These two clubs server similar purposes but they are not the same. Texas Nissan Trucks serves the Nissan Truck Line while Southwestern Xterra Club serves the Xterra line (which it should do). The constitutions are very similar but also quite different.

If you would like more specific information read the constitution .

So how much are annual dues? (it says that not paying them can be grounds for expulsion)

If you are going to rip off our By-Laws at least make them fit your club :-P

dues are $0 right now and so far every member is paid up.

That was left in because there will come a time when we have to have dues. Not to mention that SWXC's by-laws were ripped from a template.

Actually myself and another of the founders got help from the Texas Z Club in forming our charter(from their charter) They were kind enough to work with us to mold it to fit what we were creating.

I copied the SWXC's constitution right from the site and spent quite some time going over them. Then I gave it to the members to go over it. We had many revisions, and finally voted in the final draft which you read. Then we voted for officers. We haven't had a need to vote for amendments yet, although one is in the works.

This is not a half assed attempt at a club, it's the real deal. We have a checking (Gary?) account, website, and good member/club support. I take an active role as the president in TNT as well as TNT <-> SWXC co-event cordination. Any SWXC member is already a valid TNT member so they desire. Right now the only perks to being a TNT member are webspace, organized event cordination, and mod parties (tool usage).

Keith, did I pay up? I can't remember.

There was a bit of explanation left out regarding the money. For the time being, we're handling the club's monetary needs through member donations.

To me, asking why TNT when there's already an SWXC is exactly the same as asking why GONE Moab when there's already a GOX? (though I admit don't know which one came first)

Does one take away from the other - or do they both broaden the membership base and bring more enthusiasm to the Nissan community?

GOX came first and has always been Xterra exclusive. GONE is for all Nissans.

SWXC has never been an all exclusive club.

Yup I know.

Put it this way Carolton....

What if there were no SWXC, but there was a SWPC for Pathfinders. All real nice guys, and they say you can come to any event and hang out and participate. And you can even become an ASSOCIATE member, but you can never vote on any issues. How would that make you feel? Wouldn't you want to start your own club? That is why TNT was formed. TNT doesn't discriminate on what model Nissan Truck you drive, it includes all Nissan trucks.

Carlton (only one "o")

Well I would ask why can't associate members vote. Currently there is change planed within the SWXC constitution to change that.

If the voting issue is at the heart of this then it is moot. At the start of the SWXC there were not enough of the "other" vehicles to warrent the change to the constitution. Now there is. So we are changing to fit the changeing population of our membership.

I still maintain that it is better to speak as one voice rather than a splintered group.

I thought, and this was how it was explained to me, that associate members could not vote, because first and foremost, SWXC was an Xterra club. If you had a large influx of say Frontiers, they could start swinging the vote their way, and the whole focus of the xterra club would no longer be xterras.

Oh yeah, and sorry, "Carlton"

I am not taking sides here. Just a member talking.

Do you know what to do if you catch a fish that is too small? Let it go...

The SWXC club meeting is this weekend, and it would seem alot of this just may be resolved then. Do I know something you all don't. No. But I do know who is going to be at the meeting, and I do know people are allowed to suggest an idea and put it to a vote at the meeting.

Please, let's just bite our tounges for four more days, or take this off line. Both clubs may be scaring away potential newbies here.

C-ya on Saturday in Waco!

This is something that we can definitely bring up at a meeting. Like Carlton said, in the past there wasn't a huge desire to have voting rights or be officers. If this is a big sore spot we can talk about it and maybe change it. Is the name of the club that important?

Like Carlton said the bigger the numbers, the more advantages it has and also joining an already established club we already have some nice advantages. You may eventually have similar things but we have compiled this over the years to offer these to our members.

I'm not trying to pick sides as both have valid thoughts and I guess now I just have some questions in mind for what is trying to be accomplished. What are you looking to gain by making a new club? Is it just the name? Is it the voting rights? I just want to understand a little better.

