(New 5-13 pics added) Saddled up and ready to ride! EBR 40th and Moab here we come!

[Broncitis]

We got all loaded last night. It took 4 hours to get it all loaded and strapped down. I did not get to the house until 1AM and then had a couple hours of packing to do for all my clothes and gear so we got a bit later start then we had planned after a few hours of sleep.

We pulled out from Dillsburg, PA at 8:50am and I drove the first shift until 5:30 where we switch at Bristol, TN, for 430 miles on my shift. We made a couple quick stops to check the load and stretch and had one stop where we took about an hour for lunch and to top off the tanks to get a full 250 gallons onboard. We were already about 3/4 full, but after topping off in VA we should be good until CA. We're averaging about 7.9 MPG according to the Volvo's computer.

My Dad's behind the wheel now and I'm gonna get some Z's so I can pull another shift later tonight. We're thinking of running through tomorrow night when we will get a hotel so we can relax and wash the funk off ;D

The rig is running great and pulls this like it's hardly there. This the first trip with the new 49' trailer (plus 4 foot "flip outs" I fabbed for it) and with the bike racks I fabbed and only the second real trip in it since we got it last spring (hualed our 40, enclosed trailer to the Fawl Crawl last year, but that trailer can only fit two EB's). We are VERY happy with this setup compared to an overloaded dually like we had been running (and tearing multiple trannies out of previously).

We'll be getting off of I-81 and onto I-40 in about half an hour, then onto Phoenix to meet up with Todd Z. then a quick stop by Protofab to meet Keith and check out his shop (I love the rear bumper/tire carrier we put on Mtfit's rig) and then onto Victorville. About 2300 miles or so.

Here's the lowdown on the load:

• My Dad's 66 Roadster that had 10,500 original miles
• 77 Ranger shared by my Dad and I
• Karl Bradley's 68 crawler with 40" red lablel Krawlers for the Hammers and a set of 40" MTRs so I don't shred the soft Krawlers in Moab driving out to the trails all week.
• Bill Moore's 74 street/trail custom that's in this month's issue of Off-Road
• 1987 Hondas 700 "Super Magna" (Dad's bike)
• 2004 Aprillia Tuono 1000, Brothers Bike (he's flying out and riding it back to PA for his fun trip)
• 2005 Triumph Sprint ST 1050, my new toy I just got broken in last week.
• Various parts for delivery.

I decided to bring my bike and my Dad's since I did not get my trail rig finished in time to make the trip. Karl has gratfully offered to let me use his sweet ride as a "loaner" What a guy! There are not too many friends like that. Anyway, I plan to run some mild trails in Moab since it is not my rig and it is also scheduled to be a feature at the All-Ford Nationals when we get back to PA. I figured my Dad and I would take a day to two and explore SE Utah and/or SW CO. on the bikes for some fun riding since I won't have my trail rig to abuse all week.:-[

After we did some conversion work to the Volvo, we got it registered as an RV so we do not need CDL's and do not need to hit the scales with the commercial rigs. So far we bypassed 4 or 5 scales and no problems so far. Being that it looks commercial with the current trailer, we were not sure if we'd get chassed down and have to explain and show the paperwork or not.

I was goiung to create a blog for the trip, but this is much easier since I'm used to it, and since some of you will hopefully enjoy the pics as we go.

If you see us rolling down the road, give us a wave!

Off to sleep for now....

 

[Madgyver]

See you folks there!! ;D

 

[Mr Joe]

Don't worry about us Drew... We're jealous as hell ;D

Have a great time and remember to update often!

 

[crazi429]

one heck of a haul rig there

 

[jkskier]

Dang! I've found a new wallpaper.

 

[toddz69]

Don't worry about us Drew... We're jealous as hell ;D

Have a great time and remember to update often!

That is ONE impressive setup!! Let me know how things are going as you travel along so we can time things accordingly. I'm still planning on you guys hopefully getting here Tuesday morning.

Todd Z.

 

[wpaeb]

Good luck guys. Have a great time.
Hopping to make Paragon in 6 weeks.
All we need to do is get a cople axles built, change out the suspention, do a new roll cage and some other fab work, rewire and shake the bugs out.

Steve

 

[DonsBolt]

Wow is about all I can say
I thought my racing partner has a cool setup when we go drag racing, but that blows his tow rig away. I am sure you will all have a great time, and I can just imagine the looks that will get going down the road.

