Dismeet in the Smokies 2021! Y'all Come!

[garneska]

1 more day to go. I am sure it will be a busy one.

 

[PaHunter]

I am on vacation as of now, have a few items left to pack in tomorrow and ready to leave Thursday. DW is working on packing fridge tonight, and has to work tomorrow.
We had no big plans for dinner, if we got out, ok, if not, ok also.
Glad @JETS70 got Saturday, maybe a Sunday ride somewhere if the weather is good.

 

[Teamubr]

More getting ready.

Minifridge is in. Fits perfect.





No more in and out, listening to people slam the door just to get something to drink.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

Trying to beat rain coming in tonight.

 

[tripleb]

The bride, who had a birthday today, loaded the fridge ... I'm gonna need a bigger truck Only things left to load are the clothes. Got my gas stops planned out ... the truck will get a bath tomorrow as will the fur baby.

 

[tripleb]

So in other words it's just like summer in Destin for the last 30 years? Gotcha.

bama ed, Destin is like that during the winter now

 

[Teamubr]

Two more days of work. Today was a hectic work day. 1st of the month after a 3 day weekend. Rarely a good combo.

I checked tire pressures on the coach and trailer last night. One of the trailer tires was down to 20 psi (from 65). This is the same tire that had a leaking stem when I bought the trailer. My local tire guy replaced the stem and it has held air fine the last 2 trips. I pulled the tire and took it back to the tire place today to have a look at. I didn't see anything in the tread. Glad I checked the tires with enough time to get it fixed before we leave.

I also noticed 2 of the hubs had a lot of play. I had repacked all the wheels and replaced 2 of the 4 bearings before I took the trailer on its first trip. Lesson learned to do what you have always done instead of listening to YouTube experts. I have always tightened the hub nut with a wrench to set the bearings, while spinning the hub, until I felt resistance and had noticeable drag on the hub and then backed the nut off to the next locking slot. This trailer has an unusual locking ring instead of the traditional cotter pin setup. Youtube said to just tighten the hub nut by hand and loosen the nut to the first slot to bend the lock tab into. It seems the hand tighten method doesn't set the bearing on the spindle well enough. It feels good until you put a load on it and actually pull it around. The weight and load set everything where it should go, but leaves too much play. I pulled all 4 hubs, repacked the outer bearings and set the tension like I always have. They feel much better now. The extra slop probably wouldn't have created any on road problems like over tightening will (over heated bearings), but would have worn the bearings and spindle out pretty fast. Glad I caught it now.

Graded papers tonight. Work and dinner with some friends tomorrow. Thursday is a long work day and then load up the refrigerated food and anything else not in the coach yet. Plan on heading out Friday afternoon. It is only 8 hours to PF, but we will stay overnight in Clarksville, TN. It is about half way and I can have a lazy Saturday morning and leave mid-morning so we arrive to Pine Mountain around check in time (2 PM EDT). If I left Saturday morning, I'd get up early and leave by 6am. With the time zone change, that would have still put us in PF after 3pm... just in time for the crazy check in traffic. I think we may try to arrive between 1 and 2 in the afternoon and see if we can get on the site early. We tried that last year and it didn't work. They claimed their computer system wouldn't allow them to register anyone until 2.

j

 

[cruising spud]

Before everyone gets totally caught up and busy with the Tennessee trip, I want to wish each and every one of you a safe and fun time. My husband and I had hoped to join the crowd this year, but, initially, COVID made us hesitant to sign up. Then, once we got the shots, it was a bit late to add ourselves to the mix. BUT, there is always the next event. to look forward to. So, fun and well wishes to all.

 

[BenitaN]

After seeing everyone get ready, I feel like a lazy bum. I figure we just need adult beverages and clean underwear. Everything else is just a bonus

I did make me and Damien shirts. My first try came out okay (I used the logo and it did not want to cooperate with me). It is on sale for FREE. The only thing is it's a size 2XL men, Walmart T-shirt. If anyone wants it, let me know.


My second try came out better. I made a his and hers.

 

[mickeyfan0805]

Have safe travels and a great time, everyone. I'm truly sorry we can't join you!

