Am I asking for it, visiting Death Valley in July? What PM is needed to even consider it?

[Rifleman]

Those of us that make our homes in the desert southwest, tend to spend our summers 4 wheeling the high country, to get away from the desert heat. The reverse of that, we use the winter as our opportunity to explore the deserts when it's cool. I've lived in the southwest over 50 years, and one thing I'd like to point out. If your alone, and your truck brakes down in the desert, with temps over 100 degrees, it can become a LIFE, AND DEATH situation quickly! As other members have pointed out. taking a trip like this during the summer is just a bad idea. The best thing you could do is find a Mud member that lives out here that would be willing to tag along with you. Other wise if you go it alone we just might see your story on the 10 o'clock news, and nobody wants that!!!

 

[ChaseTruck]

The cruiser is superior , the post above clearly delineates an improperly serviced cooling system from one that is serviced. The cooling system being the weak link is relative to the fact that these engines can go 400000 miles and the rubber just wears out over time. The cooling hoses etc. need to be updated if they havnt been. Driving through 100 times is no problem and my warnings were for offroad camping and idiocy.

Aha.

 

[Rifleman]

A cot is really the way to camp in hot weather.....and it is 5 to 5.5 degrees per 1000 feet temp drop (dry adiabatic lapse rate )

Mohageny Flats and Thorndike get full fast....

That's interesting, when i got my pilots Lic. we were taught to use the International Standard Atmosphere laps rate of 3.56 degrees per 1000 feet, up to 36.000 feet.

 

[hntashdjian]

 

[Kofoed]

That's interesting, when i got my pilots Lic. we were taught to use the International Standard Atmosphere laps rate of 3.56 degrees per 1000 feet, up to 36.000 feet.

Wet or saturated lapse rate is approximately your number.

 

[Phildoh]

Make sure all your hoses are in tip top shape, and don't forget to check the rear heat hoses and parts very well also. Make sure your fan clutch is in good working order, the mod is always helpful. Oh, and here's the DV option, it's a bit pricey though, but doubles as a roof rack on the highway!

Happy Wheeling!