A day in the life in the North

[Stumpy]

Last few weeks have been busy around the compound plus some interesting corporate changes.

That said.... for now

Being I go off on day long excursions into the surrounding mountains and trails I have come up on some large granite or shale rock formations and the undercarriage of my ATV is a very thin plastic and I have already cracked it in places.

So I ordered up an Aluminum plate skid plate set up.



as soon as I set the ATV to begin, Maggie came right over to watch.





Pieces laid out and ready to install



Loving have a creeper to slide in and out while working





All done. I decided to paint the front plate black. and leave the under carriage aluminum



After installed took a quick blast up into the mountains to test all in order



Rode by a few corn fields.

Then off towards Wiang Kosai National forest.



This was a new trail and heavily over grown and like most places there are no google maps to go back so you have to remember how you got where you are. I would have gone further but I was low on gas.

[bsnub]

leave the under carriage aluminum

Full set of skid plates there. Looks solid!

[Stumpy]

Full set of skid plates there. Looks solid!

Yeah Snubs. Let me tell ya the rock( especially Granite) are all over and can cause big damage and not surprising, bamboo is always an issue.

[bsnub]

Did those skid plates come stock or did you add them?

[Stumpy]

Did those skid plates come stock or did you add them?

They are aftermarket. Ordered from a place in OZ.

[bsnub]

They are aftermarket. Ordered from a place in OZ.

Ah not surprised. The Aussies make good off-road kit.

[BLD]

The creepers definataley a good bit of kit. I've been known to use a furniture dolly or skate for the big jobs @ malmomike

[MarilynMonroe]

Very nice, 4X4, Stumpy. Looks like a fun toy to drive around to see the sights up north.
I rode one of them a long time ago when visiting my aunt in northern Canada. She lived on an island near Hudson Bay, which was fun to use a 4X4 to see the island.
Your pool looking as nice as ever.

[katie23]

Hey stumps, a question for you. I know this isn't a build thread but I didn't want to make a new one in the construction thread.

So I saw a vid from the HGTV channel - 100 day dream house. The hosts design & build houses in 100 days. They're based in Florida. During the build, I saw the workers put up cinder block walls then put wood framing for drywall & insulation on the interior. Then the next scene was about finishes (kitchen cabinets, tiles, etc) so I didn't see the dry walling process.

So as I understand it, after putting up the cinder block walls, they don't render/ plaster the walls? Instead, they put insulation (spray foam, I think) and then dry wall? (I think they used fiber cement boards & not gypsum board/ sheet rock.)

Is that common practice in the US or in Florida? They don't plaster the cement walls but add another layer of insulation + dry wall? (just trying to understand their build method)

Btw, can you post some gratuitous pics of your tortoises? Gracias!

[malmomike77]

^ Katie are you reconsidering the steel framed dry wall internal walls?

[katie23]

^no, I'll still be using steel frames + fiber cement board, if ever I go through the dry wall route. Too many termites in PH. I'm just wondering why they (the Florida builders) didn't plaster the walls directly but instead put wood framing + insulation & dry wall. (maybe it's a US or Florida thing?)

Wood framing isn't really used in PH anymore (unless in very rural areas) - metal tubes/ frames are used in newer builds that I've seen. My land isn't in a rural area - it's semi urban.

Or why didn't they use AAC blocks if they wanted insulation? As I saw it, it was double the effort for the walls (cement blocks + dry wall) I take it that the cinder blocks are not insulated; again, maybe it's a Florida thing. <shrug>

[Stumpy]

Hey stumps, a question for you. I know this isn't a build thread but I didn't want to make a new one in the construction thread.

So I saw a vid from the HGTV channel - 100 day dream house. The hosts design & build houses in 100 days. They're based in Florida. During the build, I saw the workers put up cinder block walls then put wood framing for drywall & insulation on the interior. Then the next scene was about finishes (kitchen cabinets, tiles, etc) so I didn't see the dry walling process.

So as I understand it, after putting up the cinder block walls, they don't render/ plaster the walls? Instead, they put insulation (spray foam, I think) and then dry wall? (I think they used fiber cement boards & not gypsum board/ sheet rock.)