Daniel

It doesn't really matter. The club has already been started and will continue to exist. I will be joining SWXC whether the rules are changed or not. The voting thing doesn't bother me in the least either way really. This whole thing formed from the group of people on the AC Texas forum. We had members from both clubs at the mod day, and it was the biggest yet. The run at Barnwell on the 7th looks like it will be huge as well, and members of both clubs will be attending.

I guess I just don't understand why anyone cares if we have a different club. SWXC is an Xterra club, and IMO should always be. TNT is a Nissan truck club, and will always be.

If voting rights or club name is not the issue..is this simply an AC thing?

By adding more clubs to a given area you dilute all clubs involved. There are only so many resources (sponsors, events etc. ) that can be had and because of that we have to look out for the best interest of our members.

I will wait till after this Saturday to say more.

I don't know about you guys, but I am looking forward to the 24th and the 7th. The 24th will be a great chance for me to see what some of you fools have done to your trucks...gives me some ideas to role around in my head for my wishIhadaframepathfinder.

The 7th is going to be an awesome show of Nissan prowess at Barnwell. I foresee a mass of Tennessee metal that will make most other groups really wonder what is going on with the Nissan community in Texas, and what is it about these mysterious trucks that attracts all of these weird guys?!?!?

not to get off the subject, but where does that come from? If there's no slot limit, I put a hook in it and throw it out using it for bait..
As you were.

MMmMMM I miss fried fish. There is this catfish place down in Granbury that always has such good fish. It used to be BYOB. The only problem with that place is the water. On that side of the lake all of the wells have a high sulfer content so you need to bring your own ice was well....damn good catfish though.

What's stopping you now from enjoying a big, hot,& greasy platter of fried catfish,hushpupies,and fries with some slaw? Oh, and hot sc, lots of hot sc.
Don't let anyone hold you back man!

damn and you had to mention the Hot sauce...shit it's been too long. I really don't think about some of the simple things you enjoy until you slow down a little and ignore everything around you. I hope that place in Waco has some good fish.

Droooollllll! That sounds awesome right now.

chris i tried calling u back at 8, but no answer. I need 19" more of 3x5...

I thought your take was -should I remove my "I am cheap and have not paid to be in the SWXC sticker"

How about we take this to a higher level of maturity and not do that. We are all acutley aware of the differences between the SWXC and TNT by now; we all moved on to talking about fried fish. You openly quit the SWXC, so, why come and stir the pot? Please take it off line.

(If you want to add fuel to any fire, may I ask you put it under the fish grill? Thx )

As long as said fuel does not affect the taste of the fish, I agree.

You ever try grilling fish on top of a piece of cedar? Flavorful!

Although my all time fav is shark steak marinated in Italian dressing with garlic, onion and lemon. Yeah baby yeah!

Gosh, I feel inspired to grill tonight.

I have not done the plank fish grilling thing yet. I would like to try it at some point though for sure.

So, what time should we show up for dinner Scott?

What you're failing to realize here Ramstein - a fundamental piece of the argument - is that one time I mesquite-smoked some redfish and it just tasted like smoke... not good at all

Next time try putting the fish ON TOP of the plank, not under.

Mesquite is not made for smoking. It burns to hot and to fast. It is great for fasting cooking like burgers and steaks of course. I like oak and hickory especially for cooking.

I smoke a mean brisket (and ribs, and chicken and turkey and hopefully a deer hind quarter soon) with mesquite. But I do wrap it in foil after about halfway through the process. Mesquite has a good flavor. Oak tends to produce too much black residue for my liking. Hickory might be a good choice, but I can't seem to find any without having to pay out the ass at the grocery store for the little bags. Mesquite is readily available. I just look for a new housing edition and take the chain saw with me.

Fred

Yeah, if you can find hickory, you won't go back. Check fire wood places. A lot of them will carry it. Calling neighborhood nursuries can get you some sources sometimes as well. I hear apple is a great wood for smoking too, but have never used it.

I've heard the same for apple. I've also heard that any fruit tree wood is great, especially for fish. Thanks for the info on the hickory. I will try to get some spit logs from the places you have suggested.

