Got my Gal!

[paulitee]

After a very long search, I think I have finally found her. Its a 1972 31' sovereign. We live in Illinois and my husband is driving to KY to pick her up some time in the next week or so. I'm a little nervous because the owner said that it has zero power which means no brakes and no lights. The light situation seems easily fixable but I'm thinking the brakes could pose a real problem. I got a copy of the service manual and my husband will be heading down with a wide range of tools. Let's just hope for a safe journey back! I can't wait to get her home and start the long journey of tearing her down and building her back up! Any suggestions as to why when plugged in a trailer might be totally without power? I was hoping there might be an easy fix. They guy selling it doesn't know much about it because he recently inherited it. If anybody has any quick tips let me know!

[azflycaster]

When you say no power when plugging it in, what are you referring to? When a trailer is plugged into a truck for towing, the power for the brakes comes from the truck. 12 volts should also be supplied from the truck which would power the interior lights. Power for the running lights and brake lights would also come from the truck.

Since the pin layout for the cord from the trailer has changed several times since that trailer was built, the wires need to be arrange to match the current configuration of the truck.

[Mrs.Mod]

WOW! Congrats to you! The body looks to be in super condition!
Electrical problems can be a nightmare that take endless hours to diagnose and fix. If it's been sitting a while, let's hope it's not a rodent problem. We all know they like to eat wiring. If you're going to do a total rehab, you should update the electrical system.
But brakes? Yowza! I pray it's an easy fix for you. Just get home safely! Good luck!

[idroba]

Be sure you have him take things to secure the awnings that I see loose now. They are nasty when they get open on the road, and are very expensive to repair or replace. They may be just fine, and only need to be rolled up properly, but don't tow without that done.

As said above the 12 volt power for the running lights, signals and brakes come from the tow vehicle, so he needs to be able to get all of that operating right. I see an electric tongue jack, so that will also need 12 volt power. He probably should take a new 12 volt battery for the trailer with him, available at any wal mart. That will power the jack and the break away switch on the trailer, both needed to move it and be legal.

Everyone is going to tell you to buy new tires to move it. I will agree in advance. Too much damage can occur with a blown out tire to chance it.

I hope it either comes with, or you have a Weight Distributing hitch for the trip.

Welcome to the shiny metal madness group.

[Someday'59]

Once, we couldn't get our trailer lights to work because the fuse needed to be replaced in our tow vehicle.

[Stoney]

I hope the inside looks as good as the outside. We got a 73 landyacht go look at what me and my wife did to it it took 1 year.We finished it about 2 month ago we think it looks great. Only thing left is the awning and a rock gaurd the she is complete!