Is that common practice in the US or in Florida? They don't plaster the cement walls but add another layer of insulation + dry wall? (just trying to understand their build method)

Btw, can you post some gratuitous pics of your tortoises? Gracias!

Hey Katie,

So here is my take on what you saw. In the US, due to it being so large with significant varying climates, how they build houses in Florida in most cases is far different material use wise compared to how they build them in say the midwest and west coast. And of course with all the material changes and improvements, I would fully expect options to change.

I have a long time colleague who just had a house built in Minnesota and he was sending me regular build updates on how the house was being fab'd and the methods and materials used I had never seen being used to build a home in California. But they have heavy snow, cold winters. Same in Florida. Very humid, lots of rain so materials will be different.

So would I say common?....Maybe for that region.

[Stumpy]

Last few weeks have been really busy. Been transferring account and network communications to a different group for work. Retirement clock moving right along.

I have also been assisting a US aftermarket ATV company increasing his presence here in Thailand. Just a hobby but enjoying the project

That said, I decided after many rides on my 625 ATV to upgrade to the new 1000cc model. Many reasons for this. Primarily the 625 is a single cylinder which offers a lot of tq on low-end but the trade off is high RPM when going fast. The 1000 is a V twin so I lose a bit of low end tq but gain with way better top speed and subsequently low RPM.

The options on the 1000 are significant. It comes with much larger front and rear diffs, fully adjustable reservoir shocks, a bigger winch, bigger brakes etc.

So I drove out to Phetchabun Friday to meet up with the ATV and UTV group I joined and of course pick up my new ATV.





Mountain pass to Phetchabun was beautiful.. Temp was 20c. I stopped and had a coffee while I enjoyed the view.





Got to the resort to meet up with everyone. The Owner of the ATV company brought my new ATV up from BKK. After we all get set up we went to dinner.

Unfortunately being I had the brand new ATV and the planned mountain ride they changed to embark on, I passed as I only had 3km on it and I would prefer to do a proper break in. So I stayed around and then 2 of the riders broke some major drive train components 22km from the resort in the mountains, They told me they will be there a long time to repair so they said head out as I had a 6 hour drive home and was trailering my ATV.



Loaded up and ready to head back



So as us "Seppos" say in motorsports, if 1 is good, 2 is better. . I will eventually sell the 625. Its a very good ATV so it will be hard to let it go. I have it set up really well for mountain riding



Being DW is building a pool, Hats off to ya. Cheers. A early morning Whiskey Sour watching some NFL at the pool bar. Lemme tell ya, having a pool is very nice as BLD noted as well. As Snubs mentioned, he lives by 2 very pristine lakes in Washington so having a lake nearby to take a dip is perfect as well. Even a nice river and Washington has some of the best rivers I have ever fished and boated on.

[bsnub]

As Snubs mentioned, he lives by 2 very pristine lakes in Washington so having a lake nearby to take a dip is perfect as well.

Not bad but only during summer. As you well know Stumps, Seattle is not a very good climate to have a pool because you really can only use it 3-4 months a year.

Even a nice river and Washington has some of the best rivers I have ever fished and boated on.

From the ocean to the sound to the lakes and rivers it is a very nice place to live and as you said the fishing ain't bad either.

Enjoy the new ride, I am sure the haters will be along to tell you how "ridiculous" it is.

[Stumpy]

Oh yeah. Understand Snubs. Washington has pretty mild weather most of the year. Pools probably are what most would consider not a good investment. As you know here with temps in 80s to 90s almost every day, they get great use. I use mine for laps and my wife and family and friends use it to just cool off. Being a saltwater based pool, it's east maintenance and no worries on ice or it becoming frozen.

I did a few trips to friends in NE Washington and man the camping, boating and swimming was perfect. Like the Sacramento River in the North.

Good times

[DrWilly]

Lovely scenery, nice place to enjoy a ride.

Enjoy the new ride, I am sure the haters will be along to tell you how "ridiculous" it is.

Without a doubt. But there's good reason they hate. Got to do with being miserable and poor life choices.

[Stumpy]

Enjoy the new ride, I am sure the haters will be along to tell you how "ridiculous" it is.