Here is my friends wimpy tow rig, along with our two trucks. His up fron mine out back

 

[Labbster]

Drive careful! That's some precious cargo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[73stallion]

wow, now that's loaded!

i've been looking forward to seeing that red extended one in person for a while now.

 

[Broncitis]

Thanks for the comments guys, it's been a LOT of planning, work, and resources over the last 5 years for my Dad and I to finally make this happen. We decided that when we missed the 35th that we'd do the 40th for sure and it's already here!

I'm really grateful that we've been able to keep commited and do this together. It should be a trip neither of us will ever forget!

It's my turn at the wheel again. We've logged about 800 miles now and are going to stop for a quick bite at a Waffle House or truck stop off of Exit 172 of I-40 in TN...

 

[NicksTrix]

have a safe trip drew, see ya there.
nick

 

[Broncitis]

I finished up my 2nd shift at the wheel affter logging another 400 miles for just about 1200 miles travled since we left yesterday.

We decided to top of the tanks again so we could verify the Volvo's computer calculations. 865 miles since we last fueled in Troutville, VA and it took 115.72 gallons for an average of 7.47 MPG which is very consistant with the computers numbers.

While at the Flying J in Russleville, AR we also decided to hit the scales to see what the rig was weighing in at:

12,400 front axle
15,500 rear axle
16,460 total trailer axles combined

44,360 GCVW

In comparision, my dad's dually and our enclosed trailer with 2 trail rigs, parts and tools weighed in at just over 27k GCVW on a trip to Moab in 2003.

The dually had less acceleration and much less braking. After the Banks upgrades the power was decent, but you could certainly tell what was beind you. The upgrade to the BD exhaust brake was much better money spent since it really helped with peace of mind on long down grades.

The Volvo's 500 HP / 1600+ ft/lb Detroit Series 60 with the Eaton 10 speed Autoshift and three stage Jake Brake simply rocks and handles this relitively small load very easily with room to spare. It's a pleasant change being well within the operational envelope rather than far outside the recomended limits!

Don, that's a sweet looking setup as well. What kind of trailer? Our's is a 2004 Take 3 that I picked up through ebay a few months ago. what kind of times do you run in the pickup?

Time to get some sleep again...

 

[DonsBolt]

Don, that's a sweet looking setup as well. What kind of trailer? Our's is a 2004 Take 3 that I picked up through ebay a few months ago. what kind of times do you run in the pickup?

I am not sure what brand trailer that is, I will ask my friend. It actually belongs to the place he works at, but they let him use it when we go to the far away Fun Ford Weekend Races.

Both trucks run high 10 second 1/4 mile times at around 125 MPH. Both are set up about the same, built JDM motors, Kenny Bell superchargers, Long tube headers, upgraded fuel systems, built BTS trans, 6 point cages(but mine is Chrome Molly) QA1 race shocks, and 30 inch slicks. He only runs his at the track, where I still drive mine on the street, thats why I have street tires on the back. As I have to drive to meet up with the trailer. My slicks are in the bed in that picture.

At one time I actually owned both of the Lightnings. A guy who owned the front truck, ran into some money problems, and needed some quick cash. It had about 25 grand worth of mods done to it, and I got it for 23 grand. Since we race together all the time, I sold it to my friend for the same price.

 

[Broncitis]

Duhhhh.

Don, I guess if I would have opened my eyes and read your sig I would have seen the answer to one of my questions!

We just stopped so my Dad could check the load and tires. We're now aobut half way to our first stop (Phoenix), with 1317 miles traveled.

We just crossed Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma a few minutes ago.

Pic of my Dad at the wheel crossing the lake, and of the rig at Waffle House last night. I love Waffle House and always stop at them when we travel through the south. I started a tradition back in '98 when we went to the first East Coast Bronco Roundup of taking a photo of the Broncos and tow rig at with a Waffle House sign in the background. I have a rather large collection of these photos now. This one was a bit of challenge since it was nearly impossible to turn the rig around in the parking lot! I had to jack it around and slide the rear tires sideways :-X

 

[Broncitis]

Oh yeah, My Dad (Don) says hi and looks forward to meeting some other Bronco enthusiasts over the next couple weeks!

Back to sleep...

 

[mtfit]

great idea Drew, logging the trip. you guys are making good time.

 

[Madgyver]

That is soooo cool...

This may be a stupid question but I really don't know.
How are you logging on to the web while on the road?
What laptop are you using?

 

[chris]

Thats going to be a fun trip Drew, Take lots of pictures.

Be safe!

Chris

 

[Mark]

You guys are traveling in style!!
That's great!