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ECR Winding Down


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We have had a great week in East Tennessee. Weather has been hit or miss with rain but didn't stop any activities. Total attendees was 32 which is an all time high . Had large number of first-timers and to all that worried, Jim & Cathy made it and hopefully their troubles are behind them. Have added several to our "family" of regular attenders and hopefully more as time goes on. Thanks to our presenters, David, Paul, Raymond, Steve, Janet and to everyone for their input in the interactive discussions. Donna & I are gonna wind down a little and then begin working on next year's rally incorporating some of the great suggestions. So as we say in the South, Ya'll Come!!

2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift

Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding"

2017 DRV 39DBRS3

2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty"

 

"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!"

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Carl, after you unwind a little can you get in touch with me, please.....

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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Carl, after you unwind a little can you get in touch with me, please.....

Sure will.

2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift

Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding"

2017 DRV 39DBRS3

2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty"

 

"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!"

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Thanks Carl and "crew" for all you did to make the ECR a success. Judy and I had a really good time and we plan on being back in 2016. Thank you also to all the guys and gals that helped us gain a new love for our addiction... Safe travels and Gods blessings to you all !

 

Denver and Judy

Denver and Ms Judy Geitgey

2006 VOLVO 780

41 ' Redwood

NTPA Event Announcer

dngeitgey@gmail.com

event.png
 

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Kim and I had a great time and hope to get to Hutch in October.

Thanks so much to Dave L, Dave S, and Charlie L for all your help in replacing my front cab suspension bushings. Can't wait to feel the new smooth riding!

This was a great rally and I learned so much.

 

Pete

2007 NuWa Hitchhiker Discover America 339RSB

2000 Volvo VNL64T770 with TrailerSaver hitch, wooden flat bed, Detroit 12.7L S60, 10-sp AutoShift, still tandem

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Update on new cab suspension bushings:

 

The cab definitely rode more smoothly today (330 miles west on I-40). The old bushings were quite worn, to the point that the bolt through the center of each bushing was riding (under gravity load) almost 1/2 inch below the center of the bushing; the rubber must have been extremely worn out. Not only is the front of my cab now riding at the correct height, and the rear is centered left-to-right, but the clunking that was there before is totally gone. Nice!

 

Thanks again to everyone who helped me with this project.

 

Pete

2007 NuWa Hitchhiker Discover America 339RSB

2000 Volvo VNL64T770 with TrailerSaver hitch, wooden flat bed, Detroit 12.7L S60, 10-sp AutoShift, still tandem

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Made it home to the Louisville area safe & sound about 19:30 EST. Minor hiccup in Somerset, KY when we lost the AC / Alternator belt. AC quit cooling about 80 miles south of Somerset & when I stopped to add some refrigerant, Surprise!!, no belt. Happened to be within 3 miles of a place called Candido's Towing & Repair. Drove over, They found and installed the new belt & we were back on the road in less than two hours for less than $140 bucks. I wanted to kiss somebody but the DW thought that would be tacky.

 

Don't know about the rest of ya'll, but we had a great time in spite of the rain. Nice to see all the newbies and all the old peo...uh..friends. See you down the road or next year at the ECR.

 

Paul & Paula

Paul & Paula + Daisy the amazing wiggle worm dog...

2001 Volvo 770 Autoshift, Singled, w/ Aluminum Bed - Toy Draggin

2013 395AMP XLR Thunderbolt Toy Hauler

2013 Smart Passion

2012 CanAm Spyder RT

2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide

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A BIG thanks to Carl & Donna for being a GREAT host. GREAT JOB. Darlene and I enjoyed our self by making new friends and renewing old friendships.We are on the books for 2016 in site 304. We hope everyone have safe travels home and thru out the next 12 months,

07 630 VNL Volvo
16 Smart Car
2017 DRV 40KSSB4

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Scott,

Yes I do plan to write up the procedure I followed, complete with photos I took. I did the rear components a few weeks ago: air bags, four shocks, bump rubbers, and leveling valve.

Basically I just followed the service manual, but I can elaborate a bit in places, and my photos should be somewhat more helpful than the simplified line drawings in the manual.

It may be a couple of weeks before I can get around to doing this...

 

Pete

2007 NuWa Hitchhiker Discover America 339RSB

2000 Volvo VNL64T770 with TrailerSaver hitch, wooden flat bed, Detroit 12.7L S60, 10-sp AutoShift, still tandem

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We made it back home to MN safe and sound although I think we killed a good portion of bugs with the windshield yesterday such that it was almost impossible to see out of by the time we got to Missouri were we finally stopped for the night and cleaned the window. Had rain off an on today so that kept the windshield clean for the rest of the ride home.

 

We had a great time at the ECR again and thank you to Carl & Donna for hosting the event and to all the presenters. It was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Looking forward to next year if schedules allow.

 

Note to self: Make sure you bring coveralls for working on stuff!

 

Dave & Debbie

2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch
2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler
Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you!

 

Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/

for much more info on HDT's.

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Hi Everyone,

 

I had a good time at the rally. With the help of Dave S. I was able to build a post tester. Dave took me under his wing. "Thanks Again Dave".

