Enrollment in the 2021 Truck Camper Adventure Rally is now open, but will close on February 5 for name tag processing. To date, over 160 campers and their owners have enrolled in what will probably be the largest truck camper rally ever held. The rally will be held in Quartzsite, Arizona on February 11-14, 2021. Like last year’s inaugural rally, this outdoor camping event will be held at the Roadrunner Wash Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Area (signs and orange traffic cones identifying the specific location will be posted onsite). The owners of both slide-in and chassis-mounted campers are welcome and only truck camper owners may participate in the rally—sorry, no other types of RVs will be allowed.
Important! Due to the risks associated with contracting COVID-19, all attendees will need to sign a form releasing Truck Camper Adventure of any liabilities associated with contracting the virus or from any injuries that may occur during the rally. This form will need to be signed upon check-in before receiving your badge. The wearing of masks and social distancing at classes numbering more than 50 people will be required. Please bring your own masks. Please do not attend if you are sick. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 concerns, no potluck or desert gatherings will be held this year. This means you’ll need to bring your own food, drinks, paper plates, utensils, napkins, and cups. No garbage service will be provided—pack it in, pack it out.
Event Raffle and Sponsors
Like last year, no admission will be charged to attend the Truck Camper Adventure Rally. Instead, a voluntary, donation-only raffle will be held Saturday, February 13 to support the event. Prizes for the raffle will be provided by sponsors of the rally, including Expion360, Torklift International, WeBoost, Truck Systems Technology, StableCamper, SuperSprings, Omnia, Froli Modular Sleep System, The Scrubba, SmithCreek Mill, GoTreads, and others.
Quartzsite Rally Details
As the Boondocking in the Desert name implies, this will be a boondocking rally held on BLM land in Quartzsite. No hookups or other amenities will be available for this outdoor event, so empty your black and grey water holding tanks beforehand, and bring plenty of food, water, and firewood plus a few camping chairs for classes and gatherings. Since this is a boondocking rally and everyone will be parked close together, attendees are encouraged to use solar power. However, if you need to run a generator or run your truck’s alternator, you may park in the generator designated parking area that will be created for the rally.
Quartzsite, Arizona is a great place to hold a truck camper rally. Known as the boondocking capital of the world, Quartzsite has almost everything you need to make your stay enjoyable, including RV repair and supply shops, solar and battery vendors, gas stations with diesel and propane, potable water, dump stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Cell reception is generally good, but may be a bit slow at times due to the number of people in Quartzsite this time of year.
The weather in February should just about be perfect. Expect high temperatures in upper 60s/low 70s during the day and in the 40s during the night. The elevation of the Roadrunner Wash is 1,065 feet. Prepare for some wind and possibly rain. Bring appropriate clothes for the sunny days and cool nights. For additional information on Quartzsite, click here.
Directions to the BLM Roadrunner Wash: Take the I-10 to Quartzsite. Get off on the Highway 95 exit and head south on Highway 95. Travel approximately 6 miles and turn right (west) on 53rd Street N. (do not enter the BLM area using the Highway 95 entrance). The Roadrunner Wash BLM area will immediately be on your right. Look for the orange traffic cones to the left (west) of the Roadrunner Wash Kiosk (the next dirt road over). Follow the orange traffic cones to get to the right spot at the back of the camping area. The location where we will be holding the rally is 33.5911 Lat -114.2342 Long, the same location as last year’s rally.
TCA Caravan on El Camino del Diablo
Road conditions and weather permitting, a three-day caravan on the nearby El Camino del Diablo will be held immediately after the main Quartzsite rally on February 15-18, 2021 for trail-worthy rigs equipped with 4WD. Sorry, no duallies allowed. El Camino del Diablo, a 4×4 Jeep road located between the nearby cities of Yuma and Ajo, lies on federal public land and is 130 miles long. The three-day road trip will include overnight camp outs in two yet-to-be-determined locations and a free campout on BLM land near the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument immediately after. All participants will need to bring an FRS radio. All activities will be coordinated on FRS CH-2 (462.5875 MHZ). Sorry, enrollment in the overland caravan on El Camino del Diablo is now CLOSED.
Important: For those who are enrolled in this follow-on event, ensure that each adult gets a permit to travel on the road. Permits are free and can be obtained by clicking here. The special group permit to travel in the Cabeza Prieta NWR will be obtained by TCA.
Quartzsite Rally Enrollment Details
To enroll in the rally, send us an email at tcadventuremag@gmail.com. State the first and last names of those who will be attending, how many people will be attending including children and teenagers, and which camper make and model you own. Also let us know if you would like to participate in the follow on trip on El Camino Del Diablo (ECDD). Signing-up is important as it allows us to make the name badges, print stickers, and have the required number of forms on-hand. Important: If you are unable to attend or wish to cancel, please let us know so we can delete your name off of the list. No shows who fail to notify us will be noted.
