The Urabus Scuttlebutt from PA *Update 10/11/2011 PAGE 23*

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Hi Zach & Jessica: I see something wrong in the picture. You need to raise your landing gear on your RIG. You did didn't you, Please say you did.:

YOURE GOOD!!!


We were pulling out of the apartment complex, and it was pulling very loudly. Drove about 100 yards and I started seeing smoke

I thought I blew a bearing, so I pulled over immediately and went back and felt the hubs - cool as could be. So I thought maybe my Subaru had a flat. Walked up towards my car and saw the jack wheel was still on the ground.

Looks like I'll be replacing that wheel this week! Somehow I managed to have the jack lowered just enough that I could get the ball on the hitch and locked in place, but the wheel was still dragging! My bad!

[parnold]

Looks like you're driving with your tongue jack down.. is that for extra stability?

[down under tech]

Zach: I'm sorry, but when I read your last post, I had to laugh out loud. I bet that was funny seeing that tire smoking !!! Consider that a learning lesson in TD dragging. You work fast and do good work. When you take the trailer out, you need to slow down & "take it easy". Double check your latch, safety chains & all of the lights so you don't have any "BAD" surprises. This also keeps my cousin "Johnny Law" off you.

Don't feel bad though, one time I hooked my utility trailer to my car and I thought all was well. When I stopped at the first stop sign, I heard a clunk when I came to a complete stop. I didn't think it was anything. I took off again and at the next stop sign there was that noise again like before. I pulled over to the curb and lifted up on the tongue. The coupler was not down on the ball, it was on top of it just setting there. I reset the coupler on the ball and after latching the coupler, I lifted up on the tongue and it was secure. You know what? The noise ceased after that. I now lift up on the tongue every time I hook up the trailer to make sure it is hooked on properly. I was lucky it happened in a 25MPH zone and I didn't loose the trailer.

This is where that saying, "Safety First" comes into play. It is easy to overlook things. Make yourself a check list of things to do before leaving the parking lot. Keep it in your car & have Jessica quiz you on the hook-up procedure until it becomes second nature to you.

Take care,

[Rlowell]

Wrong...Where...I can't see anything wrong...Much anyway.
Congrats OK just a little thing...What?
Rod

P.S. Must be the tow vehicle!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Yeah I couldnt believe I left it down. Like Johnny said... gotta double check EVERYTHING! I checked the saftey chains, the latch on the ball coupler, the lights, but somehow overlooked the jack stand. The wheel on it still rolls (kinda) but the middle of it is melted away a bit.

I think I'm going to have to do the checklist idea so I don't feel like an idiot again!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

P.S. Must be the tow vehicle!

HEY!!! That better not be a joke about Subaru!!

[Rlowell]

P.S. Must be the tow vehicle!

HEY!!! That better not be a joke about Subaru!!

What? Other than being a great vehicle! Na.

I am naming mine KETZA after my tow vehicle. (Doing a "weekender" with the sharp angles.)

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Nice! You're gonna have to paint it to match the Aztek!

[Rlowell]

Nice! You're gonna have to paint it to match the Aztek!

That is the idea...just hope that it works. I would like to find a rear quarter windows to use in the doors...wouldn't that be cool. (wake-up...wake up!) Just a passing thought. I get those once in a while just like wanting a rear hatch to match. Any way it will be a bright red and gray trim along the bottom...if plans go well.
Rod

[Carter]

The weekender is the perfect tear for behind an Aztek. I worked on the Concept Aztek (only built the shifter handle on that) and I built the Sea-Doo trailer behind it. The production version of the car was percieved by many as a bit ugly, BUT, everyone I knew that drove one loved it. The Weekender will look great behind one.
Jim

Thread jack over

[absolutsnwbrdr]

My thread just got hit with a drive-by!! Anyone catch the plates on that thing?!

[Rlowell]

The weekender is the perfect tear for behind an Aztek. I worked on the Concept Aztek (only built the shifter handle on that) and I built the Sea-Doo trailer behind it. The production version of the car was percieved by many as a bit ugly, BUT, everyone I knew that drove one loved it. The Weekender will look great behind one.
Jim

Thread jack over

I worked for a local Pontiac dealer for more than 15 years until the market went south....way south. That being said; the Aztek is by far the best vehicle and the most versatile vehicle I have EVER owned. If you get me going I can give you a list a mile long as to why. and yes I have gone camping in it with the attached tent. I just wished that they had built the concept version. Good job Jim.

Hopefully I can start posting my build photos soon.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

If you havent noticed the name change of this thread, I've now come up with the final name of my TTT:

The Urabus Scuttlebutt


No new progress from last night, but I am going to pick up the screen for the roof after work today!

[Rlowell]

If you havent noticed the name change of this thread, I've now come up with the final name of my TTT:

The Urabus Scuttlebutt


No new progress from last night, but I am going to pick up the screen for the roof after work today!

I LIKE IT! Sorry about the sideswipe yesterday, in this group sideswipes can happen.
Rod

[absolutsnwbrdr]

HAHA its quite alright! Glad you like the name!