No longer selling, 2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ / RV Toad

Currently in Aguanga, California (1 hour West of Palm Springs)

So it turns out, though we didn't know it at the time, that our Jeep has been lifted. By lifted I mean raised, not stolen. The Canadian Border Security Agency (CBSA) will not accept ANY vehicle which has had ANY modification. We were in the process of sorting out the paperwork for Customs and after finding out we did not need a 'Compliance Letter' except to bring a Canadian Vehicle to the USA, getting our 'Recall Letter' from Jeep, digging out our 'Certificate of Title' and the 'Bill of Sale'.... We then moved on to Modifications...

We didn't think our Jeep had had any modifications but when I was looking at 'Stock' photos of the Jeep online, I noticed they seemed to sit lower than ours. So today we drove over to a Jeep dealership and had them take a look. YUP, Lifted.

He suggested a place where we could have it lowered but also mentioned that if we had it lowered the tires would likely rub.... so we'd be looking at a $ couple grand $. Given the price of Jeep's back 'home', we have decided to try and sell her - before we leave. Not a lot of time.... So if you or someone you know is looking for a reliable Jeep by all means, Please, let us know.

All fluids changed Oct/17.

A day out Jeeping in the Arizona Desert

This Jeep is in great shape, we had all the fluids changed out the day we bought her in October and we put Brand new tires on her a week later, she also got a brand new (soft top) lid at Xmas and she has side rails.. Her power comes from a 4 cylinder, 6 speed, 2.4L engine. Sale includes tow bar for towing her behind an RV (about $3000 value). She has 72,131 miles. Jeeps were designed for towing I'm told, making this the perfect Toad.

Asking price: $12,500 obo (ono)

She is a fantastic Jeep and we had every intention of importing her to Canada but this ridiculous CBSA rule is making that too complicated.

We will be actively trying to sell her over the next few weeks, baring that - we will likely just leave her here at our site and either use it stateside only or sell it next season when we come down.

As any Jeeper will know, this has been very disappointing and upsetting to us but hopefully we can find a buyer who will keep her at her best. We will just have to buy one back 'home' when we return.

Pictures of her taken today:

March 6, 2018

Do you speak English?...

This morning we gathered ourselves and Brad went on the roof to strap down the slide topper since we couldn't find anyone to fix it on a Saturday and even those willing didn't have access to the parts. We then took Deuce (New Jeep for those who missed the news) to Jiffy Lube and had all fluids flushed and or drained and replaced.

Back to Paradise Casino for what we hoped would be breakfast but no luck - ends at 10:30am. so lunch it was. Then we headed off to Quartzsite. I drove the RV and Brad drove the Jeep. We decided not to tow it until we have the insurance in place. So many things can go wrong when you're towing.

My new Driver

Driving back we had to go through a Border Patrol along Hwy 95..... When pulling up I was unclear if I should pull over the last 'bump in the road or stay outside of it. The guy was guiding me up with his hands and then gave me a thumbs up. Now, in my blondeness I took that to mean I was good in the spot I was in. Threw it in Park and shut it off. Reasonable, right? What I didn't know- because the A/C was on and the dog was doing his usual car routine- was that the guy said I was good to go. I figured he was going to enter the RV and look around, Nope. Because of the confusion this thumbs up caused, he came to the window and asked if I speak English... yes, of course.  Brad is behind me in the Jeep knowing full well that I was in one of (what he calls) my 'dark hole' moments. A blonde moment most people call it. I've been telling him I can't cope with this heat... he's not hearing me.

 Parked beside the road at the...

Yuma Proving Ground

Dog Exhaustion 

Quartzsite Sunset

 Quartzsite Sundown

Anyway, we arrived back in Quartzsite and decided to try the La Posa South LTVA (Long-term Visitor Area) since the West hadn't been very social. When driving in I realized Brad had been stopped. Oh yeah, he doesn't have a sticker on the new Jeep. Anyway, he had to go back to the West LTVA to get the sticker so while he was doing that, I went to dump the tanks and reload the fresh water tank. Enroute to that I saw a spot that would be good and went back to it when I was finished, just as Brad was pulling up.

We left the RV at the spot and drove around the LTVA land looking for something else. Not because of a problem, it's just what we had planned in Yuma this morning. Didn't find anything else and so moved the rig into position and went to Quartzsite looking for a seat belt latch for Robbie that I had seen at one of the tents. Closed, just my luck. We will try again in the morning, at least we know where to look. Went to Silly Al's for supper and then back to the rig where we promptly set about setting up camp. We are now sitting outside, the sun has just gone down and we are enjoying an hour of quiet computer time.

Our new spot

We have chosen this spot as a permanent spot with the understanding that if we should decide to go somewhere else once the topper is fixed, we will. Here are some pics of the broken topper.

The broken slide topper

Deuce is wild

We left Quartzsite, AZ early this morning enroute to Yuma, AZ to look at a Jeep. Well we got it, complete with a Blue Ox tow bar and Base Plate. Pretty happy with the deal we got. A little running around to arrange the funds, but we managed.

At 4:05pm I called the local DMV to make sure they were open until 5pm... ' you have to have a ticket in hand by 4:30 to be seen' the woman tells me. Whaaaaa? So we jumped in the rig and booted over to the DMV arriving at 4:27pm. The woman who sold us the car had to come with us (in her own car) to sign it over in their presence, which to us is peculiar but whatever works I guess.

Robbie guarding Deuce

So we now have her plated and good to go. We have 30 days to sort out the insurance - no one can explain this part to me - but we intend to get it done bright and early Monday morning anyway. So what if something happens in that 30 days? Are we hooped? Does it fall to the previous owners insurance? I just don't get it, so I'm going with hooped.

Because the sun was setting by the time this was all completed we decided to head to Paradise Casino that allows overnights. Apparently it used to be free and then last year they decided to try 3 days for $10. I can only assume that was a bust because they are now back to FREE. My kind of language. I posted the details on Campendium already and will get to the rest as I can but needed to get this blog up. Here is the letter they hand out to RVers after the 1st night.

The temperature got to 41C (105..8F) -- otherwise know as hot as hell. Here is a picture of what that does to my beauty...

Can anyone tell me what the benefit is of painting tree trunks white? Is it a bug thing? Aesthetics? In lieu of snow? We saw a lot of them today here in Yuma. Looks really great but I just wonder - why?

So back to our new Jeep. Brad and I each had an FJ Cruiser, his is white and mine was bright yellow. I sold mine this time last year so when we saw this one online.... anyway, there are some things we'll be doing to it but in the meantime, its some wheels.

Because we named the RV 'Ace', we have decided to call the Jeep 'Deuce'. And Deuce is wild, just like her mama ;)

When we arrived at the casino we set up as per for parking lot parking. When Brad put the slide out the slide topper cracked and came off. Literally just laying on top of the slide. As its dark out we can't even contemplate looking at it tonight so will have to do something with it in the morning. We have been talking about going somewhere new for awhile but now with this topper thing... I think we'll head back to Quartzsite and find someone there who can fix it. Of course, this is all assuming we can either remove or secure it in the morning. Anyone know of someone who can fix/ replace a slide topper in either Quartzsite or Yuma? George? Anyone? It cracked off on both ends where it attaches to the front of the slide. Perhaps (won't know until morning) a spring broke, it sounded like the slide was going out and the topper was not unfurling with it and then snap.... just a second or two, not enough time to react.

My husband is absolutely the best to make all these dreams of mine come true. (he made me write that) LOL