How can we hire a chase vehicle?

[Tim Moxon]

Hey folks,

I'm the one travelling with Cammie next year and, as per her response, your responses and advice are very much appreciated. The chaser community appears to be supremely supportive and enthusiastic.

We are both studying hard to get the best understanding that we can of the ins and outs of the various elements of the science, techniques and technologies we'll need to employ to have much chance of catching some storms when we're there. We're even getting involved in more practice of driving in severe conditions and related sundry skills. Though neither of us have any illusions that there's anything like first hand experience!

I have little doubt that the most sensible course of action would be to join a tour, and completely respect anyone that takes that route, and the advice to do so. For us the pure joy that would arise from finding a storm or two culminating from the work we are putting in beforehand, we believe, is worth the gamble of not seeing anything. Of course what we don't want to do is gamble with our own, or anyone else's (on the roads etc), safety and I'm sure we'll be erring on the side of caution if we're lucky enough to be near to a severe storm.

Thank you all again for the advice in this thread and in advance for the future help you guys seem so willing to give, it's a great testament to the community. Here's hoping that by this time next year we'll be able to start giving back as much as we will inevitably take in the interim!

Many thanks,

Tim

 

[Brandon Goforth]

My advice: Take a tour...

I agree. If you're a first time chaser you're setting yourself up to fail here. But hey, apparently everyone's a storm chaser these days, so whatever floats your boat, lol!!

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

None of know her or her partner's background, so why push the tour group route so hard?

Because a quick search of previous posts from Cammie comes up with posts explaining that neither she nor her chase partner have ever been on a chase before.

 

[Walt VanRheen]

Tim and Cammie.
One thing you might consider if you have not already purchased your air tickets. Denver being snow country as tons of Suburban type vehicles for rent. We found that come May and June, there are not may skiers and they are willing to upgrade you to these vehicles for next to nothing. We reserved a minivan and they tried hard to get us to upgrade for only $30 a day more. We pushed and got it for $10 a day. WOW, what a difference. We got the LTX with the air suspension ride, Leather, Nav and XM radio. This was my dream vehicle. Find a place where you can off load the rear seats and you will be happy campers. Have fun and stay safe.

 

[Cammie Czuchnicki]

Cheers Walt, but we booked our flights into Kansas last night and have serached some reputable car companies. A fellow member recommended a Ford Expedition and we have found one relatively cheap so this looks the best bet so far as, like you said, we can put the back seats down. I'm also currently working here in England with a guy that used to work for Hertz, so fingers crossed he may be able to sort some type of discount. Here's hoping!

 

[Tim Moxon]

Hey Walt - aw we just got our tickets to Kansas yesterday. Shame, that's a great idea!

We've found unlimited miles ford expedition's for $2300 for the 23 days including insurance though and that feels like a bargain...though that may just be in British terms, it would cost at least double that over here!

 

[Chris C Sanner]

If you decide to rent, please take the winter to figure out basic storm structure, forecasting, and chasing etiquette (like following basic driving laws, not parking in the middle of dirt roads, etc.) for your own safety and everyone else's as well. Too many people think they can log onto Stormtrack and find where everyone's going, hop in a vehicle and follow people around to see tornadoes. At least figure out the basics and how to move in relation to a storm and how to be mindful of people around ya.

The simple fact of the matter is if you decide to chase alone for your first time, you are likely going to come back with some decent experiences but so-so video/photos. I'm not going to look down on anyone for wanting to throw their feet into the fire (I did the same exact thing!) but from my experience, you will be much better off either finding someone experienced to chase with or doing some hardcore studying on storm structure and forecasting before making the trek over here.

Success isn't guaranteed either way, but it's part of the risk.

 

[ABlaser]

you know cammie, after getting some "storm action" in that ford expedition, its big enough in case you and your chase partner decide to get some more "action"..if you know what i mean --seriously..good luck next year and hope to see ya. but, i'll keep in mind that if the expedition's a rockin--don't come a knockin.

Cheers Walt, but we booked our flights into Kansas last night and have serached some reputable car companies. A fellow member recommended a Ford Expedition and we have found one relatively cheap so this looks the best bet so far as, like you said, we can put the back seats down. I'm also currently working here in England with a guy that used to work for Hertz, so fingers crossed he may be able to sort some type of discount. Here's hoping!

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Because a quick search of previous posts from Cammie comes up with posts explaining that neither she nor her chase partner have ever been on a chase before.

