September Fun & Festivals in the Smoky Mountains
Festivals and fun make September an exciting time to visit the Smoky Mountains, especially if you like being outdoors. The sun is still bright, but the weather is starting to cool off, making it the perfect time to enjoy Mother Nature. Just take a look at a sample of what's in store.
Old-Fashioned Wagon Rides
Beginning September 1st and running through November, treat yourself to an old-fashioned wagon ride. Step back in time to the days of gathering the harvest as you ride on a tractor-drawn wagon through downtown Gatlinburg and admire the beautiful scenery of the Smoky Mountains. These rides are available for under $5.00 a person, and run from 5 - 9 pm, Sunday through Thursday. Sign up at traffic light #6 at Mountain Mall where the wagons pull out approximately every 45 minutes. Proceeds benefit United Way.
Dollywood's Barbeque and Bluegrass
If you love good food and great music you won't want to miss the Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival at Dollywood. This festival starts September 5th and continues through the 28th. There are more than 500 free concerts by some of the biggest names in bluegrass such as Ricky Scaggs, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and Riders in the Sky to name a few. After you've worked up an appetite from all that toe tappin', take a stroll to the barbeque headquarters at Market Square. There you can purchase delicious barbeque ribs, juicy chicken or tender pulled pork as well as all the fixins that make your barbeque dinner complete.
Grand Rod Run
If you like hot rods, this is the place for you. From September 11th through the 14th, Pigeon Forge hosts the Grand Fall Rod Run. Located at The Grand Resort Hotel and Convention Center, this is one of three huge car shows in Pigeon Forge where auto enthusiasts come to hear revving engines and peeling tires as well as gaze at the incredible sight of these oldies but goodies.
Taste of Autumn
No matter what you like to eat, you're bound to find it at the Taste of Autumn. Over 30 of the finest restaurants in the Smokies set up stations in the Gatlinburg Convention Center where you can sample their scrumptious food for one small price. You'll also enjoy live jazz music as well as a live auction. Since all proceeds go to United Way of Sevier County this is an opportunity to have great food and fun and also help a worthy cause.
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
From September 19th until the end of October you can watch the area around the Smoky Mountains show off its fall decorations and handiwork. Stroll through shops where storekeepers display crafts that have been made in these mountains for generations and are a major part of the heritage of the Smokies. Whether you're looking or buying, you'll definitely appreciate the workmanship that goes into each one.
Run for the Hills
This 10K run goes right through downtown Gatlinburg - hills and all! The Run for the Hills is a sanctioned race held on September 21st. While the view is incredible, with all the ups and downs you have to be a true athlete or a glutton for punishment to participate. Registration fee is $20 if received before September 8th, and $25 afterwards.
September is a fun-filled month in the Smoky Mountains. With so many activities to choose from you'll want to make plans now to visit at least once during September.
Carpet Cleaning Vans – Slide-In Verses Van Powered Truck Mounts
The capabilities of small carpet cleaning companies are significantly improved with the use of truck mount carpet cleaning equipment. This equipment, mounted in a regular cargo van or box truck, provides cleaning power to match that of the largest service provider. These truck mounts, as they're called, are used to perform carpet steam cleaning which is the preferred method for cleaning most carpets. There are two different types of truck mounts, slide-ins and van powered (or sometimes called direct drive). Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each type.
The slide-in truck mounts are so called because they slide into a regular van and are bolted to the floor. This makes them very flexible and relatively easy to setup. They are powered by gasoline or propane motors that are integrated with the overall cleaning machine thus transforming regular cargo vans into service ready carpet cleaning vans.
The primary advantage of these truck mounts is the ability to use them in any make or model cargo van, new or used. This provides a lot of flexibility especially for small operators who can acquire used vans to start their business while minimizing their capital outlay. The major disadvantage is the noise and heat these machines can generate. They're the equivalent of small air-cooled generators and need to be constantly running during the cleaning process.