TCA Rally Itinerary
Wednesday, February 10
- 12-4pm: Arrive Roadrunner Wash BLM Quartzsite (rally parking to be assigned upon arrival)
Thursday, February 11
- 8:30-9am: Rally Kickoff and Announcements by Mello Mike
- 9:15-10:30am: Basic First Aid – Kevin MacAfee
- 10:30am-12pm: Tire Repair – Bob Wohlers of the Off-Road Safety Academy
- 12-1pm: Lunch
- 1-2pm: Solar Cooking – Nancy Brinkmann
- 2-5pm: Free Time/Dinner
- 5-6pm: Boondocking Basics by Mello Mike
- 7:30-9pm: Campfire Social (favorite truck camper mods theme)
Friday, February 12
- 9-10:30am: Winching 101 – Bob Wohlers of the Off-Road Safety Academy
- 11am-12pm: Battery Basics/Benefits of Lithium – Steve Hericks
- 12-1pm: Lunch
- 2-3pm: Knitting Basics – Andrea Caruolo
- 2-3pm: Nimbl Vehicle Evolution Demo
- 2-5pm: Free Time/Dinner
- 5-6pm: Gas vs Diesel – Jeff Reynolds
- 7:30-9pm: Campfire Social (boondocking tips theme)
Saturday, February 13
- 9-10am: Off-Road Basics – John Reynolds
- 10-11am: Solar Power – Mello Mike
- 11am-12pm: StableCamper Demo – Jared and Candice Sund
- 12-1pm: CamperCradle Demo – Tom and Patricia Emmert
- 1-2pm: Omnia Cooktop Demo and Cooking – Karen Smith
- 2-5pm: Free Time
- 5-6pm: TCA Raffle (sponsored by Expion360, Torklift International, StableCamper, Froli Modular Sleep Systems, Truck Systems Technologies, SuperSprings, Omnia, WeBoost, The Scrubba, SmithCreek Mill, and GoTreads).
- 7:30-9pm: Campfire Social (adventure story theme)
Sunday, February 14
- 9-10am: DIY Camper – Steve Hericks
- 10-3pm: Truck Camper Open House (leave door to your camper open if you wish to to participate)
- 3-4pm: Campsite Cleanup
- 4pm: End TCA rally and break camp (except for those who will be driving the El Camino del Diablo on Feb 15)
- 5pm: El Camino del Diablo/Bradshaw Trail Pre-Brief
- Schedule
- Prep (jacks, tires, air compressors, stowage)
- Radio Comms/callsigns (FRS CH-2 – 462.5875 MHZ)
2021 TCA Rally Attendees
- Mello Mike and Karen Smith; Bundutec Roadrunner (ECDD Team Lead and Photographer)
- Reynolds, Jeff and Jeanie; Northstar Laredo SC (ECDD Tail Gunner)
- Blasingame, Alex and Julie; Bundutec BunduVry (ECDD)
- Henke, Rick and Cindy; Bigfoot 2500C9.4
- Mackintosh, Charlie; Arctic Fox 990
- MacAfee, Kevin and Linda; Bundutec Odyssey (ECDD)
- Van Note, Lynn and Kathy; Camplite TC11
- Harris, Kirk; Arctic Fox 811
- Wohlers, Bob; Four Wheel Camper Hawk (ECDD)
- Torrey, Russ and Diana; Lance 1010
- Caruolo, Doug and Andrea; Cirrus 920
- Foster, Allen and Becky; Arctic Fox 1150
- Peeler, Jack and Darcie; Bundutec Flatbed Free (ECDD Point)
- Welch, William and Jeri Tjon; All-Terrain Camper Cougar (ECDD)
- Drenk, Ron and Wendy; Weekender 11.5
- Carroll, Patrick and Jennifer +2; Lance 855 (ECDD)
- Kolb, Ted and Jan; Adventurer 90RDS
- Saltz, Lucas; Cirrus 820
- Patrick, Chris; Host Mammoth 11-6
- Horn, Edith; Northern Lite 10-2 LE
- Taylor, Russ and Amy; Four Wheel Camper Hawk (ECDD)
- McPhillips, Paul and Nancy Brinkmann; Lance 825
- Reynolds, John and Krystine; Outfitter Apex 9.5 (ECDD)
- Williams, Kevin and Alisa; Four Wheel Camper Grandby (ECDD)
- Stewart, Peter and Faith; Northstar Liberty (ECDD)
- Hatch, Derek; Northstar 850SC (ECDD)
- Jackson, John and Vikki; Sunlite Eagle (ECDD)
- Ferris, Robbyn; Provan E-Tiger 4×4
