Cruise Moab 08'

Steve Jones and I left for Moab, UT on Tuesday 5/6/08 around Noon in the new 1-ton Chevy and both rock crawlers (Big Tex and Meanie).  Unfortunately, Matthew's college schedule did not coincide with the trip this year.  He really wanted to go but had to tend to studying for finals.  Matthew is finishing up his 2nd year at Baylor U.

Fortunately, for Steve and I, the road trip to Moab this year was almost perfect.  We blew out one trailer tire before leaving Texas and almost got arrested in New Mexico, but other than that....it was a great trip!  Sometime in the wee hours of the night, a New Mexico Highway Patrol (let's just call him Barny), pulls me over and asked why I did not go through the Weigh Station (like all the commercial truckers).  He said that because we had "Lone Star Land Cruisers" all over my rigs, we were considered COMMERCIAL (for profit).  He said he could fine me for a) not stopping at the weigh station and b) for not having a commercial drivers license for being over 10,000 lbs.  We went back & forth for 15 minutes trying to explain to this guy that rockcrawling was my hobby and that I WISHED it was "for profit" endeavor.  I was not like "BIG FOOT" or "THE GRAVEDIGGER" like he compared me to.  We finally convinced him (in a round-a-bout way) that he would NEVER be able to prove we were for profit.  I think once he looked at my registration (on the pickup) and saw that it was in my personal name, he decided he had best let us go.  He did tell us we better stop at the weight station coming back into NM though.  We didn't!!!

Diesel prices were pretty steep this year.  We paid any where from $3.99/gallon to $4.39/gallon for fuel.  After the 1st tank, driving 70 MPH into a headwind and only getting about 6.5 MPG, we slowed down to 60 MPH and increased the MPG to 8.5 - 9.5 depending if we were going up the mountain or down!

We rolled into Moab around 7:30 a.m. Mountain Time (Just over 20 hours).  After a nice breakfast, we unloaded the vehicles and went through inspection.  It was a real treat to see Jeremiah's new crawler.  I could see a lot of Big Tex similarities but his rig had 2.5 ton Rockwell's, 4-wheel steer, and a bunch of bling! It is a beauty.  We were able to visit with a few of the Proffitt's Cruisers crew that had already arrived before heading out for lunch. Normally, we would hit the mountain all day; however, Steve & I decided to rest on Wednesday and wheel Thursday & Friday.

Friday, we were to meet up with the Proffitt's Cruisers crew & friends (Jeremiah & his wife, Barry, Lee, Peter Sloop & his wife, Ray Alexander and others).  We were going to wheel Pritchett Canyon.  Normally, you would trailer your rigs to the trailhead; however, since Jeremiah said he was going to drive his rig from camp, we decided to as well.  Unfortunately, Steve & I didn't know the back way (off the main street) and Steve got stopped by one of the locals. I had made it though a red light and was already down the road when Steve got pulled over.)  The officer was pretty nice (obviously not related to the New Mexico HP) and told him

he better not see the rig on the street anymore or it would be impounded.

We finally met up with everyone and went out for the day.  Steve was driving Big Tex and I was in Meanie.  At RockerKnocker, we heard a loud pop coming out of Big Tex.  It sounded like Steve broke an axle but I was standing near Jeremiah (spotter) and I know Steve did not do anything to cause an axle break.  

 backed her down from the obstacle and I pulled the hub. There were 3 broken parts in the center of the hub and I had a spare so I popped in some spare parts.  That did not fix the problem so when we get in, I bought and installed drive flanges and believed that would fix the problem.  I made the mistake of not checking everything since Big Tex was already strapped down on the trailer.  The next morning, I found out it wasn't the hub after all.  I pulled the axle out expecting to see a broken cromolly but it was in perfect shape. That could only mean one thing.  The Detroit Locker had failed on the long side.  It must have been weakened from some tough wheelin' at Katemcy last March.  We just parked Big Tex and both rode in Meanie.  Thank goodness we had a spare!  (A 40-hour round-trip and only 1/2 day of wheelin' would have NOT been good.)

One of the toughest obstacles in the canyon is the Rock Pile.  I tried to take Big Tex up it last year but after a few attempts, I passed on it.  Matthew would have probably made it in Meanie in '07 but his rear limiting strap had popped and attempting the Rock Pile would have most likely snapped his rear brake line when the rear air shocks extended as it went up.  This year, Meanie made it up the Rock Pile.   was ugly but it made it. 

On Friday, we wheeled Hells Revenge, one of the smaller Hot Tubs, and the Escalator.  Barry Ruter, Peter & Heather Sloop, Steve & I got a late start (trying to fix Big Tex) but caught up with everyone around Noon. Barry gave us a great show trying to climb up out of Micky's Hot Tub.   gave a valiant effort and came real close to making it out but unfortunately, he started rolling backwards near the top and ended up ripping out the Atlas output shaft.  He was 2WD for the rest of day.

Jeremiah gave us a show in the smaller hot tub.  He sort of.....missed the entry and almost scratched the paint on his new rig!  Once lined up, it came up and out with no problem.  Meanie made it in and out as well. 

We enjoyed seeing everyone and invited the entire Proffitt's Crew to the 2009 LSLC Roundup in Texas.  Jeremiah said they would come if we could also get him up a Fishing Trip and Hog Hunt while he is in the hill country.  We will work hard on that so they can come down and see the Moab of Texas (www.katemcy.com).

Steve and I left Moab around 10:00 a.m. (Mountain time) Saturday a.m. and arrived at his parents home in Denison, TX on Sunday Morning just in time for waffles.  This is 2 years straight that the Jones' fed us breakfast.  Thank you Ralph & Janelle!!!  I believe you have started a tradition.

Well, the trip was long and the time was short but it is well worth it to see God's beauty in the mountains surrounding Moab, UT.   Until next time......

Check out www.4x4crawl.smugmug.com for 2008 Moab pictures.