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The Rough Rider
The Monthly Newsletter of the Tucson RoughRiders, Inc.
March 2020
Volume 45 Issue 3
In This Issue
2020 Meeting Dates: Upcoming Activities 2-5
January 28 July 28 Run Reports 6-9
February 25 August 25 Event Report 10
March 24 CANCELED September 22 Meeting Minutes 11-12
April 28 October 27 Participation Report 13-15
May 26 November 24 Product Endorsement 16
June 23 December TBA For Sale 17
Member Anniversaries 18
Summer Picnic TBA Publishing Schedule 18
Trail Dust Days October 2-4 Club Officers 19
Christmas Party TBA Editor’s Corner 20
The Rough Rider is the official publication of the Tucson RoughRiders, Inc., P.O. Box 78726, Tucson, Arizona,
85703-8726.
The Tucson RoughRiders, Inc., is a rough-terrain vehicle club with the following goals: to enjoy and protect
the natural environment, to provide social and recreational activities for its members, and to promote family
togetherness. The Club assists the state and national resource management agencies and local community
charitable organizations.
The Club’s general meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the U-Like Oriental Buffet,
5101 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, unless otherwise specified. The social gathering is from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM,
with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM. Members, guests, advertisers/activity sponsors and the public are cor-
dially invited to attend.
Membership in the Tucson RoughRiders is $50.00 annually. One name tag is included for new members; ad-
ditional name tags may be purchased. To qualify for membership, a four-wheel-drive vehicle owner must
attend two runs and two meetings. Anyone wishing to join the Tucson RoughRiders is encouraged to contact
any of the Board members, visit our website, or write to the Club at the above address.
www.tucsonroughriders.com
The Rough Rider 2 March 2020
Upcoming Activities
Plan to be at these activities for a great time. They are wonderful opportunities to meet new people or spend time with
old friends. Don’t have a ride? I’m sure someone has a seat. Remember to take your camera!
NOTE: PLEASE CHECK THE CLUB CALENDAR FOR UPDATES!
March 2020
ARIZONA GAME & FISH EXPO CANCELED
• March 28—29.
• Event Leader: Becky Antle (405-7389).
The Expo is held every year at the Ben Avery Shooting Range off I-17 and the Carefree highway. https://
www.azgfd.com/Expo/. The ASA runs the boulder field. They give demonstrations of what the vehicles can
do. Call Becky 405-7389 if you wish to participate.
April 2020
CHAROULEAU GAP NIGHT RUN
• April 4 at 5:00 PM. Meet at the Bashas’ in Catalina (Oracle Road and Golder Ranch).
• Run Leader: Andy Sacio (nieveria@aol.com)
• Trail Rating: 3.5.
• Destination: Charouleau Gap, North to South.
We will be running with a full moon. Bring something to eat and drink. We should be done before midnight.
WHISKEY TANKS WORK RUN
• April 8 at 9:00 AM. Meet at McDonald’s at the corner of Catalina Highway and Tanque Verde Road.
• Run Leader: Jeff Merrell (azgoat7@gmail.com or 520-907-0243).
• Trail Rating: 3.5.
• Vehicle Requirements: 4WD with low range; one traction device; 31-inch tires minimum; (recommended)
winch or tow straps.
• Destination: Redington Pass.
Bring your gloves, limb snippers, saws, etc. This run is to clear tree limbs from the middle and sides of the
trail. There has basically been no trimming of this trail in many years, and it needs it. Any help will be appreci-
ated. Bring a lunch and plenty of water.
This is not a well-known trail for TRR. Very few of the group have been on this trail. It’s about 3 miles long
and it has a little of everything for a 3.5 trail and yet is not a difficult trail (as 3.5s go). Looking to expand your
off-roading ability? This is the trail to do, and we can give back a little to the area that TRR spends so much
time in.
Drivers meeting will be at 9AM.
The Rough Rider 3 March 2020
Upcoming Activities
Any questions, call, text, email: if you call, leave a message; I’ll get back to you.
