Jump to content


Photo
* * * * * 1 votes

Maiden Voyage for the The Ted's Tiger


  • Please log in to reply
23 replies to this topic

#1 Ted

Ted

    Magellan

  • Site Team
  • 2,781 posts
  • LocationEast of Sacramento

Posted 05 May 2021 - 10:22 PM

Got a chance to break in the new rig. Kept it simple to start so all on asphalt and in campgrounds. Still working out packing details and making it so things stay put when off road. It definitely rock and rolls more than our Tundra/FWC so things move around. Will do a rig report in the future and update with mods as they get completed.

 

It is getting harder and harder to find places on the California coast that don't require reservations and aren't too crowded. One place that sometimes still works on weekdays is Westport Union about 1/2 hour north of Ft Bragg. It has four separate camp areas. For $35 a night you get a gravel lot, not fully enclosed pit toilets, and is right next to the highway. But it has great ocean views for sunsets and whale watching. Plus people surf fishing for perch seemed to be doing well. 

 

We did not plan it but had fairly big minus tides while there. It made for some fun exploring on the shore. A look ahead shows some even bigger minus tides the last week of June, so plan accordingly if you are interested.

 

gallery_176_1468_187318.jpg

We got the primo site. There is one site that was the first along a roadway of sites. It is still there, but the others got washed out and the road was closed. You can see our nearest neighbors were about 100 yards away.

 

gallery_176_1468_108266.jpg

 

 

 

gallery_176_1468_148303.jpg

Our first dinner was a celebration with grilled fresh King salmon, potatoes, green beans, and a nice bottle of wine. And fresh baked brownies for dessert.

 

gallery_176_1468_233049.jpg

On a side note, we opted out of installing the optional oven in the Tiger so we could have more storage space. Instead we purchased an Omnia Stovetop Oven which is how I did the brownies. Along with cornbread muffins for chili that I did on this trip, I have made pizza, meatloaf, and frittatas in the Omnia. Wish we had this when we had our FWC.

 

gallery_176_1468_152835.jpgExposed rocks at low tide. 

 

Some critters and and irises.

gallery_176_1468_169673.jpg

Rock Crab

 

gallery_176_1468_10570.jpg

Oystercatchers.

 

gallery_176_1468_362012.jpgCottontail.

 

gallery_176_1468_60394.jpg

Irises. (All photos taken by Mrs. Ted. I really like this one.)

 

The coastal winds really picked up after a couple of days. So we moved inland and spent a night at Standish Hickey SP. Not very many people, nicely shaded, and a swimming hole down on the river. Hot water for the showers was not working, no staff or host to sell you the firewood you can see locked up by the entrance (maybe too early in the season), but it does have flush toilets. Still $35.

gallery_176_1468_199500.jpg

 

Overall we were really happy with the rig. Everything seemed to work properly. With 400 watts of solar and dual lithium batteries power was never an issue. We averaged 11.8 mpg which included a lot of winding hilly roads. This is almost exactly what the Tundra/FWC got but this vehicle holds 10 more gallons. This extends our range significantly which also makes me a happy camper.


  • 4

"Not all who wander are lost. Except Ted, he's usually lost."  Dirty Dog


#2 Wandering Sagebrush

Wandering Sagebrush

    Free Range Human

  • Site Team
  • 10,532 posts
  • LocationNortheast Oregon

Posted 05 May 2021 - 10:29 PM

Congratulations to the Happy Camper Teds!   
 

Looks like you had a great trip, and certainly a great camper!  That bumper box looks handy.


  • 0

I am haunted by waters


#3 MarkBC

MarkBC

    The Weatherman

  • Site Team
  • 6,592 posts
  • LocationBend, Oregon

Posted 05 May 2021 - 11:07 PM

Looks like a great and fun rig, Ted!

 

On another RV forum I've read lots of praise for the Omnia Oven. I've been using my Instant Pot as a sort-of oven -- works OK for cornbread and cake...but I think I may be adding the Omnia to my ovenless RV bag of tricks.


  • 0

FWC Hawk (2005) on a Ford F250 Supercab, 6.8L V10 gas (2000)


#4 Casa Escarlata Robles Too

Casa Escarlata Robles Too

    C'est la vie

  • Site Team
  • 9,267 posts
  • Locationmonterey bay area

Posted 06 May 2021 - 12:14 AM

Ted your rig is a winner.

We've passed the Westport Union CG

many times but never stayed.

I like your rig over a "motor home type"

as it's more like a camper with the bed

always there and lots of room inside

you don't feel like staying in a cave IMO.

You don't have to make up the bed every night.

Keep enjoying it my friend.

Frank


  • 0

2002 Tundra AC TRD 4WD Limited 2009 ATC Bobcat loaded http://sharychic.blogspot.com/


#5 billharr

billharr

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 2,823 posts
  • LocationStockton CA

Posted 06 May 2021 - 03:18 AM

Good to see a trip report in the new rig. Keep enjoying. 

 

Bill


  • 0

#6 Lighthawk

Lighthawk

    Weekend warrior

  • Members
  • 3,318 posts
  • LocationNevada City, CA

Posted 06 May 2021 - 01:44 PM

Looking awesome, my friend!


  • 0

2021 RAM 3500 Crew 4x4, 6.4 hemi/8 speed trans with 4.10 gears, Timber Grove bags, Falken Wildpeak 35" tires.

OEV Aluma 6.75 flatbed, Bundutec Odyssey camper on order for 2024

For this year we're still using our 2008 FWC Hawk with victron DC-DC charger, 130w solar, MPPT controler

with 2000w inverter and external 120v output and 12v solar input with 100w portable solar.   http://lighthawkphoto.com


#7 ski3pin

ski3pin

    Belay On

  • Site Team
  • 15,251 posts
  • LocationSierra Nevada Range

Posted 06 May 2021 - 03:14 PM

Every bit of this is GRRRRRR-ATE!  :)

 

Congrats to two great people on starting a new chapter in their adventures. :)


  • 0

2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II 2013 ATC Bobcat SE "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."- Abraham Lincoln  http://ski3pin.blogspot.com/


#8 fish more

fish more

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 791 posts
  • LocationSierra Foothills

Posted 06 May 2021 - 03:44 PM

Very nice, that rig will provide many good times, enjoy!!


  • 0

#9 Ronin

Ronin

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 925 posts
  • LocationPNW

Posted 06 May 2021 - 03:54 PM

Great looking rig - more interior pics please!!


  • 0

2019 Tundra 2019 Panther Shell


#10 craig333

craig333

    Riley's Human

  • Members
  • 8,000 posts
  • LocationSacramento

Posted 06 May 2021 - 06:31 PM

Off to a good start!


  • 0

Craig K6JGV_________________________ 2004 2500 CTD 4X4 FWC HAWK 1960 CJ5





0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users