The van powered truck mounts use a different source for their power supply...the van itself. They use a clutch-type mechanism that attaches to the drive-train to transfer power from the van's engine to the cleaning machine. This requires much closer integration between the van and the truck mount equipment.
The primary advantages of this type of machine is the quiet and efficient power they can provide. A late model van at idle makes very little noise and can provide all the power required and more. They are also very efficient with space utilization, usually being installed directly behind the front seats using the console area as the place to attach to the drive-train. This leaves plenty of room available for the other equipment needed to fit out a carpet cleaning van.
The primary disadvantage of these truck mounts is the lack of flexibility and cost. The companies that manufacture these machines usually have strict requirements on the age and make/model of the van. A specialist is required to install this type of machine. They are powerful machines and usually the top-of-the-line for the vendor. Thus, their cost makes them better suited to a more established carpet cleaning service.
Both of these truck mounts can provide excellent capabilities for any size carpet cleaning business. Each business operator will have to make his own decision based upon his vehicle of choice and the scope of services provided.
Top Five Trucks For Gas Mileage
A few years ago, people would scoff at you if you told them that you were looking for trucks with the best gas mileage. But, as truck sales began to slip downwards, manufacturers started giving due importance to this factor. Today, there has been a dramatic change in the scenario.
The rising costs of gas, has propelled potential truck buyers to go for trucks that can meet their gas mileage demands. Truck makers have now taken firm steps to improve the fuel economy of their makes at all levels.
Usually the ranking of the top five trucks based on gas mileage is founded on a combination factors. The prime parameters are the fuel economy rating given by EPA, the transmission of the vehicle, and its inherent popularity amongst car buyers. The formula for calculation for most gas mileage rankings is a combination of the city mpg rating, which forms 55 percent of criterion, and the highway mpg rating that completes the remaining criteria.
It is really very difficult to bring forth a list that enumerates the top 5 trucks on the basis of fuel efficiency. Not one, not two, but three trucks hold the first rank. This spot is shared by the 2006 Ford Ranger one of the premier trucks that are out in the market today. Ford has made it a point to come out with trucks that offer the best gas mileage. This is why most of their newer models find a place on the best gas mileage list year after year.
However, all the trucks, which feature in the list, have the same engine; the 2006 Ford Ranger is a supremely refined version of its older model that came out in 2005. It has the better off-road capability then other trucks in the rankings and is one of the best alternatives in your search for a truck giving you the best gas mileage.
The completely redesigned 2006 Toyota Tacoma comes next in the list. The Toyota Tacoma is one of the roomier trucks available in the market and its looks are an epitome of sophistication. The only disadvantage of the 2006 Toyota Tacoma is its price tag. It is more expensive then the others.
If you are looking for something on the cheaper side then the 2006 Mazda B-series is the truck that you must go for. A fuel-efficient truck delivers on its promise. It is called in some circles as the bargain pickup truck. Don't expect styling and comfort but you do get an unashamed practicality with this vehicle.
The Toyota Tundra is the next in line of your picks. It comes with 4.0 liter V6 engine that is geared to give you competitive gas mileage. The truck gives you a mileage of 20 /mpg on the highway and a 16/mpg when you drive in the city.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes a close fifth in the rankings. It comes with a mild hybrid engine that enables the electric motor to keep the vehicles running when idle so the gas engine can be shut off.
Description: When looking for trucks with great gas mileage, the list can be pretty large. You will have a wide variety to choose from. Select the one that best suits your requirement. This article lists out the top five!
Water Car Engine – Is This Reality Or Fantasy? The Conversion Concept Explained
The water car engine. Is this a scam concept or is it a reality? Find out in this article why and how thousands of drivers are converting their cars every day to run on water.
Not 100% Water
A lot of people immediately think that you cannot run your car on water because it sounds so nonsensical. What you must first understand is that you are not pouring water into your gas tank! That would of course lead to failure.
Secondly, you are not running your car 100% on water. You still need gas. The best way to think of the water car engine is as a hybrid type engine.