4X4 101 CLASS / WINCH CLASS
• April 11 at 9:00 AM. Meet at the Bashas’ in Catalina (Oracle Road and Golder Ranch).
• Run Leader: Not specified (4critter@comcast.net or 682-0273)
• Trail Rating: n/a
• Destination: Rail-X Ranch, Catalina, AZ.
There will be a 4x4 101 class for anyone interested. There will be a ladies class, basic 4x4 skills, winching
class, and a barbeque. The classes will be held in the Rail-X area, so make sure you have a State Trust Land
Permit. Please bring your vehicle, spouse, chair, awning, preferred beverage, side dish to share for the barbe-
que, and your questions. If you have any advance questions, you can send an email to 4critter@comcast.net
or call 682-0723.
RICE PEAK WORK RUN
• April 18 at 8:30 AM. Meet at the Bashas’ in Catalina (Oracle Road and Golder Ranch).
• Run Leader: Rheal Tetreault (682-0273).
• Trail Rating: Not given.
• Destination: Rice Peak.
Bring gloves, 5-gallon buckets for rocks, and your lunch.
MULESHOE RANCH / JACKSON CABIN OVERNIGHT RUN
• April 25 & 26. Meet at 10:00 AM at the southwest corner of Houghton and I-10.
• Run Leader: Jeff Merrell (azgoat7@gmail.com or 520-907-0243).
• Trail Rating: 3.0—4WD with low range capability required; stock vehicles OK; full-size spare a must.
• Destination: Muleshoe Ranch Nature Conservancy.
• Camping: Primitive. Bring whatever you need for yourself.
After the 10:00 AM drivers meeting, we will take I-10 east to Benson (36 miles), then north on Cascabel Road
to Three Links Road (20 miles), Three Links Road east to Muleshoe Ranch Road (16 miles), Muleshoe Ranch
Road north to Muleshoe Ranch (16 miles), then north on Jackson Canyon Trail (13.8 miles) to the cabin (this
is the 4WD section) where we’ll camp for the night and return sometime Sunday.
The cabin is on National Forest Land at an elevation of 4283 feet, so I’m figuring on a nighttime low temp of
45-50 degrees by then, if warmer great, but plan for cooler.
IN ALL: it’s one hundred miles from meet-up to Jackson Cabin, so bring reserve gas if needed. Road condi-
tions up to the ranch should be good (improved dirt).
See the video for a preview of the camping area at the cabin. Bring your camping gear, food, and water.
Note: If you bring your best friend, dogs are not allowed at the Muleshoe Ranch.
All Muleshoe Ranch facilities are closed to the public. You must be a Nature Conservancy member to use
them. Only the trails and surrounding area are open to the public.
FOR INFORMATION ON THE MULESHOE RANCH-NATURE CONSERVANCY, USE THIS LINK: https://
The Rough Rider 4 March 2020
Upcoming Activities
www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/muleshoe-ranch-cma/
U-Tube video of the area: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfLALG2Iiyg
MOAB
• April 30—May 9.
• Run Leaders: Steve Archer (520-400-1019 or sarcher@me.com), Ken Feldman (209-329-0182 or krfeld-
man3@gmail.com) and Bart Hogan (520-591-2831 or bhogan@pvfabs.com).
• Trail Rating(s): Various; range from 3.0 to 4.5.
• Destination: Moab, Utah.
A group of Rough Riders will be in Moab from April 30 to May 9, doing day trips on 4x4 trails in the area. No
set agenda; we will be selecting among trails in the 3—4.5 range (lockers and lift required; winch recom-
mended). For more information, contact any of the leaders.
May 2020
CHAROULEAU GAP WORK RUN
• May 16 at 8:30 AM. Meet at the Bashas’ in Catalina (Oracle Road and Golder Ranch).
• Run Leader: Rheal Tetreault (682-0273).
• Trail Rating: 3.5—4.0.
• Destination: Charouleau Gap.
Bring shovels. We will be repairing a water bar. Also bring gloves and your lunch.