- Witzel, Josh and son Jadon; Cirrus 820
- Reynolds, Matt and Summer Green; Lance 165s (ECDD)
- Washburn, Bill and Diane; Cirrus 820
- Linley, Gary; Northern Lite 8-11 EX
- Beaudry, Mike and Joanne; Lance 881
- Foster, Stan and Cheryl; Arctic Fox 1150
- Holte, Ron; Lance 1030
- Hericks, Steve and Cheryl Blount; DIY Flatbed Camper (ECDD)
- Kent, Robert; Four Wheel Camper Hawk
- Harrison, Karylee; Pastime 860
- Banks, Tom and Marianne; Northstar 850SC (ECDD)
- Wisehart, Mark and Janell; Lance 1181
- Yennock, Jay and Darla; Lance 825
- Foster, Pam and Matt; Arctic Fox 1150
- Kelly, Larry; Palomino Backpack 2902
- Rupp, Amy and Josh Fuss; Cirrus 800
- Meyers, Avi; Cirrus 920
- Pack, Roy and Gaye; Alpenlite Cheyenne 900
- Freedman, Gary and Christine; Northern Lite 8-11 LE
- Jaffie, Ray and Ana; Four Wheel Camper Hawk (ECDD-standby 1)
- Miranda, Priscilla; Lance 992
- Squish, Steve and Jeniffer; Bigfoot 1500
- Littrell, John; Lance 865
- Howell, RJ and Colette; DIY 4×4 Truck Camper
- Miller, Ric and Malia Dailey; Hallmark Ute (ECDD-standby 2)
- Stover, Richard and Marsha; Four Wheel Camper Fleet (ECDD-standby 3)
- Smith, Jack and Karen McCoy; Adventurer 106DBS
- Simpson, Walt and Lieke Bannenberg; Lance 825 (ECDD-standby 4)
- Evans, Richard and Patty; Northstar Laredo SC
- Grueschow, Rob and Barb; Lance 815
- Myers, Tom; Citation
- Barker, Dave and Cheryl; Northstar Laredo SC
- Meadows, Greg; Lance 1062
- Browne, Gary and Penny; Lance 825
- Yochum, Dan and Jan; Arctic Fox 811
- Snyder, Rob and Ladele; Host Mammoth 11-6
- Wallace, Ray; Alpenlite
- Shriver, Scott and Judy; Northern Lite 10-2
- Sund, Candice and Jared; Eagle Cap 1165
- Satterfield, Derek and Gracie; Six Pac S650
- Emmert, Thomas and Patricia; Host Mammoth 11-6
- Berquam, Russell and Gretchen; Arctic Fox 1140
- Dunn, Kenny and Linda Andrus; Arctic Fox 811s
- Boberschmidt, Chuck and Kim; XP Camper V1 (Nimbl Evolution) (ECDD-standby 5)
- Hurlbut, Deb and Bell Brinn; Northern Lite 9-6 SE
- Perkins, Barry and Carol; Adventurer 89RBS
- Cameron, Chris; Alaskan 7
- Cameron, Laura; Alaskan 5.5
- Morgan, Jerry and Dara; Cirrus 820
- Arbuckle, Joe and Terri; Northstar 850SC
- Lick, Rob and Joanne; Alpenlite 11.5
- Peterson, Chris and Sherry; Northern Lite 10.2
- Anderson, Ryan; Alumitech Flatbed
- Wadsley, Jim; Bigfoot 2500
- Magin, Nicholas and Brittany Neely; Palomino SS-550
- Lefebvre, Tom; Adventurer 901SB
- Mount, Bill; Lance 1172
- Hebenstreit, Rolf and Nan; Cirrus 920
- Patino, Carlos; Lance 815
- Apilado, Virgil and Nida Millan; Lance 845
- Jacobson, Dennis and Linda; Cirrus 820
- Austin, Guy; Outfitter Apex 8.5
- Young, Pat and Preston Hollow; Northstar Laredo SC
- Hoskins, Vicki and Jerry; Palomino Real Lite 1810
- Shaffer, Steven and Kaverne; Cirrus 820
- Snider, Kristen and Kathleen Landelius; DIY Truck Camper
- Kersh, Richard; Lance 835
- Montbrand, Ron and Marie; Lance 980
- Smith, Wes and Lee; Lance 165s
- Hancock, Andy and Linda; Arctic Fox 1150
- Johnson, Todd; Host Everest 11.5
- Haidinyak, Pete; Eagle Cap 1165
- Niemela, Marcus; KingStar Camino 88
- Hazen, Bruce and Ingrid; Adventurer 901SB
- Hoopes, Mason and Natalie Wallenfang; Fleetwood Outfitter
- Velasco, Donald and Rachel; Alaskan 10
- Koehler, Chris and Meldy; Four Wheel Camper Grandby
