Tomorrow, Chip Beck is nationwide.

[ChipBeck]

And I don't refer to my current ridiculous girth. A hearty Thanksgiving dinner tonight and tomorrow morning I launch for Pittsburgh where I will rent an SUV and drive it to Trailex in Canfield, Ohio.

If I had any brains I would have the damn trailer shipped to Scottsdale as bringing it home myself has turned in to quite a Charley Fox Odyssey. But the more difficult this task gets and the more obstacles that arise, the more determined I am to do it anyway. When I ordered the trailer I told Carl I would come pick it up myself. I'll just spin back there in my Ford Expedition, hook it up, and drive home. Then I looked at a map! 3100 miles each way!! :eek Yikes, perhaps I should just do the drive one way. So I decided to fly back there and rent a tow vehicle. So I call U-Haul, Penske, National, and everyone else. Guess what, nobody in the nation that I know of will rent you a vehicle to tow your own trailer. All rental contracts specifically prohibit towing. Okay. As it is always easier to seek forgiveness than permission, I have reserved an SUV in Pittsburgh and I will have a trailer hitch mounted on it, tow my new Trailex home to Arizona, remove the hitch, and turn the car in at the Phoenix airport. Next snag. No rental car company will guarantee me a specific make and model of SUV so I don't know which trailer hitch to have waiting for me. Okay, this is no trail for a stepper, I'll figure it out. Veronica and Charley think I'm an idiot. Just have it shipped here, it'll be cheaper and easier. NO WAY, I'm going to go back there and get it myself if it kills me.

So I launch tomorrow morning, Friday the 23rd for Pittsburgh. If things go well (a big if), I'll have lunch in Indianapolis with Bill (Indy GT) on Saturday and I'll make it to St. Louis Saturday night were I'll buy dinner for Frank (fjpikul). Sunday I'll travel through Springfield, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and all the way to Amarillo were I'll crash for the night. Monday I'll head to Albuquerque and all the way home to Scottsdale. Any GT Forum members along that route that would like to hook up for lunch or dinner (or just to check out my cool new Trailex), post up on this thread. I'm buying. :cheers Happy Thanksgiving.

Chip

 

[timcantwell]

And I don't refer to my current ridiculous girth. A hearty Thanksgiving dinner tonight and tomorrow morning I launch for Pittsburgh where I will rent an SUV and drive it to Trailex in Canton, Ohio.

If I had any brains I would have the damn trailer shipped to Scottsdale as bringing it home myself has turned in to quite a Charley Fox Odyssey. But the more difficult this task gets and the more obstacles that arise, the more determined I am to do it anyway. When I ordered the trailer I told Carl I would come pick it up myself. I'll just spin back there in my Ford Expedition, hook it up, and drive home. Then I looked at a map! 3100 miles each way!! :eek Yikes, perhaps I should just do the drive one way. So I decided to fly back there and rent a tow vehicle. So I call U-Haul, Penske, National, and everyone else. Guess what, nobody in the nation that I know of will rent you a vehicle to tow your own trailer. All rental contracts specifically prohibit towing. Okay. As it is always easier to seek forgiveness than permission, I have reserved an SUV in Pittsburgh and I will have a trailer hitch mounted on it, tow my new Trailex home to Arizona, remove the hitch, and turn the car in at the Phoenix airport. Next snag. No rental car company will guarantee me a specific make and model of SUV so I don't know which trailer hitch to have waiting for me. Okay, this is no trail for a stepper, I'll figure it out. Veronica and Charley think I'm an idiot. Just have it shipped here, it'll be cheaper and easier. NO WAY, I'm going to go back there and get it myself if it kills me.

So I launch tomorrow morning, Friday the 23rd for Pittsburgh. If things go well (a big if), I'll have lunch in Indianapolis with Bill (Indy GT) on Saturday and I'll make it to St. Louis Saturday night were I'll buy dinner for Frank (fjpikul). Sunday I'll travel through Springfield, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and all the way to Amarillo were I'll crash for the night. Monday I'll head to Albuquerque and all the way home to Scottsdale. Any GT Forum members along that route that would like to hook up for lunch or dinner (or just to check out my cool new Trailex), post up on this thread. I'm buying. :cheers Happy Thanksgiving.

Chip

Chip,

I was all set to buy you lunch in Ohio tomorrow! You literally will drive within five miles of my house on your way from Canfield Ohio to Indianapolis. Tell Bill and Frank hello for me, and I will definitely see you at the Barrett Jackson dinners in Scottsdale in January. Good luck and God Speed! I believe you have my cell phone number. Call if you need anything or need help along the way. See you soon and be safe!

 

[Spirit]

Travel Safe

Chip,

Travel safe.

I would love to grab a bite with you and see the new rig during your odyssey, but I am located too far south and out of your way according to your itinerary.

However, if you head farther south [so as to avoid weather issues], let me know & we will hook up [I am located off IH-10 west of San Antonio].

