Events/Trails Overland Expo West! May 17-19

[demoj]

Overland Expo this year is May 17th-19th and Stace and I are attending!

If anyone else is interested in attending or visiting we are down for caravan, camp compounding and sharing "fire".
Stace will be in the glorious TanTaco and I plan on bringing the TW (aka "Bouncy" aka "R2TW" aka "BigButt").
We will be doing the "experience" and attending classes and rides. Here is a list of last years offerings, 2019 class signup is mid March.

S&J

 

[NMBruce]

I really didn’t enjoy waiting 2 hours in traffic to get in and I should of looked around more, but i think one day is not enough. When I go back, it will be in a year or two and I would like to go with a few people who enjoy the Expo and I think that I want to camp at the Expo.

Have fun

 

[2manycruisers]

I'm thinking of going but have made no plans. I went about 5 years ago and day-tripped it with some other HDC'ers. One day was plenty then for browsing without participating in offerings. I probably won't even have my camping gear by then, so options will be limited.

 

[demoj]

Classes and events are up!
https://www.overlandexpo.com/schedule-2019-west

This is my schedule so far:
Friday, May 17
9:00am-12:00pm @ MESA: Track 2
Two-Wheeled Overland Skills, Level 2: Navigating Off-Road Terrain
12:00pm-1:00pm @ Food Court
Lunch Break (options)
1:00pm-3:00pm @ MESA: Static Skills
Tech Essentials: Motorcycle tire repair
4:00pm-5:00pm @ MESA: Track 2
Emergency Towing
5:00pm-7:00pm @ Food Court
Happy Hour
9:00pm-11:00pm @ Overland Theater
Overland Film Festival Selection
Saturday, May 18
8:00am-11:00am @ MESA: Track 3
Advanced Riding: Competition Level Skills–the inside track
11:00am-12:00pm @ Classroom 3
Weather Forecasting: Should I stay or should I go?
12:00pm-1:00pm @ Food Court
Lunch Break (options)
1:00pm-2:00pm @ MESA: Static Skills
Adventure Light: Packing light for a dual sport adventure ride
2:00pm-3:00pm @ Moto Demo Area
My Perfect Overland Motorcycle (Small cc)
3:00pm-5:00pm @ CTESA: Static Skills 1
Tech Essentials: How to Weld in the Field
5:00pm-7:00pm @ Food Court
Happy Hour
7:00pm-9:00pm @ Safari Bar
Moto Party
Sunday, May 19
10:00am-12:00pm @ MESA
Overland Expo Motorcycle Skills Challenge
1:00pm-3:00pm @ Classroom 2
HAM Radio Equipment and Use Workshop

 

[demoj]

Evening my muddies!
Stace and I will be meeting at Einstein’s bagels on central and tramway at 9 am on Thursday morning if anyone wants to caravan. We will be on HDC 2. If you want to camp with us you need to arrive with us!

 

[Pyro-boy]

I'm leaving Espanola at 10. Not camping this year though.

 

[alia176]

Enjoy your trip fellas, take pics!!!

 

[2manycruisers]

I'm out. Too much going on to take off.

 

[pappy]

 

[demoj]

Here you go....

First off, the Venue is WAY better, and the event has grown substantially. I did not make it to all of the displays. I would also say that the improved camping is absolutely worth the 20$ a night to have a fire and not be jammed in within 6' of your neighbor.

Top stories, "TW Pooh's the Bunk" the second I get it off the trailer.
"Blind Dog, I Gotta Blind Dog Here" First night of zero sleep.
"How I Learned to Stop Worrying, and Love the Bump Start"

Yes it's true... my new $100 lithium crashed the second I rolled it off the Tacoma. Spent most of the time trying to figure out if it was the battery or a drain- thankfully my some of my first classes were Emergency Motorcycle Towing and Multi-meters, Alternators and Voltage Regulators- Oh My! Hence the title of story 3.

