Results of First 2000+ Mile Trip

[Wolfpack Fan]

My wife and I just returned today from our first long trip in our mh. I thought I'd share some information from the trip that others might find useful. The trip was from Reno, Nevada to Sturgis, South Dakota and back.

The MH is a 2005 National 34' Dolphin 5320, with the 8.1 liter Chevy V8 and Allison 4 speed with overdrive tranny. Not sure about weight, since I never took it across a scale. On the trip to Sturgis, we trailered 2 Ultra Classic motorcycles at about 850 lbs per bike. Bikes and trailer weighed around 2000 lbs. Return trip was 850 lighter because there was only 1 bike. Fresh water tank was filled with 20 gallons each morning.

Total distance traveled was 2424 miles. Gas consumed was 324 gallons for a trip average of 7.48 mpg. Elevations ranged from around 4200' to 7700'. We calculated gas receipts and determined that it was $.57 per mile traveled.

Low points of the trip were.

1. Replacing all 4 rear tires, when a chunk came off of 1 and left steel cord exposed. We count our blessings that it didn't blow.
2. A cargo strap failed on my motorcyle and it fell over against my buddies motorcycle. If the in board cargo strap had failed it may have fallen off of the trailer completely, so again we counted our blessings. My buddy wasn't worried about the travel scars, since he lived in SD and broke down in Reno and wasn't sure how he was even going to get his bike back to SD.
3. A spark plug wire worked it's way loose around Salt Lake City and caused the check engine light to come on. Also had us doing one of the grades at 25mph in 1st gear at around 3800 rpm's. Easilly fixed.

High points of the trip, not in any particular order.
1. Seeing Mount Rushmore. It was awe inspiring to see one of our greatest National Monuments and treasures.
2. Seeing Crazy Horse memorial.
3. Seeing Devil's Tower. Made me want mashed potatoes.
4. Attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
5. Zip lining across the concert stage at the Buffalo Chip Campground.
6. Partying hardy at the Full Throttle Saloon and watching the camera crew from Tru TV interviewing Michael Ballard and Jesse James Dupree.
7. Seeing long time friends we hadn't seen in many years, that we met in 87 while in the Army in NC.

What an incredible trip it was!

[VSPA]

That trip sounded like it was a blast. The wife and I are wanting to do an our first true excursion type trip like that next spring to encompass visiting family between seeing and a few of the places, like the Wall in D.C., that we've always wanted to see. Ultimately, the idea is to get out of here during the worst of the summer months.

[Wolfpack Fan]

We would love to get to Washington DC one of these days too. I grew up on the east coast and never went there once. We did get to visit the moving Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Buffalo Chip. It was pretty special to pay my respects to fallen brothers and sisters from another war.

[Lincolnboy2]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack Fan

My wife and I just returned today from our first long trip in our mh. I thought I'd share some information from the trip that others might find useful. The trip was from Reno, Nevada to Sturgis, South Dakota and back.

The MH is a 2005 National 34' Dolphin 5320, with the 8.1 liter Chevy V8 and Allison 4 speed with overdrive tranny. Not sure about weight, since I never took it across a scale. On the trip to Sturgis, we trailered 2 Ultra Classic motorcycles at about 850 lbs per bike. Bikes and trailer weighed around 2000 lbs. Return trip was 850 lighter because there was only 1 bike. Fresh water tank was filled with 20 gallons each morning.

Total distance traveled was 2424 miles. Gas consumed was 324 gallons for a trip average of 7.48 mpg. Elevations ranged from around 4200' to 7700'. We calculated gas receipts and determined that it was $.57 per mile traveled.

Low points of the trip were.

1. Replacing all 4 rear tires, when a chunk came off of 1 and left steel cord exposed. We count our blessings that it didn't blow.
2. A cargo strap failed on my motorcyle and it fell over against my buddies motorcycle. If the in board cargo strap had failed it may have fallen off of the trailer completely, so again we counted our blessings. My buddy wasn't worried about the travel scars, since he lived in SD and broke down in Reno and wasn't sure how he was even going to get his bike back to SD.
3. A spark plug wire worked it's way loose around Salt Lake City and caused the check engine light to come on. Also had us doing one of the grades at 25mph in 1st gear at around 3800 rpm's. Easilly fixed.

High points of the trip, not in any particular order.
1. Seeing Mount Rushmore. It was awe inspiring to see one of our greatest National Monuments and treasures.
2. Seeing Crazy Horse memorial.
3. Seeing Devil's Tower. Made me want mashed potatoes.
4. Attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
5. Zip lining across the concert stage at the Buffalo Chip Campground.
6. Partying hardy at the Full Throttle Saloon and watching the camera crew from Tru TV interviewing Michael Ballard and Jesse James Dupree.
7. Seeing long time friends we hadn't seen in many years, that we met in 87 while in the Army in NC.

What an incredible trip it was!

Great post! Very informative! The mashed potato thing was hilarious!

Pictures? Pictures? Pictures!!!!

[Wolfpack Fan]

Pictures will go into new album on my facebook page. Easy enough to find for anyone wanting to look for them. Just look up Larry Strickland in Nevada.

[Wolfpack Fan]

Not everyone will get the mashed potato thing. Maybe those that have seen E.T. more than once.

[awwall]

Wolf, not ET...was Close Encounters of the Third Kind

not being a SA

[Wolfpack Fan]

Originally Posted by awwall

Wolf, not ET...was Close Encounters of the Third Kind

not being a SA

You're right. Ooops.

[PDR John]

Glad you enjoyed Sturgis, our stick & brick is 15 miles from main st.. About the same on gravel back roads to the chip.