I came home this p.m. to find a trailer in my driveway. Not the Calypso. That had been moved back in teh yard.
This is a 27' 1976 Alfa 03 Model C. That's about all I can tell you concerning age and stuff like that.
Some of you will recall the saga with the old Junkmobile. This is nowhere that bad.
Yes; it needs work. But, from what I can tell, no leaks. Furnace is supposed to work (haven't tried it yet), stove, oven, etc., supposed to work. New toilet.
The PO built bunkbeds in the center part for his kids. They have to go. The front (living room, I suppose) needs something other than just a hide-away table. Small sofas, probably.
Anyway, I'll post photos of the current condition once I get the stuff downloaded to my computer and resized for posting.
Oh. The Calypso? She will be donated to a family (small kids, or just one kid) in keeping with the tradition started by Tiny Tina when she gave the trailer to us.
Wow...what a nice story! Now you will have to change your profile...looking forward to seeing the pictures.
I have someone for the Calypso. She is a single mom and a small child.
BUT, under Utah law, I can't GIVE her the Calypso. So, it will cost her $1. Then I'll give her daughter the buck.
I think I can deliver on Sunday, but I have to wait to be certain.
And, of course, SWMBO wants me to keep the trailer. And so do the neighbors(?).
Anyway, this is a small child (as I said) about 4 or 5, so the trailer would be perfect for them.
What an act of kindness: a rare find these days! I hope it comes back 10 fold for you...Brightest Blessings
No; It's not "kindness." It's just trying to maintain the gift that started with Tina. THAT was the act of kindness. And there were more involved than just her in getting the trailer to us.
I'm just doing what I believe to be right. No more, no less.
Great Ed! glad she will still be used.... now you have to get her to become a member!
Tina
After two days of rain, snow, sleet, etc., I finally have found there is a minor leak on the right side near the front. It appears to be around a vent, but I haven't gotten up there yet to check. Too cold, too wet, too tired.
Maybe this weekend.
I got a tarp for the Alfa. It's FAR too wide from side to side, and not quite enough front to back, but it covers enough that the small leak won't affect anything.
And, I've replaced most of the non-working lights inside. Got the cheapies, but they'll work just fine for where I put them.
Been working this and that. Nothing too major yet. But I think the batteries need replacing. I've been using a trickle charger, but they've never hit full charge yet. So, another expense. Ah, well. I have all winter.
l
So far, I've managed to get all but two lights working. Maybe the batteries aren't that bad, since they seem to actually be charging--though slowly.
There was a bad spot in the tub, and I found some stuff to fix that.
In other words, just minor repairs so far. But, I still have to get the roof done. I've looked at it (finally) and found that it hasn't had much work done on it in a long time. It's almost bare metal in most places, with a few spots where leaks have been sealed. However, the seals don't look as if they were done very well, so they will have to be redone.
Ah, well, that's what you get with these oldies.
I spent part of the day in the Alfa. Put in some necessary weather stripping. Fixed a screen. Another coat of epoxy on the tub.
Still, just minor stuff. Oh. And I added a small solar panel to help bring the batteries back up. I think they may be OK. It's just taking a while to get them to where they belong.
It seems I just can't win. Day before yesterday (Monday) I was looking at the entry door. The thing was sagging a bit on the hinge side.
After inspecting it, I found there was nothing at the bottom to hold it up. So, I cobbled together something to straighten it out.
Now the lock won't engage because it is too high for the cutout. So, I guess I'll have to figure a way to enlarge the hole slightly.
Maybe I should quit fixing things.
???
I FINALLY figured out why I kept blowing fuses (and sharing the "fun" with the neighbors).
:-[
So, today I finally got the wiring right.
Also, the PO had put in new water lines. Nice job, except... The drawers in the kitchen area wouldn't go all the way in. They were hitting again the lines to and from the water heater.
So, I took them both out. Uh oh. Water still in the heater, and running everywhere!
Then I ran outside and open up the drain in the heater. I have no idea what size this thing is, but the water kept running, and running and...
FINALLY, it quit.
Then to my supplier. (For those of you who don't know, that's Home Depot--for most things.) Found some line I could use. But, the smallest I could get was 20 feet--and I only needed about 4. Got it anyway.
Then, back to the job. But, the line that has been in there was a bit more flexible than pex. And, the connections required that the line slip over them and then be tightened down. Uh. With pex?
Boy, did I ever get a workout! But, finally, I got the thing together. Then the acid test.
I hooked up the hose. Opened the tap, and (recalling my adventures with the old Whiny Beggar), ran like a madman back into the trailer.
NO LEAKS! Wow!! I must have done something wrong! ???
Anyway,though I half wore myself out, at least I made some kinda progress.
I'm about done (for now) with the inside stuff. Now all I need is some decent weather (and money, of course) to get the roof fixed. I'll get a photo or two of that mess somewhere along the line, and then the final product.
As to the popup. I can't get it out of the yard. She wants it, of course. And I want to give it to her. But the way they put it in when the "new" trailer came, I can't even move the thing. I'll figure it out before camping season hits again, but I have NO ide what I'll do.
As for the Alfa, today I finished most of the inside stuff and cleaned her up. It's not straightened. Just clean.
Anything else inside is just cosmetic. Next: The outside. Of course, I need some decent weather for that. And, I want the first project to be the roof. It needs help desperately.
GRR_R_R_R!!! $@!#@!
Lousy weather! Winds came in and tore off the tarp from the Alfa (kinda did a job on the tarp, too), So, I'm out in the "s" stuff trying to put it back.
By the time I finished, I couldn't feel my fingertips any longer--and I was wearing gloves!
If this kinda stuff keeps up, I'm going to get the roof done sometime in June.
:'(
Today, I was checking the oven in the trailer. Found that the cooling fan in the top was inoperable. So, being the inquisitive type (which some call nosy), I broke the whole thing open. I found that the PO had cut the wires to the switch.
OK. Just fix it, right? Nope. It is operated by a pressure switch. You open this little door at the top and it's supposed to start the fan.
BUT...
The door won't close properly. So, the fan would run all of the time. What to do?
Well, I don't know yet whether this will rok, but I'll find out soon enough.
I used two small velcro stickers, one on each side of the door. They didn't want to hold, so I glued them in place. Tomorrow I'll find out whether that worked our not. If so, the fan will be reconnected.
We'll see...
The glue worked Great! The ony problem is, the velcros stuff ain't thick enough to hold it.
Right now, I have a tiny bungee cord (I though I was done with those things!) holding the door closed.
I'll figure out something yet, but I have NO idea what.
???
Today I did a bit more work in the bathroom area. One light was defunct, so I had to replace that. That now makes 3 out of the 4 in that room that have been fixed.
Then the tub/shower. WOW!! Whoever used that must have been covered in grease! I have this cleaning stuff I've been using that cut through it OK, but it took an enormous amount of paper towel AND grease cutter to get it all out. And it wasn't in the tub. It was on the walls.
The shower part is one of those handheld things. Shot. Got a new one, but I need to find a part. The old one was apparently original, and getting it out caused a small plastic part to break since it was all but welded in from time and grime. Either I find that odd looking part, or replace the faucet in the thing.
Just something else to keep me busy, I suppose.
I've now officially confirmed that NOTHING presently existing in any shop in the area has ever heard of a part the size I need to fix the tub.
So, undeterred, I reamed out the slot for a slightly larger size connection. Put the connection in, and siliconed around it (pipe compound in there, too.)
I'll find out whether it worked the first time anyone is brave enough to try it.
Also, I managed to finish with the kitchen stove top. It is stainless, and was rusted, pitted, etc. I went to my supplier and got some high-heat paint and painted it. I was worried the paint wouldn't adhere to the stainless (where it still existed), but it worked just fine.
I have a photo if I ever get around to downloading it from my camera, adjusting the size, and then posting it.
Gotta make this fast, since this broadband thingy is running crazy tonight.
Anyway, I decided that NOW is the time to replace the carpet. Got some stuff. Last my supplier (Home Depot) had of the stuff. Wanted 22 feet and no less. That's all they had.
Ripped out the old stuff and put in the new. Posted photos. for you. If it's blue, that's new. If it's, What the H$%l is that?" it's the old stuff.
It isn't finished, but it's laid..
Made sure they gave me ONE piece so I could lay it from front to back. Only have only tiny section in the front I had to piece in. And it's no more than about 22" wide.
Didn't want all those "piecing in" things, 'cause we had that, and it was coming up.
Now is this will just post.
Tonight, I finally got to cut the rug to fit around the commode. Not too much else done, though. Next, I need to find some of that stuff to put around the sides and hold it down and tight. (My supplier, naturally.)
On another site, I just posted the message that I'd probably be done enough with all this by July--top pull it out of the driveway, and then back it in again.
:(
Today I started laying in moulding on the carpet. When I put it in I just did a rough cut to fit. Not REAL rough, mind you, but a bit rough. It ain't easy handling 21 feet of carpet all at once.
Anyway, when I get that done, I'll stick in another photo or two. It won't be real soon. I bought 48 feet of moulding, and have 12 left. ONLY the front of the trailer is about done. I figure another 48 feet might do it. Maybe. Hm?
The carpet is in place, trim painted and down, and my hands are brown.
Well, maybe not "brown." I told the gal at my supplier's that I needed a light brown paint. She recommended nutmeg.
Hunh? Nutmeg? Mean I have to go to a grocery store? ???
She brought over this can of spray paint, and, sure enough, on it it said it was nutmeg. At least, I assumed it was paint. Same kinda can. From a known manufacturer of paint.
So, I got it. Yep. Paint all right, and a light brown, too!
Why wasn't it must marked "Light Brown"? Oh well, it worked.
No great shakes. Just trim around the carpet to hold it in place.
.
Ty has declared that we will have Thanksgiving in the trailer. It won't go anywhere. Still sitting in the driveway, but we WILL have the meal there.
So, I've been scrambling around, cleaning up the mess I've made.
Still don't know why she insisted on it, though. Hm?
Well, we did it. I suppose the neighbors have had their suspicions confirmed: We're all nuts at this house. Carrying stuff from the house to the trailer. Going in and having the meal. i??
No draperies (almost said the dreaded "c" word!), so everyone and anyone could join in vicariously.
I have three (I think) photos to post once they're resized.
Our living room is kinda small. So, when SWMBO decided to put up the Christmas tree (this early?!?), one of the chairs had to go.
I couldn't put the chair in the shed. It's already packed. I couldn't put it downstairs, because it's already fairly crowded. So, that left me little choice. There was simply NOWHERE else to put it but the trailer. ;)
Last night, I sat in the trailer a while. SWMBO wondered what I was doing all that time. Again, tonight, I was out there for a while.
Just doing my duty. (Photos posted.) :angel:
I'm fairly certain one of the propane hoses has a small leak. So, all propane off. Hoses removed. I'll have to replace both.
Just when the weather turns cold, too. We probably won't get up to freezing the rest of the week, and maybe not next week. :(
Just a bit ago, SWMBO asked me whether I was going to go do any work in the Alfa. I told her no. I leave power on for a few hours each day to keep the batteries up.
But it is TOO BLASTED COLD!
This morning, I went to get my coat, and it had its own coat on!
Then I got in the truck, and the temp was 13. That bummed me out for a while, but I realized that it was still 63 degrees warmer than my mother-in-law's heart, so I felt a tiny bit better.
Knowing there were leak spots here and there, I tarped the Alfa before all the weather hit. Naturally, the winds took part of the tarp off. So now I have to deal with snow on the roof, KNOWING that most of it is where the leaking is.
I don't expect to win, but I'd like to come out even once in a while. :(
Hee in the "Winter Woes," I've been able to take some time and look at things that would ordinarily be considered minor.
New propane tanks. And not those barbeque-sized ones, either. New batteries (but I was already convinced of that).
There are two electrical shorts somewhere that I'm going to have to look for. They're in the 12V system, so that should give me some "fun" when I'm able to work outside the trailer again.
Some exterior lights that need looking at. Fortunately, the brake/backup/turn signal lights appear to be OK.
As I said, things I probably wouldn't have looked at much yet if I were still able (weather-wise) to work on the major stuff.
As you know, there's She Who Must Be Obeyed (SWMBO). I guess I have to add Little She Who Must Be Obeyed (LSWMBO). Another meal in the Alfa!
She wanted us there for Christmas dinner, but other things came up. She didn't give up, though. So, tonight, guess where we were?
???
The trailer is nice and toasty. Blissfully so. However...
You have to walk out the door, down the walk to the driveway, and then around to the door of the trailer. Not far. 50 feet maybe.
In temps hovering at a sizzling TEN!!
And even worse, come back again.
:(
OK. This is starting to get a bit silly!
SWMBO has been listening too much to LSWMBO. Her birthday is in a couple of weeks, and she has declared that we will spend the night in the Alfa.
It's not ready for that! Heat? Sure. Water? Nope. I can hook it up, but the black water tank needs work. There's no place to hook up a direct sewer line. C'mon!
TWO females, all night, in a trailer with no real bathroom? I don't think so!
In addition, there are no draperies on the windows (I almost used the dreaded "c" word), so that is another minus.
Well, I have a couple of weeks to try to (diplomatically) discourage this. Hope I win (for once).
i?? i??
Oh happy day!
The Alfa has louvered windows. One of them has a broken part. (Well, TWO broken parts, but one of them is readily available.) One of these parts is a piece of aluminum about 1 3/4" long. You can't just run out and buy it.
So, I've been looking around, maybe find someone who could cut a dupe. Sure can! Only $45! For a tiny little part.
