Or don't bother with any of it and just hook on and roll...
Hook on and tow works fine my friend as you will soon find out. I have had excellent results and can give you solid referals from other who did the same. But the law has eyes that look for silly stuff like out of date tags and lights out. When your hair is down your back it draws their attention too, but that is another story.
so when are you going to hook on and roll?
I've got a buddy who doesn't really work, he said he'd probably be willing to drive out and back with me toward the end of next week, so I'm thinking next Thursday/Friday, that way I'm not sacrificing a weekend (and I can spend my weekend playing with the new toy rather than hauling it ).
I'd like to try to bargain with the seller to see if he could meet me half-way, that would make it just a day-trip instead of two. But, since there are no tags, the lights don't work, and the trailer definitely needs new tires and bearings re-packed before traveling, I don't know how willing to deal on that he'll be.
Hook on and tow works fine my friend as you will soon find out. I have had excellent results and can give you solid referals from other who did the same. But the law has eyes that look for silly stuff like out of date tags and lights out. When your hair is down your back it draws their attention too, but that is another story.
so when are you going to hook on and roll?
Listen to Frank. Just hook up and pull it. You must, however, have the right frame of mind. You cannot worry, just believe that it will all be OK. Last February, Rob Baker and I drove 300 miles to pick up my 61 Ambassador. Before the trip I loaded the van with every tool I had, $130 worth of new bearings, 5 new tires mounted on rims, 2 bottle jacks, a floor jack, and a high-lift jack. Our plan was to get to the trailer, change the bearings, change the tires, etc. As we were pulling into the driveway where the Trailer was, we got Frank on the phone and told him that we had made it and would be heading back home in a few hours after we had completed all of the above mentioned work. There was a pause on the line. Then Frank came back and said, "You know, I think you guys should just hook on and go. Don't worry about it. I'm thinking good thoughts and sending karma your way". So we did. Made it 300 miles without issue on old tires and bearings that who knows when they were last serviced.
Just hook on and go. Life is meant to be an adventure. What will happen? Go find out!
[quote=RoverOwner]Listen to Frank. Just hook up and pull it. quote]
Check it out some though. I did the same thing in February. Drove 125 miles home with no problems. Then discovered that the PO had not tightened the lug nuts on one wheel. They were hand tight at best. The wheel didn't fall off but it ruined that rim and sheared one lug bolt. I think both me and my Airstream were very lucky.
Hey RoverOwner, I didn't realize that this was your moniker on the Airforums-- I've been reading through your blog lately, and it's really interesting to watch how yours, Rob's, and Frank's all twist around and intersect here and there. You're doing some great work, looks like a lot of fun, for the whole family literally!
I've hauled many boat trailers and utility trailers in various states of questionable repair, but I'm completely new to TTs, hence my hesitancy. But the advice is much appreciated and your points are well taken.
Of course, I've also had some blowouts at speed, and a couple of times without a spare pf any kind. When that happens hauling a boat trailer over <60 mile distances that's one thing, but when it happens in the hinterlands of far North Texas with not a town or village for a hundred miles, that could be something else...
Vernon-- yes, there's definitely some basic maintenance that it makes sense to take care of. I'm glad that both you and your trailer survived the ordeal, and to the wiser.
Just hook on and go. Life is meant to be an adventure. What will happen? Go find out!
I just this myself last weekend. I too, was totally prepared for disaster, but when I inspected the trailer the tires looked OK. The seller used his compressor to put a little air in the tires and we were off. I stopped at 20 miles and then again at 100 miles. Both stops proved to be an uneventful check of the running gear. All in all, 380 miles on the hitch with no problems... except a gentle swing of the door in a door at the first toll booth. I hopped out and reworked my bungee and we were secure again.
Okay... hold on. I need to clarify. I am saying hook on and go is a frame of mind. You need to make sure what you are doing it safe, you need the basics to work, but do not get too stressed. Hook on, make sure you have lights, make sure everything is secure, make sure your tires are under pressure, and go. Hit the road and have no fear.... John had to cut the electric brakes because some fool had wired them wrong. Everytime he turned on a turn signal the electric brakes came on. He had to tow and go on a naked ball. For years that is all folks did. He had no problem and she towed great on the original gear.
Marcus, I was looking at the photos and you are getting a sweet trailer. You will be very happy with that one. What will you name her? I will be thinking of you as you are on the road.
Not sure if it's too late, but it is pretty dern far from Central Texas! Still, it looks to be in really nice shape, and it still has the refer, which the one I'm considering does not. That's a nice selling feature if it still works.
Steve-- yeah, a travling buddy is probably the main thing holding me back right now. My wife is back to working full time, and I'm having a tough time finding anyone else with the time to go in the next few weeks. I have the one buddy who really only works when his job takes him out of town, and he's supposed to be at home next week, so he said he'd come with me if he's still around at the time. But that's not very definite.
Are you saying you bought it?
What is the implication here?
Nope Frank, that's a different one, up in Washington state. It looks similar, but it's a '59 instead of a '58. It has the "California" wheel well, but not the raked "California" wheel well of the year earlier vintage, like the one I'm looking at.
I believe the implication is that this listing might be too late to help me if I've already pulled the trigger, which I haven't, but this '59 in Washington state is AWFULLY far away from me...
Still, looks pretty nice. Just based on those pictures, it will end up being a really nice trailer for someone, and I appreciate the posting to this thread. It's great to have so many in this community who are so willing to help out a stranger!
62overlander, sorry, newbie mistake. "we are not worthy."
Oh, it is cool, I have been looking hard for Marcus and so have a bunch of us. I felt he found something special and was thrown off a bit by the 59 or 58, by the california wheel wells verses the ohio. Thought maybe you were saying "too late I bought it"...
Marcus, a reefer is easy to find. If you are into camping old school, a propane only is very cheap to boot. There is always the 1950 Clipper in Idaho if you want a real project. I wish I lived closer, for I would go in a second. We could eat BBQ all the way across the Republic, then green chili enchiladas all the way across New Mexico. I bet a co pilot will come through. Sending good thoughts your way.....
I HATE bureaucrats! Working with local DMV office and the State Hqtrs finally got the Texas vintage tag activated. Beware of the numerous types of vintage plates....they only accept specific ones and searching out those specifics is not fun. I now have a collection of vintage Texas trailer plates which were not acceptable.
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