[Rockhounds] Vehicles

[Charles Baran]

Ted:  How was Royal Peacock?  Where did you dig.  Find anything good?  
How about prices?  Thanks.  Chuck...

Ted Kowalski wrote:

>My vehicle
>GMC 2000 Sierra truck, 5.4L V8 4WD with locking rear, extended cab and short
>bed. This truck has taken my wife and kids across the country and back
>again, twice, camping and rock collecting. Our last trip swung though
>Yellowstone in the north and we returned through Capital Reefs and the
>Arches in Utah. With stops at the Royal Peacock, Sequoia NP, Fish Lake UT
>and various places in the desert in between.
>
>I avoid the worst roads, but I only fear the muddy stuff. One can always dig
>the frame out if necessary on a dry road, but getting wheels traction in a
>mud slough can be impossible. 
>
>My turnaround circle is problematic; I used to think I should pick up a dirt
>bike for getting around rough trails when operating from a campsite. Talk
>about lack of space for rocks though. I may consider for my next off roader
>one of those vehicles with rear wheel turn capability; I find their turning
>circles attractive.
>
>I installed two off road halogen flood lights below the bumper in the rear
>and wired them into the backup lights. I do not have a problem seeing
>anything to my rear when I back up at night. They are also my canaries for
>ground clearance, when they get banged or scratched I know I am close to
>bottoming out my bumper and getting stuck
>
>I built a quick plywood box the width of the wheel well in the back. The box
>is open on top and has two slanted shelves open to the rear. All of the
>smaller rock tools fit in the shelves and I can quickly retrieve a hammer,
>pick, hand shovel, or chisel. Odds and ends fit in the open top (trash bags,
>plastic ties, markers, tent pegs, small screwdrivers for cleaning specimens,
>pliers). I also keep an inordinate number of buckets in the truck while rock
>hunting.
>
>One prominent local rock hound in the Richmond VA area chooses his cars for 
>1) ability to lay the drivers seat back into a comfortable sleep position
>bed,
>2) maneuverability, 
>3) 4wd capability. 
>His current car is a Subaru.
>
>Ted Kowalski
>Fredericksburg, VA USA
>
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