Now, I realize that cutting a piece wouldn't be that big a deal, but there are some intricate little areas that need to (probably) be stamped or cut out. So I wouldn't think $20 or even $25 would be totally unreasonable. But $45?!?
Guess, come Spring, I'll have to start hitting the junk yards. $@!#@!
As for the birthday "bash" in the trailer, y'all KNOW I have to try to discourage it. :angel:
My day has ended with me black and blue--literally.
The black is dirt. The blue is paint. All of the former will come off, and most of the latter SHOULD come off.
The trim around the windows in the trailer is shot. In several places it has been held together with multiple screws and duct tape. Had to go.
So, me being me, I decided to start with the front window, which spans the width of the trailer. Nothing easy in my world!
Afte my third attempt over a period of two months, I finally decided to just do it, and get it overwith.
So, I went to my supplier and got me some fancy trim.. Real nice stuff. And, to match that blindingly blue carpet SWMBO selected, I decided the trim will also be blue, as close a match as possible.
Since we bought the carpet there, I simply went after one of the sample swatches and walked along the paint aisle with it, looking for something as close as I could get. Yep. Brilliant Blue, it's called.
So, now I had to cut up the moulding to fit and paint it. I wanted to miter the joints, too. But I have nothing but hand tools. So, I got me a square with the 45-degree angle on it and gave it a shot. Took me a-l-l-l-l day long. And I ain't finished yet.
I have three sides in. For the most part, they fit pretty well, considering. The fourth may get in Tuesday. (Mondays are out. Ty and SWMBO have dancing classes every Monday, and Ty's therapist shows up about the time I get home.)
Not only have I had to measure over and over and over, but also I have to make certain the two front screens will fit in when I'm done. The way it's set up, there are screens to each side, with the center just an unopenable window.
Once that's done, then I'll start working on replacement for the awning on the front. Right now, it's just corrugated fiberglass. I saw some stuff in plexiglass that I've been thinking about to replace it. It, too, is blue and translucent.
We'll see.
No photos until I'm done creating this fiasco, though.
Two things I've never claimed to be: Smart nor sane.
So, keeping that in mind, the 3 of us pent last night in the trailer. In the driveway. SWMBO's birthday is tomorrow, but tomorrow would be out, due to work (for both of us).
So, like a dummy, I agreed. ???
Actually it wasn't too bad. Not great, just not too bad.
Still no water hookup nor sewer hookup. So I got the old water machine and port-a-potty we used in the Calypso, and we used them. W%
Surprisingly, there was very little running back into the house. I told them both to treat it as if we are at a campground. Use their imaginations. And they did pretty well.
But it's not something I'd want to do every weekend. Too much hassle when it's right here at home.
My only project today was to install a stereo system in the trailer. SWMBO declared it must be done.
So, I've worked at it. Stereo, subwoofer, speakers, wiring, etc. Only problem is, the CD player SWMBO came up with is...Well...let's say I think she got it out of someone's trunk. It doesn't work properly. So, I'll have to see about replacing that, even though I'm not finished with the rest of the installation.
Not the easiest thing to do, either, since I don't want to go putting a bunch of holes in the walls, and I certainly don't want a bunch of wires trailing all over the place.
Ah, well, I'll figure something out. Eventually.
Hm?
Figured out something for MOST of the wires. Not all of them, though. Got one still hanging.
Really crazy thing I've done. But it worked, so I won't go into details and have someone say something like, "He did WHAT?" Let';s just say it works.
:laugh:
The stereo system. It's not totally done yet, but it's close.
And, tonight, I started work on the inside side windows. The first one is one that was held together with duct tape. That had to go!
This one actually came out just about right.
I thought I might add, about the stereo, that, no; I didn't go buy all that stuff for the trailer. It's what's been sitting around the house for years, and I haven't used any of it for several years. So, it's now put to good use.
The "livingroom" windows are pretty much finished as of tonight. So, I'll get some photos (some time or other) and upload them. No great shakes, but it sure beats that dirty brown, duct-tape-"enhanced" mess I started with.
And, tomorrow, the neighborhood nuts will be preparing for another night in the trailer. In the driveway. And, as I told someone a bit back, it isn't a staycation. In this neighborhood, it's called, "The nuts down the street."
Totally new item.
Our next door neighbor is anticipating my painting the OUTSIDE of the Alfa. She watched what I did with the Calypso, and wants to see what I do with this one.
Well, no great things. I'd like to keep the same color scheme. I can't reproduce the emblem on the front and back (Hey! I ain't no artist!), but I've been thinking about the club emblems instead.
Is there a generic for the club, or just the Winnie ones? I don't know. But I'll find out, I suppose.
(And I HATE this spell check thing! It keeps showing me I fouled up again!)
Emblems: There sure are, Ed. Stock, custom colored and Club style. Just go to the club Store!
I know that is there. I just didn't know whether it was readily available. Actually, I thought about putting Winnie stuff on the trailer and driving everyone nuts, but SWMBO probably wouldn't go for that. (No real sense of humor, I suppose.)
The moulding I put in has a special design in it. Now SWMBO has decided that one or two of the windows will need "special" treatment for that design.
Not only do I have to ba a carpenter (and a lousy one), a painter (and a lousy one), a sheet metal worker (and a REALLY lousy one), and a bunch of other things, now I'm supposed to be some kinda artist!
???
I started on the design, just as SWMBO wants. Terrible job! Paint everywhere it shouldn't be. In some cases, not where it should be. That stuff has lines that are far too fine for some old fart to try to fill in!
But, I tried correcting (if that's what you want to call it) one of the boards. Doesn't look TOO bad. Maybe I'll get 'er done anyway.
I painted the entire thing with the red first. Then, I tried an artist's brush for the lines. Too big. Kept slopping over. So, I looked around for something that might work. Searched everywhere. And I found it.
The lines in the moulding were all put in with a NEEDLE! I know. It's crazy. But it worked.
Anyplace where it "slopped" over, I went back with an artist's brush and touched it up.
As long as it worked, I won't argue with it.
But, I have another window to do, and SWMBO wants that one to kinda like the first one. So, I'll keep the tips in mind this time.
Fortunately, that is the last window.
They did it again. A 3-day weekend, so two ights were spent in the Alfa. This may be how ALL my camping is for the immediate future, the way things are going. (On another post.) i??
But, I'll still keep working on here. Right now, I'm considering color schemes for the outside when I can finally work on the outer portion. I have some ideas, but I'm not too sure yet.
Today, I intend to start work on one of the bedroom walls. It's a mess. Holes, gouges, peeling (and it's panel, not paper).
I have NO idea how I'm going to do this with only hand tools, but I at least intend to try. Hm?
I'll attempt to get some before and after photos of the first part of the job.
As I said before, I'm doing the "remodeling" with only hand tools. So, I need to cut the panels to fit.
I don't care HOW good you are, how many lines you draw, how you plan, etc., there is no way you can cut an absolutely straight line with a hand saw. Well, almost no way.
I bought myself a steel cutting edge. I wanted one 8 feet long, but they had a 6-footer as the largest size. Why spend the money for that when it wouldn't quite do the job? So I bought the 4-foot one.
And two clamps.
I have a square I've been using all along. So, I'd measure. Measure again. And measure a third time. Then I'd lay out the spot on the panel where I had to cut. Slight mark. Put the cutting guide at the mark and loosely clamp it. Then use the square to set up the guide in an exact angle. Clamp the other side. Then cut against the guide. It works.
Of course, for something larger than 4 feet (The depth of the panels is 5 feet), it's a bit more difficult, but with the guide and the square, I can "walk" it across the board as necessary.
I have one wall finished, one almost finished, and one to go. Then I need to put a bit of moulding around so that it looks decent.
Photos when I'm finished.
All windows are finished. (I hope.) Bedroom paneling is getting close to done. I was feeling pretty good about it until I moved one of the mattresses.
Underneath, the 1/8" paneling used to hold up the mattress is turning to dust. So now I have a NEW project when I'm done with the walls.
At least it should be easier than the walls have been! Electrical outlets, electrical control panel for some of the lights, etc. What a job! Had to "fudge" on a couple of things to get those walls in right.
You are so going to town on this. You sound like you're about disgusted, but we know you're lovin' every minute (well, almost every minute).
It's not so bad. The REAL problem is, all these extra things come up on the inside, but spring is coming (I hope), and I need to do a LOT of work on the outside, starting with the leaky roof.
If I keep finding these things on the inside, I may never get started on the outside.
And, I know SWMBO and Ty will start pushing for camping very soon. That'll cause me to rush some things I should take a lot of time on to do right.
I think I'm getting too old for this! :-[
Ed your never too old for anything! Till they start throwing dirt on ya. Frank
Well, every time someone in one of the stores asks, "How are you?" I always say, "Well, today I managed to wake up on the right side of the sod."
But, maybe spring is out there somewhere. Of course, it's still too cold, and more snow might show up. But, at 6 this evening, it had alreayd dropped to a frigid 53 degrees. (Don't tell Tina!)
:laugh:
Still plugging away on the bedroom. But, I also started with that one bed platform. About half way with that. I have some photos, but haven't seen them yet, so I may or may not post them.
Anyway, on the platform, I'm using some cedar wood. It's not real thick, but thicker than what was there. And, it will have to be stained, etc.
Finished off the left front corner and wall tonight. I might have a photo of that, too, but can't remember. (As the man said, "They told me I have something wrong. Can't recall what, but it sounded something like "A**heimers.'" i?? i??)
I haven't finished the walls yet, but I've started on that bed platform. Instead of some kinda panel, like was in there, I'm using cedar wood. Not heavy stuff, mind you, but one piece boards and a little bit heavier.
They are all cut and ready to install, and tonight I stained them. Tomorrow, some kinda protection, like Varithane, or something, and then I';; put them in.
Not the greatest job, but a heckuva lot better than what was in there!
Quote from: OldEdBrady on March 06, 2010, 12:36 AM
Not the greatest job, but a heckuva lot better than what was in there!
Ed, this is the credo we
live by!
The platform is as done as it's gonna get. I had a photo or two, but haven't tried to post them yet. The females had a dance performance today, so most of my day was involved in getting them there, waiting for hours and hours, and then them doing their thing for about 5 or ten minutes, and bringing them home.
But I DID manage to get the platform finished. Now, just that one wall...
No big deal tonight.
I wanted to get that rear bedroom wall ready for the new panels. (Actually, I can probably do it with only one.) So, I started checking various things, and found that the moulding on the bathroom door hung over a little. So, I carefully pulled it all off. Then reset part of it. (The rest won't be there, since that will be taken care of by the new stuff I'm doing.)
Then I found the bathroom door would no longer close. No wonder the moulding was off!
So, I re-hung the door. Works just fine now. But, being the "master carpenter" that I am, it took me a while just to do that.
But now it's ready, and I may finally get that final wall done before the week is out.
I accomplished exactly zilch tonight.
In Utah, the Latter Day Saints (Mormon) have this thing they call Family Home Evening. Supposedly, the "good" Mormon families all stay home and communicate in one way or another. I don't know whether it's Monday or Tuesday.
Anyway, tonight we had Family Not At Home Meeting. We took Ty to a movie. Something about some frogs, or something like that. A Disney thing.
And that was AFTER she'd started throwing one of her little episodic things.
So, when we finally got home, I went to the Alfa and finished a movie I had been watching. That sucked! Strangest movie I ever tried to watch.
But, the kid ended up in a good mood, so it was worth it.
Maybe tomorrow I will be able to get some work done out there.
For the next week, I won't be doing much of anything in the Alfa.
BUT (there's that word again!) I've decided I'll just re-do almost all of the bedroom.
There was a half closet over the passenger side bed. The PO tried to cut it out, and did a lousy job of it. Most of it is still there, so I've been thinking of things I can do to repair it. Maybe I can, and maybe I can't.
Then, there's the bed on the passenger side. I haven't looked at the platform there (kinda afraid to), but I may end up replacing it, too.
Still waiting for the weather to allow me to work on the outside. No snow right now, but enough rain to keep me from doing anything. (this year we sent all the snow east. I was tired of it every winter. You're welcome, folks.)
I have determined that the Alfa is haunted.
I use a tool, put it down to get something, walk 5 feet, come back, and it's gone. Nowhere to be found. (How in the world can I lose a saw?!? Something that big?!?)
I search the trailer from front to back. Then do it again. And a third time. The tool is still among the missing.
Eventually, I find it somewhere where I KNOW I didn't put it.
Thus, it's hidden when I first put it down, and then moved around again while I'm searching for it.
Maybe I need to have a priest come in and get rid of that blasted ghost!
Oh, that ghost is everywhere. I think he lives here most of the time. It hides my wallet, keys, socks, and anything else I happen to need right now.
I'm telling you its the Evil Gnomes! There is a whole diatribe on them on our blog...lol!
Kev
As of now: The driver side paneling is in. The passenger side paneling is in. The front of the bedroom paneling is in (well, OK; almost.) Half of the rear wall paneling is in.
I've saved the wost for last. And that's the rear, passenger side. There's this thing hanging on the wall that I have to get around. It's not large--half a foot or so by maybe a foot--but it's a MAJOR pain. It won't come out. I think it must have been fastened to the wall when the trailer was built, and fastened from the OTHER side of the wall before the back of the trailer was finished. Anyway, there's no way to get it out without ripping out the bathroom walls, and I have NO intention of doing that.
So, I have to work around it some way.
Oh. And the small half-closet over one of the beds. As I said before, the PO (or maybe a PPO) tried to rip it out and made a total mess of everything. I've started on that, but haven't gotten too far yet. I'll have to rebuild part of it, and then finish off the rest to make it look halfway decent.