 

I made it home in one piece, the truck made it home in one piece, the rzr made in home in one piece and the trailer is missing a piece or too. But the trailer does have two new trailers now. I think you might have an idea what happened to the trailer. I was west of Knoxville climbing a long hill that was 3 lanes wide went the left rear trailer tire went. The side of the road was no place to change the tire. I made it to the top of the hill by using the shoulder of the road and pulled into a truck weight station. I changed that tire and got back on the road again. About 45 minutes to an hour later, tire #2 decided to go. The same side of the trailer. To make a long story short, there are still some good people out there. I was lucky. The next thing I need is road side assistance. I am a Good Sam Member. I will tell the story at the next camp fire. lol

 

Thanks again Carl and Donna,

Al

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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Al, sorry to hear you had tire trouble on the way home, but glad you made it back to Ohio OK. It was a real pleasure talking with you. We look forward to meeting up with you again.

 

I was going to wait until we left Deer Run to add my remarks to this thread, but let me say now that it has exceeded my expectations, and they were pretty high to start with. Like the 2013 Nat'l HDT Rally I attended alone, and stayed in a motel, the organized aspects of this rally that Carl and Donna put together with help from volunteer presenters was very educational and fun. A highlight had to be the trip to Fitzgerald's Glider factory. That said, once again, I found what I learned in conversations with other participants around an open hood, etc., to be most valuable.

 

I am also very pleased that my wife now understands what I tried to tell her about these HDT rallies. She is now telling me she want's us to adjust our travel plans so we can be abe to attend future HDT rallies. The RV lifestyle was my dream, and not so much her's, but as we make more and more new RV friends, and have very enjoyable social experiences as we did here in Crossville, it makes her appreciate it more as well.

 

Everyone, without exception, we met at this rally made us feel as "family". Thank you ALL!

 

Jim

Volvo+and+Travel+Supreme+400+x+103.jpg

 

2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift

Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it?

'05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel

2016 smart car

 

We started full timing on December 1st 2014

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain
Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien

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Hi Everyone,

 

I need to make a phone call to the trailer manufacturer and see if I can still buy the wheel flaring for the trailer.

 

Hi Jim, I hope to see you again and get caught up on different travels.

 

Al

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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Hi everyone, just an update made it home safe and the long wait for my ET Hitch to get installed was well worth it, the ride home was great and smooth. That was until I got farther north into WV & MD. and I don't think there is anything to help smooth out their terrible roads. Had a wonderful time with a lot of great folks and looking forward already to next year. Safe travels to all.

2017 River Stone Legacy 38MB

2001 T2000 Kenworth

2009 Smart Passion

ET Junior hitch

 

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Jen and I just had a great time at the ECR, so good to see all our friends and make some new ones.

The park did a wonderful job getting ready for us with all the challenges the winter gave them.

We missed the advanced tree climbing class Carl gave, maybe next year. :blink: Got to say the tours

Mike and I took into the state park just north were a real eye opener, wow, thanks Mike and Treas.

All the hard work by the presenters was well received and much appreciated.

DSC00739.JPGDSC00751.JPGDSC00753.JPGDSC00704.JPG

Yamaha V-Star
2007 Kenworth T2000 tandem aircutter
ThermoKing TriPack
2003 Holiday Rambler 36' Presidential
short trips-88 Allegro on Astro

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Thanks everyone for putting up with me :unsure:

Karen and I had a great time, even though we had to leave 2 days early for a work conflict.

We got stopped just before Jackson by the DOT!! :o

I got the audio on my dash cam and when I get time I will edit it and post a link so ya all can hear what he said, but the long and short of it was you look like your hauling new trailers for hire, but no dot numbers, I told him it was my trailer, and he wanted to know why I had it in a LLC.

I didn't tell him because I have been divorced 2, giving up 3 homes, 2 jet skies, 1 Donzi boat, and most of my life savings, I said it's in my business, which was not the correct answer, after a short conversation a large clap of thunder sounded and he said, have a good day, be safe. :rolleyes:

 

Well, enough said, but we just arrived back in Kansas, dodging the weather Thursday and Friday.

 

Roger

GCTaaehl.jpg

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We will leave Deer Run tomorrow (Sunday), heading for our next stop. It was great meeting everyone and putting names to faces and seeing some great bed designs. Alie and I have much to think about moving forward with our truck and Smart Car carrying bed or box design. The entertainment was great, the conversation excellent, the potluck's enjoyable, and new friends cherished.

Everyone please be safe in their travels,

Alie and Jim

Alie & Jim + 8 paws

2017 DRV Memphis 

BART- 1998 Volvo 610

Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins

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You aren't real so to put up with Roger. You have some really cool toys and Karen makes up for any other shortcomings :D

 

I am of the opinion as we become more common, especially with the the crowd that is not 100% strictly for traveling recreation (ie: no other agenda) being stopped is going to become a more frequent occurrence. Every time I pull out, I "expect" to be stopped. So far it hasn't happened but I anticipate it, every time. That is why I tell people to have all their paperwork handy, and in order. Including everything they feel will show that they aren't commercial (state DL regs, etc). I bet you will be prepared the next time you get stopped with better answers, eh? You and I have discussed the LLC thing (which professionally :ph34r: I think is a mistake with an HDT RV) but I'm betting that the answers you said you didn't give would have been very believable. :P I'm glad your brush with the law was uneventful.

 

Safe travels.

MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.
~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~

2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission
singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin
2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 

2014 smart Fortwo

 

 
 
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