NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

[Captain Morgan]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

i will leave as early in the morning as i have to me and my one friend drove to connecticut and back i n a day and that was like a 14 hour round trip if not longer for stops of food gas and what not

Dude dont sweat it, I drove to Cali by myself a couple summers ago, made it from Chicago to Denver in 13 hours non-stop, AFTER sitting in a PepBoys for 8 hours getting my car fixed, long driving days are nothing new to me.

Tell ya what, Ill post up what my "ideal" trip to BG would be for me, and we'll see if there are any takers :tup:

 

[92TYPHOON937]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

that sounds good i could def meet u somewhere on ur way


that sucks sittin at pep boys for 8 hrs what broke?

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

that sounds good i could def meet u somewhere on ur way


that sucks sittin at pep boys for 8 hrs what broke?

Timing belt.... who needs that right? :rotf: I was 60,000 miles overdue for it to be changed, I figured whats another 4500 cross country and back, right? Made it to Chicago in like 11 hours, no traffic, making awesome time, BAM, car dies.

Thankfully I knew it was a non-interference engine and I had already diagnosed it in the parking lot at 3am, so when the doors opened at 7am, I was first in line to argue with the idiots that I didnt need their $90 "evaluation" of what was wrong, they even made me sign a waiver stating they would not be responsible if there was any other damage involved prior to or after the belt change. Then I spent time arguing the bill down because they tried to charge me double labor (had them replace the water pump while they were in there), so they tried to get me on 2 jobs that involved the same labor, then I crossed off a bunch of other stuff like anti-freeze, brake parts cleaner, silicone and a few other things I had in the trunk :lol:

They didnt make nearly as much as they thought they would when I was walking in the door at 7am :tup:

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

ok David, this is my "ideal" trip.

I'd leave the Jersey shore at 6pm Wednesday evening. The meeting point for the caravan is around Cumberland, MD, where we planned on catching up with you and Tom from MD. I can get there in 5 hours 34 mins according to Crapquest. If that holds true, I could get there around 11:30pm. It takes you 2 hours 40 mins to reach the same point, meaning you would have to leave your place around 9pm Wednesday night to get there at the same time as me.

Once meeting up, I'd typically just drive until I got tired, but just for calculation sake, lets assume thats 2am. That should put us just outside of Sutton, WV along I-79. Sutton is 6 hours from the Hotel, which means even with 4 hours of sleep along I-79, getting back on the road around 6am we could get to the Hotel at 12:00 Noon EST, which I believe would be 11:00am Central time in Bowling Green. So since we gain an hour, we can also stop for breakfast sometime after we leave Sutton and the remainder of that hour would buffer the normal gas/pee breaks.

So that would be my ideal trip, not sure if thats appealing to anyone else, but if they are interested Id be more than happy to add anyone else into those calculations.

 

[Try Me]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

I could do something like that. Cumberland is about 2 hours from my house. Neither my dad or I are working wednesday, so we can sleep in late and be good for night driving. I have no problem driving it straight through, I drive a ton for work, and once drove 22.5 hours straight from Dallas to home along with multiple 15+ hour trips to and from Florida straight.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

I could do something like that. Cumberland is about 2 hours from my house. Neither my dad or I are working wednesday, so we can sleep in late and be good for night driving. I have no problem driving it straight through, I drive a ton for work, and once drove 22.5 hours straight from Dallas to home along with multiple 15+ hour trips to and from Florida straight.

If I left later, then driving straight through would be an option. I dont think there is much point in getting to the hotel before Noon, typically check in is like 2 or 3, so chillin in the parking lot for a while will most likely happen.

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

cumberland is 2hrs from my place. Dave usually gets to my place around 6/7pm (since he doesn't have to go to Kaese's house to put his typhoon together this time...heh). As long as he can muster up the energy to do it I have no problem driving through the night..been there done that. I wonder if my passengers will be able to sleep in the mufflerless ls ty. :lol:

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

oh if your ideal trip includes a rest stop...maybe we should just plan a breakfast meetup where the State College crew leaves at like 1:30am or something

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

When is Dave getting to your place? Tues or Wed?

I should be getting to Renz's early evening, 7 or 8 would probably be a good guess. My father might be coming with me, I am going to talk to him this weekend about it, so I might have another driver. I am eternally optomistic about my Syclone going to be ready for this trip. I haven't even thought about what I am going to do if it isn't.

oh if your ideal trip includes a rest stop...maybe we should just plan a breakfast meetup where the State College crew leaves at like 1:30am or something

I would be up for either 1:30 am departure or rest area nap.

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

I would be up for either 1:30 am departure or rest area nap.

