Now I Get To Start Over! Remodeling our 1976 Alfa Travel Trailer

[OldEdBrady]

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%

[OldEdBrady]

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.   

[OldEdBrady]

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.

[ClassCKing]

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

[OldEdBrady]

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.

[ClassCKing]

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

[OldEdBrady]

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. 

[OldEdBrady]

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...

[OldEdBrady]

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).

[OldEdBrady]

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.

[OldEdBrady]

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?

[OldEdBrady]

After reading the closing work order, I was wrong.  The bearings were not repacked.  They were all replaced.

[OldEdBrady]

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.

[OldEdBrady]

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!   

[Froggy1936]

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

[OldEdBrady]

She's already said something about the screening.  But, since I'm old, I'm getting hard of hearing.   W%

[OldEdBrady]

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.

[OldEdBrady]

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!

[OldEdBrady]

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."

[OldEdBrady]

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...

[OldEdBrady]

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.

[OldEdBrady]

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!).

[OldEdBrady]

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.

[OldEdBrady]

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.

[OldEdBrady]

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.