After I figure out the two hardest things left, then maybe I can do the cosmetic stuff and make it start to look a bit better.
I refuse to say "great" becuase I KNOW there are problems with what I've done. But, at least, it is looking better than it did.
After I finish the walls, the ceiling. And I have NO idea what I'll do with that, and I don't intend to do much of anything until I can work on the roof.
Tomorrow, I tackle that half closet the PO (or whomever) butchered. I couldn't today. It's Monday, and SWMBO and Little SWMBO have their dance classes on Mondays. So that was out. But I have the plans (such as they are) to kinda repair it.
I had to build a "box" to hold the paneling. That's in quotes because it's just a frame, really. And I hope (fingers crossed) that I can mount some kind of paneling over it to make it look half-way decent.
The only problem I can foresee is that I STILL have to finish off that final portion of the rear wall.
If I ever get this all done, then I will post photos.
Today was an almost total loss. SWMBO and I had to go to prison.
No; it wasn't visiting day. Call it a "Command Appearance."
An hour (or more) there, and hour (or more) back, plus around 2 hours there.
So, I decided that I'd just tinker tonight. I put in some of the moulding where I've finished the walls. Not much more than that.
But, I took some photos that I will attempt to post a little later. One (or is it two?) is that half closet where I have only the frame in. And, there's a photo or two of the mess I've managed to make so far.
The only thing I don't understand is, when I took the photos., the camera showed them as kinda purple. There ain't no purple in the whole trailer!
Oh, well. I'll just post them and forget about it.
That stupid half closet thing may be finished this weekend. Then I get to start on that final wall. I have NO idea how I will fix that with that stupid box handing on the wall. But, I;ve been thinking...
Hm?
The outside of the half closet is done. YES!
Now I have only 2/3 of the inside to do, and that's no problem.
Then the dreaded back passenger wall of the bedroom. I still shudder every time I look at it. Not because of the shape, but because of what I'll have to do with it.
:(
The half closet is rebuilt. All panels are in. All that's left (for now) is trim around everything, and I can start hoping for good weather to start on the outside.
For the trim, there's not a lot to do. Inside the claset thing, and a couple of places on the walls.
Photos will come when it's all done.
Only two spots still need the rim. Now I'm looking at the ceiling in the bedroom. But I can't do much with that until I get the roof fixed.
Always something!
$@!#@!
well ed call when your ready and well come down and give you a hand ..the stuff i used on our roof seemed to work no leaks..between the both of us we should knock it out in no time :)ThmbUp :)ThmbUp
alright that will work..still have a couple of months too decide
The Question. And The Answer.
The Question:
was asked on a PM why I used panels rather than paint or wallpaper to redo the bedroom on the Alfa.
The Answer:
I never thought about it.
Excellent job, Ed!
Kev
FINALLY, it's supposed to stay above freezing, so I thought it an excellent time to test the water heater.
Hooked up a hose with a regulator, turned on the water, and waited. Saw some water dripping. LOTS of water dripping. Out the rear.
Opened up the back panel. Yep; bad water line.
Turned off the water, relieved what little pressure was left, and removed the bad part of the line.
WHOA!! Two major splits in it. Both a foot or more.
So, I replaced that. Turned the wateer on again, and checked. No leaking. Good deal.
Saw some water dripping out of the right side, but I kno the black water tank needs work, so I thought that was it. Until I went inside.
The toilet line had completely blown off! Water everywhere.
Back to running like a madman to turn it off.
I know what the problem is, but I don't know how I'm going to fix it. Some ideas, but it all depends on whether anyone carries some of the crazy stuff I've thought of.
Still hadn't tested the water heater.
So, I used the shut-off valve and bypassed the toilet. Let the rest of the trailer get some pressure. Opened the taps in the kitchen area to allow the line and tank to fill.
Then the acid test: I hit the two switches necessary to get it going.
Lit right up! Running like a gazelle!
So, now the only major inside problem is the toilet. I'll figure something out eventually for that.
Well, I;ve figured out what to do about the toilet. Replace it. Too bad, too, since it is brand new. Never been used. But, the PO had no idea what he was doing, and put it in in a way that it is totally unusable. (See how I cleaned that last word up? :laugh:)
Anyway, I'm going to have to check out a multitude of sites/stores to find something I can actually use. AND afford.
So, that's one of the near future projects.
I've been backing off on this. don't know how much space is available, but it's not for me to use it all.
Anyway, I started on the bedroom ceiling (which is in terrible shape). I asked SWMBO what I should do with it. She wants it painted red. (Her words.)
However, her version of red and the world's version of red ain't quite the same. She's color blind (she'd kill me if she knew I'd told anyone that.)
So, it ain't turning out exactly red. It's a red color, but a Really dark one.
This evening, I came into the house and said to SWMBO, " The good news is, I THINK I've fixed the toilet in the trailer."
She said she didn't want to know the bad news. So, I started walking away, and she said, "OK; what's the bad news?"
I replied, "NO ONE wants to EVER know what I actually did."
W%
You can tell us... we're the bunch that does anything and everything to do what ya gotta go to fix things, remember?
OK. Since the Big Bossman asked...
The water inlet is composed of two pieces. Some kinda plastic that I never could figure out.
Anyway, the PO did it wrong. One piece where the water connects is supposed to be put into the toilet, and then a second piece screws one to hold it in place. The PO put the screw-on in with some kinda permanent glue--without the slide-in in place. Whatever glue he used, it wouldn't allow the thing to be removed.
Naturally, you couldn't get water to the thing becuase the slide-in wouldn't hold.
I have NO idea what kind of plastic those two things are, but they aren't the same kind. If I got glue for ABS, then one part is PVC. Or maybe vice versa. Or maybe they are something entirely different. I know I tried three different types of glue, including one that was designed to hold two different types of plastic together. NOTHING worked.
Over at my supplier's one day, I saw some stuff that said it would glue together anything. So, what the heck? I got some.
Thursday, I followed the directions carefully. Put glue on both parts. Wait 5-10 minutes and put them together. Make sure you've done it correctly the first time, 'cause they won't come apart again. Wait 24 hours for full cure.
Yesterday, I went out, hooked up the water line, and turned the valve on v-e-r-y slowly. No leaks!
What'd I use? Goop for plumbing. I've heard of Goop, of course. May have even used some sometime. But I never knew they had some specifically for plumbing.
Bottom line: The toilet is put together incorrectly, but it's holding (so far, anyway). I even opened the valve to full force, and it held.
Now you know.
i?? My Dad, many,many years ago had his own business fixing RV's. Usually it was beat up old rigs that the folks who owned them couldn't afford pricey repairs. Dad was of the old school like many here and would make up the wildest gizmos to get the job done. On the back of his business card was written and maybe this should be the Mantra of Classic Winnebago's and RV's : We the Willing :)clap
Lead by the Unknowing
Are doing the Impossible.
We have done so much
With so Little, For so Long
We are now Qualified
To do Anything with Nothing
I vote yes to adopt this as our mantra Frank
It certainly fits how I do things.
Usually, I decide what I want something to be like, then do it. When I'm finished (usually), it looks nothing like I wanted, and sometimes even looks better than I wanted.
Today I moved the Alfa for the first time. A humongous,, total 10 feet!
That was to get the Calypso out of the corner where she was. I did it too late today to make delivery, and Mondays are ALWAYS out. But, if things go well, I should be able to make delivery on Wednesday. We'll see... If I do, photos will be provided in the Calypso album.
Oh, and it appears I need about the largest ball hitch made. I have a 2 1/2 incher, and it seemed to be a bit too small.
.
Delivery of the Calypso is tentatively set for tomorrow (4/27/10) afternoon. If nothing goes wrong.
Why did I say that? I may have just jinxed it!
:(
I was right. The Calypso went nowhere today. High winds. Sand blowing in from the desert. It would be dangerous to try to put her up, and that's one of the things the next owner wants, of course, "How do I do it?"
And, all my hard work re-covering the Alfa has been almost for nothing. I had to re-cinch some of the taps (it takes two to cover it). Whether they'll hold through the night is anyone's guess.
:(
The "re-tarp" held better than the original, but wasn't completely safe in the winds. We had them up to 50 miles an hour. So, I can't complain too much.
The Calypso is still in the yard, though. Souldn't take it out in the winds. Now rain, snow, etc., for the next few days. Maybe Saturday?
SWMBO bought me this really neat video camera that also takes photos. So, today, I went out to get some shots of the "finished" product (at least, as finished as the interior is going to get). But had the stupid thing on video.
Now I only have to figure out how to post this thing somewhere.
Hm?
Post it on youtube or Mediafire and link it.
In a week or so, I FINALLY get to fix that window that wouldn't work.
Yesterday, I went to a local RV store and bought a couple of items. At the checkout, I saw a catalog belonging to the place. I asked the cost, and the guy said, "$2.99, but just take it."
Going through it, I FOUND THE PART I NEED!!
In fact, it comes with TWO pieces of that stupid aluminum. And the price? A whopping $2.91--FOR BOTH! Of course, it's special order, so I ordered the thing. Now all windows in the Alfa will work again. Amazing!
Over the weekend I sealed most (if not all) of the leaks in the roof. I hope I got them all, but I won't be foolish enough to say I did.
The stuff I used isn't what I would prefer (it's black), but if it seals the holes, then I won't complain. It'll be covered up when I finally get to cover the entire roof.
Got only ONE of the window things I was supposed to get. I was going to fix the thing, but I can't find the one I had, so I have to wait until they send the second one. Few more days, I was told. Once I get it, the one I was looking for will probably jump up and bite me.
But, things slowly coming along.
Rain, rain, and more rain. Gonna continue even tomorrow. So far, no leaks, but, then I didn't look too hard. I opened the door this evening and found a puddle. Fortunately, it was almost all on the mat I placed inside the door. It has a rubber backing, so water puddled there.
Checking things out, I found THAT leak was coming in over the door.
So, I put in some flashing above the door and siliconed it. Hope that works. Guess I'll frind out tomorrow... :(
Today I FINALLY got to fix that one window that was driving me nuts. Only took two hours.
I tried fixing it from the inside, since it was a bit chilly this a.m., but that didn't work at all. So I checked the other windows. It had to be fixed from the outside.
Then the window wouldn't open. One corner stuck. When I finally pried that corner out a bit, I found out why: A screw had been driven into it from the inside behind the wall paneling. No way to get to it without ripping out the wall.
Not to worry! Used an unattached hacksaw blade and cut the sucker off. Then pulled the tip out of the window.
After that, nothing too it.
So, now, ALL louvered windows work properly.
We had a brief gully washer yesterday evening, and I decided to look for any leaks I missed. Didn't even get beyond the doorway.
The window in the door was never sealed, and rain poured off the roof, into the window frame and on into the trailer. So I did a temporary fix on that. I was kinda afraid to look anywhere else at that time, but I'll have to break down and look this evening. After I do a "final" job on the doorway, of course.
I completely removed the window from the door. Then I ran a line of silicone along the edge of the frame, inside and out, and put it all back together. Hope that does it on that major leak.
I looked through the Alfa, but couldn't see where it had leaked anywhere else. It's the pinholes I'm not aware of that worry me now.
I fully intend to recover the entire roof. I need only two things: The money for the supplies, and a weekend without rain/snow/dust storms.If both should ever actually occur at the same time, it would probably be the end of time!
i??
In keeping with my last post...
Today would have been and excellent day to start on the roof project...except...
We've had rain, hail, winds, etc. In other words, Spring "has arrived" in the armpit of the Universe.
But, I DID hear that summer is supposed to be July 28, with atumn not until July 30.
$@!#@!
@*%&$^@(@)!&b and other $@!#@! stuff! Weather simply will not cooperate. This weekend is supposed to start off lousy and get a tiny bit better each day. Meantime, I'll have to deal with water standing on the roof, so NO repairs.
At least it isn't snowing now (for the moment anyway).
We've had snow here in July. Hope this isn't one of those years.
This coming weekend is supposed to be half way decent. (We'll see.) If so, I hope to get started on the roof Friday. Clean it up and let it dry out. Stuff like that. And, if THAT works, maybe start the repair on Saturday.
Of course, with my luck, either the weather will be lousy, or the wife will "have plans." :(
FYI... Ed was not one of the co-authors of, "The Power of Positive Thinking".
OK. I'm POSITIVE something will screw up the entire thing.
That better? It's a positive thought. W%
Unfortunately, the thing needs a heckuva lot more than caulk. I know what I need to use, but I have to cover bare metal down the entire length of the trailer.
Believe me, I'm at my supplier's place so often, some of them are convinced I either work there, or I'm some kinda company spy sent to check on them.
Dryest May in years,june has brought much rain all around but not right here. 30% chance of severe thonderstorms today-not gonna happen here,either east or southwest,I'll bet. Texas sure has wierd weather!!! Ed
As if the weather report wasn't enough...
SWMBO has DECREED that we will make our maiden voyage this weekend. Rain, no rain, whatever. In fact, she has made reservations with the local campground for the ENTIRE summer!
Well, that ain't gonna work. I still have my plans for July, and that is that (I hope)).
???
Taking her out isn't a problem. Bringing her back and putting her in the driveway...
i??
itll be alright ed..just pretend its lil darln but bigger and you should be fine...if not..put her in the front yard and go out the door to camp..then call and well be down and ill help you put her back...
we made it to the campground without me hitting anything, losing the trailer, or running anyone off the road. That's progress, I suppose.
