Keystone All Over Town

[MIMF]

Today, as I traversed up and down Elkhart Road (US 33) between Goshen and Elkhart, it was obvious Keystone is alive and well. One of the greatest things about living in Elkhart, IN, you get to see a lot of units being transported to dealers all over North America.

In the hour and a half that I was out running around, I saw 3 Montana's, 1 Mountaineer, 1 Sprinter and 2 Alpines. All headed north toward the toll road or US 20 bypass. Oh, did see a couple of brand X's from that "Quiet Company". But, not nearly as exciting to see.

Someday, now that I'm retired, I'm going to go set in a strategic spot and take a talley.

[patbarton]

Happiness is a strategic spot in the shade with a cold one.

[richfaa]

Was one of the Montana's maybe my big sky?????

[rconkin]

Was the Mountaineer a 346LBQ? I'm patiently waiting on ours. It was supposed to leave factory early this week. I consider that daybreak on Monday, but, not sure what the transport company considers it.

[CORattler]

Nailed that one, Pat!!!

quote:Originally posted by patbarton

Happiness is a strategic spot in the shade with a cold one.

[kab449]

A few weeks ago I flew to O'Hare to pick up a BMW for a client. I then drove the car back to PA on I80 which is the main East/West route through Indiana and Ohio. All along the route I passed many trailers of all types being towed to the selling dealers. The most prevalent type on that particular day was the toy hauler. Yes, the industry is definitely on the rebound, at least as long as you can get an RV loan for 3.5%.

[sailer]

Pat ; What kind of cold one is the best is what I want to know...sailer

[MIMF]

Pat, that would be exactly right! And, there is alot more I could add but, not this morning.

Rich, unfortunately, they were all standard graphic units. Even the 2 Alpines.

rconkin, I am never able to see what model they are. Unless, I happen to be traveling next to them on the door side to actually see the model number next to the door. Sorry.

John, as far as I am concerned, I'm not real picky about what kind of cold one it is. I have several favorites.

Keith, any of the major roads in northern Indiana is used heavily by transporters. Along with US 33 and the toll road, you can find them going up and down ST RD 15, US 20 and ST RD 120. The state is right now building an extension to County Road 17 down to the south side of Goshen. When this is complete, it will give instant 4 lane access to US 20 east/west, ST RD 120 east/west and the toll road. As far as north/south, there is ST RD 15 and US 33. Next door in St Joe County is US 31 via US 20 bypass and US 6. So, there are good routes in and out of Goshen and Elkhart.

[CamillaMichael]

Just out of curiosity, how fast were those delivery vehicles going?

[patbarton]

Sailer, my cold one of choice is a gin & tonic, but when I'm doing some serious thought under my shady tree I stick to lemonade (keeps me sharp).

[MIMF]

Michael, when I saw them in that particular area of Elkhart Road, they was doing the speed limit or, right close. Most of that road between Goshen and Elkhart is only a 50 mph limit. And, that is the highest.

[MIMF]

Pat, when I'm doing my serious thinking, it's rum and coke. Just shows to go ya', how much serious thinking I do!

[kab449]

quote:Originally posted by CamillaMichael

Just out of curiosity, how fast were those delivery vehicles going?

I had the cruise set on the BMW at 80 mph. I was passing them but not real fast. I would say they were keeping up with the rest of the traffic which flows at about 75 mph until a trooper is spotted. This was on I 80.

[CamillaMichael]

quote:Originally posted by kab449

I had the cruise set on the BMW at 80 mph. I was passing them but not real fast. I would say they were keeping up with the rest of the traffic which flows at about 75 mph until a trooper is spotted. This was on I 80.

Thanks for your answer. I have seen numerous comments on this forum and others regarding the high rate of speed of TT/5W delivery drivers. Also seen some other comments about the relationship of this high rate of speed (in excess of 65mph) and failute rate of tires on those TT/5Ws. So, carrying that thought forward, their speeding seems to counter the efforts many of us attempt to "protect" our tires. Seems the damage may have already been done when we take delivery of our new RV?????????????

[MIMF]

Michael, I'm not sure what effect the delivery driver's speed has to do with early tire defects. I'm sure it ain't doing the tires much good. But, remember that, these units are shipped completely empty.

In the mid 1990's I was actually a transport driver. I had a GMC 1 ton dually with the early GM diesel in it. In 2 years, I put nearly 200,000 miles on that truck. All I did was wear myself out......and nearly the truck, too. Just a good thing someone came along and made an offer on the truck and I got a real job back in the plastics injection molding industry.

Anyway, during that time I did some experimenting and discovered that no matter how fast I drove to get a unit delivered and back to Indiana to get the next one, I didn't make any more money on a monthly basis than I did when when I hauled units at the speed limit. Why? Because, my fuel and maintenance costs were slightly higher at the higher speeds! I discovered that when I drove the speed limit, I wasn't taking as many breaks and at longer times for those breaks. In-other-words no matter how fast I drove, I averged 50 miles every hour. Course back then, the speed limits everywhere was only 55 mph. I just keep thinking that I should have had my '05 Silverado in 1995 and at 75 cents a gallon back then, I could have made better money because of the better fuel efficiency.

The way I see it now, at $4.00 plus a gallon for diesel fuel, all these guys are doing is wearing out perfectly good trucks in no time flat!