Welcome Trooper,
Homecoming is a must-attend event, even if you can only make one of the days. You'll get a chance to meet several folks similarly situated, and those who have probably already made mistakes you are contemplating. The wealth of knowledge is amazing. And, it's family-friendly and just plain fun.
John and Peggy, who run this site, host it at their spread. I went for the first time last year and now plan my calendar around it.
We'd love to meet you and your truck, so come on down. And, if you're in the Fredericksburg area, look up SWEET and I while you're here and we'll compare rust stories.
Best,
Jim