July 2020
ALL-4-FUN, EMPIRE, COLORADO
• July 25—August 1.
• Run Leader: Harold Cauthen (fbcauthen@earthlink.net).
• Trail Rating(s): Various.
• Destination: Empire, Colorado.
The 54th annual All-4-Fun Event will be held in Empire, Colorado, July 25 through August 1, 2020, at the Min-
ton Park & Ballfield.
All-4-Fun is a weeklong 4-wheel-at-your-level event. They offer trips from easy to extreme and run at least 16
trips each day. ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR THE 2020 ALL-4-FUN EVENT OPENED ON MARCH 1, 2020!
Browse All-4-Fun pages at the Mile-Hi Jeep Club website (https://mhjc.clubexpress.com/) to learn more
about All-4-Fun and the history of the event!
If you are thinking of going, I recommend getting motel reservations early because they fill up fast. Camping
(tent to motorhome) is onsite and included in the registration; no reservation required.
October 2020
TRAIL DUST DAYS
• October 2—4. Meeting times for the individual runs will be announced at the event.
• Run Leaders: Various.
• Trail Ratings: Various.
The Rough Rider 5 March 2020
Upcoming Activities
• Destinations: Various.
This is our 27th annual event. It will be based at Catalina State Park and will include trail runs, a Poker run,
camping, a raffle, a Brain Buster trivia contest, and FOOD!
Have an idea for a run or event?
Do you have an idea but don’t want to lead a trip, or you don’t know the route? Don’t worry! Just contact a
Board member with your ideas.
Please remember these trips usually are day trips which means to bring plenty of water.
The Rough Rider 6 March 2020
Run Reports
Rail-X Ranch Cleanup (02/29 Rheal Tetreault)
Photos by Andy Sacio and Daniel McMahon. Album 412.
The Rough Rider 7 March 2020
Run Reports
Table Mesa Jeep Jamboree (03/05-07 Steve Archer)
Photos by Steve Archer. Photo album 413.
The Rough Rider 8 March 2020
Run Reports
Old Pueblo Endurance Run (03/06-08 Becky Antle)
[Editor’s Note: Because the annual Run of the Year award depends on two levels of voting (a Run of the
Month is voted on at each meeting, and the Run of the Year is selected by vote from the twelve Run of the
Month winners), I want to provide as complete a record of each Club run as possible in the Rough Rider. It’s
my hope that these pages will help club members, whether they were on the run or not, decide at the end of
the year which run should win Run of the Year. Henceforth, I’ll be including a mention of each run and event
that was on the club calendar, regardless of whether any photos were taken or a write-up was provided. This
is specifically NOT intended to embarrass run leaders. Its sole purpose is to provide the best record I can of
the club’s activities.]
The Rough Rider 9 March 2020
Run Reports
Santa Rita Scenic Run (03/14 Jeff Merrell)
Story by Jeff Merrell. Photos by Jeff Merrell and Jim Bothe. Album 414.
Not a lot to say about this trip. It was a beautiful day for
‘wheeling, with a great temperature, and the sun shin-
ing. We met at the Southeast corner of I-10 and AZ 83 at
9 AM, had a quick drivers meeting and headed out. We
had 16 vehicles, 27 people, and several dogs. We made
a quick stop at the Greaterville exit for those who want-
ed to air down and hit the trail.
Our first stop was the radio tower overlook near Melen-
dez Pass. We took about a 15-minute break and then
moved on. We took FR 163 to FR 4113 to FR 4085 to
Gardner Canyon, where we took an hour lunch and had
some good conversation under the shade of juniper and
oak trees.
After lunch we took Upper Gardner Road to Hog Can-
yon, then to Adobe Canyon where we finally exited on
AZ 82 a few miles west of Sonoita. We aired back up
there and headed home.
It was just a really nice peaceful ride with great scenery
and good people. As a note, on the way back, just after
turning north on AZ 83, we saw a herd of about 15 an-
telope grazing right off the east side of the road. Nice to
see.
Thanks.
