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3Ms75Argosy · 09-28-2008, 01:11 AM

Sue - some thoughts on the recovery that I learned from my 63 Tradewind that I bought in Granite Falls -

Assume the lights won't work. Either get some trailer lights to use (a long cord with just two lights on the ends. They use magnets to attach to the bumper... bring duct tape incase the bumper is aluminum). The trailer umbilical cord is probably a 7 round pin vs. today's more common 7 blade style.. so it probably won't just plug in. This means no brakes. Take it slow, the trailer will be light enough for the truck, but be careful! The CYB sentence - I in no way endorse this, but it can be done.... : )

No lights during the day is less noticable....

Bring a floor jack to lift the trailer tongue if the tongue jack doesn't work.

Bring some way to inflate those tires if you intend to use them to get home... 12v or floor pump, your choice. IF you use the tires, then go slow... If you aren't repacking the hubs, stop after about 5 miles and check the hubs (touch the centers softly), they shouldn't be hot. Then check again after a few miles.

MOST IMPORTANT.. go to a licence renewal center and get a three day trip pass. That trailer hasn't been tagged in awhile.. don't want a ticket on your way home. My trailer was last tagged in 1975!! If you have a title, you need a bill of sale to complete the transaction when you get to the licence place. The Bill of sale needs a price, vin#, parties involved, and sigs of everybody. If no title, get a signed, notorized form from the Licence place with the sellers notorized sig.

Remember - 2" ball.
Find some way (bunge cords from the inside works), make the deadbolt close, to keep that door shut. The suicide doors may spring open from the wind.. that's not fun!

Have fun! Let us know how it goes!
Marc

**Action** · 09-28-2008, 08:23 AM

Also Sue the thread you posted to is 2 years old. Hopefully the thread starter will respond, however it may be that he did not buy the subject trailer.

>>>>>>>>Action

Aage · 10-04-2008, 06:42 PM

Streamer1,

I'd for SURE check the fridge: you could be out of beer!

Tbitt1 · 10-08-2008, 09:28 AM

I just did the same thing, 460 miles with a 76 AS that had been setting 3 years. I brought a small compressor, four cans of fixaflat, and a seven pin plug that fit my truck and used it all. Tires looked good, so I drove about 10 miles stopped and touched each hub, they where warm but not hot. If you use your breaks they will be at least warm. If you ran the first few miles without the breaks connected they should be cool.

hartlandusa · 10-08-2008, 10:39 AM

I've been preparing a list for a week and picked up a few good suggestions here today (just joined today too). Just scored a deal from my inlaws to inherit a 1969 31' Soveriegn that has been sitting since 1981. Going with new tires, repacked bearings, temporary lights, and not using the trailer brakes. Attempting 450 miles from Louisiana to North Alabama this weekend. I have two questions.

1. This trailer has an electronic jack (Jac-Power-Pac) with two bare wires coming off of it. I can't find anything on this accessory so I'm going to assume I have to remove it and use a manual jack. Is there an override handle I haven't found?

2. The temporary 3 day tag that 3Ms75Argosy mentioned. Is that from the state of residence? State where the trailer is from or going to??

Thanks for any suggestions.

easyride · 10-08-2008, 02:39 PM

Since you are getting from inlaws,{and if you plan on using it soon],go ahead and transfer title and get a real plate.If you are planning on keeping it off road to restore ,get a temp in what ever state the inlaws live in.If you are pulling a 31 footer for 450 miles you better have a big tow vehicle,and even then I wouldn`t do it.If you are going to pack bearings,check brakes,they may be in workable condition,you are going to have to put a brake contoller on TV,might as well do it now,and be safe.
Dave

87MH · 10-08-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hartlandusa

This trailer has an electronic jack (Jac-Power-Pac) with two bare wires coming off of it. I can't find anything on this accessory so I'm going to assume I have to remove it and use a manual jack. Is there an override handle I haven't found?

If you remove the cover from the power head (might be held on by a couple of allen screws) there should be a recess in the top vertical area of the power head that will turn the motor (or an intermediate gear) via a large "screw driver" type of drive, also might be a hex drive....the manual drive mechanism will very likely be covered with grease - dig out the grease on the top of the power head and you should find something there.
Most of the power heads have only one lead going to them - the positive from the battery----is there a switch on the head???

There is a possibility that the action of the jack could be reversed by alternating the polarity of the two leads - I think I would check it out very thoroughly prior to shooting the juice to it in order to prevent damage to the motor.

