Moab

[Jimalberta]

My wife Linda and I just bought our rig, a 2008 Bighorn 3100RL and a 2005 GMC Sierra 1 ton dually long box. We will be trying it out locally for a couple of trial runs this summer but in Sept we are planning on heading south. Our first main stop will be in Utah at Moab. We are taking our tag along behind trailer with our 2010 RAZR and plan on doing some riding on the trails at Moab. After that we will head further south and winter in the AZ desert I guess. We want to explore though so won't be booking into too many gated "Snow Bird " parks but doing some boondocking as well as full hookup sites along the way.
Wallmarts, Casino parking lots and Flying J's will probably be utilized along the way as well.

We have only been down there on short trips so any suggestions as where to go and what to see would certainly be welcome.

In the meantime I've got lots to do....I want to put new tires on, install a battery/solar system. Get a generator and the wife wants a washer dryer
combo installed as she detests sitting in laundromats. I'm also debating on installing an inverter....not sure yet if I will need one.

cheers...Jim

 

[danemayer]

While in Moab, spend time at the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

 

[Rooskie]

I have been to Moab several times over the last few years. I would recommend the Riverside Oasis Campground and Resort. This is located on the river as you enter the town from the North, just after the bridge on the west side of the road. Their rates are average with everyone else, but their facility is newer and better maintained. Take your RAZR on a trip to Gemini Bridges and Hey Joe Canyon. Gemini Bridges is an easy 1/2 day trip with breathtaking views of the La Salle Mountains to the east. Hey Joe Canyon parallels the Green River for several miles. It ends at the mouth to Hey Joe, where several mining vehicles from the late 1950's have been left. This is a fairly moderate 1 day ride. Well worth it.

http://www.utahatvtrails.info/southern/moab/gemini.html

http://atvtrailreviews.com/heyjoecanyon

Cheers!

 

[ankie3467]

I have friends playing in Moab right now! That area is on my bucket list as well. Have a great time.

 

[StarryNight]

Canyonlands National Park, Utah is a beautiful area. Further south, 4 corners area (New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona & Utah) has numerous places to stay, visit & enjoy. Chaco Canyon (nw New Mexico), Mesa Verde National Park & Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (sw Colorado)...the list is endless!! All beautiful places with a lot of history! Check BLM land for possible boondocking and ATV allowed areas. Enjoy!

 

[Manzan]

We did it last September. From Moab and the two national parks there, we went to Cortez, CO (stayed at a friends place and used their electricity) which is very close to Mesa Verde-fascinating place, then to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, off to Bryce and Zion, and stopped in Bakersfield, CA on our way to Yosemite. Did not make it to Yosemite, in Bakersfield I discovered abnormal wear on right rear tire. Figured it was bad bearings or bad axle. Bad wear on other tires but not as bad-3800 miles on the tires at this point. Put on spare and changed my hook up to take a little weight off the rear tires on the trailer. Limped home to Seattle. Dealer and Lippert replaced both axles under warranty and got a credit for each of the tires. Want to back to the SW again-it is so different from anything up here in Washington.

 

[Jimalberta]

Thanks for the suggestions at Moab , much appreciated. Since my initial post we took the BH out and boondocked west of us in the Rocky mountains of Alberta for almost a week. It was a wet, rainy week and although not ideal it gave us a good run of trying out the unit. I'm glad I put in the solar panels but in cloudy weather of course they did not help much. However when we did get a good shot of sun I was pleased to see about 14 volts and 6 amps of charge happening. Along with some pretty cool nights with the furnace running a lot my batteries went down significantly every day and I was glad I had bought an inverter style generator...had to run it for a few hours every day. But...all in all we are quite happy with the BH.... no water leaks in some pretty heavy rains, comfortable and roomy with lots of storage. The Sierra pulled it well and wasn't even that hard on fuel.

 

[Jimalberta]

well our departure date...late Sept is fast approaching. I appreciate the tip on staying at the Riverside and we might just do that. If any of you have boondocked in the area and have any tips on where to stay it would be greatly appreciated. We are new to this adventure and have never boondocked in the US yet.