Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion 2024 - Who's Going?

[longfiredragon]

Anyone going?

Went there two years ago when my jeep was newer.

Yesterday out of the blue the wife says. I thought we would go to the great Smoky mountain jeep invasion. I just booked us a RV site in pigeon forge for a week.

Somewhat stunned, I said okay, twist my fricken arm.

It's going to be a little tiring getting there though. Just spent time in Missouri at SMORR. Now sitting 74 miles from hot springs off road park. Be there tomorrow for a week.

Then will have to zip 500ish miles to pigeon forge.

I hope the wife realizes you can't take me to a jeep rally and expect me to not buy stuff. LOL.

Looking forward to it.

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[Tncdrew]

I have to commend your wife's booking prowess! The fact she was able to find an RV site in Pigeon Forge for a week is no easy task! Enjoy!

 

[Only-In-A-Jeep]

I'll probably just go for a day...just a few hours drive for me. Seems like GSMJI is a little more of a swag party than say one of the Overland events. Not saying that's wrong, just making an observation.

 

[longfiredragon]

I'll probably just go for a day...just a few hours drive for me. Seems like GSMJI is a little more of a swag party than say one of the Overland events. Not saying that's wrong, just making an observation.

Yea, I get it. It is kinda that way. I may only be there a day myself.

I do like hitting up all the vendors though because I like new jeep stuff. Last time I got a really good deal on some Ridged lights. Plus I get ideas from others jeeps and there mostly jeep people, so there's that.

 

[Bill_P]

I'm giving it a miss this year. Too many people. Last year was nucking futs. Took almost 2 hours to get from Gatlinburg back to the hotel in Pigeon Forge. That and vendors charging more for shit than you can get the same thing on amazon.

 

[longfiredragon]

I'm giving it a miss this year. Too many people. Last year was nucking futs. Took almost 2 hours to get from Gatlinburg back to the hotel in Pigeon Forge. That and vendors charging more for shit than you can get the same thing on amazon.

No denying that. There is a lot of people. It's in pigeon forge and we're staying in pigeon forge, so hopefully traffic won't be to bad.

Going by the last experience probably 75% of the vendors there don't sell their stuff on Amazon. Maybe you can get similar items probably from China on Amazon.

Plus it's a gathering/show so I always barter, never do I or have paid full price at events like this. A lot of the vendors also had today only prices that were substantially lower.

Like the ridged lights I got are in the $250 range, Amazon $221. The vendor I got them from, I said no way, he said what do you want to pay, I said $150, sold.

I'm not disagreeing with you some are asking top price but they won't get from me. If there willing to barter for something I really want, then maybe, if not, I have no issues walking away.

I have no issue with bringing the part up right there in front of them and show them the normal price.

Anyway I am a haggler, so I will have fun for a day.

 

[Bill_P]

No denying that. There is a lot of people. It's in pigeon forge and we're staying in pigeon forge, so hopefully traffic won't be to bad.

Going by the last experience probably 75% of the vendors there don't sell their stuff on Amazon. Maybe you can get similar items probably from China on Amazon.

Plus it's a gathering/show so I always barter, never do I or have paid full price at events like this. A lot of the vendors also had today only prices that were substantially lower.

Like the ridged lights I got are in the $250 range, Amazon $221. The vendor I got them from, I said no way, he said what do you want to pay, I said $150, sold.

I'm not disagreeing with you some are asking top price but they won't get from me. If there willing to barter for something I really want, then maybe, if not, I have no issues walking away.

I have no issue with bringing the part up right there in front of them and show them the normal price.

Anyway I am a haggler, so I will have fun for a day.

If I lived closer I would probably do it for a day but for me it's a six and a half hour drive each way. I was looking for a door cart and there was only one vendor that had one that I wanted and their price was $30 higher for a four-door cart than I gave them from Amazon for the exact same cart. They wouldn't budge so I went to Go Without Doors and paid what they were asking for the cart and got a much better cart so it all ended well. Plus, Al at Go Without Doors is a good dude. Can't recommend them enough.

 

[GATORB8]

I'll be getting in late Wednesday through Sunday. Hoteling it in Pigeon Forge since I'll be a bachelor for the weekend.

I'll be with a couple buddies from CLT, and I'm sure I'll meet up with some of the Jeep Talk Show guys I've wheeled with. If I have my druthers you'll be able to catch us at Steak and Lube tailgating in the afternoons.

 

[jetpuck73]

We are headed there on Thursday until Sunday. First time going.

 

[rcadden]

I'm still considering driving up from Asheville for Saturday. I'd like to walk the vendor show and meet up with whoever from this forum is going - always fun to catch up IRL.

I also accidentally took my key fob into the ocean with me last weekend, so I need to get a Threedom replacement. I believe they usually have a booth and will do an onsite installation - is that right, @Threedom ?

 

[Mine&Hers]

We will be there all week, its a hiking in the Smokeys during the day, enjoying the jeeps and late evening get togethers that we go for, this will be our fourth year in a row and we have a great time.

 

[Nikko2020]

I'll be close by in Knoxville dropping my son off at UTK for his Soph year. Unfortunately, we'll be in the wife's 4Runner ...

 

[GATORB8]

I'll be close by in Knoxville dropping my son off at UTK for his Soph year. Unfortunately, we'll be in the wife's 4Runner ...

Seems like the easy answer is just to take the Jeep instead of the 4Runner.

 

[Nikko2020]

Doesn't hold quite as much unfortunately. No rack with my SOT roof.

 

[TopWright]

Yes, going. Just over the parkway for me as I'm in Bryson City. Be there Saturday as I work all week.

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