Expedition Moab - 2013!

[humybby]

I just got back from a rather long vacation - and now I'm working on the event.
 
Yesterday I approved the proofs for the event shirts.  I'm delighted with them!
 
Greg

[T.C.]

 Roy and myself will be there ....cheers
 

[humybby]

[quote="T.C."]
 Roy and myself will be there ....cheers
[/quote]
BOOYA!
 
Greg

[Hesh]

I'll be there with three others, just havent gotten around to collecting deposits and forwarding the money.

[Sub]

SEEMS LIKE THIS EVENT IS 2 WEEKS  OF DRIVING AND FUN TIME ALL TOGHETHER AND 5 GRAND + REPAIRS! I AM CURIOUS WHAT OTHERS ARE ESTIMATING

[humybby]

$5 grand  !!!????    I spend nowhere near that much.
 
But if you did..... it's still worth every penny.  Instead of me just telling everyone what the Hummer Club event is like I'd love it if someone who's been before chimed in.  You really get something incredible for your time and money.
 
It's just so cool to be there with all these other Hummers!  Sometimes on Hummer specific trails, doing things you otherwise wouldn't even attempt simply because the trail leaders have Hummer and Moab experience.
 
I wish I could go tomorrow.
 
Greg

[humybby]

BTW, I've managed to get to Moab many times, both with the Hummer Club and without.  Last year I had the worst mechanical issues I've ever had - anywhere.  I've wheeled my truck in New Mexico, Moab, all over the Rockies and even the Rubicon Trail - but last year really beat me up.  I even had a failure on the drive down (AC compressor).  Mechanically, last year sucked for me.
 
I don't even want to add up what I spent last year on repairs...... it was ugly.
 
On a typical Hummer Club trip to Maob I replace an idler arm and sometimes a pitman.  That's my usual repair bill for Moab.  Several times I've repaired nothing at all.  Most trucks don't eat idlers like my truck does so I'd say that more than 1/2 the folks have zero repairs and that the rest are typically fairly minor.  There's always a 1/2 shaft somewhere on the trail and every few years someone wrecks a t-case, usually one that was just 're-built' by a guy that really knows his stuff.  Seriously, if there's ever a t-case failure you can bet that it was recently installed and you'll win almost every time.  Last year one truck had a transmission issue (a recently installed transmission!).  It wasn't off road related, but it did fail when he was down there. 
 
Our goal is to have zero breakage - that's the target.  We behave in a responsible way and drive accordingly.  However, we all make mistakes, and we have a wide variety of off road driving skill so stuff happens.  But it's usually not too bad.
 
Greg

[darbgnik]

I can't wait to go again this year! On the highway trip back to Canada, I was already making plans for next September. Last year was my first time doing anything as involved as Moab, and all I broke was an idler, in a traffic accident on the way. I drove there, did all the hardest trails drove back. And can't wait to do it again. Definitely the coolest/scariest thing I've ever done. If you think you love your truck now, just wait till it shows you what it can really do. I'll say this, pictures don't do it justice. You climb walls that would make Spiderman raise an eyebrow.
 
A big benefit is all the experienced guys there, willing to help, and give advice. And whenever anyone has a mechanical failure, you have to set a limit of whose allowed to help you, because everyone wants to help. I saw one guy from Virginia stay home from a trail day, to help the guy Greg referred to with tranny problems from BC tear apart his transmission in the parking lot. It's that kind of group. And I'll tell ya, having those AM General guys, and Mike from Tustin in the parking lot, helping make sure everyone is ready for the next day is priceless.
 
If you ever wonder what it is in life you could do, that's cooler than the story you'll have, this is it. If you have any vacation time available, put it towards this event. And don't plan on spending 5 grand with repairs. Plan on buying an idler, maybe a balljoint, the hotels, fuel to get there, and half a tank of fuel used every day on trail. And then plan on being hooked.
 
And don't worry about which mods you "need", your spotter, and your truck will get you through. Now plan on a wishlist of what you'd like when you've done it. I spent thousands after I was there on mods out of pure jealousy. Bought elockers, HD rocker panel protectors, a spare tire carrier with matching spare wheel, and nicer rubber for this trip. Oh ya, and a 12volt fridge.
 
Oh ya, and plan on being bushed when you get home! It is not a vacation! It's an adventure. When I got home, I went to bed at 8PM for the next week!

[humybby]

Thanks Brad!  Everyone really had a blast.
 
You made an excellent quote!  "You climb walls that would make Spiderman raise an eyebrow".  Nice, and true!
 
I tell people that Moab will change your life, it really does.  It's astounding what we do down there, unlike anything else.  And the Hummer!  OMG, the Hummers!  It's sweet to see all the rides.
 
H1, H2 and H3 - we all do the trails and we all do the cool stuff.
 
For me, all it took was one visit and I've been going back ever since.
 
Greg

[Roy]

[quote="Sub"]
SEEMS LIKE THIS EVENT IS 2 WEEKS  OF DRIVING AND FUN TIME ALL TOGHETHER AND 5 GRAND + REPAIRS! I AM CURIOUS WHAT OTHERS ARE ESTIMATING
[/quote]
5 grand from Ontario is about right.
If you drive your hummer there and back...
 
14 nights at $200     2800
Fuel--30 hrs each way plus7 days off road---8 tanks at $100     800
food b,l,d per person $40/day *14     560
event costs, 275
fun drinks hmmmm  say 100
 
rough total so far .....4535.
 
This does not leave much left of the $5000 .So it seems like a good estimate.
Wise to have second driver just in case
Add one adult to this and price goes up roughly...750
 
So  5285 with no repairs yet.
 
 
If you trailer hummer , add  $500 more fuel
 
 
This is what I have set aside with some repair funds  Extra $2000 just in case, or if no breakages ,wife's spending allowance. Praying for something to break