Well, after a week of 12-14-hr days, a project set to kick off Monday while still missing three critical pieces (I should be writing scripts, not writing posts!), and a little bit of angst about which wiring plug would fit both the S!0 and the new trailer, I finally took off an hour early yesterday and drove down to McGraw to pick up the Sunspot and bring her home.
The Hoppy 41135 trailer connector plugged in just fine; Steve grounded the truck side connector to my frame and I headed back home with the trailer tagging along. Naturally, I picked a day with 20-25 mph winds for the maiden voyage!
So instead of the highway, I did the first 35 miles back using the old state route that parallels US RT81, which has a lot more wind protection. I figured the slower road would give me a better chance to test out how the trailer rode--and besides, now I'm on teardrop time, right? Then when I got back to Syracuse, I picked up the interstate and tried out about 10 miles at highway speeds.
It tows great, although I did feel the gusting wind. But the truck didn't cough at 65, and it handled the grades and hills between McGraw and Syracuse just fine in 4th gear.
It looks like I will have to do a complete rewire to get the 12v system functional again. It's got two interior lights, but I'd like to add some outlets, a trickle and/or solar charging system, a fan to the roof vent and a shore power plug. There's some wood rot on the back end underneath, where the original water pipes (now gone) leaked. There's a soft spot in the bottom of the door where it's taken some water, and all of the seals around the doors and windows need to be redone. The current battery seems dead--I've got it trickle charging now to see if I can bring it back, but I'm thinking I should just start with a new deep cycle battery. The wheel bearings need to be repacked, although the tires made the trip just fine. Oh--and I need new locks for both the side and galley doors; apparently they lost the key long ago, so only the rear exterior door to the storage compartment locks. Lots of work...but she's home, and she's mine!
There are more pics in my galley--but here's a quick one of the dogs 'inspecting' the trailer. The trailer had to spend the night in the overflow parking area--not because I couldn't back it up well enough to put it in my carport, but because it's four inches TOO TALL for my carport. ARRGGGH! So it looks like I'll have to find some interior storage space to work on rewiring it (can't count on Syracuse weather to provide me with a dry space for long!) Today I want to set up the included awnings, and give the interior a good scrubbing before I take it to my sister and brother in law's, where it will stay until I can get the locks fixed.
by forestfrog » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:46 am 
Thanks Ladies for the GREAT time at ITG#2!!!!! 
You mean this one. 
