Our "new" tiny travel trailer - Sunline Sunspot

[frank_a]

Get a load of this. Some previous owner spliced red wire into every wire coming out of the sheath in the back. Makes it easy to follow...



I was going to just throw these new rv lights on I bought, but am taking a step back, especially seeing I need to get ready for the salt mines, er, work. I took both right side clearance lights off too. They appear to be originals. I can't get the wire out very far, and have to wait till tonight when I have a hand to see when I pull it if any wires in the lower compartment move. The rear marker light has two power and two ground, so I'm sure that's where the front marker light is getting it's power. I'm getting new marker lights today, as I do eventually want them working. They don't right now, but everything else did. apparently putting these new rv lights on is going to take a bit more time than I expected...

The other thing is I plan on through bolting these rear lights as opposed to using wood or sheet metal screws. It's easy to do in this lower compartment, it's just tough finding 4" long #10 machine screws (for the long side). I guess I'll buy some threaded rod to do it. That would work.

I removed the right rear buckboard door to take to a hardware store to see of they can get the door knob off. I sure can't figure it out. I want to replace both door knobs with a common lock set. There are no keys for Spot as it now stands, other than the lower compartment the wiring is in because I replaced the lock. Got a surprise removing that door too - there's a spring in that hatch opener. Wonderful.



We're getting there!

Frank

[frank_a]

I had a little time tonight to begin unraveling this puzzle. I believe power to the only working lights (right and left turn/stop/tail) are coming out of a 4 wire rear sheath. The 4 wires in the sheath are yellow (left turn), red (right turn), brown (ground) and green (stop/tail). Brown and green go to both sides of course.

While wires are hooked up to a fuse panel from another sheath, I don't believe it is connected simply because I know the rear lights work from the other sheath. Interestingly enough, a green lead from the powered sheath goes to the "Clearance" fuse on the fuse panel. That is the only fuse with a wire both top and bottom.

The sheath that does not appear to be hooked up also includes heavy gauge (i.e., 10) black and white. The black from the sheath has been cut off short, but the white wire was connected to white from a two wire black and white heavy gauge harness in a red sheath that runs up into the left wall of the cabin. Black from that red-covered two wire sheath goes to a fuse on the panel labeled INTER (interior?). I'm thinking there may be a connection from the sheath not used for rear lights that existed to hook a battery up front for the dome light.

I plan on re-wiring it to standard 7 wire colors, but may not get it done before the Adirondack Tearup later this week at Fish Creek campground in the northern Adirondacks. We leave Thursday a.m.

Long day yesterday. Up at 4 at Letchworth State Park, off on my way home about 8:30, got home at 2, took a break, then did chores, finally got to work on Spot a bit. More tomorrow (with any luck!).

Got stop/tail/turn working this morning, but the only marker lights that work are when the right turn is on and they blink in sequence with the right rear light! That should allow me to track that exact marker light circuit down tonight. It does bother me that the front ones don't come on at all.

Frank

[Ooopsy_Daisy]

Hi Frank,

I just purchased my SunSpot in April this year. Mine is also bare on the inside. And the galley is gone. But I have located most of the parts I'll need to complete it.

Im saying your detailed info so I thank you for your time in sharing it with us. As it will save me a lot of time later on.

[frank_a]

We've only had this one a month! Where are you located, and where on earth did you find parts for the interior?!?

Welcome aboard!

Frank

[Ooopsy_Daisy]

Im in Michigan. Thumb area, near Lake Huron.

I put an ad on Craigslist that I needed the 2 burner stove and fridge and had a couple people contact me that they had the replacement parts. Im still looking for the stand up table tho. But Ive been told that anyone from a pop-up should fit.

Here is a pic of mine (sorry about the mud it rained for 2 wks and I live way back on the dirt roads)

[frank_a]

Boy, that looks like a real nice one OD. Different color scheme too, didn't know there was anything different. I need to figure out a way to secure a propane tank like you have. Must be someplace I can just buy the straps.

Good luck with it!

Frank

[Ooopsy_Daisy]

I will get some pictures for you of the brackets that hold the propane tank from top, side and bottom. It looks like someone bought it, and welded on the tongue. It just has a bolt in the front you undo, and it opens up to pull the tank off the platform on the bottom.

I knocked off some of the road dirt this morning and here are some more pictures.

