trip report: Birmingham AL to Lexington VA part1 [message #102614] |
Mon, 11 October 2010 16:50 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057 Registered: December 2007
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We had a great trip from Birmingham up to my 10yr college reunion in Virginia. Had a couple issues including a separated exhaust and a destroyed tire, plus a few blown fuses and other minor stuff, but the trip went well. First time towing my HHR and it went pretty smooth. Some comments on the trip:
First, I can't thank Chuck Boyd enough for helping me out with two problems around the Knoxville area. Heading north up 221 to Linville Falls NC our separated exhaust boiled my overfilled gas tanks so much coming up the steep grade that we spilled fuel out our vapor canister. A few lessons learned. 1) Straight pipe should we welded to the y pipes so it can't slip out the clinch 2) I need a new liquid/vapor separator, 3) don't overfill the gas tanks and 4) know the grade before starting up it. Should have unhooked the two where we got gas at the bottom of 221. Didn't realize the campground was 10 miles of 7%+ grade on top of a mountain...
The second thing I have to thank Chuck for is his help Sunday afternoon when our misaligned front-rear passenger tire stripped it's tread. Chuck directed us perfectly to a tire place that got us back on the road this morning with a new 16.5x8.75 Firestone Transforce. Chuck knew the place, gave spot on directions, provided us with the name and number. You can't ask for more help than that.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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