Well of course some will. When people plan life well and have some disposable income and are actively busy with friends they go out and have fun. Others choose to sit in condo's overlooking polluted oceans surrounded by robbery, assault, rape, prostitution and put together endless paragraphs together attempting to show their worldly knowledge of everything

[david44]

Great stuff Stumpy, cabbage owed ,and fine photos as usual thanks, been through Petchabun forests high country a few time lovely mountain air and views.

A few questions about quad bikes, never seen one up here in N C Rai but many woodland trails which are tricky on a 2 wheeler in the increasingly prolonged rainy season.

I have a Thai car and motorcycle licence is anything extra needed?
Can you drive on normal roads with car type insurance, or need a trailer?

Finally what about spares, are they available locally or Bangkok, imports etc?

[taxexile]

Nomad - Ariel Motor Company

[Stumpy]

Great stuff Stumpy, cabbage owed ,and fine photos as usual thanks, been through Petchabun forests high country a few time lovely mountain air and views.

A few questions about quad bikes, never seen one up here in N C Rai but many woodland trails which are tricky on a 2 wheeler in the increasingly prolonged rainy season.

I have a Thai car and motorcycle licence is anything extra needed?
Can you drive on normal roads with car type insurance, or need a trailer?

Finally what about spares, are they available locally or Bangkok, imports etc?

ATV's are in select areas around Thailand nowadays. Many Thai farmers are seeing the value and varying uses. Most though are for hobby sport activities and around here its open country but a hell of a lot safer then a scooter

As for for requirements.. no licensing required. no insurance either. Its like the Thai folks that own those rice paddy set ups driving around.

Spares are available in BKK and CM.

[Stumpy]

Nomad - Ariel Motor Company

Those wouldn't work around here Tax. Street tires, No suspension travel. If you want a "Side by Side", Get a CF Force Z 950 or a UForce 950.

[Stumpy]

The tech difference between a 625 and a 1000



A-2 CF 1000 rear suspension. Fully adjustable shocks, long trailing arms, Sway bar, Spindle hub with larger wheel bearings and drilled discs



CF 625 Rear suspension. Pretty basic. Unilateral A-Arms, small bearings, standard disc brakes, non adjustable shocks.

All that said, If you are just a go around have fun type rider the 625 is a perfect ATV. If you are aggressive, fast rider going through rivers, lakes and catching some air, The 1000 is the better choice.

[bsnub]

Oh that is a pretty massive upgrade!

[katie23]

Congrats on the new ATV, stumps.

Thanks for the answer re: my query. I watched another vid from that builder. This is when their clients wanted a hurricane proof house, since they live in Florida. They were renting a wood-framed house and had to relocate everytime there was a strong hurricane. The setting of cinder blocks are at 5:40 min. (I just wondered why they used cinder blocks + insulation + dry wall and not just use AAC blocks if they wanted insulation - seems double the time, effort & money)

[Stumpy]

Congrats on the new ATV, stumps.

Cheers Katie. Just toys to go have fun...you know

Thanks for the answer re: my query. I watched another vid from that builder. This is when their clients wanted a hurricane proof house, since they live in Florida. They were renting a wood-framed house and had to relocate everytime there was a strong hurricane. The setting of cinder blocks are at 5:40 min. (I just wondered why they used cinder blocks + insulation + dry wall and not just use AAC blocks if they wanted insulation - seems double the time, effort & money)

So I watched the vid and while this is a build show( Sort of a reality deal) the cinder block in the US is a pretty secure option because as I understand it they drop rebar into every few openings and fill with cement allowing for a secure wall. Then they cover it with a manufactured wood that looks nice and doesn't rot or get eaten by termites. One thing to consider is that in the US most houses have central heating and AC so worrying about insulation is not a priority. Now mind you it should be. Here at our house we have AC but independent in each room so you only cool where you are going to be.

Is the house hurricane proof....Hmmmm. As they say, Its not that the wind is blowing, but what the wind is blowing. I think the walls would withstand a pretty good impact. Any door or window is not going to stop an object flying at 60 to 75 mph.

Just my take on it.

In the mid-west almost every house is made of wood however they all have storm/tornado bunkers built into them. There is no tornado proof house. Same on the west coast with earthquakes. Sure a 5.0 might not create issues, but a 8.0 is going to collapse almost all no matter what material was used.