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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 12, 2019 - 05:29pm PT
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These are same tires I've used for years, bought from 3,maybe even 4 different dealers. Cheap.... Cooper Cobra but it's too dark to look at the numbers. I've never had a flat before this last week.
But no....I'm nite SURE, but will research for future reference.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 12, 2019 - 05:34pm PT
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John, that's very nice of you to suggest and I'm glad you enjoy my story-telling.
I have been procrastinating on my blog posts but have been planning a Quartzsite one about my cabochon learning.
I do have an Instagram where I've been posting my updates, Instagram.com/TalismanToo
Edit: I some of the mineral show people who are here. @SilverHillLapidary is one @TheStoneTraveller is another and she also posts for the @DesertGardensRock show here. Also
@SailorCarey
I'll double check to see if I have those spellings right.edit-fixed 1 out if 4 was correct...:(
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Jan
Mountain climber
Colorado & Nepal
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Jan 12, 2019 - 08:36pm PT
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I always enjoy your threads and just read through this one from the beginning.
One thing to add is that your experience of family begging you to visit and then not having time is fairly common. When I lived overseas this always happened to me and everyone I knew. We would be in transit 21 hours through 8 time zones and our relatives couldn't drive 20 miles. Such is human nature. It's the same when people ask you how you are and they don't really want to know.
As for the citizenship videos, I laughed and laughed at the final comment on the third one. "If you're an ass#ole demanding your rights, they know you're an American". So true. In no other country of the world would a person have those kinds of exchanges with the authorities. Also, in no other country of the world would there be a unique personality like yourself. Long may you enjoy being you!
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jan 13, 2019 - 12:57pm PT
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Happie, I’m actually trying to be helpful. Something isn’t right if you’re getting that many flats,
unless you’re driving too fast, which I doubt. Last flat I had was on a gravel road in Death Valley
but I was going way too fast so it wasn’t the tire’s fault. You might have the correct size but
it sounds like you need a beefier tire with a higher ‘Load Range’ and ‘Load Index’ rating,
especially if you do a lot of gravel roads.
Maybe something along these lines? 🤡
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jan 13, 2019 - 10:19pm PT
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hey there, say, happygrrrl... how's it going now... ? tire-wise...
good to hear from jan!
:)
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EdBannister
Mountain climber
13,000 feet
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Jan 13, 2019 - 11:58pm PT
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hats off and encouragement sent...!!
1) 4 wheel alignment makes tires last longer, as does paying enough attention to not run over junk on the road, or off. and buy quality, not worth failed tires and the expense of replacement in the boonies. buy Michelin, or toyo.. i would add Pirelli but not for your van.
2) The chalk bags are beautiful...
increase sales with varied constructs such as a belt threadable sleeve instead of two loops for those that do not like a swinging chalk bag... also some with an extension of light fabric with a drawstring closure.. all the while keeping your trademark look..
3) blow off the mean and enjoy the kind, generous and, Happie!
REILLY!! as absurd as your van above is... still wayyyy better than a Jag or volvo.
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Juan Maderita
Trad climber
"OBcean" San Diego, CA
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Jan 14, 2019 - 02:52am PT
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Your repeated flat tire problem is likely due to over-inflation. Over inflated for gravel roads with sharp rocks.
Your van should have Load Range C or D tires which carry more weight than typical load range B passenger car tires. The maximum air pressure should be embossed on your sidewall. Probably 44 PSI on your Cooper Cobras.
Tire shops and mechanical shops often inflate to the maximum pressure per the sidewall number. That is correct if you are carrying the maximum load, on the highway. But most of the time, the tire is not carrying anywhere near the maximum load. So the tire is overinflated, resulting in a harsh ride and tread wear in the center. (The load rating is per tire, so divide the weight of the vehicle by 4).
The more air pressure in the tire, the more easily sharp rocks will penetrate. On the other hand, if air pressure is too low, the sidewall will bulge out and expose the sidewall to sharp rocks and sticks.
It's some guesswork here, and a topic often debated by offroad enthusiasts. I have decades of experience offroading Baja and rockcrawling, with many different trucks, Jeeps, and vans.
Best guess: deflate to 18-25 PSI when driving miles of dirt/gravel roads with sharp rocks. There are some variables: tire size, weight of your van, and characteristics of your particular tire. I will stick my neck out and recommend 22 PSI. Drive slowly. Invest in a good tire gauge. The Accutire 4400B seems good for the $12 price. https://www.amazon.com/Accutire-MS-4400B-Pistol-Digital-Gauge/dp/B000G6M3VC/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1547461607&sr=1-1&keywords=accutire+4400b
Note: You MUST air up before hitting the highway, or within a very few miles. If you must drive a few miles, keep the speed down, maybe 45 MPH. Serious offroaders air down when leaving the pavement and carry an electric air pump or CO2 tank for airing up.
Hope that solves your problem. I'm curious how much air the shop put in your tires? Let us know when you put a gauge to your tires.
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fear
Ice climber
hartford, ct
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Jan 14, 2019 - 05:52am PT
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Properly inflated these won't rupture on sharp talus....
https://tires.tirerack.com/tires/Goodyear%20Mtr
I've had great luck with them for many years.
Assuming you can find a size that fits your rims.
The regular GoodYear MT/R's... not the "military version" which is priced accordingly...
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 14, 2019 - 07:14am PT
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Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
I'll talk to the guys at the tire place about psi. Listed at 35psi for this van. It's a conversion van and seats swapped out for my bed and gear. Plus me and Lucas as travelers and rarely others, so I can't imagine that changes the equation on that factor.
But it does make sense about the highway/off road variation.