Obviously an inexperienced chasers chances of having consistent success are aided by experience and knowledge of tour guides, depending on the tour; though I completely understand not wanting to spend $3K+ per person just to ride around in a large van with strangers, and I don't feel you must join a tour to have a good time on the plains. Given the nature of chasing this day and age, you don't have to have much experience or even be all that familiar with severe weather to have success, especially when you're a rookie from another country and have low expectations. This day and age all you would really have to do is, wake up drive to middle of SPC highest Tornado Risk, check in on ST and see where others are saying to go, read NWS HWO, wait for an MD drive to that area, login to SN and see where all the other chasers are going, wait for a watch to be issued, and then drive to the convection. You can have zero chasing experience and follow those simple steps and see as much as the most experienced chasers. Really it's not hard to have success chasing this day and age, being consistently successful is a different story, but I doubt on a 2-3 week, first trip to the plains it'll take consistent success to have a good time. Though more important than the issue of success is safety, though I think many make that seem like a much greater threat than it really is. Being inexperienced, end your chase at night and avoid driving into rain wrapped circulations and your risk from being killed by a tornado will be mostly eradicated, any car you rent will travel faster than the quickest moving tornadoes. Probably the three most important things that will ensure you have good time are, coming in with low expectations (with 3 weeks in May/June trust me, you won't be disappointed), drive defensively and cautiously and lastly get to know some experienced chasers, someone you can call and share thoughts on the day with, possibly even follow and or convoy with, on long extended chase vacations chasing with friends makes it much more enjoyable, not to mention if you find someone experienced and are interested in learning, they can teach a lot.

 

[David Wolfson]

Tim's Storm Chasing Handbook (http://www.weathergraphics.com/chasing/) is a great resource, if you haven't already gotten it.

I just read you've made some arrangements already so I deleted my have-you-thought-about-a-smaller-sedan riff. Budget $100/day to fuel your Expedition . I was also going to suggest you consider coming to the States farther north than DFW and happy to see you're planning on that. By the end of June you're most likely to be chasing in the central and northern areas.

As others said, keep in touch with ST. In a few months the 2010 prep threads will start in earnest.

 

[Paul Knightley]

When we fly from England, we usually get the car and flights together (e.g. from Expedia). Last year, for 2 weeks' chasing, based on 4 people, the flights + car + travel insurance, per person (at booking stage) came to around £588.

At the rental counter, expect to pay some more to add additional drivers, and also add more if you're under 25 years old. Also, make sure you take the full insurance cover/waivers, and windscreen cover!

Edit: I should add that the car was a 'standard SUV' (e.g. Jeep Cherokee or similar).

 

[Cammie Czuchnicki]

Really great words of wisdom - thanks Dustin - that's all music to a rookie's ears. We are sensible people and as Tim mentioned, our expectations are low and we will be graeful for any sights we see. I mean, I get excited at a roll of thunder in the distance here in England, and that's without any visuals. We are going to have an adventure and I can't wait for the 2010 prep threads to start!

Also, just purchased Tim Vasquez's book, on your recommendation David. Had tried buying that before but Amazon had sold out.

Again - thanks all.

 

[Patrick Martin]

Once you get Tim's book, which is a fantastic resource, and have a chance to go through it, you may want to test some of your forecasting skills by looking back through some of the old chase cases that have been presented here.

Use the search function on the board, and then choose "advanced search". Once there, type in "chase case" in the "Keywords" field, and then change the drop down below it to be "search titles only". In the lower right quadrant under "search entire forum", click on "weather discussion - advanced", then click "search now". You'll end up with a bunch of cases that can keep you busy for hours.

This, along with some of the actual forecast and now threads will likely help you to develop some additional forecasting knowledge. Good luck and hope you have a great trip next year.

 

[Cammie Czuchnicki]

That does sound like hours of fun - cheers Patrick. I am also reading The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm by Thomas P. Grazulis at the moment which covers a multitude of topics from structure to forecasting. Quite a heavy going book but priceless.

 

[Benjamin Rock]

I personally have a station wagon. It fits several people comfortably and has plenty of room in the back for a full size air mattress. The last time i went on a long trip to the west for a chase was a couple years ago, but there were 4 of us. We had a navigator and driver and 2 people would sleep for awhile, then switch. This worked great. We didnt really stop for long periods since we always had a fresh driver in the seat. I think we put on about 3000 miles that season. It was really kind of cool.