Our Trailer
This is what we ended up with for a trailer.
It cost us a bundle but it not only serves as a transport vehicle for our helicopter, it also serves as our hanger and workshop since we don't have a garage that is large enough to house the ship with the blades on. This like everything else was a major learning experience but in the end we ended up with something we like very much and it makes traveling as well as maintaining the ship a whole lot easier on us. Donna and I plan to some day pick a spot on the map, drive there and take to the air to explore it. Thats been our whole deal from the beginning and this is a key part of it.
These
and a few dozen other things are what lead us to purchase an enclosed
trailer. It was the start of our Pro's and Con's list and It didn't
take us long to decide on and enclosed trailer.
In the
beginning we had planned on just having an open trailer but as the
ship began to take shape and the more time and money we put into it
we found out little things we had no idea about so here's our
thoughts on them.
Open Trailer
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A. |
It's a lot cheaper than an enclosed trailer. |
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B. |
We can't really leave this ship out in the rain or hail. These things can't handle rain because they don't have sealed bearings like the certified ships do. |
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C. |
The ship couldn't take a hit from road obstacles such as rocks or a biggie like retreads (gators) which cover our highways. |
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D. |
We can't get a water proof cover anymore unless we have one made which would cost us at least $1,000.00 if we could find someone that would take on such a project. John stump passed away and covers anymore and we couldn't find anyone else that makes them. |
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E. |
We can't stop somewhere like a hotel for the night without worrying ourself to death whether or not someone is raping and pillaging our pride and joy. |
Enclosed Trailer
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A. |
We have shelter for weather such as rain and hail and the ship will keep better in the dark protected from the UV damage the sun causes. |
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B. |
We can park at a hotel and no one will mess with our pride and joy. |
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C. |
We don't need a waterproof cover. |
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D. |
We have room to spare for such things like a tool box, fuel cart, atv and the supplies that are needed to be carried along for the journey. |
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E. |
We have an portable hanger. |
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Trailers Log Files
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PLUS
Homers 02
620 miles |
As of March 7th 2005 we have
1,700.0
without tuff tow unit with
our Suburban
13,120.0
with the tuff tow unit with
our Motorhome
Total Miles
to date
as best as
we can figure
14,820.0
give or take a few hundred miles for local trips, setting up the tuff tow unit, and ect.
Trailer Expenses
|
Date |
Problem |
Quanity |
Part # |
Comments |
Total |
|
2/16/01 |
Rear door to heavy |
- |
Tremble door company put more tension on door torsion springs |
they did a poor job, it was no better after they were done |
$110.50 |
|
5/23/03 |
2nd replacement main battery |
1 |
Deka 1024DT |
Talor Battery |
$73.21 |
|
1/10/04 |
2nd Replacement emergency brake away battery |
- |
- |
replacement for one that got misplaced |
$00.00 |
|
6/16/04 |
Tire blew out |
1 |
Goodyear-to a Wall-Mart 4ply special |
Wrong kind |
$150.00 |
|
6/18/04 |
new tires |
3 |
- |
Hillsboro Ohio |
$243.93 |
|
6/20/04 |
4th tire blew out |
1 |
Goodyear |
Used one of the old remaining orignal tires to get us home |
$0.00 |
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1/1/05 |
3rd replacement main battery |
- |
- |
Didn't last much over a month |
$40.00 |
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1/10/05 |
4th replacement main battery |
- |
- |
replacement for one that had a shorted cell, replaced at n/c |
$00.00 |
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2/23/05 |
Roof leak |
6 |
C-10 Flow Seal Caulking |
1st part |
$46.49 |
|
2/24/05 |
Roof leak |
4 |
C-10 Flow Seal Caulking |
2nd part |
$34.44 |
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2/24/05 |
Trailer exterior was stained |
4 |
Purple Cleaner |
to much work |
- |
|
3/12 05 |
Needed Spare Tire and Wheel |
- |
- |
Fleet Tire |
$144.00 |
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3/19/05 |
Major roof leak through forward AC unit |
1 |
Roof Vent |
Roof has sagged from weight of the AC unit and water was running over AC units drain pans into trailer Campers Corner |
$10.00 |
|
3/19/05 |
Roof leak |
1 |
C-10 Flow Seal Caulking |
For sealing new vent on roof |
$34.44 |
END