Relaxing. I'm not used to that much trailer on the rear, but it wasn't bad. And the setup was LOTS faster than with the Calypso. No winding up the top, pulling out the beds, setting up the tenting. Yep. Lots faster and easier.
Good show, good show :)clap
SWMBO has decided that, this coming weekend, we are going to Idaho. Now I'm supposed to haul a 27-foot trailer--WHICH NEEDS THE ROOF FIXED--for a single night in another state. This is starting to get silly.
SWMBO has already said that the Alfamust be named. I leave it up to her on those things. It's safer that way, W%
And, the news this a.m. is that the weather is going to be lousy this weekend. Figures.
With all the rain we encountered this weekend, I've fond there are STILL small leaks at the front driver's side and over the fridge area. Gotta get those fixed.
STILL heed to recover the roof. Maybe I'll get that done this week sometime--but I wouldn't bet on it.
I also learned (the hard way, naturally) that the air bags on the truck work when the psi is 70-75. NOT somewhere around 50.
Just a thought for anyone else who may have those things installed.
The PO's wife came by today, and SWMBO took her out to the Alfa. It appears I may have done something right, after all. She liked the new look.
The remodeled bedroom was a total hit, as wel as the blue carpet. It lightens the whole place up considerably.
The carpet part was a no-brainer. What was in there might have beeen the original. The color was indeterminate. It was pieced in in quite a few places. So, almost ANYTHING was better. And, laying it in as a single piece (except that one corner) made a heckuva difference. No edges to come up and stumble over--which was the situation with what had been in there.
As for the bedroom, from holes in the walls to complete coverage? I coulda used newspapers for coverage and it would have been an improvement.
Hmmm. News paper for wall paper now thats an idea Would work well in a bathroom You would always have something to read ! Frank
This weekend was supposed to be for the "great roof project." The campgound we normally use was booked solid. (No room at the inn.) Yesterday, someone called and they've had some cancellations, and the spot SWMBO thinks of as
"ours" is free.
So much for the roof. :(
Yesterday, SWMBO finally admitted the actual cost of the Alfa. Fortunately, paramedics were not required. But close.
Now I don't wanna know! :(
(and the spot SWMBO thinks of as "ours" is free.)
Free.... The price is right..... W%
My truck has a stabilizer on the front axle, and air bags on the rear axle. This coming weekend, someone is coming to help me add a stabilizer to the trailer. Just a small welding job, really.
And, this past weekend, the rear wheel on the right started trying to freeze up. I was able to get it rolling again, and he's gonna help me with that.
Strangest part? I only see this guy once a week for maybe 10-15 minutes for the last couple of months. But he volunteered this past Monday.
I don't know whether he has an RV, likes camping, nor anything else. But I intend to find out, and, if he's interested, get him in this group. One of the things he is/wasinvolved in is auto/car mechanics, so he may have some tips for someone in need.
I think I'm getting too old for this. Only one problem resolved today.
Jacked up the passenger side of the trailer and set her on stands. Pulled the rear wheel. Pieces fell out. No wonder the thing locked up!
Spent hours taking it apart, looking for replacements, and then putting the new stuff in.
The bearings were good, at least.
So, of course, the other wheels needed to be checked. Only the one was a problem.
By the time I finished, Aurthur Itus had come by, and had been "observing" for about 3 hours. But I had to ignore him to finish the job.
But I still wasn't done.
The vent in the bathroom had broken. No help for it but to replace it. So I did. In case, you didn't know, those things are held down with 24 screws. So, 48 screws later (24 out, 24 in) that was done. By that time, I could hardly move.
I started this past about 15-20 minutes ago. It's hard to type when your hands hurt.
But, I'll get over it. I always do.
When I started all this, I had to replace some of the lighting. Most of it was of the el cheapo variety. The other evening, I was looking at one of my catalogs, and saw some really fancy stuff.
However, the prices were horrendous! I thought about it (which, as some of you know, can be a dangerous thing to do) and figured I could do it cheaper.
So, off I went today to my supplier. Found a nice ceiling light. For 120V, of course. However, the light I wanted to experiment with was 12V. In addition, the existing fixture had its own on/off switch. The one I found didn't.
Did that stop me? Get real!
First of all, it took me forever to get the thing mounted. I must have put parts up and taken them down about 12 (or more) times, trying to get everything where it belonged.
But, I never claimed to be smart, so I kept at it
I wired the 110 stuff to the 12V wiring. I went to the local car parts store and got a switch, drilled a small hole in the base of the light, and mounted it. Ran the black wire to that switch, white wiring straight through, and got it all mounted. AND IT WORKS! Picked up some 12V bulbs at the local RV parts dealer. Works just fine.
Oh. And cost? Just under $20.
Today's "tasks" wer to (1) replace the faucet controls for the tub/shower, and (2) replace the 30 amp plug.
The faucet part was a nightmare. there was absolutely NO room. I could feel the connections by going through the electrical door on the outside. But I couldn't see anything, and I certainly had no room there.
Behind the faucet is a small closet. So, I cut a hole in the closet wall. Even that wasn't easy. As I said, a SMALL closet. But, first I drilled 4 holes approximately where I thought the faucet connections would be, and then I used one of the small hand saws made for wallboard to cut through the panel. It worked, and I was almost right on. Then getting the old connections off. What a nightmare! The fixture must have been original, and I had about 2 inches of space to work with.
But, persistence (plus a lot of language you won't hear in church), I finally got it out. Put the new one in, siliconed it at the tub wall, and hooked her up.
Then the acid test. Add water. I did. Checked. Re-checked. It held! Miracle!
So, on to, the electrical. I searched high and low for one of those 30 amp plugs, that you just fasten the wires in, but no luck locally. so, a temp fix until I can find what I need. theold plug had been glued to a 30 amp to 15 amp adapter, and I tore both of them up trying to get them apart. So, now I have what I need, and I got a new adapter. But NOT glued in.
For an over-30 trailer in need of more work, the Alfa has been amazingly stable on our trip. She's extremely heavy. That was readily apparent going through the mountains of Montana. Gas alone to pull her was somewhere around $400. But, then, we also crossed the Continental Divide three or four times.
Before leaving, I also added a stabilizing bar to the thing, and that helped amazingly. There were times when it was obvious to me that the wind and traffic conditions would have had the thing swaying as if it were listening to one of those old swing bands.
Lots of work remaining, but she's doing well.
Back on the road tomorrow. Checked the trailer tires this a.m. Driver's side ones a bit low. Passenger side ones right on. Pulled out that handy dandy 12V pump and brought the two up.
Hotter than Hades in the trailer. And it will stay that way until I can connect her to some electricity. She's been sitting in the local Wally World parking lot since we got here. Temps have been between 95 and 100 ever since we arrived, and the humidity has been somewhere in the area of 90-98 per cent.
In fact, a couple of days ago, we had what they're calling a "100-year rain." Heavy flooding in some parts of the state, and I noticed yesterday that the Mississippi is a touch above flood stage.
It's obvious to me that I have to figure out something to lighten up the Alfa. I don't really want to gut her and then rebuild, but I have to do something. She must weigh a couple of tons. Gas mileage alone shows that. It could be worse, but it certainly could be better.
Yesterday, in Rock Springs, wyo., SWMBO wanted to go to a store. So, I set up the Alfa and off we went down the freeway. Somewhere along the way, I inadvertently named the thing. My comment was, "Boy! This truck sure handles differently without Ten-Ton Tilly attached!"
SWMBO declared the thing was named.
Recovering financially from our little jaunt means that, for quite some time, the only improvements on the trailer will be minor stuff. SWMBO has spoken! ???
Starting to think about the outside of the trailer. Need LOTS of paint. But want to find the right kind/colors. SWMBO has already decreed the colors, so that's pretty much taken care of. I just need to decide what they will look like when they're put on.
I'll get it figured out. I just hope it's before that horrible frozen rain starts to fall again,
The colors themselves are fixed. SWMBO has spoken! I only get to decide HOW they will look (with close supervision throughout the process, I'm sure).
SWMBO says I spend entirely too much time at my supplier's (Home Depot) place. I disagreed with her, naturally.
Today I had to go pick up some minor items for the trailer. The people there are very polite, and offer to help you locate anything you wnat.
Anyway, one of the women greeted me, and I responded, thinking nothing of it. She turned to another woman and said, "He lives here."
I've never seen either of them before! ???
I've decided to convert the water heater to 110V rather than propane. The kit is on order. Sure hope I figure out what I'm doing!
Got a minor windfall over the weekend. So now I guess I may (and it's just a "maybe") have enough funds to start on the roof. If I ever figure out what I'm supposed to be doing.
Yes; I've read the posts and looked at the photos of what others have done. I still don't really know what I'm doing. As usual.
i DID manage to do a minor repair/addition today. The vents are all non-powered, and, I think, original. I base this on the fact that if you look too hard at the garnishes, they crumble.
Anyway, in the living area, I decide to install a powered vent. But not the entire thing. I bought one of the Hong's Vortex upgrades, took out the old screen and bottom part of the garnish, installed and wired it (without blowing fuses, getting shocked, etc) and put in a new garnish on the bottom. Looks like a brand new vent! And it only took about 4 hours (for me--most people could probably do it in 10 minutes).
Now, the trailer won't be filling with smoke when I cook, or have a smoke. (Yeah. I have do nasty stuff. As I told the doctor when SWMBO FORCED me to have a checkup, I've been smoking for over 60 years, and it's starting to be a habit..)
I converted the water heater today. And it worked! (I must have done something wrong.)
It was amazingly simple. All instructions were included for hooking it up. It only took me about 3 hours, which means most people could do it in about 50 minutes to an hour.
Of course, using electric, it takes a bit longer for the water to get hot, but that's a minor thing.
This thing was made by Camco. It is supposed to allow you to switch between propane and electric, but, since the propane no longer works, I have electric only.
As long as it works, who cares?
I forgot to add this. Most propane heaters have a set temperature. This allows me to vary it so that I don't barbeque SWMBO, the kid, nor me.
Fixed a small leak in the bathroom. Didn't do much of anything else. I think retirement is starting to grow on me--and I haven't even retired yet.
Like the Idea for the electric water heater, found a Camco also for a 6 gallon. now we need to start a new thread on the subject, darn.
Well Ed, I found that the correct definition of Re Tired is I was tired Yesterday and im tired again today Frank
JDexper, I started a thread in the repair area on this thing. There was one link posted but it was to a specific supplier. I'm sure others either have it, or can get it.
I really like this thing, too. It saved me about $500!
Yesterday evening I was puttering around in the trailer. When I finished, I was going to wash my hands. No water.
Checked under the trailer. No leaks.
Checked the hose. No leaks.
At first, I thought it might be the filter was clogged. So, I shut off the water at the house, pulled the filter, and connected the hose directly. No water.
Then I removed the hose from the trailer again, and just turned the water on. Nada.
Come to find out, the pressure regulator wasn't allowing any water to pass through.
This is worrisome, since I paid an astronomical $10 for it about 6 years ago when I had the Winnie. Now I have to replace it.
NOTHING is made to last any more. Why, the thing has cost me about $1.67 a year to own!!
i??
Today I finally broke down and got something I've wanted for a long, long time: A generator. It's a 35KW thing.
So, set it put, fired it up, worked perfectly. Then started looking on where I can put it.
Know what? There is NO PLACE that it will fit in the trailer! Now what?
???
Propane for heating and cooking.
But the bumper thing is an idea I will mull over.
Oh. And I STILL can't post on the Gear Box, so I can't answer any questions there.
And, yes; I lost the decimal. It is 3.5KW. Not 35. The neighbors (and the rest of the town) are on their own if there's a power outage.
Today I plan to start working on that roof. Don't know how far I'll get, nor even if I'll get started.
SWMBO insists I have new tires put on the truck. And, while I'm at it, have safety and emissions checks done. Then there's the task with cleaning out my room. My personal space where I save all of those dead computers and parts. I might need that stuff some day!
But, at least I have the INTENTION of starting on the roof today. W%
Quote from: OldEdBrady on September 11, 2010, 11:10 AM
Today I plan to start working on that roof. Don't know how far I'll get, nor even if I'll get started.......
But, at least I have the INTENTION of starting on the roof today. W%
That's what I'm talking about! A true Procrastinator's Positive Plan of Action (Also abbreviated: PPPA in the
Housewive's Handbook of Understanding the Male Species)
Actually, I DID start on the roof today. Scraped, sanded, cleaned, scraped and sanded some more and then cleaned it. Then put down some Eternabond. After all that I had one tiny corner finished. Took me hours to do.
At this rate, the roof will be totally repaired some time in 2130.
I haven't managed to do anything with the trailer in the last week. SWMBO has been under the weather (a LOT under the weather), and everything else is on hold until further notice.
SWMBO is still not over her illness, and may not be for a month or more. BUT...
Tomorrow, one of my sons-in-law is going to help me remove the rear stabilizer from the Alfa. It was damaged, and cannot be repaired. So, he's going to cut it out, and then I can figure out something permanent to replace it.
Friday my son-in-law (Class C King) cut off the old rear stablizer jacks. They were destroyed by the PO--I suppose by backing over something.
Yesterday, I got new jacks and tried to mount them. Followed directions exactly as printed. What a loss. The bolts break off. They simply will not go through the steel with the size hole called for, and the next size up is too big. They push right through.
So, I guess I'll have to have them welded on. $@!#@!
It's always something.
alrighty ed we can do that...that will be easier than taken them off...ill come down and look at it and hopefully we can get the bolts to work and weld it to......I will bring my purswaiders(not even close huh) and well get ya hooked up :)clap...we may need that six foot pipe again :)rotflmao
With the bolts snapping off before they're fully set, the "persuader" won't do any good. Only welding will hold them now.