Fred

ps. Has anyone ever tried smoking a deer hind quarter?

I haven't. If it turns out good let us know what you did. I love a nice smoked elk roast though. That is meat from heaven!

You guys beat me to that. Fish and other delicate meats need a wood with a subtle smoke, like apple. Mesquite works great for brisket or ribs, but is too heavy for fish.

alright this is almost as bad as the taking shit about the clubs topic... I am so hungry right now... I call for next get together to involve MEAT...fish, briskit.. etc etc... Hell Chris, Barry, and I all have fire boxes we should weld us up a Nissan Smoker... I can get cheap trailer axles.... anyone see where i am going with this.

I LOVE SMOKED MEAT!!

Oh yeah Keith.... if you can figger out a way to weld us up a trailerable smoker the SHIT'S ON!!!

Hot brisket at Barnwell!!!

a trailer smoker would be pretty easy. Just need some of those big barrels (they couldn't have stored anything toxic) and some 4x2 .120 wall. Actually it would be a pretty easy task now that I think about it. The cost would be around $400 for parts on the high side. I can get the ball coupler, axle, tires, springs, and lights for $150, plus steel cost and your in business.

I would build it as a horizontal line of barrells, probably 2 on each side accessable from each side... one side being a big grill , could even rig it to run on propane or LP, the other side being a smoker..

I mean, it'd be much easier to just bring a little smoker or grill.. but the idea of one of those big ones is really cool.

well it would be nice to have it mobile..i.e. trailer, and since it's going to be on a trailer might as well make it big. I can even put a hithc on the back of that trailer for my lil trailer.. wana talk about white-trash-Redneck engineering...

I want an off road pit on 33s now. Sweet!

Speaking of grills I still need to make one for the campsite. If someone can find those little stay cool handles for one I will build it. The handles are made out of that springy stuff. Anyone know what I am talking about here?

yes.. i know what you are talking about.. and fooy , you don't need one of them, just some gloves..

The only problem that I see, is who is gonna stay at the camp and monitor the smoker while I go ride trails?

The problem with building a grill to leave at the campsite is that it will be a mess everytime we go down there. Some jackass will use it and not clean it.

That is what covers and padlocks are for.

We got to make sure that the area around the padlock is good and stout. So some drunk moron doesn't try to force it and break it. What kinda covers are you talking about. The tarp kind that go over the grill, or do you mean like a metal lid typ thingee?

Metal lid type thingie over the front. It would be a box like the ones you see at the park. We could add a hinged front to it. Swing it up and you can lock it. This would prevent someone from putting fuel in it. I don't know if we want to do that really. If we have to shovel some ashes out of it big deal. I think this thing could be pretty cool to have out there.

It would be very cool. Might have to get Clyde's permission. I would imagine we would need to get some concrete to make sure that the thing was not stolen. Don't you just hate what this world has come to?

Chain it down to one of the trash can's posts. Use the lock that is already there to lock em both down...

I am not sure if that is the best place to locate it. I would definitely concrete it in. There will be no easy way to steel it. We need to figure out were to put it, and how big it needs to be.

I like the way you guys think. Hey, I have an old metal fridge from the 40's or 50's that could probably be converted into an upright smoker. Sounds like a hell of a lot more fun than restoring it. Anybody ever done this?

nopers, but i hear old fridges make excelent electrode ovens.

Whose got the key/combination to the lock? Are you thinking a moveable one, that we could unlock and move to where we wanted it, then move it back and lock it? I would be worried that somebody would use boltcutters to cut the lock or the chain or something. I like the concrete idea better.

Wow, this topic sure got hijacked.

Yeah I would definately think we should concrete it in.

It's Christmas.

What kind of lock is it and how many numbers?

Scott, like the new sig. I think its kinda funny that I am actually teaching plate tectonics right now.

Just your basic padlock with four numbers:

1225

Ya know, Christmas. Figured we could remember that easier than, say, 5143