Dave and Kate,
So you like grill stoves? How about a grill and a stove:
Just kidding. The grill will live on a side table and stow in the compartment beneath the cabin when not in use. The second slider is intended as a work surface adjacent to the stove that can be moved out of the way to get to the utensil drawer and lower cabinets.
The new Coleman stove has it's own issues. I got it because it has 11000 BTUs; 1000 more than the original model. It is smoothly adjustable from low to high heat. The stove end connection is a pain and I am hoping a flexible Century Primus hose will do a better job. Also, the dimples on the stove bottom do not fit the Hunter holes, so it was off to the lumber yard today for birch plywood, edge molding, and 1x2s. The left hand slider will be a "do over". That's OK, since I was going there to purchase the birch for the side tables and some spar varnish. It does fit when the slider is retracted.
No, that is not Jim Hunter. I think Michael B has a better history of HOP than I could give at his website:
http://teardrop.blogicalthoughts.com/td_history.html
The gentleman in the image is Phil; he built my Shadow and delivered it. He is a cool dude.
The modifications (right side cabinets and slider) were the result of a night of fooling with Photoshop. I sent the image to SuZanne and asked what they could do. They responded with a reasonable price and I went for it. Now, I understand, they will be offering the extra slider and right side cabinets as options. Phil was rather proud of himself for having pulled it off and I salute him.
dmb90260,
I would like to meet you there, along with Nick and the gang. I am a little disadvantaged; all my stuff is new and not vintage. And the only thing I know how to do is Spam Sushi; misubi. Humm, how about Persan Spam Kebob with Safron on Lubia Pollo (rice with green beans)?
Bill,
Look at it this way. Phil was practicing on my Shadow so he could make yours better.
All,
Today was the maiden tow. While at the lumberyard, and following Phil's directions, I purchased some extra heavy duty chain, barrel nut connectors, and snap links (I like those better than hooks). I managed to dismantle the hitch and attach the new longer chain and gizmos without breaking anything and another trip to the hardware store. With everything back together, I hitched up, tested the 7 to 6 pin connector, running lights, brake lights, and turn signals. It all works.
My acid test was the Torrey Pines grade. The Dodge stayed in 3rd about 5 seconds more than it would without the Shadow behind it, but that was it. It was at the top of the grade that I got pulled over by John Law. No plates, no registration for the Shadow, and speeding. The guy didn't even ask for my license. He had never seen anything like it before and wanted a look. He had a look at the interior, the galley, asked questions. I gave him a Hunter brochure and we went on our way.
Feeling lucky so far, but not wanting to test that luck, I took the most direct route home. I washed and waxed the exterior, hit the interior and galley with Pledge (Phil swears by it), and pushed it back into the garage.
Tomorrow is another day.
Tom