Fred

 

[Hammer]

You go, Chip! We'll be waiting to hear the updates. Of course it could be shipped, but where would the adventure be in that? Good luck!

 

[shelbyelite]

I am located about just below Missourri.... Top right corner of Arkansas. 30 minutes off I-55

 

[THamonGT]

Chip you could come on to Texas City, Texas (south of Houston) its only 800 miles out of the way and have dinner and drinks with Sue and I we know how you love to drive as we followed you into the mountains and around California a couple of months ago. Please don't drive as fast as you did around the mountain. Drive carefully and safe buddy. Tomy & Sue

 

[Jason's Auto Spa]

Drive Safe Chip!

 

[Nardo GT]

Chip ....I sent you a PM

You are most welcome to spend Sunday night (or whichever) at our house here in Central Texas. Pretty much a straight shot to Arizona from here. Would love to visit with you about Cobras and buy you breakfast. Did you think about renting a truck, like a moving van? They already have hitches and sometimes are even less expensive. Safe driving. Chris.

 

[STORMCAT]

I hope you're better at navigation in the air than on the ground. :biggrin
The charts show Phoenix to Clevleand at 2079 miles. Where are you getting the extra 1000 miles ??? Miami to Cali was a 3000 mile one way trip what you're doing is just a short drive....:wink

 

[ChipBeck]

Splitting hairs.

I hope you're better at navigation in the air than on the ground. :biggrin
The charts show Phoenix to Clevleand at 2079 miles. Where are you getting the extra 1000 miles ??? Miami to Cali was a 3000 mile one way trip what you're doing is just a short drive....:wink

2100 miles, 3100 miles, whats the difference?? Actually, I typed that without my reading glasses as it's 2100 miles but that's still a long hike. :biggrin

Chip

 

[fjpikul]

Chip, sent you PM. Frank

 

[STORMCAT]

2100 miles, 3100 miles, whats the difference?? Actually, I typed that without my reading glasses as it's 2100 miles but that's still a long hike. :biggrin

Chip

Just bustin your chops!! Have a safe trip !!! :thumbsup

 

[Silverbullitt]

Honorable General Sir. You are out of your Fing mind!!!

If you are coming as far south as IH 10 I'm between Prowler and Spirit. Look at it this way if you hang with us the cops will probably arrest one of us first.

 

[ChipBeck]

Out of here!

You are out of your Fing mind!!!

Hey, somebody's gotta be out of there. And speaking of that, I'm outta here and off to the airport. I may not be able to get on the internet till I'm back but if anybody wants to get in touch send a text to my cell phone at 602-430-4877. Adios.

Chip

 

[B O N Y]

Chip!!

Did I do something to upset you?
I thought we were buds??

Why aren't you coming through FresBurg?? The pool is heated, the water is just fine. The steaks are 3" thick and dry aged 23 days.

I'm sorry if I offended you, I must make ammends!

God bless America,
Daniel

 

[MK2_GT]

Sounds like quite an adventure! Have fun and be safe!

 

[THamonGT]

Just talked to Chip Beck pulling his new trailer out of St Louis (clear and cold) headed west to Scottsdale at 4:30pm Texas time. He lucked out and rented an Expedition just turned in (with a class III Hitch) and took off. Trailer is pulling great with no problems with 18 wheel trucks when passing. Said he came by Tim Cantwells at 6:00am this morning and didn't call him. He's heard from a couple of Forum Members on the way. I urged him to stop and rest on the way and to drive safe. His cell # is 602 430-4877. Give him a call for encouragement. PS I told him to make a hard LEFT TURN and come to TEXAS. Tomy Hamon

 

[S592R]

talked to Chip, he's headed inbound to Dr.Franks for the night and is headed south in the am. Should meet him about noon at the Mo/OK border for lunch, photos and the anticipated trailer inspection.

If the weather is nice we'll roll out the GT for a proper welcome. :thumbsup

 

[ChipBeck]

So far so good.

Im at Franks beautiful home right now using his computer. He's not here but he has graciously loaned me his wife for the evening. :biggrin Bony, I'll make the sweep through Fresno. Carl at Trailex was a lot of fun and his two daughters (age 6 & 8) were stunning and most entertaining. In Ohio there was all this white stuff falling out of the sky. What do you call that?? Hooking up that trailer at night was colder than a witches tit, I'd have been warmer making a summet attempt on Everest. The Trailex trailer is beautiful and pulls behind my rental Ford Expedition like it's not even there. I'm hauling ass, eating some great food, seeing the country from ground level, and having a good time. I can't wait to try this trailer with 3000 lbs of GT stuffed in it. I'll post photos when I get home. Cheers. :cheers

Chip

 

[gtinmyblood]

Chip,

Glad things are working out for you on the trip back to AZ. Nothing like a good adventure to make ya glad you're alive!