I decided that since we have to weld the rear stabilizers on, I'd just go ahead and put some nearer the front, too. So, I picked up a pair today, and put them up to the frame. So, now it's 4 stabilizers that need to be welded.
And, I didn't put them too far forward. I put the one on the right (passenger) side just in front of the steps, and the other on the other side in the same spot (uyes; I measured it).
And, I'm wiring in a controller for the small solar panel I have for the batteries. It's mostly done, and easy to do, but it got too late to finish. I only have one wire to connect, and then run the wire where it won't geet caught in other things or drag on the ground. I just didn't want the little panel to overcharge the batteries.
With retirement eminent (less then 40 days), I'll have more time to devote to getting Ten Ton Tillie into shape.
All 4 stabilizer jacks are welded on, and I'm TOTALLY worn out! All of that half-baked supervising--while the son-in-law did the work--wore me completely down.
There's a lot to dok, and I haven't decided what to work on next. Of course, that depends on what it is, and how much help I may need. (The son-in-law is now planning a l-o-n-g trip out of state after reading this.) :laugh:
only if your driving.... :)rotflmao
I was gonna hook up the AAlfa tomorrw and hjaul her off to a local campground. Just to get SWMBO out of the house for a while. No dice. She has some kinda thing going on in Salt Lake City tomorrow evening, so I guess I'll just putter around some more and see what more damage I can do.
SWMBO has been complaining off and on that I take up too much space with "stuff." So, I built a shelf in the trailer today. It's about 5 1/2 feet long, and it's for my few DVDs. Turns out, I have more than I thought. The shelf is full, and there's no room for even a single one more. Maybe she was right for once.? ???
Anyway, I put it in the bedroom area, high enough that no one is going to hit his/her head on it (and that includes me) unless he/she is totally clueless.
Today I did a little electrical work in the Alfa. Mighty little, as evidence4d by the fact I only blew one fuse.
And, I did a bit of wor4k on the vents. Insude stuff, of course, since it's been raining all day long.
OI had two vents I was making some changes to. I'd purchased a garnish, and found it was too big (top to bottom). But, I decided to use it temporarily.
I had also pulled the garnish from where I had been doing the electrical stuff. So, that had to be put back togetrher , too.
Somewhere along the way, I gtot the two garnishes mixed up. As a result, BOTH fit perfectly.
Amazing how my screwups work out! i??
Didn't get to take the aAlfa out. :'(
So, instead, I started doing some minor insude painting. (Bad weather, ya know; can't do much outside.)
I painted the kitchen area celiing (white) and the bathroom ceiling (white), and HOPE to paint the "living" area tomorrow (gold--metallic gold).
Other than that, it was our start of the third year with Ty, so we spent a lot of the day just doing things with/for her.
The metallic gold was a total bust. So I ended up going with something lighter. a LOT lighter. Now it's kinda a lime green. Sounds horrible, but turned out not to be.
Now the paintintg is done. Inside. If the weather will just hold off long enough for me to finally retire (less than 25 days), then I can get to some of that outside stuff that is essential.
Last week's camping was a bust. So, By golly, I'm here now! Normally, we would havecome on Saturday, stated overnight, and then go home. But I decided we would just come tonight, spend all day tomorrow and then go home on Sunday.
And, one of the leveling jacks has to be re-welded. It came right off. The other 3 are fine.
I've started on the furnace. How far will I get before I screw something up? Not very far, I'm sure.
Obviously, I have a long way to go with getting the furnace in. So far, I only have 15 cuts on my hands. One of them particularly nasty.
I think I'm required to have 50 cuts to be able to say the job is done. W%
now ed you know the rules...Your not done till you lost atleast one tool (the one you need)..bump your head a least three times (in the same spot)..And you have someone who knows nothin about what your doing tells you what to do...and after you run out of beer..then your done :)rotflmao
Fortunately, I don't have to cut new holes. However, the one on the outside will give me fits, since the old one was that side-by-side thing and now I have to go over and under.
As for the ductwork inside, I really only have to make one minor change, plus replace the hoses themselves. The old setup ran one hose from the furnace to the bedroom area through a junction box and from there to the bathroom. With this furnace, the instructions say there MUST be at least 3 outlets working, so I'll just plug the junction on the bathroom end and run a separate hose from the furnace to that area.
The front register is just fine where it is, and I'll just replace the hose there.
I spent most of the day fooling with the furnace. First I cut up a 2x4 into 3 pieces to set the furnace on. Still not high enough, but close. So, I got some of the scrap left over from the bedroom re-do and cut that up. Just about perfect! So I fastened the entire thing to the floor.
Next, ductwork. Now I have a problem. That line that ran from the furnace to the bedroom and then to the bathroom is in a TIGHT spot. I tried to enlarge it, but I can't too much, since some major wall supports get in the way. I stiall haven't figured that one out.
I thought I'd be ready to hook up and test this p.m. That's what I get for trying to do my own thinking.
I even went to my supplier and bought a flaring tool for the gas line.
Well, at least I have it when (and if) I ever get the thing ready to give the smoke test.
The only thing that actually worked today, first time, was when the son-in-law came over and re-welded the one jack back on. He had a difficult time doing it, and wondered why. I told him it was only because the other 3 went on first time, no problem.
Second try to post this.
I finally got the furnace in today. I'm not finished, but it's where it's going, and that's that.
On the ductwork, I tried that semi-flexible aluminum stuff. Worked fine for the living area. After that, it was a total fiasco.
So, I went to the flexible aluminized dryer hoses. Worked just fine.
The gas line gave me fits. Never used a flaring tool before, and I had many "experiments." Finally figured it out, and got that done. But I was worried with all the cutting I had to do to take out my mistakes that I'd run out of line and have to replace that whole thing, too.
But it finally worked. Then, put the furnace in place, tighten everything, check outside to make certain those vents were clear, fasten the furnace down, and give it the smoke test.
I must have done it wrong. No gas leaks. Nothing like that. But I have to listen AWFULLY hard to hear it lrunning. With the old one, everyone within 300 feet knew when it was running.
But, that's done. Now it's just a matter of figuring out how I'm gonna cover that huge hole in the side of thetrailer. And I have an idea or two anbout that.
The outside hole is covered. It looks as if I did it, but it's covered.
The thing had some sheet metal over it. And two holes with that side-by-side configuration. Needed the over and under thing. So, I took the old plate off, measured. Measured again. still wasn't certain, but started cutting anyway.
I used a Dremel-style thing to cut holes in the plate. Wore out six cutting disks just doing that. Ran out of disks.
So, I pulled the hacksaw blade out of the holder, and cut the rest by hand. Aurthur (Itus) is with me tonight).
then fastened the old plate in place. Looks terrible, but the hole is covered. If I can ever figure out a way to put something decent in, I'll be first in line.
And it fit! First time! Once again, I must have done something wrong, since there's NO WAY I can do it right the first time.
Nothing major. The TV we had in there was sitting on a small table. When we traveled, I had to take it into the bedroom and lay it on one of the beds to prevent damage.
When we were using it, the table was pretty low, and Ty had to sit on the floor. And it was not always possible for even that to work, since the TV was low enough that her just moving around would cause compalints about blocking it.
So, I mounted the thing on the wall at the side of the fridge. Works fine there.
Then there was the deal with video connections. When using the antenna on the Alfa, I ran a line from the bedroom ceiling to the TV. Then we kept ducking it, or i would find some way to hold it up out of the way.
If using cable, then I had to disconnect the antenna, and connect to the outside connection.
So, I put in an A-B switch. Ran the outside connection to one side and the antenna to the other. Ran the line from the antenna connection and fastened it down as I went.
So, now, none of that changing everything depending upon what system we are using.
And, the all mount for the TV is one of those that allows swinging side-to-side, and a tilt ability. Makes it much easier to use now, and Ty can actually sit in a chair! No blockage any more unless one of us stands in front of it.
After two or three days playing Mom, Dad, Confessor, Chauffeur, etc., I took labbie's advie and went out 6to the trailer to check that "problem" with the TV. DVD worked fine. Off-air worked fine. Only took me four or five hours to confirm it, too. :angel:
With the frozen rain, cold wind, etc., I couldn't do too much today. So I spent the day building a small shelf. It'll be for more of my DVDs. The board I bought was wider than the last one, so I had to shorten the width, as well as the length. And stain it. And put it together.
All in all, just puttering. But, at the same time, adding to things.
Of course, the Old Woman says I already have too many shelves. But when you've got hundreds of DVDs, you have to put them somewhere, don't you? :angel:
I've started on the outside of the Alfa. Since the weather is so lousy (all that nasty frozen white stuff), I can't do a wole lot, so I started small. VERY small.
The windows have covers over the screws that hold them in. Well, let's say most have covers, and those that are covered have brittle, falling-apart pieces of plastic over them.
So, I went to State Trailer and bought every single piece of replacement they had in white. And, started cutting and replacing yesterday. This is not too much trouble in the lousy weather since I can do the cutting inside, and then just be outside long enough to insert each piece.
All windows on the entrance side are now fixed, and I've started on the other side. Probably will finish that today.
My biggest problem will be the front end. It appears I may have to remove the awning to put in the top piece--something I'd rather get around if I can.
As I said, it's just a minor project, but something that has to be done sooner or later, and, since I can't do much else in the weather we have, at least there's some kinda progress going on.
It's just about impossible to do anything for a while. The cold has set in. That ugly, nasty white staff is everywhere. This a.m. I went out to start the truck, and saw it was 5 degrees. But I misread it. It turned out to be a blistering 14.
With the Alaskan weather we've been having, I got tired of refilling the propane tanks every three or four days. So today, I got rid of the 20# tanks and put 30# tanks in. Got a heckuva deal, too. The place was going from one brand to another, and had only two of the old brand left. The new ones were about $120 each. I got the two older brands (still quite in keeping with the "testing" dates), had them filled, and got a cover for them. Total cost $200.16.
I DID have to replace the post that held the old ones down. And I couldn't get less than a 3-footer, so that will have to be cut off somehow--in place. That cost an additional whopping $3.50.
So, entire thing changed with propane, less than the cost of two "new" tanks.
I don't have one of those fancy big cutting wheels to cut the post with. And, using a hacksaw was not possible, due to tight space. So, I used a dremel with diamond cutting disks. I cut the post on the propane tanks with that.
Took quite a while, since I had to stop every so often to let the dremel cool. But, got her done.
Last night, the son-oin-law (ClassCKing) looked it all over. He said, "Last time I saw anything that big, it was on the space shuttle" :laugh:
Naturally, they aren't that large.
Anyway, that's all set. Now if it were only Spring. I still need to get to work on the outside of the Alfabago. (Yeah; Tina had the decals made and shipped, and they'll go on once I get her painted. So the trailer is "officially" named.)
SWMBO has decided she doesn't like the green ceiling in the living area. I suppose that's because SHE selected the color.
So, I have to repaint. And it's going to be white. Period. With the color she selected, it's gonna take at least two coats to cover it. So, tomorrow, I start fixing what she said was so necessary. D:oH!
The living area ceiling is white. It's done. And, I managed to make some minor repairs on interior moulding. I'm not finished with that, but I got most of it done.
AND, I managed to get the exterior moulding in on the front window without taking out the awning. I "cheated" a little, though. I took a small piece of wood, a hammer, and the moulding, got up on the tongue of the trailer, and put the moulding in, kinda. Then, in the center, I put the wood against it, smacked it with the hammer, and voila! It stayed. Then it was just a matter of working to each end to put the rest in.
It worked, so who am I to question progress?
Even though the weather is kinda lousy, I thought I'd get that rear hatch door fixed today. Got everything I needed. Put new wether stripping in, put new screw covers in. Set up 1/2" plywood and 1/8" waterproof covering. Glued them together. Got ready to cut to size.
Then errands. Pick up the girl from school. Go to the store. Things like that. By the time i was actually ready to start cutting, the rain started. Cold. Some snow in it.
BUT, I have no place to put an 8"x4" piece of wood. So, rain or no rain, I had to cut it so that I could at least put the two pieces in the trailer and work on it again tomorrow (or the next day, or the...).
As I've said in prior posts, my power tools are sadly lacking. So, yep; cutt 'er with a handsaw.
I DO NOT recommend cutting, nailing, etc., ANYTHING in cold rain. Took about 20 minutes to get through it. And I'm not too sure I'll be able to do much with it tomorrow. The cold and rain will probably allow Mr. Arthur Itis to come visit me over night. :(
Well, the project was a bust. Doing it with hand tools ain't gonna work. So, SWMBO insisted I get at least a power saw of some kind.
I went to a supplier (not my usual one) and picked up a set of battery-powered tools. Circular saw, sander and a drill. Also had a light in it, which I don't need. Didn't really need the drill, iether, but it came with.
I can use the ruined stuff for another project I have in mind. But I'll have to replace what I was working on and start over.
And, I found an 8-foot cutting guide, which would have helped in the first place.
So, today, I'm not sure what I'll do. It's either continue with the project I had, or use what's left of that project and work on the second one. Probably the first one is more important, because the rear hatch is now open to the elements. And, at this time of year in Utah, the "elements" can change at any second from cold sunshine to freezing white rain. Or dense fog. Or just about anything except decent weather.
Hmmm. And you comment on persons making up unbeleivable storys. No one can have that much bad luck Hm? Frank
BTW ed,
You initially threw me.
8" x 4" = 8 inches by 4 inches.