The Rough Rider 10 March 2020
Event Report
4Wheel Parts March Madness Sale (03/07)The Rough Rider 11 March 2020
Meeting Minutes
February Minutes Prepared and Submitted By Miles Weigold for Lon Drenten
Call to Order i. Includes name tag for new members.
• The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM and • If a run is posted on the calendar at least 4 days
the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A motion in advance, it counts as a run.
was called for, made, seconded, voted on, and • New Membership. *** Welcome aboard. *** ☺
passed to accept the January meeting’s minutes i. Sheila and Bill Bothe (see “Guests”, above).
as printed in the Rough Rider. • Tom reminded members to sign rosters legibly,
please.
Land Use (Becky Antle)
• AZ State Parks Board meeting – spending on pro- Participation Report (Miles Weigold)
posed state park delayed for 6 months as result • Miles presented the YE 2019 and 2020 YTD par-
of receipt of letters to the Director. Thanks to all ticipation points reports.
who sent letters. • Steve and Gwen Archer finished 2019 with the
• Ladies’ “4X4 101” class to be held 3/22 at Rail-X most points, followed closely by Sandra and Bart
Ranch. All are welcome. Hogan.
• Alan Conner – Farmers Insurance agent for • Complete reports can be found in the Feb 2020
ASA4WDC. Contact for personal insurance if in- newsletter on the website.
terested.
Safety and Education (Leo O’Campo)
State Report, Adopt-a-Trail/Adopt-a- • No presentation.
Ranch (Rheal Tetreault)
• SaddleBrooke Jeep Club has joined ASA4WDC Presentation
with 60 members. • None.
• 2/29 – Rail-X Ranch cleanup scheduled with
Game & Fish. KOLD-TV will be on site to film TRR President’s Report (Andy Sacio)
community activities. Work until noon followed • No Report.
by lunch @ Mama’s Pizza.
• 3/21 – Charouleau Gap cleanup. Bashas’ at 8:00. Editor’s Report (Dave Peterson)
Bring a shovel & rock buckets. • Out of town beginning 2/29.
• 4/18 – Rice Peak work run. Bashas’ at 8:30. Bring • Input is due by end-of-day Thursday, 2/27.
rock buckets. • Recommended a product named GrypMat avail-
able on the web.
Guests (Andy Sacio)
*** Welcome*** ☺ my apologies up front for any Website (Tim Naylor)
misspelling. • Moved to GoDaddy as new host for TRR site.
• Melissa Brown (Bill Ratzlaff’s daughter & co- • Dues must be kept current to protect a domain
manager of PV Auto) name.
• Trudy & Bob Stonacek
• Sheila & Bill Bothe – the Bothes, not being 1st Old Business
time visitors, were voted in for membership. • 2019 Awards were presented for:
i. Female Four Wheeler of the Year : Becky
Membership (Tom Parker) Antle.
• Membership Requirements: Two runs, two ii. Male Four Wheeler of the Year : Bart Hogan.
meetings. iii. Run of the Year : Jeff Merrell for Empire
• Annual dues are $50, prorated for the year. Ranch.The Rough Rider 12 March 2020
Meeting Minutes
iv. Black Cloud: Harold Cauthen. for members to receive Participation Points.]
• Harold reported that sadly this was his 2nd award
for annual Black Cloud! • 3/1 – registration opens for CO All-For-Fun 2020
event.
New Business • 3/7—4Wheel Parts. Car crush, TRR Articulation
• Andy reminded all members to keep a copy of Ramp, and tire repair clinics.
the rescue patrol list in your vehicle. It just might • 3/7-8 - Old Pueblo Endurance Run. Support run-
come In handy! ners doing 25, 50, 75 and 100 mile runs.
• Becky recommended the OnX GPS map chip • 3/14 – Santa Rita mountains – Jeff will lead. 20
available in both Android and IOS format. Mel vehicle limit.
