I got the Road Foamie done this afternoon just in time to set our on our 11 day vacation. Literally done last minute. No time for a shakedown trip. We headed out, got about 10 miles down the road and a mini disaster struck.... the left wheel fell off the trailer!!!

No real damage (a testament to the strength of a foamie build) just some damage to my fender skirts. I can probably fix one of the damaged areas with some glue. The dent however will probably require a patch of epoxy and fiberglass. Anyway, the biggest problem is I'm not sure why the wheel fell off. Did I not tighten down the wheel studs tight enough? These aren't lug nuts, these are what I will call lug bolts??? I had a problem getting a lug wrench down over the head of the studs since it ran too close to the center of the hub adapter, so I tightened them with a convention open end wrench. Maybe not enough torque? Or maybe knockoffs aren't suitable for trailer use? Anyway, I've spent the rest of today and this evening trying to track down the right size wheel studs with a smaller head on them so I can properly use a lug wrench on them. In the morning, I'll have to run to 4 local auto parts stores to source out the 10 studs I need for the job, get back to the trailer, change out all the studs on the wheels on a public highway before I head out and all in a "NO PARKING ZONE"

If I don't solve the issue, we may have to wait until spring to take the maiden voyage. Winter is coming fast here in the Sierras so unless we get a real dry winter the Road Foamie will stay in the garage till then.
We've had to leave the trailer overnight in that spot and we've spoken to the Cal. Highway Patrol and they seem cool enough but I hope the trailer doesn't get towed for being illegally parked during the night.
Not the start I wanted but I was very nervous about making the long trip before a shakedown trip.

. Apparently for good reason.
Right now, I'm not sure if I'm angry, sad , disappointed or all of the above but self flagellation seems to be in order at the moment
I'll let you know if I make it out of here on vacation or if I park it in the garage. But there will be pics either way.
