic: Death Valley
Posted By: JandL
Subject: Death Valley
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 10:23pm
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The third week of December my wife and I headed to Death Valley, in southern California. When we left on Sunday it was raining and we had a 20-30 mph head wind all the way south on Highway 99 to Bakersfield where we spent the night. At times I was driving 45 MPH. My MPG when towing averages 12 MPG but with the head wind I was getting 8 MPG. I had to make an extra stop to fill up, I usually can make Bakersfield with one stop. We stayed at the Orange Grove RV Park with electricity and water for $30 a night. You can pick all the oranges you want. Before heading out the next morning we were watching the morning news and the weatherperson said that school had been canceled in Tehachapi Ca. because of snow. We had to drive thru their on Highway 58 so I checked with Caltrans to see if the pass was opened and their web site said that there were no restrictions, so we took off. Once we got to the other side heading toward the town of Mojave we had sun. From there we headed to Barstow to take Highway 15 to Baker, Ca and then north on Highway 127 (Death Valley Rd). I wanted to try this way into Death Valley even though its 75 miles longer than taking Highway 14 north from Mojave. (We took 14 back). The winds finely died down and at least we had a tail wind. We arrived just as the sun was going down. The Furnace Creek campground is very nice, with my senior discount card you get in to the park for free and full hook ups were only $21 a night (They have 18 full hook up sites). We stayed 6 nights and did a bunch of hikes. It was cold in the morning, usually 35-40F. There are 2 Furnace Creek campgrounds in Death Valley, one is private and it is called Furnace Creek Ranch. The private one is more expensive. Gas at Costco on the way down was $2.48 for premium and in the park it was $4.06 per gallon. We had planned to spend one night at Red Rocks State Park, Ca. off of Highway 14 but decided to drive one more hour to Bakersfield to spend the night. We headed back on Monday with a 10 MPH tail wind for the drive home. On Tuesday my sister sent me this head line from an L.A. news station, LANCASTER, Calif. (KABC) At least half a dozen big rigs were knocked over by high winds on Highway 14 Freeway in the Mojave Desert Tuesday morning. (They had gust to 60 MPH).
Orange Grove RV Park, Bakersfield, Ca. 
Tehachapi Pass Monday morning Highway 58 
Baker Ca., world tallest thermometer off highway 15 
Heading north from Baker, Ca on Highway 127 (Death Valley Rd) 
Death Valley 
Dante's View 
Natural Bridge Canyon hike 
Harmony Borax Works 
Furnace Creek Campground  ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Replies:
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 10:31am
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Those are some wonderful pictures! ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 1:40pm
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I had a similar experience when I realized my prior TV (minivan) wasn't going to cut it for long trips across the US. We were driving from MD to FL and encountered many hours of a strong head wind. Could barely do 50 with it floored, and mpg dropped from 12 to 8. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 7:29pm
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We slowed to 45 MPH because it was the safe thing to do, even the big rigs slowed down. As we drove farther south the wind shifted more to the west and was blowing on the side of the trailer. After we got by Fresno late in the afternoon the wind was not as strong.