Hockwit reminded members he has OnX GPS- • 3/28-29 – Game & Fish Expo at Ben Avery
Arizona chips available that are recently updated Shooting Range, Phoenix off I-17. Will include
and can be downloaded to a smart phone. Tim Rock Pile 4WD demo. Those interested in run-
Naylor commented that he recommends OnX ning the pile must sign waiver. Becky has raffle
over all others. tickets for merchandise.
• Phil David reminded all of the “Women’s 4X4 • 4/4 – Andy leading full moon run of Charouleau
101” class mentioned earlier by Becky. Winching Gap (north to south).
will be included. BBQ follows the class. An invita- • 10/7-11 TRR Trail Dust Days.
tion email will be sent to all members.
• Jeff Merrell reported he’s working to find new Meeting Adjournment
trails. If you’re unsure of your driving ability, he • Meeting adjourned at 8:28 PM.
suggests you ride along with an experienced
member. Jeff’s passenger seat is often empty.
Run / Event Reports
[For details and photos, please check out the “Run
Reports” and “Event Reports” sections beginning on
Page 5 of the February issue of the Rough Rider.]
• Chris Richardson reminded members of Run of
the Month competition.
i. Bill Ratzlaff (Red Rock Canyon).
ii. Jeff Merrell (Redfield Canyon).
iii. Jeff Merrell (Temporal Canyon).
• Run of the month for January = Redfield Canyon.
Run / Event Announcements
[For details, please check out the “Upcoming Activi-
ties” section beginning on Page 2. Official runs must
be posted on the calendar a minimum of 4 days in
advance.]
[Leaders, please make sure everyone signs in appro-
priately: Guests vs Members. Names must be legibleThe Rough Rider 13 March 2020
Participation Report
Article and charts by Miles Weigold.
Not much activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re all staying home or, if out at all, practicing social dis-
tancing. If you do decide to head out, do so safely and stay away from each other. I’m a fan of using CB radios
for all communication!
Points Summary as of 3/28/2020
Meeting attendees - members 74
Meeting attendees - guests 25
Meeting attendees - all 99
# Runs 15
Run participants-members 140
Run participants-guests 101
Run participants-all 241
Run vehicles-total 181
# Rescues 0
Rescue participants 0
Rescue vehicles-total 0
Participants-all events 340
# Vehicles-runs + rescues 181
The totals below list everyone who has earned at least 1 point YTD through the Chimney Rock run on 3/28.
Jeff got the roster to me just in time to get it into this report! Well done, Jeff. As always, if you believe I’ve
missed points due, please let me know via email to milesweigold@mac.com.
Hope to see you on the trails before 7/4! Stay safe and help others.
Revised: 3/28/2020
Lname Fname Meetings Runs Run Lead Rescues Total Position
Merrell Jeffrey 2 9 12 0 23 1
Antle/Tetreault Becky 2 6 6 0 14 2
Ratzlaff Bill 2 8 2 0 12 3
Siskind Paul 2 8 0 0 10 4
David Phil 2 5 2 0 9 5
O'Campo Leo 1 5 2 0 8
Archer Steven 1 5 2 0 8
Hogan Bart 2 6 0 0 8
Fabiano Gary 2 5 0 0 7
Greven Erwin 2 5 0 0 7
Williams Mike 1 4 2 0 7
Leslie Malcolm 2 5 0 0 7
Bates Pam 1 6 0 0 7
Sacio Andres 2 2 2 0 6The Rough Rider 14 March 2020
Participation Report
Lname Fname Meetings Runs Run Lead Rescues Total
Nezelek Vaughn 2 3 0 0 5
Narcus Larry 2 3 0 0 5
Porter Mark 1 4 0 0 5
