Overland Expo East 2016

[costalcat]

I ran a search but did not see any threads.

If you're going, let me know. I'm leaving the coast tomorrow here in NC. I'm stopping at the shop in Raleigh to load up then headed out Wed night. We will have an exhibitor booth, and you can find us under TransporterWerks and TW-Adventures. We will have three vehicles on display

My current 2003 LC,
87 VW multi Van with a Syncro 4x4 conversion, lockers and running a Subaru SVX
89 VW Westy Syncro Subaru conversion
Customized sleep in travel trailer with 2 in lift, comes in around 500 lbs unloaded

Both vans will have our custom made sliders, bumpers, and carriers. We are thinking about starting to make LC one since there seems to be limited East coast options and the shipping from the west coast and midwest is a killer. We will have some video and pics of the shop and some of our trail rides
It would be great to meet folks in person if you make it. Any input on if you would like to see some of our off-road gear done for the LC's would be welcome...

I am also thinking about selling the 03 that will be there to fund some more R&D items at the shop.. but I have been saying that for two years now, so don't hold me to it!!
If you are in Raleigh or going through Raliegh and want to come by the shop or ride up together let me know!

Peace and Safe travels if you're headed out!

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

I'll probably be heading up for the day on Saturday. I'll know on Thurs. or Fri. and post up here.
There will be some Olde North State Cruisers and Upstate Cruisers folks going too.

 

[Simplespirit]

If you didn't have to pay to get in to Biltmore on top of the fee for the Expo I'd go. I even get a Biltmore discount but it still adds too much to the entry fee for it to be worth it for me.

 

[abuck99]

1 day pass for OE is $25 per + $40 per for Biltmore if purchased in advance. Kind of spendy, but where else can check out all the overland stuff in 1 place. I think we're going up for the day.

 

[redman333]

I'll be leaving Wilmington Friday and staying at the GF's parents in Winston Salem area and going to the expo sat.

 

[ad27326]

Headed that way tomorrow around lunch, leaving Reidsville if anyone wants to tag along with us and a Heep! Hope it's worth the $$$89 for me and my son. We are camping off site at koa east.

 

[costalcat]

Hope everyone had a good time that made it! I got a little distracted with the storm and got there Friday in the rain.
Saw a lot of really cool rigs and met some great folks. Lots of things to check out and wish for. The location was like a no cell zone for me which is normally fine but with the family on the coast with the storm; it was a little concerning. Also could not check in on the list so sorry I did not catch up with some of you that made it....
I was there as an exhibitor, and my pass was included with the deal and was not too bad considering the shop got four full passes.
I was a little disappointed with the skills course. Simple but I guess they have to do that. We took one of our Syncros out on it this morning. I was signed up with the LC at 11 am but after doing it once it wasn't worth the second effort. First-year the course at Taylor Ranch was pretty good.

Here are two pics of the LC with the Syncro's

 

[tabraha]

We had a great time as well. My wife ran the course this year for her first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. She even got an extra run in for the media to take pics! Her feedback (ie. not terrified lol) leads me to believe it was probably enjoyable but like you said not quite as challenging as the Taylor Ranch one. The upside was it was able to stay open even with the rain because of that whereas Taylor Ranch course got shutdown almost every year when rains came.

Definitely a good number of 100's there and I really enjoyed all of the interest and conversations with passers-by even in the camping area. I've got a fair amount of mods and it was fun comparing notes and helping others put together some shopping lists or even just to let them know what a great vehicle they had stock.

The camping being more accessible to day trip attendees was very good because they could mingle and look at vehicles that were clearly getting some action (like mine with a few dings/scrapes etc) vs some that were built for show only. (Don't get me wrong this wasn't the case for everything in the vendor area but it was easy to discern who did trips and who did shows.)

We got in Thursday afternoon and traffic was a bit tough as there were MANY others coming up from FL/GA/SC to the mountains fleeing Hurricane Matthew. Added 30min-1hr to the drive due to reduced interstate speeds with the congestion. At one point I was worried we'd get up there too late and have to wing it but it all came together. Rain wasn't historic and other than dodging or tackling the occasional EZ-up tent in 40mph winds it was a good time. Tons of kids for ours to play with and good activities for them. Great vendor turnout this year also.

 

[redman333]

We had a great time as well. My wife ran the course this year for her first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. She even got an extra run in for the media to take pics! Her feedback (ie. not terrified lol) leads me to believe it was probably enjoyable but like you said not quite as challenging as the Taylor Ranch one. The upside was it was able to stay open even with the rain because of that whereas Taylor Ranch course got shutdown almost every year when rains came.

Definitely a good number of 100's there and I really enjoyed all of the interest and conversations with passers-by even in the camping area. I've got a fair amount of mods and it was fun comparing notes and helping others put together some shopping lists or even just to let them know what a great vehicle they had stock.

The camping being more accessible to day trip attendees was very good because they could mingle and look at vehicles that were clearly getting some action (like mine with a few dings/scrapes etc) vs some that were built for show only. (Don't get me wrong this wasn't the case for everything in the vendor area but it was easy to discern who did trips and who did shows.)

We got in Thursday afternoon and traffic was a bit tough as there were MANY others coming up from FL/GA/SC to the mountains fleeing Hurricane Matthew. Added 30min-1hr to the drive due to reduced interstate speeds with the congestion. At one point I was worried we'd get up there too late and have to wing it but it all came together. Rain wasn't historic and other than dodging or tackling the occasional EZ-up tent in 40mph winds it was a good time. Tons of kids for ours to play with and good activities for them. Great vendor turnout this year also.

Hey Tad, it's Jared it was nice to meet you and your family and some of the other land cruiser/ Toyota crowd.

Had a great time. Got there sat morning right at opening time and left around 4pm. I mainly walked around and checked out all the vendors and some of the rigs that had showed up for the weekend just to camp. The weather held off mostly with the exception of a few drizzles here and there and some decent wind gusts but over all a very nice day.

Hoping to get out exploring with some new found friends.

 

[tabraha]

@redman333 Just saw a pic of your LX in another thread. Sharp looking!

 

[YotaV8]

I ended up at the expo after canceling my weekend trip to Charleston (shock) and driving there from PA on a whim! Wish I could have met some members but a fun time none the less!

 

[redman333]

@redman333 Just saw a pic of your LX in another thread. Sharp looking!

Thank you!! It has a long way to go yet though.