Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

[Tommy2bits]

Nice updates!! Man she looks for for a new camper I was wondering if you were still camping in it!

 

[Sparksalot]

Nice updates!! Man she looks for for a new camper I was wondering if you were still camping in it!

Thanks! She’s still hanging in there. My dad was stunned when I mentioned she’s 15. I think he expected a lot less lifespan.

 

[Sparksalot]

@2bits last month in Big Bend.

 

[Tommy2bits]

Great shots!! I especially like the last one with the sunset/sunrise.

 

[Sparksalot]

I had an extra awning so figured why not. I have shade throughout the day now.

So where does Mollie hang out?

 

[Sparksalot]

First blowout ever. Bummer.

 

[Tommy2bits]

Ouch! that really slung up some GOOP! Glad you were able to pull it over no problem though!

 

[Sparksalot]

Ouch! that really slung up some GOOP! Glad you were able to pull it over no problem though!

That entire road was a muddy mess. I had to drive a way to safely change it on firm ground.

 

[Sparksalot]

Rose got her feet wet. Again. This time in Wyoming leaving Walk The Winds 23.

 

[Sparksalot]

I never started the trip log I meant to, so don’t have exact numbers. I estimate Rose has around 40,000 miles on the clock.

 

[Sparksalot]

Like most vehicle projects, it’s never just a simple matter to swap something.

I only wanted some tougher tires. But no, the smallest 14” all terrain tire is 27”. The ones I had that keep getting rock cuts, were just under 25”. Eh, no biggie, I actually had clearance under the fender.

but not the lip.

I could have done some spacers to slide it out a bit. A friend mentioned blocks at the spring perches to lift. Yeahbut, the axle was on top. It’s also crowned so no flipping it like I originally intended. But I started looking anyway.
Viola, Dexter makes an accessory to do the under-over conversion. It’s bolt in, but recommended to tack weld it after installation.

Before. That’s only the spring perch with the notch.

And after.

Before and after, with the frame level in both. The new tires give an inch of lift. The axle flip gives 4“.

Looks like someone skipped leg day.

 

[Sparksalot]

Did the first trip with the new tire and axle configuration. The tires are over 2” taller, plus moving the axle below the springs again, gave a meager 5” of lift. It pulled well though.

The 100# hound appreciates the shade.

 

[Sparksalot]

Oy vey, it’s been a while. I did an exterior refinish on Rose over the winter of 23-24. Filled a number of cracks and imperfections with epoxy. Then several coats of spar varnish.

Fast forward to this summer, we went to Walk The Winds again in Wyoming. During the trip back there were a few hours of driving in the rain in Colorado. I saw these spots at the end of the day. I figured they would be much less visible and easy to patch once Rose and dried a while. Three weeks later and they’re still pretty prominent. Dammit.

 

[pchast]

water penetration? How about a hot iron on a rag? Would it drive steam out of the spot?

 

[Sparksalot]

water penetration? How about a hot iron on a rag? Would it drive steam out of the spot?

The spots are dry now. The blemishes are still there however.