8' x 4' is 8 feet by 4 feet
Dave
8 FEET x 4 FEET. I don't play around with the small stuff. :)
PROGRESS!
Today I set the middle panel of the front awning. It's not totally done, but I have only one piece to put in, and I can re-hang it. Then, next, will be the two end panels.
After it is hung, I will post the before/after pnotos.
The "original" awning (meaning a PO changed things for the worse) was pieces of that green fiberglass roofing material. The outside of it was painted white. The inside remained green.
I broke and scraped all of that out, completely took the awming metal apart, painted the metal, cut some plywood for the center, covered it with a waterproof vinyl, and started gluing it in and sealing the edges.
I still have to set the top part of the frame in place and glue/seal it and then re-hang it.
Oh, and I used one of the decals I have on the panel, so it'll be in the photo when I post it. I haven't looked lately, but Sob said the Alfa album is totally gone, and I need to restore it, but I'll just recreate the basic album for now and stick the two photos in there.
OK. I didn't get the photos posted. And that's becxause I didn't take them.
I spent A_L_L_L_L day fixing the front awming. Got 'er done. And I have to say, it looks as if it wre done by a total amateur. (Wonder why?) But, that's the way she's gonna stay.
Actually, it is.t TOO bad. Just the center panel off a few inches. But it'll work.
AND, I got started again on the rear hatch door. Cut the plywoood. Check. Try it out to make sure it'll fit. Check. Cut the waterrproof covering. Uh. Problem. What I have won't work. Off 4 1/2 " in one direction. But I have HUNDREDS of square yards of the stuff! (Can you say, "Things are tough all over"?)
No matter. Won't work.
By then, I'd spent almost the entire day at the projects, so I just gave it a rest for the night. Maybe tomorrow.
AND, I learned something with these new power tools. Well, OK. One of the power tools. Keep your fingers away from the blade of the power saw. (Learn something every day.) I didn't lose a finger, but I sure put a gash in one of them.
Oh, well. tomorrow is another day.
And... don't get your loose shirt too close to a wire wheel rust stripper... or, steady a bumper with your leg when you have a 1" drill bit angled toward it.... I could go on and on...
Thanks for the tips, Sob. Just need to keep in mind all that minor stuff. ???
I fougth with the rear hatch door almost all day long. It was already cut, so I only had to cover it and hang it. Sure! $@!#@!
The thing simply would not stay in the mount on the trailer. I fought with it. Gave up for a while. Fought with it some more. Gave up again. And fought with it a third time. Got it in.
So, all I needed was to install the hardware. Wouldn't work. Simply would NOT latch the thing.
Then the rain started. $@!#@! $@!#@!
So, all I could do was cover the entire thing with plastic and hope for the best. They say lthat horrid frozen white rain is on the way. $@!#@! $@!#@! $@!#@!
So much for today. At least I got to watch a few more episodes of the Rat Patrol tonight.
OK. Two photos posted. The first is the original photo of the Alfa. It shows, inda, how the awming WAS. The second is how it is now. The second one I took this a.m. while still sitting in my truck after taking the kid to school. (It was too cold for me to be outside for very long.)
They are at:
http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php?action=mgallery;sa=album;id=328
What's all that pretty white stuff around the Alfa? :)rotflmao
It's dandruff. Ever wonder where dandruff comes from? Ogden, Utah. It's the domestic and export dandruff capital of the world. Two days ago, the volumetric pressure in the dandruff curing tanks, which look like and are the size of large beer vats, underwent an inexplicable and massive increase which caused the vats to blow. The dandruff was dispersed into the atmosphere and cascaded down upon the surrounding geography in a 100 mile radius, accumulating to several inches and causing much havoc.
Or... it might be snow.
It's that nasty, imported, dastardly frozen white rain. :'(
We had that dasterdly frozen rain event today. Hate this weather I'm too old for this. :D $@!#@! :angel:
I've totally given up on the rear door. I'll put the piece of junk back that was already there.
I measured. Measured again. Got the supplies. Measured again. Removed the old "door" and started cutting. Measured again.
Finally, got what was needed all put together. Measured again. Egverything matched.
Took the 'new" door out and tried to put it in. Didn't fit. Too big in one spot, too little in another. Yet, it was a SQUARE opening, and the new door was SQUARE.
I give up.
sounds as if you have as much fun as I do putting a square peg in a round hole :'( $@!#@! :)rotflmao
Hey Ed its like working on an old house, Ya make parts out of cardboard first(like they do for counter tops) for a template, thing are not always as they appear or measure.
! You can add material using tape and cut off useing sissors till you get a shape that fits then use your template to cut final material Frank
I've pretty much restored the Alfa album. Some of the photos that were there are no longer in. And some that weren't ARE in. But it's the best I could come up with.
I haven't put the old so-called door back yet. But I DID make progress. I removed everything from what I was trying to do, and cleaned it up somewhat. AND, I started cleaning my mess oput of the trailer. Although SWMBO and the rotten kid don't know it yet, I HOPE to be in a campground on New Year's Eve.
SWMBO wanted to have Christmas in the park at Willard Bay, but I convinced her that, with all the junk she got the girl, we wouldn't have room to go ourselves.
So, that part is done. At least I accomplished SOMETHING this week, even if it was just dimplomacy of a sort.
It appears my plans for the New Year, and any long work projects on the Alfa are over for a while. SWMBO is again in the hospital. The pneumonia is back with a vengance.
So, Merry Christmas to everyone, and Happy New Year's. We'll do ours as best we can.
Could be worse...
SWMBO is home again. So, I can go back to doing some things. I can only perform minor screwups for a while, though. I have to keep any eye on her, since she's in worse shape than the last time we went through this.
But, as long as I can foul up something--even a little thing--it means I'm making my kind of "progress."
Third time a charm? I've been attempting to post this, but I guess my ISP is on vacation or something.
Anywhere, I've just been puttering around in the trailer. It's too blasted cold to really do much.
I HAVE doen a small bit of cosmetic work on the living area in the trailer. And, with the rain, snow, partial thawing, etc., I;ve discovered there's a major leak in the left side of the roof. Until it's kinda warm again, I can't do much about it. But, once it warms a bit, maybe I can REALLY make it a major leak.
But, for now, just staying fairly close to home. What with the Old Woman sick, I can't go too far nor too long.
But I'm sure thankful for that furnace. If it wren't for that, I couldn't even go out there and do what damage I've managed to fit in.
Try again.
As most of you know, I purchased a generator some time back. And, I've been looking for a way to include it with the Alfa. There's no way to put it in the trailer unless I want to spend time every time we go out loading it in and then taking it out, and loading it in...
Yesterday I went to Harbor Freight to get a specific item, and, while there, found a bumper mount. This is kinda like a tow bar, but just a tiny thing. I don't recall the price, but it was less than $20.
So, I'll have it welded on the bumper, but I'm not ready to do that yet. I want to get some kinda carrier to put the generator in. I saw one, but I wasn't ready to drop $100 for it. At least, not yet.
I have to have the carrier before any welding is done so that I know precisely (or as precisely as I ever get) where to have it mounted.
Anyway, things are starting to move forward, even if it hasn't been up to 20 degrees for a week.
The cover I had for the propane tanks was one of those vinyl things. Well, since we are now in what's known as an inversion (we have FIVE seasons, some repeating: Spring, summer, autumn, winter, inversion, winter, spring, etc) the air is sorta crystalized. And, it was getting into the vinyl. And it was sticking to the tanks.
I needed to get one filled the other day, and the entire vinyl cover came to pieces because it was stuck to the tank. So, I got a cover made of polypropolene. Took some doing to get it in, but I f9inally managed it.
But, I have to find some new way to mount the batteries. The way they are now, they are right up against the cover. And, if I need to have a tank filled, I'll have to take the entire cover apart (it's three pieces, pluss screws) to get the tank out. If I can rig up something with the batteries, I should be able to pull the cover off as a piece.
We'll see...
It's a good thing I didn't just say, "The heck with it," and buy that carrier. I just found out today that, with a little patience, I can pick up a slightly better one from Harbor Freight for $80 (regulatr price $130). It's on a sale coming up in the next few weeks.
Had a similar lthing happen today at Harbor Freight. I prited out an on-line coupon for a rotary tool accessory kit for $20. When I got there, and started to get it. one of the employees told me not to. He pointed at one near the one I was after. More parts, same price.
I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. I KNOW I'll ahve to pay for this somewhere along the line. Y!
Day before yesterday, I was studying the tongue jack. It's obviously the original, and certainly looks all of its 30+ years. So, I replaced it. About $40.
I was fearful that the original was welded, although it did have bolts in it. But, what with paint slapped on, etc., over the years, it LOOKED welded.
But, when I pulled the bolts, the thing came right out. And no; I didn't just pull it. I had the stabilizing jacks down. I may do some dumb things, but I wasn't about to start fooling with the tongue jack unless I had something else to hold the trailer up.
Anyway, pulled right out, put the new one in, and fastened it down with new bolts. Works great.
Then, I discovered the batteries would be a problem. I had them in battery boxes, and the boxes were a bit larger than the battieries themselves and interferred with the propane tank cover. So, back to the RV supplier, and got some slightly smalledr boxes. Exact fit!. That set me back another $20 or so.
But, progress is being made. Slowly, to be sure, but continuing.
Ed, you are awesome! There's simply no other word to adequately say it. You are a perspiration to us all! Hm?
Today's project, while not a big major deal, was a bit difficult for me.
I changed the propane regulator. Again, an original was in there. Anyway. ..
After fighting with the old one for a while, I managed to break it loose (not literally "break") from the house line. The mount it was on I'll have to use for the new regulator, but it was all rusty & corroded.
So, I dismounted the old regulator and started the painting process on the bracket. It's gonna take a while for that one, since it has to be done in two steps, plus all that drying time.
I hooked up the new regulator anyway, with new hoses. I got the type where I don't need a wrench; just tighten it down. And these things are right-hand tread rather than the usual left-hand. So I don't get mixed up on that any more and tighten when I'm trying to remove the lines. W%
This also is supposed to be one that automatically switches from an empty tank to a full one, then you supposedly can pull the empty one and have it filled without turning everything off. We'll see.
Anyway, for now, that's where it stands (or, in this case, hangs--until the bracket is dry and I can mount the new regulator).
The paint finally drived. And, I wanted to put everything together. But, overnight, we had rain, followed by snow, followed by ice.
So, I had to thaw out the tanks and the new regulator before (I could do anything.
I have this small propane heater. I c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y used it to melt all the ice from everything, then wiped it down before I did anything else.
Got the mount out, and screwed it in.
The new hoses from the tank to the regulator were too long! What to do?
I turned the tanks, that's what. They are 90 degrees from where they used to be (in opposite directions, of course). Then the cover. I fought with it like I usually do, but not a big deal with the other changes I made (battery boxes and tougue jeck). Got it all together.
Then found one of the propane tanks was empty. So, tkae it all apart again.
Got the tank filled, brought it back, andf put it in. Fought the cover again, and hooked everything up.
Bvecause this is SUPPOSED to be an automastic changeover thing, I turned both tanks on, put the cover in place, and fired up the furnace. Now all I have to do is wait to see whether this thing will actually change tanks automatically when one is empty.
Oh; and the thing about being able to leave one tank open while getting the other filled? It worked.
I've been reading (and re-reading) all this stuff on roof repair. (Yes; I STILL need to do that.)
There's no way I'm going to be able to do all that. Bottom line. So now I have to figure out how in the world I'm ever going to get that roof sealed. And it's something that HAS to be done. :'(
Ed,
You're a creative thinker. I know you can come up with alternatives if you are thinking about a roof replacement or tearing everything off to re-seal it. I can tell you that Eternabond tape placed over seams, roof fixture edges, etc. works very, very well. Look at my one day roof reseal project album.
he*&hanks for the confidence, Sob. I've already used a bit of Eternabod in a front corner. Took me about 3 days, and it still looks like He*&. I've thought of several different things I might do, but the edges are where most of the problem is. The entire troof needs to be covered, but those gaps are a real problem.
Maybe I'll figure something out.
Possibly a rubber overlay?
yes, that's what I was thinking also, but that may not be good, LOL :laugh:
If the "gaps" you're concerned about aren't a result of rotted wood separation, Kool Seal (and I'm sure other roof coating manufacturers) make a mesh and a thicker form of the sealant, which is a roof repair paste. Dumb dork me acidentally grabbed a gallon of it thinking I had gotten another gallon of the roof coating. This is specifically made for taking care of gaps... but, not ones that are like a foot wide, better known as chasms, better known as... oh boy, did I make a BIG mistake.
However, if the gaps are along the roof perimeter edges, this wouldn't be the stuff to use. I'm sure you already have a good idea of the overall condition of the roof. If it has years of coatings on it and it's peeling up, cracked, etc. Then, it may be a consideration to keep the TT tarped until more climate weather then strip it and see what extent of repair it needs, if you don't already know that.
There are no chasms in the roof. And there aren't a lot of places to scrape. Most of the roof is bare--never been treated much as far as I can see.
There are small gaps on the edges. Some are small in width, but one, I know, is LONG on the edge.
Some scraping, yes. And, there would be some of it my own fault where I tried to seal some problems as a temporary fix. I never planned on NOT being able to do all this.
However, Arthur Itus keeps coming aorund more and more, and the jerk is getting more prevelant as time goes on. In fact, there are times when I'm sure I won't be able to drive some screw somewhere.
I try to ignore it as much as I can, because there are too many things I need to do. And, I keep doing them. I just get a bit slower at it.