The first night we were there around 1:30am an animal crashed into the tent and got stuck in the vestibule. Of course I am and over TW. I go outside and there is a huge Basset Hound- with NO FREAKING EYEBALLS! So naturally I put him on a ratchet strap and wonder drunkenly in my best not-too -loud-but-loud-enough "Blind dog... Gotta blind dog here... Anyone lose a blind dog???" Long story short we kept him in our tent until morning--a very long night with minimal sleep. We found "Hootch" his family the next day.

Basset hounds are strong.

Fabricated version 2 of portable fire pit- but did not pack or really need.

Recycled Helium cylinder...
Now for something more relevant...

 

[pappy]

That's it? That's all you got? Come aw'n, you can do better than that.

 

[demoj]

Here are some of the more important products I found.

From Cascadia 4x4, this is a 5 amp hood mount solar panel for jeep- 7 amp hood mounted for Tacoma and 4runner on the way.- very rugged.

This stuff is very impressive, "rigidity of plywood- weight of PP honeycomb"

Deadman is very cool recovery company.

Deadman Off-Road: Creators of the Deadman Earth Anchor

The Deadman is the most versatile off-road recovery anchor on the market, capable of anchoring to just about anything. Made in the USA.

www.deadmanoffroad.com

Of the several knife makers Tops was the most impressive.

Welcome To TOPS Knives - TOPS Knives Tactical OPS USA

TOPS Knives, Tracker Knife, Bushcraft Knives, Survival Knives and Tom Brown Tracker

www.topsknives.com

Mosko has body armor and Jackets now!!!

 

[demoj]

That's it? That's all you got? Come aw'n, you can do better than that.

Take a deep breath or go find another job PAPPY! Im workin onit.....

 

[demoj]

Under the "Dude... I could totally make that....."
This is Expedition essentials I think...

This is def.. expedition essentials..

18” Dual Burner Cook Partner Stove.

****Please Note- All Cook Partner stoves are currently on a 12+ week lead time from the manufacturer**** ETA of August 2021 Simply the best in camp stoves and the last you will ever buy. The 18” Dual burner with no lid for installation in the ExO table.

expeditionessentials.com

pilfering design ideas....

 

[demoj]

Hitch mounted mess kit...

Micro trailer.... very cool...

HOME | SportsRig Trailers

www.sportsrig.com

Mounting ideas...

Owl Outdoor

The enthusiast's home for readiness gear for Mercedes Sprinter, INEOS Grenadier, Winnebago Revel, Ekko, and Storyteller vehicles.

www.owlvans.com

But wait.. .there's more...

 

[pappy]

... or go find another job PAPPY!

[sniff]. But, but … my current job allows me to stalk this page.

Lots of cool ways to empty out one's wallet and separate one from their money. Not sure how essential any of it is. Except, the Tacoma behind the potty dummy. That rack and rear bumper on the Tacoma (?) would look great on somebody else's poo-tan Tacoma. Plus, I'm digging those shoe bags on the RTT. I just need to figure out a way to do the same on the Columbus.

I am interested in this year's camping accommodations. That is really the only thing keeping me from attending.

 

[demoj]

And just holy crap and other stuff...
Bullet whisky both... freeebooooze (also free drinks from Smirnoff and Seagram's)

Rosa's new Barbie Jeep with camper....

Test drove a Ural!!! Still drooling on the Royal Enfield.

Electric overlanding....

 

[demoj]

[sniff]. But, but … my current job allows me to stalk this page.

Lots of cool ways to empty out one's wallet and separate one from their money. Not sure how essential any of it is. Except, the Tacoma behind the potty dummy. That rack and rear bumper on the Tacoma (?) would look great on somebody else's poo-tan Tacoma. Plus, I'm digging those shoe bags on the RTT. I just need to figure out a way to do the same on the Columbus.

I am interested in this year's camping accommodations. That is really the only thing keeping me from attending.

I will try and get some images of that...

 

[demoj]

What... who... but WHY?? Who cares- let's chase kittens... or feinting goats...

One of three survival tubes from VSSL.... this one just holds 9oz of booze and collapsible shot glasses- and the flashlight... "non-essential 100$ booze flashlight"

 

[demoj]

Essentials....
Learn how to weld with car batteries...

Handy... Big body(booty) wipes...