Another thing to do is to service the power head - lubricate the interior mechanism, especially the screw drive (driving gear), and clean and change out the grease in the gear section of the motor....

I agree with the previous comments about the brakes - it's cheaper to change out the entire backing plate rather than mess with individual parts - or course, you will very likely find that the axles are shot after sitting in one place for nearly 30 years, in which case changing the entire axle, bearing, brake, and rotor assembly is by far the most ecomical way to go....

The list of required decisions goes on and on.....

Good Luck on whatever you decide to do, and keep the Forums posted...

**Action** · 10-08-2008, 03:12 PM

The 3 day tag would be state specific. Arizona issues one and it costs $1.00 and it is issued on line. It can be renewed one time only. I pulled my trailer from Ohio to AZ. I printed my tag and had the effecive date the day I estimated I would be picking up the trailer. (I was off my estimated time and mileage by 30 minutes and 6 miles) Check with your state. I think I could have pulled it with no current tag at all. I did it over the weekend and no official even took a 2nd look.

You may be able to get the jack to work with a 12v battery. Touch the wires to each post of the battery. If the direction of the jack needs to be reversed, reverse the wires to the battery. This all assumes the jack motor works.

>>>>>>>>>>Action

hartlandusa · 10-20-2008, 01:46 PM

Thanks for all the tips, There is now a nice big silver project in the drive. The adventure to go get it went unbelievably smooth. New tires and repacked the bearings (there was still a lot of grease in them). Used temporary trailer lights. Didn't mess with the brakes but the F250 pulled and stopped it very well, plus we came back on the Natchez trace which has a 50 mph limit. The biggest issue was the hitch was about 5" higher then it should have been but other than a minor drag or two it worked well, no swaying. I got a 30 day temporary tag from the Louisiana DMV for 18 dollars. The only tool I needed and didn't have with me was a pair of bolt cutters, the hack saw worked on that old pad lock but was pretty slow.

Actually all in all it's in pretty good shape. The A/C works, gas stove, DC inverter, most lights and all outlets, very few dings but some interesting character where it was hit by a shot gun spray. Definitely some refurb to do, the black tank drain connection crumbled off in my hand while trying to connect the discharge hose, Refrigerator door panels and interior plastic is warped. I found a garden hose splice in the gas line (YIKES).

The biggest issue seems to be structural. The floor in the bathroom has about a 1/2" gap between it and the bottom of the skirting under the sink, I think I read somewhere on this site about the back of some trailers sagging...I'll have to look into that some more. Does seem to feel like your walking down hill toward the back but I sure can't see it from the outside.

I'm looking forward to the adventure, the kids slept in it the first two nights we got it home. They complained only about it being cold. Guess I need to check that heater out as soon.

See ya down the road someday, Mark

Inland RV Center, In · 10-20-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hartlandusa

Thanks for all the tips, There is now a nice big silver project in the drive. The adventure to go get it went unbelievably smooth. New tires and repacked the bearings (there was still a lot of grease in them). Used temporary trailer lights. Didn't mess with the brakes but the F250 pulled and stopped it very well, plus we came back on the Natchez trace which has a 50 mph limit. The biggest issue was the hitch was about 5" higher then it should have been but other than a minor drag or two it worked well, no swaying. I got a 30 day temporary tag from the Louisiana DMV for 18 dollars. The only tool I needed and didn't have with me was a pair of bolt cutters, the hack saw worked on that old pad lock but was pretty slow.

Actually all in all it's in pretty good shape. The A/C works, gas stove, DC inverter, most lights and all outlets, very few dings but some interesting character where it was hit by a shot gun spray. Definitely some refurb to do, the black tank drain connection crumbled off in my hand while trying to connect the discharge hose, Refrigerator door panels and interior plastic is warped. I found a garden hose splice in the gas line (YIKES).

The biggest issue seems to be structural. The floor in the bathroom has about a 1/2" gap between it and the bottom of the skirting under the sink, I think I read somewhere on this site about the back of some trailers sagging...I'll have to look into that some more. Does seem to feel like your walking down hill toward the back but I sure can't see it from the outside.

I'm looking forward to the adventure, the kids slept in it the first two nights we got it home. They complained only about it being cold. Guess I need to check that heater out as soon.

See ya down the road someday, Mark

Your trailer has what is called "rear end separation."

You more thanlikely also have bad axles.

Most importantly, your "extremely7 lucky" to have posted your notes, from home instead of a hospital or at an undertakers office.

Your 250 is no more of a good stopping vehicle than a tricycle, and certainly cannot stop any form of a sway.