Only thing wrong with it, the paint is peeling on the driver side fender and the back right door has been repaired with looks to be some sort of puddy and its cracking. Notice the custom flames on the front window cover. LOL Someone had a pretty good imagination when they painted it. I believe the whole outside has been replaced as its in great condition and is not painted silver, that is the true color of the panels. Another reason I believe the outside panels have all been replaced is...notice the door stop holder on yours...to the right of the door on the bottom. Mine is missing and there isnt screw holes or any sort of way it was connected before.

Do you have the table that hooks on the door side, outside? Boy its nice to have but its so heavy and has to ride on the floor when traveling. I also have the original canvas tarp with poles that came with it. (its like brand new)

[frank_a]

Pics of that propane bracket would be great, thanks. I have a MIG welder and am always looking for projects!

I don't think you can have a classic trailer without a few problems. I needed to swap the springs location on the axle, rebuild the entry door, and am now in the process of re-wiring the running lights and installing standard rv rear lights.

I do not have anything (like a table) that hooks to the trailer, but do have a kitchen canvas from tent camping we will use over it..

Best of luck with it!

Frank

[Ooopsy_Daisy]

If you look at the last picture provided. You'll see the same kind of strip that is like for above the entry door to put the tarp on to. Makes for a great way to cook in the chuck wagon, then serve food or eat from that outside table.

I left it at a friends place last time I went to a dog show, should have it delivered to me this coming weekend. So I'll send pics of that too. Along with the propane brackets.

Carol

[frank_a]

Well, right now all I wanted was to have all the lights work the way they are supposed to, and as of last night (in "draft" form), success! I ended up replacing all the wiring, and started fresh right from the front. I had a problem with the right front marker light. Had dead wires up front, so ran new ones inside, hid them mostly under trim, can see a little, but for right now, everything is light legal. I started this a.m. to make permanent connections, mount everything, (all new lights, marker and tail). another couple hours maybe tonight. Have a few other things to do before we leave Thursday a.m., mainly chase the threads on the spring u-bolts and install new steel lock nuts. Doing great!

Frank

[Ooopsy_Daisy]

Hi Frank,

Congrats on getting your lights in working order.

I have the same issue but its not the Sunspot, its my truck. There must be a fuse for the plug in for the lights as the Sunspot works on my other truck but not on the one that I haul it with.

Husband must have put the truck manual aways somewhere in his man cave. Ive looked for it for 3 yrs since he passed away and I still havent found it. Thank gosh for GOOGLE. LOL

Im taking the Sunspot to Monroe MI dog show this weekend and staying at Lord Willing Campground in Monroe. Ive never been there before but Im sure we'll all have a good time. Most of the dog club is camping there as well.

[Ooopsy_Daisy]

Here are the propane tank/bracket pictures for you Frank. Hope they help?

[frank_a]

Hi Frank,

Congrats on getting your lights in working order.

I have the same issue but its not the Sunspot, its my truck. There must be a fuse for the plug in for the lights as the Sunspot works on my other truck but not on the one that I haul it with.

Husband must have put the truck manual aways somewhere in his man cave. Ive looked for it for 3 yrs since he passed away and I still havent found it. Thank gosh for GOOGLE. LOL

Im taking the Sunspot to Monroe MI dog show this weekend and staying at Lord Willing Campground in Monroe. Ive never been there before but Im sure we'll all have a good time. Most of the dog club is camping there as well.

Thanks OD. Gotta go finish the job, on a short leash right now!

Generally, trucks come with separate fuses for truck turn and trailer turn. Lots of time you can google the manual for the truck, and find out there. Wish I could be of more help!

Frank

[frank_a]

Here are the propane tank/bracket pictures for you Frank. Hope they help?

Those will be a big help OD. I'll check them out closer next week. got stuff to do to get outta here in the a.m.!

Thanks!

Frank

[frank_a]

All new lights installed and operational.



I still need to clean up the wiring in the back, everything is just twisted together and taped. I will clean that up while we're at Fish Creek this weekend. I needed to cut out some new luan to provide backing where the rear lights mounted. It's all rotted out back there and will need more attention later. Also, my new latch lock for the bottom hatch broke tonight, so I need to attach it temporarily and we'll get another latch. For now, we're almost ready to roll.

Been a crazy couple of weeks, first getting my classic speed boat back together and off to a show in western NY last weekend, then going like mad morning and night to get the trailer ready to roll tomorrow. Can't wait to get back from camping so I don't have anything to do...

Frank