How Can Water Be Used As A Fuel?
The heart of any conversion is the HHO generator. This looks like a large jar that sits under the hood. Electrodes are placed in the solution of water plus bicarbonate of soda.
When electricity is passed through the water, HHO gas is produced. This is a combustible gas in the same way that your original fuel-air mixture also is.
The difference here is that your car cannot run on HHO gas alone, but if you mix it with your existing fuel-air mixture found in any current engine, then the new mixture will burn well and run your car.
But Why Would You Want To Add HHO Gas To Your Engine?
The reason is simple. By doing this you don't need to burn as much gas for each complete cycle of your engine. Some of the gas has effectively been replaced by water.
This means that on a per mile basis, you are using less gas. Therefore you are getting better mileage.
Even More Benefits
There are even more benefits other than better mileage. The operating temperature of your engine is reduced and therefore has a longer lifespan than a typical engine.
You can also experience more power in a water gas hybrid car like this.
How Do You Get A Water Car Engine?
The life cycle from designs to production is around 4 years for modern cars. The manufacturers won't have a ready made water/gas hybrid for at least 4 years.
But you can convert your own car today for less than 100 dollars! With gas prices rising all the time, why wouldn't you convert your car? It enhances the life and does not affect the warranty.
A Brief History of BMW Motor Cars
The BMW story starts way back in 1913 with the formation of the Rapp-Motorenwerke company by Karl Rapp. The firm were engaged in the production of aircraft engines from a former bicycle factory located near Munich. It was close to this plant that Gustav Otto established the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG aircraft factory and in 1922 these two organisations merged to form BMW. The letters stand for: Bayerische Motoren Werke.
In their early years BMW produced mainly aircraft engines, but also some motorcycle engines. In fact the BMW badge is supposed to resemble a spinning aircraft propeller. It wasn't until 1928 when BMW bought a car factory at Eisenach/Thuringia that BMW began producing cars. Along with the factory they bought the license to produce a small car called the Dixi. The first cars produced by BMW at the plant were badged BMW Dixi, but the word Dixi was soon dropped. They introduced a new model called the BMW 3/15 DA-2 and the success of this car enabled them to survive the great depression.
It was in 1936 that BMW introduced the type 328 roadster which quickly became the most successful sports car of the time. The 328, designed by Fritz Fiedler, featured a number of innovative features including a stylish, aerodynamic body shape. It used an inline 6-cylinder engine which gave the car excellent performance and it was renowned for its excellent handling. The type 328 roadster accumulated a number of prestigious wins on the racing circuit and was nominated as car of the century in 1999.
BMW's involvement in aircraft engine production during WWII led to a 3 year ban on production at the end of the war. It wasn't until 1949 that they were able to return to production which they did with the 250cc R24 motorcycle.
It was in 1951 that BMW introduced a spacious, 6-cylinder sedan called the 501. This was followed by the 502 which featured a lightweight alloy V8 engine. Later in the 1950s they began producing the BMW 507, a lightweight, V8 propelled sports car. This was the vehicle they hoped would revive the sporting success they'd achieved with the 328 roadster. But this wasn't to be. They were losing money on every 507 that was produced and so production stopped in 1960.
Also during the 1950s BMW bought the design and manufacturing rights to the Isetta which was to become one of the most successful microcars in the post WWII years. It was a time when cheap, short distance transportation was much needed and the 2-seater, with an economical 250cc engine, fit the requirements nicely. Manufacturing rights for the Isetta were sold to various production companies around the world and these included the British Railways works in Brighton, UK.
The 1960s saw BMW enjoying a number of notable successes including the BMW 1500 which was a 1499cc, four cylinder touring sedan introduced in 1961. This was the first of the modern BMW sports sedans. They went on to produce a series of popular sedans including the famous BMW 2002. This was a 2-door sedan that had been based upon the 4-door 1600. The 2002 was to be the forerunner of the BMW 3 series and production of this successful model continued until 1976.