Eventually, I'm gonna figure out something. But, at present, it sure is disheartening.
Ed
Here's what I did on my 78, removed trim all around where there were seams joined, removed everything on the roof, except the AC( should have done that. Cleaned all the Grey caulk from ever thing, clean the roof of all patching material and junk like that. Then I used mineral spirits to clean everything. Sanded down just about everything, then started using eternabond tape on all seams,
vents everything, after taping I washed every thing down with TSP, using a scrub brush, let it dry for a couple of days, then two coats of white stuff( Kool seal). It was good. except at the diver corner top, a screw punched a hole in the tape and caused a leak. found that by taking off that section of trim. The screw had spun out and wraped the tape around it causing an inch diameter hole. I basically followed Mark's plan except removed trim also. Lots of elbow grease, but not expensive.
As I said, I'll figure something out eventually. something I can handle. Hm?
Saran wrap and bubble gum.
There's a flexible roofing material made of Kevlar (same as used in flack vests) produced by Durabond...on flat roofs, buildings, etc. You could contact the company (google search) and have a piece cut to size. It would mold around edges, etc. I had it placed on a low slope roof (NOT an ideal slope in coastal OR). With a girdle of sorts of neoprene and Kevlar, they encased the skylights, bathroom vents....guaranteed not to leak. Might be worth checking out. In the advertisement it is mentioned using on mfg'd homes.....isn't that what an RV is??
The roof is just gonna wait.
BUT...
Today i got Totally P.O'd at the way things don't work. So, I tackled the rear hatch door again. This time, I took no prisoners. I took out all of the moulding. I removed every single thing that would come out. Then I started fitting things around the door I had built. And fastening down.
Then I cleaned the rear where everything had been, and started putting it all back together, including the door I had built.
It fits. It's in. And that's that. Now I just need to clean up the mess, becuase that thing didn't want to go in there.
.
I wanna go campin'! Even if it's only for a single night.
SWMBO has "discovered" this idea of mine, and is already starting to say it's not a good idea. When did I ever wait for "a good idea"?
I just make sneak over the the campground tomorrow and set up a reservation. And then tell her that I've already paid the money, and we can go or not go, but the money is non-refundable. W%
It always amazes me when something works as advertised.
The new propane regulator actually changed tanks when one was empty! Whoda thought?
However, the solar panel regulator I had wasn't working like it was supposed to. So I got a different one and put it in yesterday. Now, will it work? I'm not holding my breath. That would be two items in a single week that did what they're suppose3d to.
ALL projects--in process or just imagined--are now on indefinite hold.
I have two sick females in the house. And I thought this week might give me a chance to at least work on that left side leak.
Ah, well. Things should improve eventually.
:(
Ty is down to the sniffle & red nose stage, so she's getting better. SWMBO is doing somewhat better, too. Now if I can just get the old woman to do what she's supposed to instead of what she THINKS she's supposed to!
So, yesterday, I started working on fixing some of my fixes. The first project doesn't look any better, so I'll need to figure out a fix for the fix of the fix. :(
Sounds like your in a fix of trying to fix something in need of a fixing. Frank
Yesterday I started fixing the repair of my prior fix. But, to do it right this time, it's going to be a long process. So I merely got started.
Now, today, it's too cold to do anything. It was 20 when I got up, and headed to 0 for a "high" for the day. Tomorrow won't be any better. They're claiming we might get up to freezing by Saturday.
So, I have NO idea what I'll do. Maybe clean up some of the mess I've made inside. But I keep doing that, and then making a new mess worse than the one I cleaned. :(
The weather types had it wrong again. It got all the way up to 14. I was going to get the pool ready for the weekend. But, they say it's supposed to get cold for the next couple of days. I really don't know whether to trust them, but I guess I'll wait.
Hey! At 14, it's STILL 64 degrees warmer than the mother-in-law's heart!
:angel:
Yesterday, the (new) furnace in the Alfa quit working. I pulled it out (something I did NOT want to do) and checked the wiring. All OK. At least, I thought so.
And, this all happened, of course, at the start of the Deep Freeze of 2011.
I pulled the wiring apart, checked connections, etc. (Blew about 4 fuses, too.)_
Then I had something I had to do other than with the Alfa, so last night I didn't get to enjoy the warmth and the foreign newscast I watch every night
So, today, still freezing, I took out the oil-filled heater and turned it on. Several hours later, it was only warm enough to shorten the cold mist from my breath.
BNut, I kept at it. Pulled the propane line. Pulled the entire furnace out. Nothing I could find was the problem.
So, I put the furnace back together and--just for the fun of it--started up the thermostat. Blower on.
Still no fire, though, because I had the propane unhooked.
So, I put it all where it belonged, doped the propane connection and put it back together, turned on the propane, and it fired right up. What the?
Well, it was running, so I moved the furnace back where it belonged and fastened it down.
Went to the thermostat, and set it again. Running again. I then fastened the thermostat to the wall..
It quit running!
Bad thermo? Nope. Just fastened too tightly to the wall. With everything still in operating position, as I started removing the thing, the furnace cut in again.
So, I put some stuff on the screw to hold the thing away from the wall. Fastened her down as far as it would go, and it works!
So, tonight, I saw my news shows (although they were a bit disappointing--everyone could only talk about Egypt--which is fine, but other things are going on, too.).
Anyway, problem solved.
I left out a couple of details on the thermostat.
It was not a situation where the wires were imvolved at all. There are only two wires to the thing, and they run through the 'stat body and fasten on the front.
The problem was the control. It extends slightly in back, and was rubbing on the wall. When I first installed it, I found that it wouldn't stay on a specific setting when it was cold. After warming up the trailer, though I could set it where I wished.
I merely thought it was the internal wires being too cold and stiff. Nope. the control against the wall was preventing it from setting where it should have been. Why it would set after warming up the place a bit, I have no idea. THAT is the reason I thought it was the cold.
Anyway, now I can just set it and forget it.
New subject. Propane regulator.
The regulator I installed is automatic changeover (as I stated in an earlier post). But, once it changed over, how would I know? After all, there was now an empty tank.
There is an indicator built into the regulator, but, with the cover I have on the tanks, it was almost impossible to see unless I wanted to remove the cover every day (and THAT is a difficult task!).
So, I purchased a remote indicator that sits just inside the trailer door. This thing runs on two AA batteries. A single wire (actually. two wires inside a single cover) runs from the device to the regulator. The built-in indicator has a cap on it. I removed the cap, put in the part for the new device, tested it according to instructions, and put everything back. Now, when the thing switches, a small light comes on to show me that it's time to fill a tank. Saves a lot of unwanted surprises.
Today, while in the trailer with Class C King, one of the propane tanks ran dry. OK. No problem. The regulator automatically switches to the other tank.
Worked as advertised.
AND, most unbelievable of all, the indicator I put on the thing actually started flashing to let me know one of the tanks was empty! Hard to believe that something worked as advertised!
I knew I couldn't fill it immediately, so I popped out a battery. Probably could have let it go, since it draws such low current. (Maybe next time I'll test that).
A bit later, took the tank, had it filled, and remounted. Put the indicator back, and it was "silent"/dark. Wow!
So, for those interested: The regulator is a Marshall 254. The indicator is made by Marshall, specifically for that regulator. Locally, that's the only 100% match on the two items I could find. total cost was less that $100 (maybe less than $80, but I can't recall exactly).
Hey Ed, That empty tank indicator system sounds like a very nice upgrade. Could you post the basic info on it as a Member Article say, under... product reviews for the time being? I think I might make an article section just for upgrade stuff and then move it there. We have tons of upgrade items I know could be added to it.
I can do that. Also, I checked the catalog this a.m. and can now give you exact LIST prices.
The 254 regulator is listed at $41.99. The changeover indicator is listed at $37.79. Naturally, sales tax, discounts, etc., all affect these prices.
I'm totally upset/ p.o.'d at how the front awning/rock guard turned out. So, I'm re-doing it. I have NO idea whether I'll do any better on it, but, after fighting with that rear hatch and finally making it work (kinda), I'm determined to fix the front.
Maybe I'll screw it up again, but I can't do much worse than I did the first time. (I hope.)
Were it not for our screw-ups we'd have no ups at all. :'(
There is a folding dorr between the sleeping area and the kitchen area in the Alfa. I've been looking for a replacement, since the one there now has seen better centuries.
Everywhere I go, they have 36" wide doors. But that won't work. I need about 6-7 inches more than that. Even my RV supplier is in the 36" mode.
I suppose I could build a very small false walll to compensate, but I'd rather not. So I keep looking... Hm?
Just a thought, would it be possible to add 3 inches to each side of one of the doors to make it work?
With these types of doors, there is no way. And, for the wall addition, it can only be done on one side. On the other there is a small closet and the door would not open if I added anything there.
BUT, the mattresses etend off the bunks about an inch on each side. In addition, the bed platforms extend a bit further on each side. So, adding the inches on one side wouldn't cut down the entrance space. It's just a matter of my putting in the small wall projection.
After all, I'm not an expert ANYTHING. :(
Could you replace it with a heavy curtain or drape on a track like the Winnes have?
Oh Oh He said the bad word
I COULD use drapes (NEVER THE "C" WORD!!), but prefer the folding door. If I go to drapes, then I'd have to wait about 6 months while SWMBO tried to figure out what color. With the door, there are two choices, and two only. That should only take a month. :D
So, today, I started building the wall extension. Not a lot of problem once I decided what to do. However...
To find PRECISELY what I needed for room, I had to hang the door. So, I put in the top bar (yeah; I bought one without SWMBO's input, so it'll probably be the wrong color of tyhe two) and checked to see exactly what I needed.
I found wood for the front and back parts of the wall (front in the kitchen area, back in the bedroom). Then, spacing. Turns out, 1x2s worked just fine for that.
I stained the boards for the outside. The color isn't exact, but as close as I could get. Put them in with the spacing. Then I moved the tie-back connections since I don't want the door bouncing around when we're underway.
The tiebacks wouldn't work quite right, so, in the bedroom area I put in a little extension (stained, of course) and fixed that up. At the moment, since it isn't finished, it appears the extension would be in the way. But, once it's finished, it won't be.
Tomorrow, I have to put a "face" on the extension and then get the door fastened to the wall. Also, I need to put in a bit of moulding to make it look a bit better.
So far, so good. I wonder just what I've done wrong so far? Hm?
Ed,
For heating there at homebase: Get yourself an Extend-A-Stay system hookup and have the local propane company set you up with tank and standard refill service. That way you do not have to keep swapping/refilling tanks. Additionally, the refill charge should be much cheaper that way. That is exactly what the Extend-A-Stay product was designed for.
Dave
I finished the door project. I even got a couple of before/after photos. I'll post them when I finally get them on the computer and resized. The "after" are not truly "after." They were before I put in the final moulding this evening. But the main idea is there.
Sure looks different from that 30+-year-old door that was there!
And brighter.
GO Ed GO :)clap :P :)clap
I've tested the ability of the propane indicator to maintain the charge in the batteries.
Last night, the regulator switched tanks, and the alert light went on. I just left it.
Today (kinda late in the a.m.) I removed the empty tank. The light was still going. So, I moved the manual switch from the empty tank side to the full tank side. Then the light went out. Had the tank filled, put it in, and turned it on. It's not supplying now, of course, but I need only wait until the second tank is empty to see whether it will work.
It appears that, when a tank is empty, moving the manual switch turns the light off. Had I known that last night, I would have done it then.
But, final test will be when the regulator switches again. That could be about a week.
I decided I didn't like the job I had doen on the front awning/rock guard. So, I decided to change it. It isn't finished. I still have to put in the center panel, but I have the panel ready to go, as shown
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi115.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn314%2FLiv42dayOK%2FCW%2FAttachments%2FOldEdBrady%2FNewAwning.jpg&hash=add0a80b3cf5d2f780aa26c12dfb0ec4a2e77296)
Now that looks real cool and if i may say a one of a kind sir very neat
arberg0 :)ThmbUp
Last post about the propane changeover and indicator. This p.m. it switched tanks, and the indicator light went on. I went out and turned off the empty tank and moved the mechanical switch over to the "good tank. When I went back in, the indicator had gone off. So it all works as it should.
Now you know all about it. W%
I'm still working on the front of the trailer. I'm going slowly. Trying to do it right for a change. Part of it I've changed 3 times now, so that part might (and JUST might) be OK. ???
OK. Front done. I'll post a photo whenever I've allowed to stay home long enough to actually TAKE a photo.
Things to do: Roof. Drastically needs fixing. Painting the outside. It looks bad now, but, after 30 years, what could I expect? Black water tank needs either repair or replacement. And, I need a carrier to hold the generator, and that one will require some special work--which the son-in-law has already offered to help with. (in fact, he'll do most of it, while I just stand around and look stupid.)
But, all in all, some progress has been made.
you wont be standing there and looking "stupid"..you will have to make sure no one takes our thinkin,working and measure once cut three times juice :D
I've picked up a carrier for the generator. Now it will need some modification, and the mount put in place. Sorry, Mike. I found a new project here.
not a problem ed...but enlightn us Hm?and when the weather clears let me know what i need to bring..liz says well stop by and then we will see
Enlighten, hunh? That would mean I'd have to know what I'm doing in the first place.
Well, the width has to be cut down some. But we knew that. And the mount I got has to be put in place. We knew that, too.
However, the way the thing is put together, we'll have to figure a way to steady it AFTER it has been cut down. Might require a bit more welding.
