Have you ever...

Mac said:
Have you ever found yourself NOT excited for Glamis season?

That's where I'm at now...I know...sounds crazy.

I wanted to update my car last year...COVID took care of that idea and same thing this summer.  I reached a point where I can't find parts, can't find a fabricator or materials.  It's just taking the life and excitement out of this for me.  

Now include that I sold my toy hauler and refuse to pay COVID prices for a box trailer and moho.  I guess it comes down to choices and decisions.

Lastly, I've lived my life with my hair on fire and now that I've moved out of CA to a small town, life is so mellow and carefree.  It's weird like I don't need the outlet and rush of the dunes right now.  That all might change in a month or two.

Anyone else ever reach this point in life?
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I need to reach that point in life. My life is always so hectic i dont even have time for glamis. Ready to buy a house cash in a other state and start my new career as a sammich artist at subway

 
I have a good buddy we have duned together for years - 2 years ago he moved out of LA  to a small town.. He has a big house, with land and view  COVID stopped us going last year, and now  I cannot get him back to Mother G. He says for him G was a get away from the craziness of the day to day insanity and it was brain health and relaxing  but, the hassle of of prep, pack, 6 hour drive . Have a great time then drive, unpack, prep again  - is not worth it when he comes home to paradise daily ...

Maybe there is something to that  ...

For me, its the opposite - I am getting older and I know my "fast" dune time is going to end (hopefully not in a ball of fire due to slow reaction time)  ...  Driving at your best and doing 3-4 day trips is hard to do this when you get older.  I saw that with my Dad.   So I want to get in all the dune time I can before I am forced to hang it up or buy a "golf cart" I doubt I would be happy witrhout the high HP cars ... I would rather just quit. So while there is adversity in getting it together for the season I will make it happen.  and in 2018 I sold the Moho and enclosed, bought a Toy hauler to get me by until I found the right small Moho, sold the Toy hauler a year  later  and was ready to step back in,  and then 2020 happened.  It significantly devastated my finances,  inflated prices unbelievably, and everything is in short supply  -- life is full of challenges, I say enjoy whatever you can while you can ....

 
If it weren't for my kids, they are in their early 20's and loving the dunes, I could see myself pulling back.  The reasons I would pull back is the volume of uneducated people in the dunes now, I spend my days there shaking my head in disbelief.

I love where I live and I don't spend my days in a car or rat race, but packing and prepping isn't easy, and sometimes it is just easier to stay home.  I already stopped doing the river thing due to the heat and idiots, the sand is the last of my true freedoms I love.  I am going to try to do longer trips going forward, enjoy the camping experience more.

 
If I had to prep and tow for each trip I wouldn't be going very often.  Now I have it so that I can go from lets go to the dunes to out the door on my way to GDS is under an hour. This year my goal is under 20 minutes from parking the work truck to wheels up in the Ford.

 
I know my post was a little long to read, but to me it boils down to a simple equation... Seat time vs. Prep/travel/maintenance time.

If I was to add up how many hours I'm in the seat driving, having a blast vs. all it takes to make it happen, it's a pretty bad ratio. .. and I refuse to do ANY off-road trip that doesn't go at least 4 days so at worst I have 2 days of travel, breakdown, prep, etc. and at least 2 full days where all I do is enjoy myself.

I've significantly reduced a lot of that 'wasted time' by selling all of my quads, riding gear and crap that goes with those alive (6 quads running and maintained with full riding gear for 6 people is a bitch).

Now, we just have helmets to deal with and I've made good 'rescue n' maintenance' tool bags for the RZR trunks. so it isn't that much, but still... ugh.. some days.

Anyhow, you might see it all up for sale after the 2022 season.

abc

PS. Oh and I do also miss that V8 power. Golf carts are fun and can go to a variety of places that a sand car won't, but my group ALWAYS wants to just do Glamis.

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a few years back, I went through a divorce. Pretty much effed up my life/stabilty/well being. So I sold ALL of my dune stuff, 250r, sandrail, toy hauler, box trailer super duty etc... Mind you I've been in and out of the glamis scene since i was born in 1974. So then, the (after divorce) dune season comes and I see all the buggies and quads and rvs headed out AND coming back into Phoenix and I would get soooo bummed. Then the SXSs were getting nicer and nicer, then the buggy markets ass fell out and you could get epic sand cars for $0.50 cents on the dollar. And just about the time i said "eff it, I'm all in with the dunes again..." the Pandemic hits =( Now all the Crap I need to buy has increased in price! But I'm still going to make it happen, my mother says the "sand runs in your veins, son" She should know, she had me at the dunes when i was 10 weeks old. I'm thinking of going with Andys advice, box trailer w fuel station, toilet/shower. Then store it at GDS across from the store so i dont have to drag it back n forth. 

I may disappear from the dunes every now and again, but I'll never be completely "out" of the scene

 
Nope! Never felt that way after over 40 years of going. 

 
HEADINJURY said:
Cab over camper with a flat bed. 
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Kevin said:
not simple enough in my mind.
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I've got a bumper rack that holds my  450.  That and a cabover.  The camper would probably never be unloaded from the DMAX as I have other cars to drive.

But, my life has been too busy the last couple years for me to even get my toes in the sand..

