April 2–4, 2026
My First Moultrie Swap Meet
This was my first time traveling out of state to work my AMSOIL booth at an event. I had heard good things about the Moultrie Automotive Swap Meet from other organizers and vendors, so I decided to try the Spring show. The larger event is still held in the fall, but the 50th Anniversary Spring Moultrie Automotive Swap Meet & Car Corral sounded like a great opportunity to see what it was all about.
I arrived a day before the show opened to set up my booth. One of the first things I learned: Georgia bugs liked me more than I liked them. Fortunately, the screens in my enclosed booth kept them out at night.
Testing My Van Setup
This was also my first event using the portable Renogy solar panels and Victron MPPT setup I won in a raffle at Vanfest. The panel angle was not ideal and most days were overcast, but the setup still added power to my batteries each day.
The first night brought strong wind, which had me watching my awning closely. Fortunately, the wind was coming straight at the booth, and lowering the awning angle allowed it to blow over me. The following night, a fast-moving rainstorm came in from behind the van. I held down the awning, but a leak still got in and I lost several boxes.
Swap Meet Finds
When I got the chance to step away from the booth and walk around, I really enjoyed the show. I found a few items for my van, along with some collectible Dukes of Hazzard merchandise for a friend. Okay, I also bought a cool custom-made General Lee diorama for my own display case.
That is what makes swap meets fun: you never know what you might find. Whether you are looking for automotive parts, collectibles, tools, or something unexpected, there is always something interesting around the next row.
The Drive Home
It ended up being an expensive weekend because gas prices were elevated after the conflict in Iran began, and I set a new personal record for the cost of a fill-up on the trip home. Still, the trip was a useful shakedown run for my van. I nearly reached 15 mpg—another personal record—and learned more about how the van performs on a long trip.
I also watched the Artemis launch on my TV while I was away. The timing was ironic: I would have been able to see the launch from my backyard at home, but instead I was in another state. With the overcast weather, I did not even have a chance to see the glow that might have been visible.
Worth Checking Out
Overall, I would recommend the Moultrie Automotive Swap Meet & Car Corral. It is a fun outing, especially if you enjoy browsing for automotive treasures and surprises. I also got a kick out of walking around the old airfield and seeing some of its aviation history.
A Look Around at the Incoming Storm
As the storm approached, I hoped it would circle around and move on, but it was more like it was stalking its prey before it hit me!
