Leaderboard

FYI, I have removed several posts from the Rally thread and merged them into this one. Hopefully that hasn't disrupted the flow of conversation too terribly. Please keep the discussion relevant to Travel Related Issues and the coronavirus. The moderators understand that this issue is on everyones mind, but we appreciate everyone's help in not venturing too far off topic.

Earlier posts described the covid-19 epidemic as “blown out of proportion,” or “over blown,” or “media hype.” I have to strenuously disagree with those characterizations. This virus is extremely transmissible between people, and epidemiologists predict 40-70% of Americans will likely get infected. Yes, 80% of those people infected will have mild to moderate symptoms. However, 20% of infected individuals will have severe respiratory problems. Many of these people will require hospitalization. Many of these hospitalized people will require advanced interventions, including isolation, ICU care, and treatment with a ventilator. Unfortunately our health care has limited numbers of hospital beds, ICU space, and especially ventilators and trained respiratory technicians. The best estimates are that 1-3% of infected people will die. How many die depends upon how well our health care infrastructure can deal with the number of cases. In Italy they were slow to respond to the epidemic, and people are dying in record numbers. They don't have nearly enough hospital beds, and physicians are having to make triage decisions as to who gets treatment, and who lives and who dies. Read about it. It is very upsetting. You may have heard the term “flatten the curve.” Simply put, this means that if we do not shut down large gatherings and practice social distancing, based on the data from other countries, within a month we will have an enormous spike of infections, and 20% of those will have severe problems. Our health care system will not be able to cope, and many will die. If instead, we can slow the rate of transmission, then people will get infected over a much long period of time. This does not necessarily mean that fewer people will get infected, in total, but that fewer people will be infected at any point in time. That means there will be fewer people with severe respiratory problems at any one time, and hopefully there are enough ICU beds and ventilators available to meet the need. And that means fewer people will die. While each one of us is unlikely to have an infection with severe problems, it is nonetheless very important for all of us to do what we can to slow the rate of transmission.

I have moved several posts from this topic to this thread. The moderators felt it would be best if this thread didn't get sidetracked into a more general discussion about travel issues related to the coronavirus. Please feel free to continue that discussion in the other thread, but we ask that you help us keep this thread focussed on the rally itself. Thanks.

We are in Holbrook AZ, camping today and Sunday. Still surviving in our Covid 19 survival pod #572. While in Holbrook this morning we saw an LE2 at the Safeway. Pulled in next to them and met another board member AngusT and wife from MA. We have been very careful to stay distant from other people and using only the facilities of our survival pod. We brought enough food for our entire trip. Using nitrile gloves at fuel stops, then disposing and Purell. Everyone be safe out there.

Thank you, Overland. When I started this topic, things had not gotten so out of hand. And I was and still am curious about how folks with OTTs out and about would protect themselves. I could be wrong, but truly I believe that people who are camping in out of way locations with their supplies are probably safer. I love the ideas those who responded have. Being careful about hygiene, being in fresh air and sunshine, cooking meals at "home", and being proactive when one has to have contact with other people are all paramount in protecting oneself and loved ones. Thank you to all who have replied. Now, on my retired teacher's soap box: not everyone will react to the constraints Covid-19 has caused in a positive way. I can't control how others react...and I don't want to waste energy trying. Stay close to your own hearts. This pandemic is going to bring out the good, the bad, the beauty, and the ugly in people. In my community in Louisiana, I've seen the bad and ugly. But, I have looked carefully and am also seeing the good people helping others. Beautiful hearts. If OTT feels the need to close down for a while to protect their workers, I have no doubt it will be to protect their workers. No one can make the product they do, with the support they provide, and not be truly good people with beautiful hearts. JMHO. Be well, everyone. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Stay close to your heart. Pray for an easier world.

I assume this is the case, but since it wasn't mentioned, I'll ask - are attendees being notified individually about the date change?

An inside close-up view.

After having an Airstream (may it rest in Hades forever), where nothing was ever readily available, I plan on reveling in the stockpile of parts I will accumulate and have for the Oliver...

Wait just a minute...., I resemble that remark! 🤣

This thing is for sure blown out of proportion but if any company should be keeping their customers from gathering right now its probably Oliver. Lets be real, not a lot of spring chickens in this group!

The WBA validation program (QR code) was instituted for/by member bearing mfgs. There is not much to be gained by name-recognition counterfeiting comparatively low cost seals. Timken seals are actually National Seals in a Timken box with the National part number on it. Timken doesn't even bother assigning it's own part numbers. "Made in Taiwan" means nothing as far as authenticity. In the future, you might be able to save a little by just ordering Nationals. BTW: I learned a long time ago to not start stockpiling spare parts for something until the something was actually sitting in my driveway.

Sorry if i hit a nerve

Shutting down production is a business decision for Oliver with significant consequences. Postponing the rally results in some inconveniences and disappointment. Two different categories. I don’t think they should shut down production as long as there isn’t a virus outbreak manifested in the region. Postponing the rally was prudent and should help “flatten the curve”.

DJM - I'm presently looking at the 2019 Tow Ratings in the 2019 Good Sam Guide To Towing. Obviously this may or may not apply specifically to your 2016 Grand Cherokee but I suspect the numbers are close (see your Owner's Manual). For the 4 wheel drive model with the 5.7 liter V-8 the tow limit is 7,200 pounds. So, it appears that you will be OK on that front unless you put way too much "stuff" in your Ollie. However, the number that "gets" most of us on the decision to use a weight distribution hitch(WDH) (or not) is the hitch weight. This Good Sam towing guide does not address this point and it is this hitch weight that causes most users of 1/2 ton trucks and similar SUV's to have to use a WDH. In the case of Ford a WDH is required if the hitch weight is over 500 pounds even though my F-150 has a tow rating of over 12,000 pounds. Besides the legal and/or liability issues relating to using or not using a WDH one should also consider the other benefits of WDH usage. These include the potential for a more consistent and level ride, reduced "Porpoising" (the bouncing of the tow vehicle and trailer usually caused by interstate expansion joints), and as an additional safety measure in the event of emergency driving situations. Bill

Hi there Mary, I've lived in CC for many years and the spring break time frame is certainly busy but not unbearable most years. If you stay south of Port Aransas you will miss the majority of it, as the spring breakers tend to stay up towards Port A. camping on the beach if that's your thing will be quiet on Padre Island National Seashore (PINS in local vernacular). It is really a beautiful time of the year 99% of the time. The spring break timeframe is the first to the third week of March, with the first two weeks being the busiest. Hope this helps. John

We use our cell booster. It’s good for an extra bar or two when we’re not near a tower. We didn’t get the WiFi booster, Campground WiFi is usually saturated and we tend to camp where there isn’t wifi. We do have unlimited data plans on our phones and use them as wifi hotspots. The TV antenna is nice to have and we do use it occasionally. I installed a SiriusXM receiver in the trailer so we usually listen to our news and sports without the TV. Mike