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Kitchen Sink => No Moto Content => Topic started by: Rev. Millertime on July 16, 2010, 05:28:19 PM

Title: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: Rev. Millertime on July 16, 2010, 05:28:19 PM
Tomorrow I am flying to Tampa to pick up a car and drive it back to Fargo. 

Not sure of a route yet, but wondering who might be along the way to meet for lunch or have a couch available for the night.

Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: WarrenJ on July 16, 2010, 05:30:55 PM
Got a spare bedroom in central Wisconsin if your route takes you in this direction.
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: IZ on July 16, 2010, 05:31:59 PM
Pip is in Alabama..near Barber Museum, I think?
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: Pip on July 17, 2010, 04:56:25 AM
Yes I am. Right off of I-65. I've got couch space for you to crash, boss.
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: ducpainter on July 17, 2010, 07:53:10 AM
Quote from: Rev. Millertime on July 16, 2010, 05:28:19 PM
Tomorrow I am flying to Tampa to pick up a car and drive it back to Fargo. 

Not sure of a route yet, but wondering who might be along the way to meet for lunch or have a couch available for the night.


Come to DIMBY ;D
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: Pip on July 19, 2010, 04:02:07 AM
Anyone heard from the right Reverend Millertime?
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: Rev. Millertime on July 19, 2010, 02:20:38 PM
Quote from: The Happy Pip on July 19, 2010, 04:02:07 AM
Anyone heard from the right Reverend Millertime?

I'm back in Fargo.  Hammered out 1800+ miles in 28 hrs.  The closest I got to I-65 was a sign I saw outside of Chattanooga, otherwise I'd have posted up earlier.

As for going to DIMBY.  I needed to be back either today or tomorrow morning, and didn't need to try driving with a hangover.
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: ducpainter on July 19, 2010, 02:23:56 PM
Quote from: Rev. Millertime on July 19, 2010, 02:20:38 PM
I'm back in Fargo.  Hammered out 1800+ miles in 28 hrs.  The closest I got to I-65 was a sign I saw outside of Chattanooga, otherwise I'd have posted up earlier.

As for going to DIMBY.  I needed to be back either today or tomorrow morning, and didn't need to try driving with a hangover.
good time...

DIMBY is this weekend.

You can still make it. ;D
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: Rev. Millertime on July 19, 2010, 02:37:04 PM
After 1800 miles since Saturday night (Left tampa at 6:00pm CST), I'm not driving anywhere for a while!
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: ducpainter on July 19, 2010, 02:49:40 PM
Quote from: Rev. Millertime on July 19, 2010, 02:37:04 PM
After 1800 miles since Saturday night (Left tampa at 6:00pm CST), I'm not driving anywhere for a while!
Can't blame a guy for tryin'
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: Rev. Millertime on July 19, 2010, 03:19:53 PM
If it had been this past weekend and somewhere close to my route home, I'd have definitely stopped!  [beer]
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: ducpainter on July 19, 2010, 03:24:29 PM
Quote from: Rev. Millertime on July 19, 2010, 03:19:53 PM
If it had been this past weekend and somewhere close to my route home, I'd have definitely stopped!  [beer]
Fargo ND via New Hampshire... [laugh]
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: ZLTFUL on July 19, 2010, 03:44:04 PM
So did you end up with the XC70? And if so what did ya think of it's road manners?
Title: Re: Last Minute Road Trip (Tampa, FL to Fargo, ND)
Post by: Rev. Millertime on July 19, 2010, 08:21:12 PM
Quote from: ZLTFUL on July 19, 2010, 03:44:04 PM
So did you end up with the XC70? And if so what did ya think of it's road manners?

Picked up a 2006 XC70.   :)

It was a nice ride for the first 1300 miles.  In hindsight though, I probably wouldn't have gotten a sore back if I hadn't driven for 17.5 hours on Sunday.  To complicate things, I don't stop long either... fill the tank, clean the windshield, take a pee, grab a soda/water from the cooler and I'm off again.  I think my longest stop was 20 minutes max.

As for on the road, it's hard to say.  My previous car (Volvo 850) was running 45 series tires on 17" rims with original suspension... harsh to say the least.  The XC was a whole new world for me.

It took me a bit to get the feel for the XC.  The tires are 16" with a buttload of sidewall.  The ride was smooth (except for Illinois, their roads suck).  Once I got the hang of it though, it felt very stable.

Would gladly make another 1800 mile trip with it, but would limit my time behind the wheel to less than 17 hrs in the saddle.  I could definitely see having no problems with 10-12 hour days.

My only problem was the power steering pump deciding to start a slow death 800 miles into the trip.  Oh well, shit happens when you buy a used car.