I'll go up a step next tire buy. They sell Toto here but...if I'm getting new tires in the next six months, they will be used ones. These tires are 3 and 4 months old! :(
The big PowWow rock show begins this Wednesday. Through Sunday. If anyone near enough to come by likes geology, it's probably a fin visit.
I will be volunteering at the Quartzsite Gem and Mineral Club booth Thursday afternoon(selling raffle tickets) and Sunday morning(making sure the *prospectors* in the sawdust pile don't clean out the claim).
There are other rock show venues going as well. Desert Gardens being my favorite. Tyson Wells too, with a mix of RV stuff, decorative arts with a desert *touch* and well....stuff.
I hope this is the last flat. It seems some people out here are like "Wired! I've never gotten a flat." Or "These rocks will eat your tires. I crawl over them." But so far I seem to be the only one with three strike in any amount of time, much less with on a week.
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BAd Wife
Social climber
Bishop
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Jan 14, 2019 - 07:27am PT
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Happie, if you're coming through Bishop I'd love to meet you and climb with you. I'm another woman-of-a-certain-age–––with a dog (and husband, aka BAd Climber); I'm a former jeweler and jewelry artist turned holistic nutritionist (nice wrap work, BTW).
You can best get me by email: jodi.friedlander@gmail.com
Happy travels and jewelry-making lessons.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 14, 2019 - 11:08am PT
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At the tire shop now. The owner says I need to get my one of the crazy desert rigs if I want to be tearing around back there....I really hope this is it for flats.
BadWife, thanks for the introduction! I am not sure what the rest of my season out here will bring, but I've never been to Bishop and definitely want to go there!
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fear
Ice climber
hartford, ct
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Jan 14, 2019 - 11:16am PT
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You don't need a crazy desert rig to crawl around slowly on relatively level marked "roads" but proper heavy duty offroad tires with extra sidewall protection are a must. Cheap tires aren't cheap in the long run where sharp rocks abound.
The MTR's aren't cheap but they aren't the only option, ask the guy what the locals use.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 14, 2019 - 03:52pm PT
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Tire fixed. Guys at the tire shop got a 6 pack and a pineapple gift(the head guy doesn't drink) and a guy who I helped a few weeks ago with town runs when his fuel pump was out and not able to fix at once happened to be there - flat tire.... and he was worried he might not have enough in his account for the charge to go through(which I know, from experience, means I am in denial and damned well don't have enough). I insisted on paying for his fix so he didn't have to risk overdraft fees.
I am going to be sooooo careful until I move the camp closer to the road, but decided to wait until next week as there is a big gem show coming and that are which is already too full, will be even worse. Plus closer to HWY10 noise.
I also sold a pendant, which freed up a little cash for - more stone! I had been eying a slab of Tiffany Stone from a guy and picked it up today. Can't wait to work with it.....
Basically, I am feeling a lot better than I was this time yesterday.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jan 14, 2019 - 04:05pm PT
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EdB, went dirting in the new Volvo 2 weeks ago in Anza. It has the air suspension so in
‘Offroad’ mode it pumps it up 2”, or a touch less than the Heavy Metal van. It’s also
La Femme’s ride so you can be sure nothing fun happened, but loose Anza sand was NBD. 🤡
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Oldfattradguy2
Trad climber
Here and there
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Jan 14, 2019 - 05:54pm PT
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If you are buying gemstone type rocks at quartzite, they have likely been collected from BLM land without proper permits, very common. Very few are collecting according to law.....
If you run into a guy Daivid from Beaver, Utah, he is somewhat legit and has a lot of Claims. Tell him the former geologist from Fillmore sent ya, he is a good guy who knows his sh#t.
He spends some time down there every year and actually runs a conveyor on his claims and allows picking for a fee.
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Bale
Mountain climber
UT
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Jan 14, 2019 - 06:20pm PT
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Happie, if you run into Bill Harrison from UT, say hi for me. He is an azurite guy.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 14, 2019 - 06:35pm PT
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Edit: just noticed you wrote "gemstone type." No, I don't work with that type of rock nor have I really seen anyone selling it. But that could be because I know that stuff is out of my league and don't go in their booths. I always feel bad for just looking," even when they are the ones trying to draw me in as I'm walking by their places.
The vendors I'm working with are not based in this area nor mining here, but I can imagine people do as you said.
SilverHillLapidary is from Oregon and I bought some Dead Ringer Jasper rough from him. His claim.
I also bought this slab of Tiffany Stone from him today. He bought the rough and slabbed it.
Dang...the photo is in the wrong spot and I don't know how to get it too move with this phone....
Anyway, I did but one slab that was mined locally from the Red Top mine if I remember right. The guy I bought from works for Oldham, who is the owner, if I recall right.
Otherwise, most the vendors here are from around the country and Morrocco, Australia, Pakistan.... I can imagine some of the younger pop up on the fringes guys could be doing that but what do I know.
The club does some rock hound trips in the area but I would be pretty surprised to think they would be doing something not legal, especially as they also own one claim themselves.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 14, 2019 - 06:37pm PT
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Bale, I think I remember his banner over at the show the other day. Would he know you by "Galen from Utah?"
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Jan 14, 2019 - 06:42pm PT
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Collecting on BLM land is interesting. A permit is not required for non-commercial collecting. You are limited to half a pickup truck load (per trip?) The line between commercial and hobby use could be blurred.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 14, 2019 - 06:47pm PT
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I haven't picked up so much as a chunk of Quartz myself yet, as I have not looked at the guideline for this BLM spot.
I looked at a guide for one area a few years ago, and it sure wasn't that much one could remove for personal use. Besides, I'm not using what I buy for personal use. So not looking to go there anyway.
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