Sway is observed riding at the back of the trailer at 60 or 70 mph, and not in a drivers seat.

If you had to make an emergency stop, you would have far more than wet your trousers.

Wait till you see other posts about how fortunate you are.

Hopefully, you didn't risk any other family members.

What you did, is just short of suicide. Unfortunately, all to many others, who did the same thing as you did, didn't survive.

Andy

SteveH · 10-20-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Your 250 is no more of a good stopping vehicle than a tricycle,

Andy, Andy, Andy,

We all know you have lots of experience and we all respect your knowledge and inputs, but don't you think the above statement is just a little bit too exagerated?

Inland RV Center, In · 10-20-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Andy, Andy, Andy,

We all know you have lots of experience and we all respect your knowledge and inputs, but don't you think the above statement is just a little bit too exagerated?

The point is that a 250 cannot make a "SAFE" panic stop, when towing a 31 froot Airstream that weighs almost 6000 pounds.

At least with a tricycle, you know you won't make it.

All too many owners have a unfortunate misunderstanding of their trucks.

They are not a magical stopping vehicle when you have 3 tons pushing you."

Andy

SteveH · 10-20-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

The point is that a 250 cannot make a "SAFE" panic stop, when towing a 31 froot Airstream that weighs almost 6000 pounds.

All too many owners have a unfortunate misunderstanding of their trucks.

They are not a magical stopping vehicle when you have 3 tons pushing you."

You are right, and probably no one will dispute the above statements, but really, comparing an F250 to a tricycle?

hartlandusa · 10-24-2008, 07:44 AM

Andy, I appreciate your concern. I'll not tell you how I feel about the suicidal comment. You can not deduce from my brief post my hauling experiance nor other factors that led to my judgement that this could be done safety.

I did not risk my family, who followed in a chase vehicle and stayed in radio contact the entire time. The ones who reported absolutely no sway. I deliberately chose a scenic hiway with a 50 mph speed limit, no red lights, no cross traffic and close to both my starting and exit points. My research indicated the empty trailer wieght was closer to 4800 pounds.

Could it have been a bad day in a panic stop.....yes.
Could it have been a bad day in a panic stop with trailer breaks....yes. They are not a magical panacia for avoiding accidents.

blossmgirl · 01-27-2009, 11:01 PM

Hi all, I think I've gathered the basics from reading these old posts but I'll ask anyway just in case anyone can think of something that didn't get covered here. I'll be bringing my project home to MT from NV at the end of March - a '68 Sovereign (30') that has been sitting abandoned for the last 17 years. I am assuming the axles, brakes, tires, brake wiring is bad and have made arrangements to get those in good working order before I even get there. I am already expecting issues with the hitch height but what else? I'm pretty much assuming that anything that can go wrong, will, and that anything that could be broken, will be.

Duct tape, check, bungi cords, check. Is there anything else I need to consider?

**Action** · 01-28-2009, 12:00 AM

I went to Ohio (from AZ) to pick up my bullet. Not sure how long it sat in Ohio and I really was ignorant about those kinds of things. Towed back to AZ with no brakes.

I was concerned with working lights - tail and brake lights. I brought extra bulbs, wiring and some diag equipment should I need to get into the wiring. My truck was wired up and after I hooked up evrything worked so I took off. No problems on the 2 day trip home.

If I were to do it again I would be more concerned about the tires if they are older than 5 to 7 years. That would be an automatic replace. If you have time to look at bearings and brakes before you leave that would be great. The axles ...... either they are good or they aren't. If they move up and down at all I would say tow on. It's not too difficult to replace both of them, could be done in a day. However given it's not your place and they are not exactly available at the NAPA store, replacement in NV is a little problematic. Make sure everything inside is secure.

>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

ROBERT CROSS · 01-28-2009, 05:58 AM

Streamer1

Lot's of good advise here....did you make it home safely?

Minnie's Mate · 01-28-2009, 09:15 AM

One additional piece of advise: take a torque wrench and torque the lug nuts. Even if the tires are in adequate shape and don't need replacing, you don't want to loose a wheel because the lug nuts came off while going down the road nor do you want to over tighten them to the point that you shear them or stretch the post to the point that they fail.

Aage · 01-29-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

you don't want to loose a wheel because the lug nuts came off while going down the road nor do you want to over tighten them to the point that you shear them or stretch the post to the point that they fail.

Good thought. I would even be tempted to take them all off, grease the bolts, then replace them. A sheared bolt is cryin' time if you're far from home.