Loveland International Rally

[Pahaska]

On-line registration for the WBAC 2020 Loveland International Rally opens July 25 at 2:00 PM Eastern.

I have been to 4 International rallies during my nearly 20 years of owning Airstreams. I love smaller rallies, but I swore I would attend no more Internationals. Then Loveland is coming up and I have relented. At 1:00 PM, July 25, I'll be online to register.

I had a Loveland mailing address for 18 years, while I resided at Carter Lake, southwest of Loveland while working for IBM in Boulder. I miss living there and I miss looking out across the lake where my Cape Dory 25' sailboat was moored. I have former step-family in the area that I still enjoy seeing after 37 years away.

[85MH325]

After twenty years of owning Airstreams, it only took one International, the 1999 rally in Sioux Falls, SD, to sour me both on the International rallies and the club.

I admire your tenacity, John.

[Wconley]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

After twenty years of owning Airstreams, it only took one International, the 1999 rally in Sioux Falls, SD, to sour me both on the International rallies and the club.

I admire your tenacity, John.

You should give it another try John. A lot has changed in the club in twenty years - and indeed is continuing to change. It’s just another way to meet really great people and see new sights while enjoying your Airstream.

[Pahaska]

The club, IMHO, has done an admirable turn-around in the last few years. I was a rebel for quite a while. Fortunately, I lucked into what has to be one of the best units in the club and I have stayed for the fine friendships I have made there. I'm now second oldest in the unit, trying to recognize all the new faces.

I think the passing of a lot of ex-military officers in the upper echelons of the club has been very good for the club. They were all bound up in procedures like what flags someone flew or where people sat at a meeting.

[wkerfoot]

John,


I agree with your assessment. Hope to see you again in Loveland, the last time was 2014 for the Balloon Fiesta.


Bill

Originally Posted by Pahaska

The club, IMHO, has done an admirable turn-around in the last few years. I was a rebel for quite a while. Fortunately, I lucked into what has to be one of the best units in the club and I have stayed for the fine friendships I have made there. I'm now second oldest in the unit, trying to recognize all the new faces.

I think the passing of a lot of ex-military officers in the upper echelons of the club has been very good for the club. They were all bound up in procedures like what flags someone flew or where people sat at a meeting.

[Countryboy59]

I learned to fly near Loveland and lived there awhile. Would love to visit in non hail season.

The club’s still a little old for me though.

[GoingPhishin]

Seeing that this event is about 80 miles away from our home, my wife and I are planning to attend our first international rally.

[SilverWind]

For you that are familiar with Loveland, is hail really an issue in June?

Also, how about heat? I understand that electrical service will potentially be limited to 15 amps. I'm hoping that arrangements can be made for 30 amps for our air conditioners. It could be tough on pets otherwise.

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by SilverWind

For you that are familiar with Loveland, is hail a serious problem in June?

Also, how about heat? I understand that electrical service will be limited to 15 amps.

In 18 years in the Loveland area, I had one hailstorm that destroyed my alfalfa crop. I don't really think hail is more a problem than anywhere else. Worst hail I encountered was near Mt Rushmore in South Dakota. Hail the size of tennis balls.

I lived SW of Loveland, at Carter Lake in the foothills for the 18 years without AC in the house and for most of the time without AC in my cars. It always cooled in the evenings with a breeze out of the mountains.

At Alumapalooza, in June, I was happy with 3 amps of power. Loveland is close to 5000' higher in altitude at pretty much the same time of year. I'm not worried about any excessive heat.

[SilverWind]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

At Alumapalooza, in June, I was happy with 3 amps of power. Loveland is close to 5000' higher in altitude at pretty much the same time of year. I'm not worried about any excessive heat.

What were you able to do with 3 amps?

[graysailor]

I am here at the Doswell Rally. Aside from the heat this is the best International Rally that I have attended.

Loveland in CO is quite nice. I am not fond of Colorado because every time I travel through I get stuck in a hail storm. My trailer is allergic to hail.

[hhendrix]

I've been a member for 10 years and I agree with earlier statements regarding the change in the club administration. I was about done with except my wife is one of the officers. We are making some very progressive changes in the administration of the organization, all for the better.

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by SilverWind

What were you able to do with 3 amps?

3 amps of 120v translates to nearly 30 amps of 12 volts. Plenty enough to run your fans, refrigerator, propane water heater, and keep batteries charged. Along with the 300 watts of solar, we got along just fine at all of the 5 Alumapaloozas I attended over the years.

[SilverWind]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

3 amps of 120v translates to nearly 30 amps of 12 volts. Plenty enough to run your fans, refrigerator, propane water heater, and keep batteries charged. Along with the 300 watts of solar, we got along just fine at all of the 5 Alumapaloozas I attended over the years.

I've not heard it stated that way. I always assumed that 30 amp service at the pedestal meant 30 amp of 120v. For example when I Google 30 amp RV plug they all state that they are 30 amp 125V not 30 amp 12V.

We were daisy chained at Salem International and my meter was so far into the red that we just decided to disconnect and relied on our 500 watts of solar and the inverter. Thank goodness we didn't need Air Conditioning for the dogs.

I'm hearing from a friend at Doswell that it will be 15 amp service at Loveland (although the website is saying 20 amp). I'm assuming that 15 or 20 will be enough for the basic things that you describe but not for air conditioning.

[Pahaska]

Little electrical info: Your converter (trailer) or inverter/charger (Interstate) converts 120V AC to 12V DC. A lossless conversion of 30 AMPS 120V would result in 300 AMPS of 12V. It is a simple 10:1 ratio.

There is no such thing as a lossless conversion, however. You are also limited by the converter (trailers) and inverter/charger (Interstate).

Every thing I mentioned a couple of posts above runs on 12V in the Interstate, fans, lights, refrigerator, propane water heater. On a 15 amp hookup, you will not be able to run AC, but everything else, including the AC operation of the refrigerator will work.

In other words, as long as you don't need the AC on 15 amp service, you are a fat cat. 18 years of having a Loveland address, tells me that you will be fine without AC in June.

[hhendrix]

According to information made available yesterday at the International, there will be 20 amp power at Loveland. That is enough to run one A/C.

[graysailor]

I have never seen the political side of International Rallies. I just enjoy talking to fellow streamers, vendors and the local people. For me it also forces me to see different parts of our country which I also enjoy. Always a history lesson out here.

[Tater]

We just hope Loveland actually 20 amps not 15. Does anyone know if it is definitely 20.

[SilverWind]

Originally Posted by Tater

We just hope Loveland actually 20 amps not 15. Does anyone know if it is definitely 20.

Web site says 20. A friend there said 15. Not sure ifs there is much difference with 700 trailers. I'll bring a bunch of 12volt fans to run off my 500 watts solar.

[Franktr]

I waited to long to register as all that was left were 20 amps service. So I reserved a spot at the Loveland RV Resort. I am not sure how far this is from the rally and what I need to get in and check things out?