I'm still waiting for the work estimate on repairs for the trailer. Called this morning, and was told that there is more to do than originally anticipated, but it is in the shop and they'll call me this afternoon with the results. Need I say that seems disconcerting at best? But road safety and a solid base are prime considerations before I even think about getting on the road. (Always assuming I will be able to eventually). But enough of Henny Penny thoughts!
This week, the adventure expanded, and my grandkids are coming to spend some time with me while dad takes a job out of town. Summer, single parent, mobile skills - grandma gold!!! So not to waste any of our time together, we'll be tent camping at Smithville Lake (being near their aunt in KC, and near the repair shop are an added plus) at Crow's Creek Campground to start. It's a great way to get settled into a routine, and a chance for test runs to find out what we forgot to bring or don't have. Or what I put in the trailer already that I need to retrieve for immediate use.
If the rain comes back, there is a very large and comfy bed in the back of the truck we can snuggle into, so being without the trailer for a bit will not be too hard.
And of course there are always s'mores!!! Keep you posted (smile, wink, wink...)
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Monday, June 1, 2015
Breaking (and braking) it all down...
The most daunting task facing me these days is figuring out where to start. Limitless funds or fully frugal, what to do when still has to guide a project. So pulling back from the fun world of solar panel and composting toilet choices, I need to focus on pairing the trailer and truck for towing. Then what do I need to park it when we stop.
First. No matter how carefully I worked thru Towing 101, if the hitch and tongue don't match up, you're not going anywhere. The current tongue jack, and the blocking under it, can't bring the tongue to the height I need to set it on the ball of the hitch. And since it is a weight distributing hitch, that also means I won't be able to fit in the spring bars and connect them to the tongue. The second thing is not so much of a problem, since the trailer isn't currently loaded, but it will be soon.
And as I stood there contemplating what to do next, looking around at the other trailers hoping for a clue to resolving this dilemma, I realized I have none of the normal equipment used once I got it to where I was taking it. Pieces of 2x4's are not good wheel blocks, the jacks needed to level the trailer are missing important pieces, nor do I have any of the necessary hoses or plugs to connect up. I have the adapter plug for the wiring from trailer to tow vehicle, but not sure about the trailer brakes. Um, do I HAVE trailer brakes? What kind of hose do I need for the sewer connection? Oh. The bathroom needs water first. What kind of .....
No. Wait. Back up. The only brakes I need to use are the ones in my mind. Today's problem is how do I get the block changed under the tongue jack so I can raise the tongue up high enough to fit over the hitch ball. Then I can move on to the other questions...
And spend a minute thanking all those people who took care of this stuff for me in the past, when I didn't even know to thank them!
First. No matter how carefully I worked thru Towing 101, if the hitch and tongue don't match up, you're not going anywhere. The current tongue jack, and the blocking under it, can't bring the tongue to the height I need to set it on the ball of the hitch. And since it is a weight distributing hitch, that also means I won't be able to fit in the spring bars and connect them to the tongue. The second thing is not so much of a problem, since the trailer isn't currently loaded, but it will be soon.
And as I stood there contemplating what to do next, looking around at the other trailers hoping for a clue to resolving this dilemma, I realized I have none of the normal equipment used once I got it to where I was taking it. Pieces of 2x4's are not good wheel blocks, the jacks needed to level the trailer are missing important pieces, nor do I have any of the necessary hoses or plugs to connect up. I have the adapter plug for the wiring from trailer to tow vehicle, but not sure about the trailer brakes. Um, do I HAVE trailer brakes? What kind of hose do I need for the sewer connection? Oh. The bathroom needs water first. What kind of .....
No. Wait. Back up. The only brakes I need to use are the ones in my mind. Today's problem is how do I get the block changed under the tongue jack so I can raise the tongue up high enough to fit over the hitch ball. Then I can move on to the other questions...
And spend a minute thanking all those people who took care of this stuff for me in the past, when I didn't even know to thank them!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)