- Storbeck, Tim and Debbie; Northstar 9.5 Igloo
- Lancaster, John; Six Pac 650
- Williams, Dan and Tina; Lance 815
- Tucker, Floyd and Sherry; Lance 821
- Lundy, Allen and Margie; Palomino Maverick 1000SL
- Andreas, Kevin and Gerri; Lance 1050s
- Petroff, Don and Nancy; Eagle Cap 811
- Toczek, Mike and Gina; Four Wheel Camper Raven
- Latter, Courtney and Riley Casey; DIY Camper
- Poole, Frank; Arctic Fox 990
- Morton, Adam; Nimbl Evolution Demo
- Turner, Jon; Nimbl Evolution Prototype
- Davis, Ralph; Dolphin Camper
- Wheeler, Mark and Susan, Arctic Fox 1150
- Koons, Bill and Julie Coleman; Four Wheel Camper Kestral
- Krayniewski, Edward and Maria; Northern Lite 10-2
- Rapp, Chris and Kendra Keene; 820 Cirrus
- Vieites, Joe and Debbie; Lance 1131
- McIntyre, Tom; Host Cascade 11.5
- Bezer, Sasha and Scott Gregson; Cirrus 920
- Bennett, Fred and Brenna; Arctic Fox 990
- Hinrichs, Jeff and Billie Jo; Host Mammoth 11.5
- Shipp, Stan and Sue; Lance 1181
- Hamlin, Jim and Harriet; Host Tahoe 10.5
- Truss, Scott; Lance 1172
- Randall, Gary and Kate; Palomino Backpack SS1251
- Westphal, Dave and Debi; Lance 186
- Lau, Eric and Fay; EarthCruiser EXP (ECDD-standby 6)
- Musgrave, Dyanah and Dale; Host Mammoth 11.5
- Neale, Bernie; Northern Lite 9.6
- Harkins, John; Hallmark Everest
- Adams, Rick and Carey; Host Everest
- Jones, Kelly and Eric Morrison; Wolf Creek 850
- Hagerbaumer, Kurt; EarthCruiser EXP
- Page, Wayne; Four Wheel Camper Hawk (ECDD-standby 7)
- DeRieux, Scott; Four Wheel Camper Hawk
- Schumaker, Scott; Nimbl Vehicle Evolution
- Doperalski, Nick; Lance 650
- Garl, Kim; Alpenlite Camper
- Jelf, Joey; Northland Grizzly 880
- Sikes, Clayton and Kelly; Lance 855s
- Arndt, Brian and Angel Weare; Raider Truck Cap
- Larson, Mark and Sue; Host Mammoth 11.5
- Closson, Art: Hallmark Ute 8.5
- Cook, James and Denise; Cirrus 920
- Vugtaveen, Craig and Shauna; Four Wheel Camper Grandby
- Bruno, Vincent and Jessica; Cirrus 920
- Rowand, Benjamin; Northstar Igloo
- Ramirez, Rudy and Roxanne Halvorson; Arctic Fox 990
- Weingarten, Les and Julie; Northern Lite 10-2 SE
- Waterfall, Fred and Cynthia; Host McKinley
- Campbell, Lamar and Rebecca; Alpenlite Silverton 11
- Martin, Michael and Denise; Nimbl Vehicle on a 2006 Dodge
- Wells, Jim and Jeanne; Host Yukon
- MacCready, Marshall; XPCamper V1e
- Carrillo, Frankie and Vanessa; DIY Camper
- Terrill, John and Agnes Howard; Four Wheel Camper Ranger
With possibly over 200 people at this proposed event, I suggest we need a quick and dirty way to communicate without being adjacent to each other.
Another issue is any class or clinic you may wish to attend. With the radios, you could just get on board in the privacy of your own boudoir.
One solution is for each person or mating pair to have a radio, a Family Radio like walkie talkie with at least a 10 mile line of sight range.
We’ve had several versions of the radios and they have saved our hides on many off-road adventures where the chances of taking the wrong route was ever present.
With Christmas looming, this would be a good time to gift someone in your midst a pair.
We purchased our Motorolas at Costco, but, as always, they may have been a seasonal item.
One more solution for communicating is to go ZOOM if we have enough bandwidth out there.