 

[PaHunter]

After seeing everyone get ready, I feel like a lazy bum. I figure we just need adult beverages and clean underwear. Everything else is just a bonus

I did make me and Damien shirts. My first try came out okay (I used the logo and it did not want to cooperate with me). It is on sale for FREE. The only thing is it's a size 2XL men, Walmart T-shirt. If anyone wants it, let me know.
View attachment 579239

My second try came out better. I made a his and hers.
View attachment 579240

I will take it, and wear it proudly.

 

[PaHunter]

Well we are hooked up and packed up except the limited items that we need tonight and in the morning. In the morning we leave for VA, need to find a fuel stop. And on Friday we roll in to PF.
Safe travels to everyone, and see you all there.

 

[Bishoparc]

Our goal is to be finished packing tomorrow night so we can roll out Friday afternoon when I get off work. We'll be doing our customary stay at The Cove RV Campground just outside Gadsden, AL and then roll on up to PF on Saturday morning. Looking forward to seeing everyone!!!

 

[tiggerdad]

Packed up and good to go. Randy will be rolling into Meridian in the morning. We'll eat breakfast at Queen City Truck Stop and hit the road.



Birmingham will likely be our only obstacle tomorrow. Will play it by ear if we take 459 around...or run the gauntlet!


We'll stop the evening in Fort Payne at Desoto SP and take in the sights of the park. From there it'll be about 3-4 hours to PF. Likely the lesser as we'll bypass Knoxville and Sevierville by cutting through Maryville and Townsend. We'll plow Wears Valley Road of any loose traffic.

 

[bama_ed]

Birmingham will likely be our only obstacle tomorrow. Will play it by ear if we take 459 around...or run the gauntlet!

As a 20-year resident of the I459 area of Birmingham (Exit 10 was my stomping grounds) ....

... always, Always, ALWAYS take I459 around the 'Ham.

Make sure you are NOT in the right hand lane approaching Exit 10 (lots of traffic gets on there and merges in). It's 3 lanes wide at that point. At Exit 13 you can drift over to the 3rd right lane to continue on because there is a 4th (to I65 North) and 5th (to I65 South) lane to the right that will pull off the interchange traffic.

Once you are past Exit 19 (Hwy 280) it is smooth sailing to Fort Payne. Cheap gas just south of Gadsden IIRC.

Bama Ed

 

[FtW Mike]

Well we are hooked up and packed up except the limited items that we need tonight and in the morning. In the morning we leave for VA, need to find a fuel stop. And on Friday we roll in to PF.
Safe travels to everyone, and see you all there.

Chria maybe we'll run across each other out walking the dogs in Fort Chiswell tomorrow

 

[garneska]

Well we are a mess as usual but my condo is clean. its not too bad. Most of the stuff is in the car but we have to arrange everything once Mallory is in the car. Her cart needs to go in first and then pack around it. My goal is on the road with the rig by 10 am. That means I will be lucky if it’s 11 but we will try hard.

 

[tiggerdad]

As a 20-year resident of the I459 area of Birmingham (Exit 10 was my stomping grounds) ....

... always, Always, ALWAYS take I459 around the 'Ham.

Make sure you are NOT in the right hand lane approaching Exit 10 (lots of traffic gets on there and merges in). It's 3 lanes wide at that point. At Exit 13 you can drift over to the 3rd right lane to continue on because there is a 4th (to I65 North) and 5th (to I65 South) lane to the right that will pull off the interchange traffic.

Once you are past Exit 19 (Hwy 280) it is smooth sailing to Fort Payne. Cheap gas just south of Gadsden IIRC.

Bama Ed

I figured. I couldn't remember last time if I rode the 2nd or 3rd lane all the way through.

 

[bama_ed]

I'm trying to prepare mentally for the climb up Missionary Ridge just after downtown Chattanooga.

All of us trailer and trucker folks getting in position for a run up the hill ....

 

[jbrostek]

Heavy and slow is the only way to tow heavy stuff up grades. Though southbound to the Smokies wasn't that bad