The NAHOR!!!

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Today is the official start to the North American Heartland Owners Rally in Goshen, IN. I am sadly way behind writing this post and the rest of our trip, so these may be more of a summary than a detailed day to day account.

Today we attended some sessions, and enjoyed some visiting around the fairgrounds. I learned about Essential Oils and InstantPot cooking , while Tony learned about Hydraulic systems from Lippert.

In the evening, there was a Dessert Welcome Reception for everyone.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Today we were slow getting up, but that was OK.  We went to the Convection Cooking Session, which proved there are many variables to take into consideration when trying to cook with these things! The samples were good though.

We wandered over to the Rec Tec Pellet Smoker Grilling Demo, and had enough "samples" to call it lunch, and walked around some of the outdoor vendor areas.

After lunch we went to a session on "Cheap Heat", by RV Comfort Systems, which is an add on to your furnace to use electricity instead of gas to get heat through your ducting system, saving you money and time on heating your coach. We like the idea, but the cost is prohibitive. And, since we pay for electricity, it's probably not that much of savings over propane.

Later Wednesday afternoon, we assisted in prepping for the South Central Region Meet and Greet, held at 5pm. We had a good turnout, but unfortunately, I had to handle some work related stuff, and had to miss a lot of it.

Thursday, June 15th, 2017

This morning, Tony headed over to the sessions, while I stayed back for Heartland Service. They came and worked on our 2 items: the plenum seal on our two ACs, and replacing a baggage door. They made quick work of replacing the door, including everything from replacing the door, replacing the door lock with our keyless one, caulking, and replacing the decals. The ACs sound much quieter now, and I think they are cooling better.

In the afternoon, We went to the Torklift Glowstep Revolution seminar, I went to my second session on essential oils -make and take, and one on our MCD Roller shades. It was quite informative. Tony met with the Lippert tech to look at one of our slideouts, and got it adjusted.

For the evening, there was a catered dinner, door prizes, and a musical act, "Chicago Tribute Anthology". We sat with folks we really didn't know, but had a good time. Couples were from Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, and Canada! Quite the mix. We won a fire extinguisher, from Mac the Fire Guy. YAY! The Band was OK, but we decided to go back home instead. Not long after we sat down to watch some TV, I got a call from the guy that was to do our bearing maintenance. He wanted to know if they could do it this evening! So we said yes, and they did it. Some of it in the dark, but they had lights and we helped with lights as well. It was nearly 10:30 by the time they were gone, but it's DONE!

Chicago Tribute Anthology

Friday, June 16th, 2017

Today, Tony and I were moving kinda slow again, but headed over to the Heartland Leadership Luncheon/Meeting at noon. After that, was the beer tasting, at Andy Grime's rig, just 2 over from us. We enjoyed some of the tasting and other excitement, as Jamie, the NE Region Director, passed on the "Traveling Sombrero" to Andy, the Louisiana Chapter Leader. (There's a document that has the history of where the Sombrero has been, on its 2+ year journey.)

The "Traveling Sombrero" has a new home in cajun country!

beer tasting

Beer and even some wine tasting!

Shortly after that was to end, many of the other regions had their meet and greet events, with no other activities scheduled for the evening. We just stayed home, instead, taking a break for all the GO GO GO.

Saturday, June 17th, 2017

Today we had to boogie over and get on a bus at 8am to head to Elkhart, for the Heartland factory tour. This tour is really a highlight, to get to see the rigs in various stages of completion along the line, as well as all the pieces and parts that go into them. It truly is amazing to see. This year, they did much better at the tour, doing a self-guided tour with folks set in different areas to tell what was happening. We got to really explore a lot more that way. However, it was still not enough time to see it all!

Gathering outside the plant

Coley Brady, Vice President of Sales

Andy Westhorp explains about the underbelly construction

Wall pieces

Windows

Part of the assembly line

After that, we took the bus over to the Furrion Innovation Building, and see this supplier's new take on appliances and other things for the RV market. It was quite unique.

This motorhome had steps to the roof, where there was a helipad and a hot tub.

Tony waving from the top!

The hot tub

Stairs

The inside of the innovation center

More inside of the innovation center

A dishwasher, inside a fifth wheel! I need this!

Once done there, we walked about 200 yards over to the RV/MH Hall of Fame.

We were able to visit the unique RV exhibits and gift shop, and then we had lunch and a Q&A with the Heartland executives. Again, it's always quite informative to hear the leadership from Heartland answer questions (unscripted or censored) from the audience.

Lunch!

Heartland Brand Managers take questions from Owners.

After the Q&A was over, we boarded a bus back to the fairgrounds. We didn't have too much time before it was time for dinner! I think we might have fallen asleep in our recliners for a bit.

Dinner was again a catered affair, with entertainment following, called "Timing's Everything". They played a variety of music, including some country. We didn't stay long, opting to visit out around the fairgrounds, and prep for leaving tomorrow.

Here's a great link to a drone flyover of the fairgrounds, and all the rigs that were at this rally!