From NOAA for Sunday 13 Dec - Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 10am, then rain between 10am and 4pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 55. Windy, with a south wind 29 to 34 mph becoming west 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Here is the link to the big rigs that got blown over on Tuesday 22 Dec, and a screen shot of a travel trailer that got blown over http://abc7.com/weather/high-winds-topple-big-rigs-on-mojave-desert-freeways/1132371/  ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 7:52pm
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Great pictures!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Grayotter
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 9:33pm
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That is not a friendly slot for pulling trailers. I'm betting you had a sway bar hooked up. What about a load lifter. I have a 2014 Ridgeline and it seems like Honda owners manual suggests none be used. What do you think? Gar ------------- Love2 1der |
Posted By: Grayotter
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 9:34pm
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Oops, I tow a 2014 179 pod. ------------- Love2 1der |
Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 10:17pm
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Gas at Costco on the way down was $2.48 for premium and in the park it was $4.06 per gallon. 43 years ago, my wife and I drove our VW bus from Mass to LA and back at this time of the year. Gas was $.25/gal in Oklahoma and $.50/gal in Death Valley. I swore I'd never pay that much again! ------------- Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 10:28pm
I do not have a sway bar or a load lifter. I have a StowAway Hitch Tightener that prevents hitch wobble on the trailer ball mount and I drive slower when I am getting a lot of wind on the side of the trailer. I just posted this evening under Topics - “Reviews and General Information” - “Dynamics of Towing” web sites that had some technical articles on Sway (yaw), center of gravity and the distribution of weight in a trailer. They explain why you don’t want to travel with your fresh water tank full in the rear mounted tank in the 177
 ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: kylekai
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 11:42pm
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Great pictures! When we go to Death Valley, we always camp at the Texas Spring campground. The reason is "generators are prohibited in Texas Spring Campground." ------------- |
Posted By: Kokopod
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2016 at 10:52am
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When we were in Death Valley in 2012, we paid $5.65 a gallon for gas at Furnace Creek. We have the picture to prove it! ------------- 2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k 2013 Premier 19FBPR Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE 2011 Dodge Durango Love a good road trip |
Posted By: Unclewillis
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2016 at 5:58pm
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since buying our Pod. We have been enjoying going all over the mojave desert. What great pictures you have. We also wan to try pananmint springs!! ------------- Daddy, Mommy and Daughter. BlackJack & Keno (boston Terriers) Rpod 176T 2015 Nick: ouR-pod |
Posted By: Commander203
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2016 at 9:32am
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Wow!! Those gas prices are scary. Around Central Texas at the local HEB, we are at $1.56 a gallon. I guess when we hit the road we'll need to prepare for the higher prices. ------------- Mike & Erin 2013 Tundra 4.6L V8 (Tow PK) 2006 Honda Goldwing GL 1800 2005 Honda VTX 1800N |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2016 at 8:39am
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Gas in California cost a little more than other states. When I am traveling I look to see if there are any Costco’s along my route, and they are usually close to the freeway. They have the lowest prices for Top Tier premium gas. I also have the app “Gas Buddy” on my phone so I can see where the best prices are. This trip gas was the highest expense because my average mileage was down because of the weather. With gas and overnight camping fees I spent about $62 a day. ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: Rockin the Pod
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2016 at 8:10pm
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Great pictures! I have wanted to go to death valley for years but never seem to make it. I think early this spring I will get it done. I am planning on taking some classes at the Frontsight Firearms school and Death Valley isn't too far from there. I will be taking my pod to stay in. Oh, and some extra cash for gas! ------------- 2016 180 HRE 2014 Tacoma Taylor 210 CSE Bose L1 Model II 2008 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2016 at 11:06am
| Too bad the road to Scotty's castle will be closed for some time. |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2016 at 11:36am
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For Rockin the Pod the road from Pahrump Nevada to Death Valley Junction and them to Furnace Creek is a nice drive. Premium gas in Pahrump is $2.39 to $2.62.
For john in Idaho you can go to the Death Valley Natural History Association web site and see the 2 videos they put together about the Largest Flood Event Ever Recorded in Scotty's Castle Area. The road is washed out and they say it may take a year to fix. http://dvnha.org/news/165-largest-flood-event-ever-recorded-in-scotty-s-castle-area ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: Rockin the Pod
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2016 at 9:13pm
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Thanks JandL! I will make the time to go out there. One other question. I bought a hitch tightener similar to the one in your picture. The instructions warned that it was only for accessories and not for towing. I just wonder if it is particular to the one I bought and why it would not recommend it for towing. Maybe the u-bolt is not of high enough grade material or something. ??????? ------------- 2016 180 HRE 2014 Tacoma Taylor 210 CSE Bose L1 Model II 2008 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2016 at 8:48am
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This is what it says on the Amazon web site, (it’s Amazons best seller)
StowAway Hitch Tightener Prevents hitch wobble for hitch racks, bike racks and trailer ball mounts Easy installation - fits 2" and 1.25" hitches Heavy duty stainless steel U-bolt and powder coated plate Will work with most hitch racks, hitch boxes and trailer ball mounts Made in USA I have had no problem with mine, it’s very heavy duty. There are others that are only designed only for bike racks. It comes with a stainless steel 3/8" diameter, square bend U bolt http://www.amazon.com/StowAway-Cargo-Carriers-Hitch-Tightener/dp/B0001CMUV4 ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |