I have learned that from a carpenter, he did show me a picture of a new use for a high lift jack and gave me a tip on the best way to remove unwanted undercoating from a project I am working on, he is very resourceful, glad my Sno-Trac did not eat him at the Clowder in the Powder!! ( see Clowder pic's) ST2018
High lift jack (handy-man in North East WI):
On the way up stress in the van in regards to fuel stops was mounting and full lunch stop was warranted, we pulled into Watson lake, Looking for my requisite non-franchise mom and pop food place, Kathys fit the bill perfectly, I did a walk around of the trailer, lisa went ahead to secure a table and start the process of: Drinks, food, Desert Today?...
After a great lunch, we were back in the van headed north, I spotted a fuel pump; I had learned to not pass those up.. I pulled in and fueled up, secured some road food and bought a Yellow fuel can to bring an appropriate amount of reserve fuel along with us. This reserve was to ease the * where is the next fuel stop* conversation with the navigator.
It was there at the fuel stop that the trailer let out another clue to my feelings of *something isn't right with the trailer game*. This game was like a chess game. the trailer displayed a move, I countered a thought.
But the trailer put me in check. the tongue of the trailer broke, with a thud the load of lumber was on the ground. The co-driver walked east, I walked west upon our return we had a fence post, a block of cedar, and a metal T-post.
I jacked up the trailer and went looking AGAIN for some indication of what was failing on the trailer. the gravel truck stop was very rutted, the trailer had bottomed out on the back left, putting all the weight on the hitch, the axles offering no support. Look at the stop light photo to see that corner sagging.
I strapped the frame up and went looking for a welder.
I found three in town, two of the machines were too busy with work for the upcoming holiday, or unwilling to weld on the chassis... the third gentleman offered to call a portable welder service.
I secured a few pieces of angle Iron so when I did find/rent a welder I could make the repair myself.
The handy-man went to work so I could get around town with out a loud schreeching dragging sound that certainly gain some unwanted attention. when it was clear nobody in town was going to help out, I wandered down the road gingerly on the throttle. I found a shop that had plenty of evidence of my people laying around the yard and inquired about welding, Upon seeing the project, OH you have chassis damage, I'll call a tow truck" "that's unsafe"
Where is the navigator time to GO!...... Plan A was out.
Plan B, Buy a new trailer.
Long story short the Jack repair held up all the way to White horse and my confidence came back as well.
We did not get to tryout my Submarine but always fun to to hang-out with Fourm members . They have had a great adventure and it makes me jealous to hearabout it and determined to go on our own trip soon ! I have met some GREAT people on this Fourms/Fourms for sure!! ~~night-owl~~ ST#2018