We could do Zoom on cell phone, tablet, laptop, or other personal device, but something with a larger screen would work best.
jefe
Hi Jeff,
Yes, we are keeping a close eye on state and federal mandates. Yesterday, the AZ governor issued an EO limiting the crowd size for large gatherings to 50 persons. If this is still in effect in Feb, we will probably impose this size limit for all classes, meaning we will probably hold two of each class rather than one. I like the idea of radios. The Quartzfest Rally is doing this and I like the idea. We might use FRS radios for the initial kickoff and the Saturday raffle. We will be publishing guidance for the rally probably in late Jan.
up to 102 attending the rally. Fantastic .
wish we could be there, but cannot.
Regarding Covid protocols….your mask optional policy is very risky even though your event is outdoors. Latest research shows that Covid aerosols can hang in the air for up to 3 hours!! Most people do not know this and, like myself until recently, were operating on the assumption that Covid aerosols fell to the ground almost immediately. Wrong!!
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center#:~:text=Aerosols%20are%20emitted%20by%20a,up%20to%20three%20hours.
How long do COVID-19 particles remain in the air?
Aerosols are emitted by a person infected with coronavirus — even one with no symptoms — when they talk, breathe, cough, or sneeze. Another person can breathe in these aerosols and become infected with the virus. Aerosolized coronavirus can remain in the air for up to three hours.Oct 8, 2020
Thanks, Vince, but the risk is still very minimal due to the high winds the frequent the area.
Mike….your assumptions are incorrect and endanger your rally. Yes, being outdoors DECREASES the transmission of COVID but WINDY conditions INCREASE the infection rate. Please do your own research if you don’t believe that. Here are a couple links:
https://bgr.com/2020/05/21/coronavirus-transmission-through-air-social-distancing-guidelines-5832541/
In a similar study, researchers focused on how four weather factors, along with population, impacted the number of COVID-19 cases in nine Turkish cities. They found that the higher the average wind speed over the two weeks before each case was identified, the higher the number of cases.
Thanks, Vince. Appreciate the info.
Mike, you’re welcome. We all have to do our part to control this pandemic and save lives. If you’re not aware of the following you need to be:
• Arizona: Gov. Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services released requirements and guidelines for gyms, movie theaters and water parks to reopen. Under the new guidance, the businesses can operate at a limited capacity if certain benchmarks are met. Restaurants can offer indoor dining service but must limit occupancy. Large gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited, but local authorities can approve them if certain safety precautions are met. The Republican governor has restricted residential evictions until Oct. 31.
“certain safety precautions” likely mean masks and physical distancing.
Hello, I am already signed up but thought would offer up as a volunteer. I’m not sure I can be an effective instructor at this time but could come a day or two early and help with check-in/parking.
Wow I count 6 Bundutec campers. That is awesome considering there was only 1 last year.
Looking forward to it.
Yeah, what a difference a year makes. You were a trail blazer.
Bryan, I used Peter Massey’s “Backcountry Adventures Arizona , a large format guidebook,
the Arizona Atlas and Gazetteer, a search of pix of El Camino del Diablo, and the best of the youtube vids of the trail. The trail itself is remote over several privileged jurisdictions and has really not changed much in the last millenium. The worst antagonist for us truck camper people is the “just the right height to scratch your new paint” Ocotillo. Most desert flora has a tough outer epidermis.
jefe
Yeah, we called that ‘Desert Pinstriping’ when we lived in the Morongo Basin area. Thanks for the references. I’ve found a couple more up-to-date ones and a pretty good YouTube of the entire route at x5 speed. Looks pretty basic, other than the overhanging vegetation in a couple of spots.
Bryan
I did Camino del Diablo about 10 years ago with an offroading group. There were several DEEP SAND spots where you had to hammer down on the accelerator to get through. With the weight of truck campers these spots could be problematic…hopefully there will be several winches in the group and they should go through these spots first (if they are still there) so they can come back and winch another truck forward and out.
We will be airing down to increase traction. We’ve been in touch with two groups who recently navigated the trail in trucks and they were fine airing down their tires.
Hello Mike, just did the Trail last weekend. I am sending you an email. Think Pinstripes.
Mike,
Jean my queen and jefe are a go.
Both the Rally and the adjunct trip over the Camino del Diablo are on our calendar.
I would advise anyone who is going on the Diablo trail to read up on its condition.
A lot has changed since the Halcyon days of last year’s Rally, with many of us having new trucks or campers.
jefe
Awesome! Looking forward to seeing you and the wife again.
Would you have a recommendation on best source for reading? I’ve found a few, but all pretty dated.
Bryan