 
Been there. I took a long break, to raise a family. The sand was still there when I came back. You have to do what is best for you. But trust me, the sand will always be there when your ready to play again. Also a break allows you really zero in on what exactly YOU want and what will work best for you. As for camping, I see a lot of really good options on the horizon at reasonable prices. 

 
I see how it can get to that point, but, I just love the camping and sitting around the campfire. I also love duning, but my peeps are why i go.

This year will be a bit diffrent for me as I have gone balls deep in buying a rail, trailer and moho. I am all about simplicity, and its a little bit of a struggle getting it perfect.

Now, if somehow we can keep the Drama out of camp and far away, it will be a perfect season... I am chomping at the bit to go!!

 
Mac: The reason to return to Glamis is the endless dune runs with random paths that a person can't find in other off-roading venues.  Also, for you personally, it's the opportunity to connect with all the friends you have made at Glamis.

For Me: I have had my ups and downs with Glamis motivation.  Last year I went the entire sand season with my super knobby GBC Dirt Commander tires, i.e. never mounted my sand tires.  I had a blast in Superstition, but mixed results in Glamis.

This year I'm planning changes to make my Glamis experience richer:

1. Mount my sand tires, 14" wide Sandblaster paddles in back and Sandblaster smoothies in front.

2. Try to stay in 2WD because I have never broken a belt in 2WD.  My 2021 Glamis experience ended with a broken Worlds Best Belt (haha) on the sand highway while in 4WD.

3. Try to focus on getting to and hanging out at the Swingset because I've never been there (sad but true....haha), and it looks like a fun yet non-extreme ride from Gecko.  Also because so much action happens at the Swingset.

 
I don't run paddles on my '14 because I think with whatever the stock HP is (96?) it doesn't really do much, momentum is key. I doubt I'll get paddles for it with the 1110cc. After going through over 20 belts and 3 clutches, I figured out how to save the belts,... stay aired up. Running the 8 ply all-terrain's at 15lbs instead of 4lbs-8lbs,.. done. Haven't burnt a belt yet and don't feel like I lost any power.

abc

PS. Gonna get more 'scoop' on my '19, wider rear too. Shoot, I'd better order now so I can have by the season..  :rofl:  

 
ANGRYBUTTCRACK said:
I don't run paddles on my '14 because I think with whatever the stock HP is (96?) it doesn't really do much, momentum is key. I doubt I'll get paddles for it with the 1110cc. After going through over 20 belts and 3 clutches, I figured out how to save the belts,... stay aired up. Running the 8 ply all-terrain's at 15lbs instead of 4lbs-8lbs,.. done. Haven't burnt a belt yet and don't feel like I lost any power.

abc

PS. Gonna get more 'scoop' on my '19, wider rear too. Shoot, I'd better order now so I can have by the season..  :rofl:  
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Thanks for your idea ABC.

This past season I had my 11" rear 8 ply GBC Dirt Commanders at 11lbs, but I'd be willing to try them (or my other all-terrains) at 15lbs to see if your theory works.

Right now I have my BRAND NEW 10" Tusk Terrabite Aramid 10-plys mounted, which were planned for Arizona terrains, but I think it would be a good experiment to see how they do in the sand because they have very big/deep lugs (yet are still DOT approved).

Yet I still feel I want to try staying in 2WD in the sand because my 2017 OG Maverick (XC) is a unique machine that has its own quirks.  I think it breaks belts easier in 4WD.  This past season I went in with the attitude that I MUST STAY IN 4WD with the all-terrains, and this next season I want to try to adjust that.  In my limited sand experience, my best performances were with my sand paddles in 2WD when I had to follow an expert level leader with a Rzr Turbo who wasn't cutting me any slack during several dune runs.

FYI: The Tusk Terrabite Aramids replaced Kanati Mongrels which wore down to .25".  The GBC Dirt Commanders are still in play!

 
My dirt's on the '14 definitely have an aggressive tread vs. the stock more closed treads on my '19 (but I run paddles for that one in Glamis). For me it's ALL about AWD/4WD. Lots more control. I just can't believe it took me so many belts to figure out the 'set up' on the '14.

Let us know how it goes.

Best,

abc

 
My attitude always changes when the first freeze hits! Peace

 
Snap-On Chris said:
I see how it can get to that point, but, I just love the camping and sitting around the campfire. I also love duning, but my peeps are why i go.

This year will be a bit diffrent for me as I have gone balls deep in buying a rail, trailer and moho. I am all about simplicity, and its a little bit of a struggle getting it perfect.

Now, if somehow we can keep the Drama out of camp and far away, it will be a perfect season... I am chomping at the bit to go!!
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This is the same for me!

 
Last 2 seasons have taken a toll on my fun out there as far as dunning. Cant seem to keep a engine running and have a new one sitting on a stand now with no motivation to put it in.. Will always fear blowing another one next season and spiral me into a sand depression..  I will say though, I still made trips for a week at a time with nothing to dune just to hang with my sand family's. Those are some of the best trips as they seem to be more stress free, to just ride a cooler and eat dune food..  Looking into selling the WW3705 and my 99 f250 and going class C and enclosed to change things up a bit and be able to use the class C year round..

Who know once the season starts may change my mind..

 
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