SCSN Caravan 09 eNews

No. 28 - 5/25/09

>>>TOP STORY<<<

>>ZIP PRODUCTS SPONSORS THE SOCAL/SONEV CARAVAN<<

In a joint announcement, today, David Walker, owner of Zip Products, one of the Corvette aftermarket's most "pro-hobby" businesses and, Hib Halverson, Caravan Section Captain for Southern California and Southern Nevada announced that Zip has joined the growing list of sponsors of the SCSN Section of the National Corvette Caravan.

"There's a reason Zip has decided to get involved with the Southern California Section," Walker told the eNews, "and that's our intent upon marketing to the grassroots of the Corvette hobby. We realize that it's, for the most part, hardcore enthusiasts who love their cars and the people of the Corvette community enough to go on a ten-day trip across the country to the National Corvette Museum and back. We also well-know that it's those same people who make-up a good part of Zip's customers. We look at sponsoring your Caravan section just as much as giving back to our hobby as it is a promotional tool for our company. We're glad to be associated with the National Corvette Caravan and the SoCal/SoNev Section."

"Of course I'm glad Zip is sponsoring us because that support helps my Organizing Team put on a better event for our Caravaners," Capt. Halverson stated, "but there's another reason I'm glad to have Zip as a sponsor. As a hardcore Corvetter who does most of the service, maintenance and modification of the Vettes Sandy and I own, I appreciate the fact that a parts vendor who markets to DIYs supports the events in which Corvette DIYs typically participate. A Caravan Section Captain is the one responsible for acquiring sponsorship and, as a result I network with all the other 24 Section Captains on sponsorship issues. I can tell you much of the Corvette aftermarket doesn't support the Caravan. Zip Products is a standout-exception to that norm."

Zip's current C5 and C6 catalogs will be distributed along with the Route Book at the SCSN Section's "Departure Night Soiree" on 28 August.

>>C-MAGIC SPONSORS THE CARAVAN<<

C-Magic, maker of car care products designed specifically for use on Corvettes, has joined the group of companies which support the SoCal/SoNev Caravan Section. C-Magic was started by some Corvette owners in Texas for the expressed purpose of making the finest car wax Corvetters can buy. C-Magic has developed a small but enthusiastic following in the Corvette community which includes some members of the Corvette Development Team at GM. In addition, the National Corvette Museum selected C-Magic as the wax and car care products it uses during predelivery car care performed to all new Corvettes which go through the Museum Delivery process. Hib Halverson, Captain of the Southern California/Southern Nevada Caravan Section Captain has been a C-Magic convert ever since he first discovered the company's wax products at the NCM's 2007 C5/C6 Bash event. "My Wife, Sandy, and I use C-Magic on all four of our Vettes," Captain Halverson told the eNews, "and that's not just since they signed-up as a sponsor. We were using C-Magic long before that and will continue to do so because we like the deep, lustrous shine we get with it and the ease with which it can be applied."

>>>OTHER NEWS<<<

>>CARAVAN PREP, PART DEUX<<

In the last issue of the SCSN eNews, we talked about car preparation. Since then, we've had questions from Caravaners about what to take and how to pack, so here¹s a few tips from Caravan Section, Captain Hib Halverson and his Wife, Sandy.

"Try to get everything you and your passenger are going to take into a couple pieces of soft luggage of about the size that fits the carry-on bins in airliners. My Wife, the Fairest Sandra the Red, and I took two, 23x15x11 bags on the 2003 Caravan. It was a tough fitting in two weeks of stuff into two bags that size, but we had to do it to have room for all the other stuff a Caravan Captain hauls to B.G. and back."

The eNews Editor adds: Our new sponsor, Zip Products, sells a very nice, leather bag about that size along with a 22-in. duffel bag, both with Corvette logos embroidered on them.

"What to take on a two-week trip to B.G.and back?" Halverson continues. Start with my "One-Two Rule": 1) Spread out everything you think you'll need on the living room floor then, 2) put half of it away. Types of clothing are crucial to light, smart packing. "Multi-purpose" clothing means less space in a bag. Style is a good thing, but you'll wish you hadn't brought all those shoes, frilly coats or fancy pants to Bowling Green.

Our trip is in the middle of the summer and we'll drive through the hottest areas of the country. You won't need heavy jackets, warm pants or rain boots, but you might need a light rain coat or poncho of the type which packs compactly. Even the most "formal" events you'll attend on the Caravan will be "casual dress" at the most. Only pack what corresponds to that. Also, don't bring "just in case" clothes.

A good rule of thumb is one shirt per day, one layering light jacket or sweater, one bottom for every two days, no more than two pairs of shoes (one you wear and one you pack), underwear for every day and seasonal additions, like a bathing suit. Stores like Target have "travel-sized" bottles of shampoo and so forth which are ideal for trips.

