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| | | Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: May 2014 Posts: 61 journeyman | OP journeyman Joined: May 2014 Posts: 61 | I am thinking I am skipping my annual trip to the Mopar Nationals in Carlisle, Pa with a car and instead going to the my first Van Nationals with my van. I have a few questions that I hope are not too dumb. First, what is the best day to arrive? Earlier the better I presume? Also, do most people camp right there on the fairgrounds next to or in their vans? I would guess that the fairgrounds have showers? Maybe you could point me in the right direction for first timers. Is there a thread already on the site somewhere that answers these and other questions a newbie might have? | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 216 enthusiast | enthusiast Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 216 | this will also be my first nats. and I was wondering about the camping arrangments as well.
The ''stickitt inn'' a 1979 chevy cozy craft conversion 1996 chevy hightop it's only the end of the world. . . . again. | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 717 North Star Truckers | North Star Truckers Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 717 | Most people sleep in there vans tents or campers all on the grounds where the show is held also there is showers keep on truckin | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 142 member | member Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 142 | I have run solo to 2 Natz and on the first one I packed heavy. Don't need to do this unless you need special food. Slept in the van but having a pop up or tent to stash your stuff in or under is a good idea. Last years winds made that a bit tough though! Be prepared for some weather if you can. My time frames ended up arriving on Wednesdays. That's okay but you realize any extra time would be more fun. Food vendors are usually great. so it's snacks and maybe something for a quick sandwich for me now and a coffee pot and cooler with favorite beverages. So much is available on the grounds or not very far away you shouldn't have to get carried away on "stuff". I was pretty geeked about going to my 1st so I set up a "van camp" in the yard to kind of see what I might want or need to have. Man it's so much fun .Do not miss the opportunity. If you are part of a club or online group get with them it makes it much easier. | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: May 2014 Posts: 61 journeyman | OP journeyman Joined: May 2014 Posts: 61 | Thanks, Digz. It sure sounds like a good time from what I have been reading. | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,404 old hand | old hand Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,404 | I went to my 1st Nats last year and had a ball. Definitely hook up with someone or group. It makes it alot better. There is also electricity so bring extension cords. 77 Dodge Tradesman 100 02 GMC Safari panel 75 Chevy G20 Shenandoah Valley Vans Southeast Van Council
| | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 3,772 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 3,772 | You can get into the fair Grounds after noon on Sunday.
The only Stephentown on earth. I don't mind Coming to work, but that 8hr wait to go home is a bitch. No matter how little I do, I always feel I could do less. "The only thing wrong with a perfect drive to work is that you end up at work." NOVA VANS 1990 Dodge B150
| | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 6,014 Likes: 1 Vanthropologist | Vanthropologist Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 6,014 Likes: 1 | Do try to get there early if you can, at least by Friday noon. The huge van show is on the Friday and often the most happening night of the event is the Friday night as many will take it easier on Saturday night for the long ride home. There will be food vendors and the town is nearby if you run out of anything. There are hot showers. | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: May 2014 Posts: 61 journeyman | OP journeyman Joined: May 2014 Posts: 61 | Thinking i would try to roll in on thursday early eve. | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 3,772 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 3,772 | You can get into the fair Grounds after noon on Sunday.
That is the Sunday before 6/13/14
The only Stephentown on earth. I don't mind Coming to work, but that 8hr wait to go home is a bitch. No matter how little I do, I always feel I could do less. "The only thing wrong with a perfect drive to work is that you end up at work." NOVA VANS 1990 Dodge B150
| | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: May 2014 Posts: 61 journeyman | OP journeyman Joined: May 2014 Posts: 61 | | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 3,750 Likes: 13 | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 3,750 Likes: 13 | yes, he means July
arriving early is never a bad thing, but don't show up so early that stuff isn't ready. this year monday and tuesday should be ok.
everyone sleeps in their van, or with their van in a camper or tent, etc.
wind shouldn't be an issue at these grounds, unlike ohio, but rain is still an issue, have had some good thunderstorms there.
90 Astro - "The Grey Ghost" - Haulin Ass, Not kids.E-Z Vanners and West Vanners Council of Councils Board Member National Truck-in Board Support Team "No matter where you go, there you are." "If you can't do something smart, Do something right" "There are three kinds of people in the world, those who can count, and those who can't"
| | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,007 Likes: 46 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,007 Likes: 46 | By all means, go to the Nats. I've been doing them since 78. For a bunch of years I slept and cooked in the van or cooked on a small BBQ grill. If you drink coffee, take a pot, take some food just in case. Take a fan if you're going to sleep in the van and a extension cord. Take a cooler (if you drink, pack said cooler with ice and beer and maybe a pack of bologna). For a number of years now, I've taken a trailer, not because I don't like sleeping in the van, but now I usually have my wife, dog, cat, daughter, three grandkids and all the stuff to support all of these "dependents". Go! Enjoy! Have fun and meet all of the other vanners.
2005 E350 Turbo Diesel Why is it that when I press 1 for English, I still can not understand the person on the other end????
| | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: May 2014 Posts: 61 journeyman | OP journeyman Joined: May 2014 Posts: 61 | Fan sounds like a great idea. Was wondering about sleeping in a van in the middle of July. | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 3,750 Likes: 13 | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 3,750 Likes: 13 | it can get warm, a fan is a must, park against the side of a building so you have shade in the morning. that's a good reason to get there early... finding some shade! there's not a lot.
that or you just stay in your van till it gets too hot..
90 Astro - "The Grey Ghost" - Haulin Ass, Not kids.E-Z Vanners and West Vanners Council of Councils Board Member National Truck-in Board Support Team "No matter where you go, there you are." "If you can't do something smart, Do something right" "There are three kinds of people in the world, those who can count, and those who can't"
| | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 793 old hand | old hand Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 793 | 67Deluxe... my fellow Pittsburgher: Skip Carlisle, pack your tailgating & camping set up, get in that Dodge, & join the one man flock piloting the Jive Ass Turkey. I'm leaving Pittsburgh on Wed AM 7/16 with plans to arrive by evening.
Pittsburgh PA Vanner 75 VansAJammin' & 76 Jive Turkey 89 A-Team Van | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 395 enthusiast | enthusiast Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 395 | Sure, park against the shady side of a building....as long as you're FIVE FEET away from it!! LOL The fairgrounds are strictly enforcing that this year, but everything else seems to be pretty cool. If you want more shade, bring a tarp, and definitely bring a small fan, even if you're in a tent. The last Natz up there was hotter 'n Hell! Take 'er easy in the daytime when it's hot, and venture out to partyland when the sun goes down. And keep in mind that in the daytime there are things going on in some of the barns (beer tastings, RC races, etc.) that you can enjoy, and the buildings are cooler than outside in the sun. If you do wander around in the heat, you will find that many of the clubs will have their own bars set up under canopies, and you can probably score a cool and tasty beverage there. In fact they're even planning a Pub Crawl with some of those bars at 3 PM on Thursday on Vendor's Row. Also, there are events being scheduled for outside the Natz grounds which will give you a change of pace, and let you see some of the countryside. The area around Saratoga Springs is really nice, and Lake George is only about 30 miles north of the Natz, a real summer playground.
So, basically, show up, relax, and enjoy! You can spend the weekend zoning out in your campsite, or come on out and meet the rest of us. We'll definitely show ya a good time!! See ya there! | | | Re: Question about Van Nationals from new member. | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 37 newbie | newbie Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 37 | Overnight temps were in the upper 50s and low 60s this year. Goes to show that you never can tell, unless you just do it. | | |
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