On a new subject, yesterday I tried to put a couple of temporary patches over the worst leak in the whole roof. I won't know whether they worked until we get hit woth rain/white junk again. And the way it's been going, that souldn't take too long.
Today I managed to get the bumper hitch fixed to the trailer. it took quite some doing, though. I drilled a specific size, then used a tap to cut threads. And it turned out the threads were too big for the size I wanted. getting the next size "up" didn't work. They couldn't even fit in the holes!
So, I got some bolts, nuts and locking washers and fastened the blasted thing down. It ain't easy, either, with the nuts inside the sqaure bumper!
AND, I have a leak in the rear that runs to the toilet. I've tried just aobut everything to stop it. Replaced parts, used new line, all sorts of things. Finally, I gave up on that one. Maybe tomorrow...
Finally got that leak fixed at the rear of the trailer. It only took two pipe wrenches and three sets of vise grips. But, it does NOT leak any more.
Replaced the connectors on both the line and the pipe into the bathroom.
Now all I have to do is fugure out where the leak is IN the bathroom.
I know this stuff never stops, but it's starting to get a bit old (like me).
I didn't get to do a lot with the trailer today. But, ALL leaks are currenly fixed! The main line to the toilet (inside) was a real bear to resolve, but the one to that line was the hardest.
Although I hate to admit it, the inside one I cheated on. Rather than fool with it any more, I just replaced the toilet and the inside line. That bothered me a bit, since I had put in a new toilet only about a year ago, or so. But, this time, I bought the best one they had on the shelf. So, hopefully, this will take care of that.
I DO want to put another inside line, though. I want to use one of those flexible "closet" connections. It's more flexibile than pex, or anything else I can find. Maybe tomorrow.
brakes have been checked, and verified good. Bearings have been repacked. New tires on both axles. Can I really be making some kinda progress here? Hm?
After reading the closing work order, I was wrong. The bearings were not repacked. They were all replaced.
Although we aren't home, I STILL found an "improvement" for the trailer.
Where we are, there are sewer hookups. But, the rear end of the trailer is so far from the connection, the hose wasn't long enough to reach. Sounds pretty simple. Just add more hose, right?
Yes. But there are so many possibilities, and some can be quite expensive.
I purchased the additional hose the match what I already had. But the connector? After all, the additional hose had no connections.
I found a connector from Camco that worked very well, and didn't cost $20-$40. (Yes; some of them actually went that high in price.)
I removed one of the connections from the hose I already had and attached it to the new hose. The the connection. Extremely easy to attach. No clamps, extra parts, etc. It was a simple matter to put both blank hose ends on the connector, and screw them onto the device. Works like a charm. Tight seal. No leaks. No tools (well, other than removing the end from the hose I already had). I have no intention of separating them again, since the hoses fold into such a short length (for us, anyway). I only need stretch the thing to fit whatever situation we find ourselves in.
SWMBO said we HAD to have an awning. (Why? I don't want to sit out with the bugs in th evening!)
So, I got one.
My truck is about 20 feet long--give or take a foot or two. The blasted thing was inserted through the rear window and sat on the dash. The end of it was about 4-6 feet off the end of the truck. I had it lashed down, propped up, and everything else I could think of, worried sick it would bend before I got it home.
I got here, but with lots of drivers behind me--I'm certain--using language you ain't gonna hear from the preacher/priest. I was afraid to go too fast and hit some bump that would bend it.
We wrestled it out of/off of the truck, and it's presently sitting under the trailer. Now all I need is 10 mena and a boy to get the thing installed.
I sure hope she doesn't have any more "brilliant ideas". My back and my wallet can't take it! :(
Though i wont tell SWMBO There are screens W / door available for R/V awnings so you can enjoy sitting out with the buggys More Money just what you wanted to hear Ha Frank
She's already said something about the screening. But, since I'm old, I'm getting hard of hearing. W%
Since the weather is so lousy--and expected to remain so for some time--I've just been hanging photos in the Alfabago. Things from our little trips here and there.
As a result, the kid keeps coming out and searching to see what's new. I guess we're giving her a few memories for the future. And that's what it's all about.
Time to start on the outside. Today I lookied the Alfabago over, and found lots and lots of minor holes. Mostly from bolts that no longer exist.
So, I need to seal all the holes (did seal a few) and do some more sanding. With orders from SWMBO, I already know the color scheme. It's just getting it done while ducking the ever-threatening ran/white frozen rain that seems to come every other day, or so.
And that blasted roof!
I finally started on the roof. I used some stuff that's supposed to seal it, and also supposed to dry above 50 deg. within an hour. No; Not "dry," but "set."
Since it was 70 here today, but supposed to (at lest) rain, I decided to use it.
This is NOT the final cover. It's just the sealer. With the storm that's due, I'll at least be able to tell whether the stuff worked. If it did, then I'll say what it is. Won't recommend anything that doesn't work as advertised.
Anyway, it only took 2 quarts (actually, a little less) on the entire roof. Now for the "smoke test."
I put a second coat on the trailer roof today. How does it work? Well, one of my major leaks is gone. But there are a couple of others, so I'm waiting. We're due for lousy weather the rest of the week, so we'll see...
We're going to have a real test of the roof sealant. We are in a campground. It rained most of the day, and now heavy, wet snow is coming down. (NO!! I refuse to leave until tomorrow!)
So, I'll DEFNITELY know whether this stuff works or not.
Two topics this time.
First, the stuff I put on the roof appears to work quite well. With the first coat, I put just a quick cover and let it dry. Worked somewhat. I used only a quart to cover the entire roof. With the second coat, I used a gallon, and put a heavier coat down. What did I use? Dyco 890. White. Made for metaL, wood, composite, whatever.
Second topic.
Yesterday my son-in-law brought the carrier rack back. It was too wide for the rear bumper with my setup. I have a rear hatch, and using the thing full size would prevent me from using the hatch. Since that's where I store things like water hoses, sewer line, etc., that wasn't an option.
Now I got this carrier for my generator, since there's no way I could carry it otherwise unless I wanted to load it INSIDE the trailer, and then take it out to use, put it back when done, etc.
Anyway, the son-in-law and I had done some measuring. While I was off enjoying myself camping, he cut the thing down and then welded part of it back on (end pieces preserved on it). We put it in the tow mount I had affixed to the bumper, put the generator in it, and it was perfect. So, I'm closer to being able to dry camp (if I can ever convince SWMBO to actually do that!).
Today I mounted the generator to the carrier with carriage bolts. I was going to cut the threads at the ends of the bolts for extra security, but, instead, took a metal punch and destroyed the threads. Those bolts ain't comin' out. AND, I have the carrier fixed to the mount with a locked bar.
Maybe it'll be safe. Who knows any more?
And, we leave on our trip Wednesday a.m. Goin' to Missouri. Mom will be 90 this month. We haven't told her we're on our way.
I continue to do minor things with the Alfabago. But, we are contemplating getting something a bit lighter. Our last trip was a real stuggle in many places. The trailer is simply too heavy for my truck on some of the grades we've had to negotiate.
This is a certainty: I have to do SOMETHING about 10 Ton Tilly.
Ten Ton Tilly stays with us (at least for now). With the plans we have, I may have to climb the Continental Divide only one more time!
We are working on acquiring some property in Missouri. If this goes through, we'll be moved by the end of June or the first of July.
So now I can work on some of the major upgrades the old gal needs. Oh. And on the trailer, too. :D
As always keep us posted on the news!
Today I actually broke down and started on the outside of the trailer. There are three colors: white, yellow, and orange. Some of the orange is now gone. Tomorrow I hope to finish with that. I have NO idea what will replace the yellow. That's up to SWMBO, and I'll just stand there and shudder at the clashes in colors. The white will stay, but will be cleaned and repainted.
When it's all done, I'll post a photo of the finished job.
Well, I had the first color 5/6 done. SWMBO then declared that it wasn't the right color. Say what?!? ??? She told me her color scheme over a year ago. I PLANNED on that.
Now it's changed.
So, I have started repainting what is already panted. Now it might even be done by the end of July.
Commandment #11: "A woman has a right to change her mind."
No painting today nor tomorrow. The local rivers are running extra high, flooding is a distinct possibility, and rain is pouring down, and will through at least tomorrow.
$@!#@!
At least in our specific location, flooding shouldn't be a problem.
Today, I finished painting to get back to where I was when I thought I was almost finished painting. So, I'm back to 5/6 done on the one color. But...
Yesterday I noticed that the vent cover in the living area was cracked. So, when the painting was finished for the day, I got up there and looked.
YIKES!! MAJOR crack. I'm surprised the whole front wasn't covered in water, since it's been raining for 3 days.
But, not major purchases. I put in two Hong Vortex vent fans some time back. They both come with the entire vent, and on one of them I only needed the fan. So I had the vent cover as a "spare."
So. hours getting all the screws out. Then lifted the vent. The sealing putty looked like it was fairly new, so, apparently, the PO.did some work there, but didn't really fix it.
Put in the new vent (and all amentites that come with that Hong kit) and resealed around it with Dyco 890. Next major rain storm will be the test, but I feel confident that it is well sealed.
As of yesterday, the part of the trailer that was supposed to be blue, then, somehow, changed to green, is finished. I told SMBO she will go with me to Home Depot and pick out the other color. That way, I won't have to do that part twice (I hope).
:angel:
Not much has been done the last few days. Rain, tain, and a bit more rain. Then, this a.m. (Memorial Day), SNOW on the lawn. We really need to get out of You Taw and back to the United States!
:(
I've started part 2 of the outside painting. I decided that the major portion/color should be done. Just generic white, but lots of it.
I started with the rear of the trailer. It looked as if it had the measles, so I sanded, primed, all that good stuff, and covered the top portion where the largest area of white is.
Considering it was done by some old fart who has no idea what he's doing 3/4 of the time, it doesn't look too bad.
I'll get the top on each side first, then go around again with the bottom portion. Might take a week or so, but it's getting done.
Today, I will finish part 2 of the 4-part painting of the trailer. I'll get a photo or two when it's all finished.
I have to work a little faster on it now, since SWMBO says we are headed east on June 15. First, she said no trailer. Now she says we're taking it.
i??
Today, I finished most of the painting on 3 sides. Only one color to go. The fourth side? Well, I haven't really even started with that one.
But, I also installed covers for all 4 vents. Two I had to get covers that would accommodate fans. Had to go with MaxAire II. The other two are just plain vents, so I used Camcos on those.
Maybe (just maybe) SWMBO won't complain now when lit's raining, since we can leave the vents open. So, now I wait to find out what the next complaint is so I "can" fix that. W%
Two colors to go on the driver's side. On color on the front. I'll be done!
Tomorrow the gals have a dance performance in Salt Lake City, so it's a good thing that one of the colors can be fixed in about 2 hours.
The front, though, will be a bear. I have to remove the batteries (two HEAVY suckers!) and the propane tanks to get it done right. (OK; as right as I can do it.)
Then the REALLY hard part: cleaning up the mess I've made both inside and out while doing this.
But, if I can have it done by Sunday, then cleaning will be OK, since I'll have two days to take care of that part. Then off east again! (And, no; I WON'T be taking I-70 through Colorado! It's bad enough on that last "hill" out of Laramie, Wyo.)
I just learned That my information was not correct. The gals will be performing here in town tomorrow night. First time here for them. Usually it's in Sal;t Lake City somewhere. :-[
Try again. i DETEST this stupid broadband thing! It was sold to me as a "nationwide" type. HAH!! Anyway,...
Painting is done finally.
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi115.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn314%2FLiv42dayOK%2FCW%2FAttachments%2FOldEdBrady%2FNewFront.jpg&hash=5d5119c057e1743ab2914211e6583a03b1d14302)
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi115.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn314%2FLiv42dayOK%2FCW%2FAttachments%2FOldEdBrady%2FNewRear.jpg&hash=7eb988cb12dfea432506825b00dbddbf122a60e3)
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi115.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn314%2FLiv42dayOK%2FCW%2FAttachments%2FOldEdBrady%2FNewRight.jpg&hash=d1698f0e35803697a32faa1a22b21ff56b092172)
I think I'm finished with the Alfa refurbishing/updating. At least, until something else breaks down.
13W of solar panels? Check. New furnace? Check. Water heater conversion? Check. New carpet, new toilet? Check. Bedroom completely redone, outside repainted (some new colors),new tires, rear hatch repaired? All, check.
I DO have to make some repairs to the front awning, but that's a "doo it sometime" task.
So, I guess I can now let this thread die a natural death. For those of you bored enough to stay with me through the whole thing, YOU NEED TO GET OUT MORE!! :)
.
Looking good, ED :)ThmbUp Y!
Hi Ed,
I was wondering if you could share your repaint procedure? My 95 Layton needs repainted, but I want to do a good job.
Thanks!
That's one fine looking hovel. Mate. :)clap
To do the paint job, I lightly hand-sanded the entire rig. Where holes needed pluging, I used one of the fiberglass kits. Mixewd it and smeared it in. Gave it 24-48 hours to set properly, and then sanded those areasl
I used tape (The Scotch blue stuff) to protect between color areas. And, the paper that comes in rolls to keep drips from moving between areas.
For the actual painting, I used Rustoleum paints. I applied it with a 3 or 4 inch roller and a paint brush for the really tight areas.
Naturally, there were small areas here and there that weren't covered properly, so, after allowing 24 hours for a section to dry, I would go back with a small paint brush and cover that.
The green I used was Hunter Green. The yellow was (I think) called Sunshine Yellow (or something similar). And the white was Brilliant White. In all cases, I used gloss, rather than satin, or whatever they call it.
that's all there was to it. Just took a long time is all.