Choose a color to "pack around"--and that goes for the guys as well as the gals. A neutral color is a good place to start and, girls--bring a few accessories and accent pieces that go with this color palette. Again, we¹re taking this trip in late August. In most places we go, it¹s going to be hot and you might be outdoors quite a bit. Bring sun screen, dress in light colors and people with sensitive skin should wear a hat.

You may find it hard to pack for the whole two weeks. At many of the hotels in which we'll stay, you can get laundry done or do it yourself in coin-operated washers and driers. Wash on the road and you don¹t have to cram two weeks worth of clothes in your car. You can usually buy laundry soap at the hotels but, if you need them, bring individual packets of Woolite and a travel stain-treatment stick--"Tide to Go" works well.

Rather than folding, roll the clothes you don't want to wrinkle. It takes up less space and keeps the clothes looking better because you're probably not going to have room for your steam iron. When you load the car, Pack in layers or "modules". Don't forget places you don't ordinarily use to carry stuff, like the storage wells behind the seats, the center console or the glove box--in '03, in my '95, I even stored stuff (my long trip tool kit) inside the spare tire carrier. Put the items you're not going to need much on the road at the bottom of the main cargo area. Place your "fluffy" stuff--a couple of light jackets and hats--on top. I pack loose items--camera, laptop computer, reading material--in plastic "milk crates". That makes the job of hauling your stuff in and out of hotels easier. Lastly, leave some room for souvenirs you buy on the trip like t-shirts.

As Captains must be ready to render road service, on the 2003 Caravan I had one plastic crate filled with my factory service manual, a scan tester, jumper cables, an electrical troubleshooting kit, an extra quart of oil and a gallon of coolant.

>>RADIOS<<

On our trip across to Bowling Green, the Sections' leadership will use General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) 50-watt mobile transceivers or 4-watt handitalkies (HTs) for communication. In the past, Citizen¹s Band radios have been the choice of caravans, however, newer GMRS equipment has some technical advantages for caravan use. In some cases GMRS frequencies and Family Radio Service (FRS) frequencies are the same.

In 2003, the SoCal Section's primary radio type was GMRS and that worked well for the majority of caravaners so, we will use GMRS, again, in '09. Also, as in '03, the main "Caravan Channel" will be GMRS frequency 562.6625 Mhz (often called "6625") which is, also, FRS Ch5.

GMRS HTs having 4-watts output power and transmitting from inside the car will reach a few miles. If they're connected to an external antenna, they can transmit 5-7 miles over level ground. Less powerful GMRS units (one-or two-watt) are good for about half-a-mile. Even lower power, Family Radio Service (FRS) equipment transmitting on the one-watt FRS frequencies are good for a few hundred yards to a 1/4 mile. The lowest cost FRS HTs (sometimes known as "bubblepack" radios) working on the half-watt FRS frequencies are good for several hundred yards at best.

Prices for GMRS/FRS handitalkies vary widely from about $30.00 each for low-cost, half-watt, bubble-pack radios to nearly $400.00 for high-end, programmable, multi-channel, 4-watt, commercial-grade equipment. Many of the more costly GMRS radios will also transmit on the seven, 1W FRS frequencies. Additionally, 40-watt GMRS mobile transceivers are available bracket-mount inside the car, like a CB, but must use an external antenna.

While many Caravaners will use GMRS/FRS, there is still an installed-base of Citizen Band equipment and some will continue to use CBs already in their cars. The Captains and some of the other Organizing Team members will also have CBs in their cars and will monitor that system as time permits.

>>AND FINALLY<<

It's Memorial Day, the day we remember all who've given their lives in the armed service to our country. We also honor all our living veterans and those who currently serve in the United States military.

The Southern California/Southern Nevada Caravan Organizing Team reminds everyone that, we couldn't enjoy the freedom we have in our country today if it wasn't for the ultimate sacrifices of the fallen and the sacrifices of our vets and those currently serving.

Thanks for reading,
The SoCal/SoNev Caravan Organizing Team

Caravan info: email to captain.socalcar@charter.net

Going on the Caravan?
Don't go braless!

Even new cars with less than 1,000 miles have paint blemishes from normal driving. Imagine what a cross-country trip will do to YOUR paint.

The solution? A "Clear Bra".

It functions like a traditional auto bra but is far more durable and cannot be seen. It will NOT scratch your Corvette's finish like most "strap-on" auto bras. This 3M Paint and Headlight Protection lasts for the life of your Vette. SCSN Capt. Hib Halverson used a 3M Clear Bra on the 2003 National Corvette Caravan and endorses it as the best way to avoid damage to the front of your car.

Professional installations by the 3M factory-trained Installer in California most experienced with Corvettes: Envisage Design Labs. Call (310) 613-4691 or email Envisage at: envisagedesignlabs@yahoo.com

To SoCalCar Home Page

Hib Halverson
captain.socalcar@charter.net