By the 1970s BMW had cemented their reputation as an innovative automobile manufacturing company. The 70s saw the introduction of the 3-tier sports sedan range consisting of the 3-series, 5-series and the 7-series. Between 1970 and 1993 BMW car production quadrupled and turnover increased by 1700%.
The 1990s, after 1994, saw BMW take ownership of the British Rover Group. This was not a successful venture and in 2000 BMW disposed of Rover.
Today's 'beemers' have retained their highly prestigious reputation for quality and reliability. The company are taking steps to reduce the impact they and their motor cars have upon the environment so we can expect to see more innovative and exciting developments from the motor car company who have not only survived two world wars and a massive depression, but thrived.
Searching For Classic Cars For Sale
In the meltdown market of today, there are more classic cars for sale than ever before. Due to dire circumstances, many classic car owners are being forced to sell their prized possessions. Between private seller classified ads, classic car dealer ads, auto auction ads, it can be almost overwhelming. Here are some tips that will help sort through the process.
1. Zero in on what car you want or at least in a range of years. For example, before I bought my 1962 Corvette, I was looking between 1958 and 1962. That narrowed the field. Then after some time I decided I wanted the 196262, and it got a lot easier!
2. Decide on the car condition. Show car, project car, solid driver, etc. Formal ratings range from Excellent to Parts Car, and each is priced accordingly. If you want a good condition 1967 GTO convertible you would be getting a car that probably needed some work, mostly minor, has been well maintained or had a decent restoration at some time. The car as is would be a solid driver and probably not too hard to get into Very Good Condition (near perfect, great driver). With this information, next go to some of the many dedicated vehicle sites, just type in 1967 Pontiac GTO in Google and start reading. Tons of information on the standard options, VIN number decoding and things you should now. Many of these sites have books for sale that have great detailed information that a lot of professionals do not even know. Pick up one or two. It will be money well spent. You should have an idea form the various price guides what the relative values are for your car. If you have not posted on any forums looking for your car, now is a good time to start. You will get some good information.
3. The next decision is how far geographically you will search for your car. Some will only look in their back yard, others have no problems with distance. Decide your preferences and plan accordingly. If you find a listing from a private seller, rejection is your friend. Sounds odd, but you need to quality him or her as a legitimate seller quickly or move on.
How much do they know about the car? You should be armed with VIN, Trim Tag and rear axel numbers so you can quickly determine how original the car is or that the seller really does not know. Do you have a lot of pictures that show detail? If not, then ask for more. If the seller hedges, then they may not actually have the car. Digital cameras are cheap and there is no reason why several more can be taken. Their version of good may not be the same as Hemmings Motor News. Does the seller have the proper documentation and authentication? For example, GM cars had Protecto o Plates, a metal credit card like plate glued into the Owners manual with VIN, Trim Tag and Drive Train Decoding. When the car was taken in for service, the dealership would take an impression. That is how they proved the car authentic If the seller wants a deposit or he will sell the car to someone else, then that is a red flag for me anyway. I understand having skin in the game, but sending someone a few hundred or thousand dollars site unseen is not realistic. If the car seems okay, then agree to have it inspected. Once you get the inspection, you can make a decision. First, you will know that the seller really has the car! Second, you will know what it is worth. It may cost $200 for you to walk, but better than buying the wrong car. When contacting dealers, go through the same questions. They should have all the information at their finger tips. Once thing to realize is that many dealers purposefully do not update their inventory. They may show your car for sale and when you call , oops, it is sold. They will offer to find one for you though. Your call. If you get a good feel it may be worth it. DO NOT enter into any exclusive agreement where you are obligated. Bad idea. If using ebay all the above applies. There are scams everywhere and you need to be careful.
If you do not want to spend the time dealing with the flakes and scammers let Your Dream Car Finder to do the heavy lifting. We know cars, where they are, and can find and deliver your car to you with no hassles.