Cauthen Harold 2 3 0 0 5
Bothe Bill 1 4 0 0 5
Naylor Tim 2 2 0 0 4
Mandoske John 1 3 0 0 4
Richardson Chris 2 2 0 0 4
Cristia Robert 1 3 0 0 4
Caulkins Brian 1 3 0 0 4
Natzke Ken 1 3 0 0 4
Cole Dennis 2 1 0 0 3
Long Bill 2 1 0 0 3
Robertson Scott 1 2 0 0 3
McMahon Danny 1 2 0 0 3
Hval Bob 1 2 0 0 3
Ambler Tom 2 1 0 0 3
Johnson Mike 0 3 0 0 3
Belanger Bill 1 1 0 0 2
Bockwaldt Walter 1 1 0 0 2
Hyde William 2 0 0 0 2
Kennedy Kevin 1 1 0 0 2
Nelson Dean 2 0 0 0 2
Peterson Dave 2 0 0 0 2
Weigold Miles 1 1 0 0 2
Fetherman Stan 1 1 0 0 2
Ingram Randy 1 1 0 0 2
Bunch David 0 2 0 0 2
Parker Tom 1 1 0 0 2The Rough Rider 15 March 2020
Participation Report
Lname Fname Meetings Runs Run Lead Rescues Total
Acuna Ruben 1 0 0 0 1
Campion Mark 1 0 0 0 1
Carrier Mike 1 0 0 0 1
Carruthers Chuck 1 0 0 0 1
Drenten Lon 1 0 0 0 1
Fearnow John 1 0 0 0 1
Fraynd Darrell 1 0 0 0 1
Goodall Lourie 0 1 0 0 1
Larson Barry 1 0 0 0 1
McCoy Jess 0 1 0 0 1
Murdock Adam 1 0 0 0 1
Szymanski Scott 1 0 0 0 1
Taback Chad 1 0 0 0 1
Webley Dave 1 0 0 0 1
Williams Steven 0 1 0 0 1
Batorson Steve 0 1 0 0 1The Rough Rider 16 March 2020
Product Endorsement
Article by Mel Hockwitt.
At the last meeting it was mentioned about an App for the phone with Off Road Maps by OnX Maps.
I am a dealer for OnX Maps and can offer the App for a discount to the club.
If you want the App use this link to purchase it: https://www.onxmaps.com/pricing?fpr=mel66
You will pay retail of $29.99 but I will receive a commission and refund you $10.00 when I receive it.
Use the link above on your phone to order. The website will bring you to choices of either the Hunt Map or
the Off Road Map; choose the one you want—they are both the same price.
I can show you the Hunt Map if you are interested. I find the OnX Maps to be the best.
I also can get a chip for your GPS for the Hunt Map which is what I use. The retail price on that is $120.00 but
I can sell it to you for $85.00. That is a one time fee as the app is a yearly fee.
Let me know if there is any interest. I would need 3 people to buy the chip in order to get the discount.
MelThe Rough Rider 17 March 2020
For Sale
For Sale.
• CRF Rock slider pair. Direct fit for Jeep 2004-2006 Unlimited.
• Must pick up or Tucson Delivery only.
• $80 for the pair.
• 61.5" max length.
• Contact Lon Drenten. TRR. 520 891 5013 or Drentenfam@aol.com
• Please put Rockslider in the subject line.The Rough Rider 18 March 2020
Member Anniversaries
March
Tom Ambler 2006
Steven & Gwen Archer 2015
Bill & Chrissy Belanger 2019
Walter & Becky Bockwaldt 2015
Lon & Denise Drenten 2010
Barry & Beth Larson 2018
Bill Long & Nancy Stewart 2015
Larry & Deborah Narcus 2013
Scott Robertson & Barb Wilder 2018
Steven & Carmen Williams 2017
April
Mark & Kim Campion 2016
Brad Harford 2015
Jon & Jan Lindskoog 2018
Danny & Melissa McMahon 2019
Howard & Patricia Purscelley 2007
Miles & Pat Weigold 2014
Congratulations to Steve & Gwen Archer, Walter & Becky Bock-
waldt, Bill Long & Nancy Stewart, and Brad Harford on their 5th
anniversaries, and to Lon & Denise Drenten on their 10th!
NOTE: If your anniversary date is incorrect in any way (it’s here
and shouldn’t be; it’s not here and should be; the month is cor-
rect but the year isn’t; etc.), please let Tom Parker know so he
can correct our records.
