So my father had a device which went on the bottom of the tongue jack post. It had two round pads mounted to a U beam, plus a receptacle for a metal pipe.
The idea was you could "walk" the trailer into position, alternating the weight from one pad to the other, using the length of metal pipe for leverage. It worked. I bet he got it for $25 from JC Whitney.
Now, they have a "Trailer Valet" for $500 with rubber tires, a hand crank to turn them, plus another handle to steer with, while you're cranking... Or you can get just a big caster wheel. Or they have them motorized with bulldozer treads for up to $5K...
I'm shocked I cant find the device my father had on ebay - or anywhere else. It worked quite well; I can remember cranking on it when I was a kid and the funny shallow tracks it left in the dirt.
The idea was you could "walk" the trailer into position, alternating the weight from one pad to the other, using the length of metal pipe for leverage. It worked. I bet he got it for $25 from JC Whitney.
Now, they have a "Trailer Valet" for $500 with rubber tires, a hand crank to turn them, plus another handle to steer with, while you're cranking... Or you can get just a big caster wheel. Or they have them motorized with bulldozer treads for up to $5K...
I'm shocked I cant find the device my father had on ebay - or anywhere else. It worked quite well; I can remember cranking on it when I was a kid and the funny shallow tracks it left in the dirt.
Hey, I called out that movie in post #7, why does everybody ignore me?
I haven't come across the ultra-posh yet, but you can see fancy rigs at most large campgrounds around here. Lots of 2 ton or higher trucks. My favorite so far is a former coworker's father's truck, a 50's pickup made into a crew cab.
I haven't come across the ultra-posh yet, but you can see fancy rigs at most large campgrounds around here. Lots of 2 ton or higher trucks. My favorite so far is a former coworker's father's truck, a 50's pickup made into a crew cab.
This 'posh' trailer is recognized as a budget unit and a small one at that. The epitome of a 'starter'. They just come well equipped now.
Can't see needed that at this point. Especially those motorized ones. Holy cow those look amazing. Your Dad's thing sounds really interesting and probably a lot better than the wheel/pad that comes on the trailer jack post now.
You mean a Semi tractor? If so, that's some serious RVing.
No one ignores you big guy. That clip was a great example of how dangerous things used to be.
While negotiating for this trailer, I made the mistake of entering one of those busses turned camper. Brand new 2019 reduced for quick sale at $350k.
It was basically its neighbourhood on wheels. It had a putting green.
I decided to steer clear of the 2020 $600k unit. I didn't want to start crying in public like that.
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YOU are the one who reminded me of the movie. I thank you.
Just that Cal's description of "backup camera" rung a bell and I looked-up the trailer trailer.
Yes, Cal, yours is "posh" compared to some of the tiny rec-wrecks which show up in Bar Harbor. OTOH there are monsters on the road. Often trying to turn left across Rt 1 at beer:30.
Some odd things in that movie. Shots of Yosemite. The 125HP Mercury magically turns into a 200HP Lincoln on the steep part. Lucy and Desi kept the trailer and their kids played in it. And what is that lump under the tongue? Landing wheels?
I remember having to stop because my brakes on the Suburban were smoking in Zion National Park. What a car, we ordered it loaded and when it arrived the driver side door wouldn't close. Then when we bought a trailer for our full circle of the US trip the transmission went and I had to drive 120mi in first gear. We sold it a year later and actually got 1/2 the original sticker from a guy that was going to ship it to Hawaii.
Cal, I hope the adventures go well, looks like a nice unit with everything you’d need.
My parents had VW buses, so always will have a place for an RV. The bus conversion is so tempting. Our local county bus system has started using double-decker buses in the last ten years, so am hoping that some will come up as surplus when I’m ready to retire!
My parents had VW buses, so always will have a place for an RV. The bus conversion is so tempting. Our local county bus system has started using double-decker buses in the last ten years, so am hoping that some will come up as surplus when I’m ready to retire!