Ok....lets officially state that the Renz/State College, PA group is leaving at 1:30am on Thursday, August 6th. We'll plan on meeting up with the Morgan group for breakfast at a TBA location, probably about 7-8am or so.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

Ok....lets officially state that the Renz/State College, PA group is leaving at 1:30am on Thursday, August 6th. We'll plan on meeting up with the Morgan group for breakfast at a TBA location, probably about 7-8am or so.

i'm going to miss caravaning with you guys

 

[wheels]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

Renz, your place is 5.5 hours from me, so If i leave my place at 7Pm Weds (have to work). i will get to your house around 12:30AM Thursday. Then a power nap (doubt it haha) and were off.

I'm gonna be tired.

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

Renz, your place is 5.5 hours from me, so If i leave my place at 7Pm Weds (have to work). i will get to your house around 12:30AM Thursday. Then a power nap (doubt it haha) and were off.

I'm gonna be tired.

can't you take a couple hours off? Don't take lunch and save that hour at least?

We'll probably have some spare drivers in the group too...so if you're tired you can have someone else take the helm.

 

[wheels]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

can't you take a couple hours off? Don't take lunch and save that hour at least?

We'll probably have some spare drivers in the group too...so if you're tired you can have someone else take the helm.

Its a family business, so i don't have a defined lunch break, just eat whenever. Also i do the payroll, which is usually on Thursday, but i am doing it Wednesday and will have to start it later in the day to get all the timesheets and whatnot. But if its done early i am out and on my way.

 

[Baythan]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

i'm going to miss caravaning with you guys

Well, now I think there will be two or three caravans. I can't leave at 11:30 pm on weds to catch up with the state college group for breakfast, so I'm thinking the Philly group will leave as previously scheduled...around 7 am, and just arrive later...along with any other groups we pick up along the way.

As this is my first time towing I want to a) not be in a major rush and b) be in a caravan with people who know how to fix stuff, y'know?

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

morgan and i talked about this last night and we both thing we're better off with multiple caravans rather than just 1 huge one. Getting an entire fleet of vehicles on and off the highway at the same time, and meeting everyones needs...is just way too much hassle.

Now if there are multiple caravans that happen to meet up along the way...great. But we need to realize that a fleet of 16+ vehicles is obnoxious. :lol:

Caravanning 101:

• When 1 person needs gas, EVERYONE refuels. Everyone pees. Everyone grabs/buys snacks. Take advantage of the stop, becuase you aren't getting another for a couple hundred miles.
• When 1 person needs to pee between fuel stops, they leave the caravan, do their business, and then catch back up.
• If you break down, you let the caravan LEADER know immediately
• Know thy caravan members. Phone lists / walkie talkies are crucial. I'll be printing plenty of copies of the phone list for those carvaning with me.
• Don't be a hero - if you're tired, let someone else drive your vehicle.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

Well, now I think there will be two or three caravans. I can't leave at 11:30 pm on weds to catch up with the state college group for breakfast, so I'm thinking the Philly group will leave as previously scheduled...around 7 am, and just arrive later...along with any other groups we pick up along the way.

As this is my first time towing I want to a) not be in a major rush and b) be in a caravan with people who know how to fix stuff, y'know?

towing isn't as big a deal as others make it out to be.. especially when you are towing a single truck..

as i suggested to vinny, if it feels overly "bouncy" and the truck in tow is all over behind your tow vehicle then it is too far foward or too far backwards on the trailer.

Since it looks like i'll be bringing up the rear coming from the northeast, i'll pack some extra tools and some extra parts (belts, coolant hoses, plugs, wires, fluids, sealant for tires, etc)

as a suggestion, anyone driving their truck should purchase this stuff before hand for the trip, just in case:
-coolant hoses (radiator and IC)
-Belt
-Plugs/wires/distrib cap
-can of sealant for tire incase you catch a nail
-thermostat
-fluids, oil, coolant, tranny, etc..
-fire extinguisher
-tools, lots of tools

if i'm missing anything feel free to add it to the list. :tup:

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

• Don't be a hero - if you're tired, let someone else drive your vehicle.

this is very true, while driving to KC, I had to have Renz drive my bosses truck because i simply could not stay awake any longer.

 

[Baythan]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

Good stuff in both posts (Renz/Smaug). Read your tips to Vinny and took note.

Box of "stuff" ready to go. (Fresh wires/plugs/cap/rotor/pvc/vacuum installed)

Will deal with prostate issues (i.e. not drink at all) to avoid frequent pees. Or just bring an empty gatorade bottle. :rotf: (seriously)

If I have Big Mike and Keith in my caravan, I'll be a happy camper! :tup:

 

[Raist103]

Re: NASTE Nats Caravan (Part 2)

morgan or mike whoever is making the list you guys have my number add it to the list. if you want taras and dont have it let me know