Publishing Schedule
2019 Rough Rider Publishing Dates:
January: 2/2 July: 8/2
February: 2/28 August: 8/30
March: 3/29 September: 9/27
April: 5/3 October: 11/1
May: 5/31 November: 11/29
June: 6/28 December: 12/27
NOTE: Dates may vary due to travel or holiday.
Date changes will be published as soon as they
are known.The Rough Rider 19 March 2020
Club Officers
Board of Directors Non-BoD
President Newsletter Editor
Andy Sacio Dave Peterson
nieveria@aol.com gonzodave@yahoo.com
Past President Membership
Kevin Kennedy Tom Parker
azkevinkennedy@gmail.com k5mud@earthlink.net
Vice President Safety
Phil David
phil@vailpools.com
Webmaster
Treasurer Tim Naylor
Malcolm Leslie tim.naylor@comcast.net
malcolmxyz@aol.com
Historian
Secretary Tim Naylor
Lon Drenten tim.naylor@comcast.net
drentenfam@aol.com
Trail Dust Days
ASA4WDC Delegate (vacant)
Becky Antle
4critter@comcast.net Adopt-a-Road / Adopt-A-Ranch
Rheal Tetreault
ASA4WDC Delegate 4critter@comcast.net
Rheal Tetreault
4critter@comcast.net Political / Land Use
Becky Antle
4critter@comcast.net
Rescue Patrol
Mel Hockwitt
melhockwitt@msn.com
Participation
Miles Weigold
milesweigold@mac.com
Social Media
(vacant)
Membership Support
Steve Williams
williamshs@cox.netThe Rough Rider 20 March 2020
Editor’s Corner
Opinion by Dave Peterson.
I wrote this last month: “...next month I’ll be printing a q-and-a with Bill Ratzlaff and/or his family. In the
meantime, if you work at or own an off-highway-related business, please let me know so I can highlight your
business in a future issue.”
Didn’t happen. One reason why is this:
Wynne and I were on our way to Oakland and Berkeley, CA, on February 29. I was asleep and Wynne, who
has hauled horses thousands of miles, was driving when a gust of wind hit us just east of Quartzsite. The trail-
er started wagging the truck, and Wynne couldn’t regain control. She didn’t hit anyone else, though, and
even missed the exit sign we had been headed for! The truck and trailer were both totaled, but Wynne, our
cat, and I all escaped nearly unharmed! The trailer only went on its side, but the truck rolled 360 degrees,
blowing out all the glass and crunching the roof pretty hard. If I had been driving, I probably would have been
hurt badly—the driver’s side of the roof was caved in a lot more than the passenger side! We assumed we
were part of the (maybe) 1% who manage to walk away from a rollover, but the tow truck driver said that if
you’re wearing your seatbelt, which we were, you have about a 90% chance of coming through it without
getting hurt badly.
Our other lesson was that we will NEVER let our animals run loose in a trailer while we’re traveling (if Chiaro
had been in the trailer she probably would have been crushed by flying refrigerators and microwaves and
bed parts and cabinetry and other stuff), and we won’t let them loose in the cab of the truck, either! She was
in her carrier in the back seat. Had she been loose in the cab, she would have either been ejected in the roll
or she would have likely run away (and possibly been run over on the Interstate) after the truck stopped.
I’m not going to tell you how to travel, but we’re ALWAYS wearing our seatbelts and ALWAYS keeping our
pets secured appropriately when we’re driving!
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
Quick JeepMonster update: I got my third axle back from Tucson Differential a week or two ago, and my Atlas
II transfer case showed up on my doorstep last week. I’ve been working on rearranging the new JeepHouse,
too, and I’m almost ready to bolt the axle in. Then I have to pull the engine/transmission/transfer case out to
swap out the current Spicer 18, change the output shaft and adapter on the NV4500, and have the Atlas mat-
ed to it. Now’s also a good time to look into the engine and see what condition it’s in after sitting for more
than 14 years. Good times. (Oh, and we already have a lead on a truck to replace the one we broke.)You can also read
