Counting Down

Well, I have less than 48 hours until my trial run begins.  This will be a 3-day, 2-night outing less than   150 miles from home, in a small town.  I have been working hard to be ready, learning all I can about Waddles, and trying to be organized.  Those of you who know me, know that planning is not my favorite activity.  I much prefer to drive to the corner and then decide which way to turn.  And I know I can't do that this trip.   So I'm down to the details now.   As I've been futzing with Waddles I worry about all the loose items that are essential for operation and could be easily overlooked and left behind.   I've made lists, and check lists, and backup lists.   I still worry.  So to make me feel better I took a page out of my Dad's book and bought some bright (and cute) tape and put it on all those necessary loose items.

Wheel lock 

Chock blocks

Power cord

Tongue wheel and stand

Tongue lock

I have a kitchen box,  dishes, pots and pans, towels, dish soap, matches, and oh so much more!

I have chairs

I have safety reflective triangles

I have the proper plug on the car so not only do the trailer lights work, but the trailer battery charges while we drive!

The bed is made and there are lots of extra blankets because, well, it is early April and I might get snowed on🙄

Tomorrow I will focus on loading up the car with everything I need to live with Waddles for a few days!   I'm getting very excited....and curious what will be the first thing I forgot!   Stay tuned!

Getting closer!

Today I decided to do a little jaunt around the neighborhood with Waddles, just to test things out.  I got her all hooked up to the car, did a 'pre-flight' walk around making sure everything was secured.  I tested the lights, and UH OH.... no lights!   They were plugged in, and worked the last time I tried them (last fall when I brought her home).  I unplugged, replugged, unplugged, replugged...looked at the wires under the trailer in case some mouse had been busy over the winter.  Nothing.

So I abandoned the jaunt until I could talk with my trailer expert, who is in Mexico still.    I pulled Waddles away from the house a bit, and pulled out the screen tent I bought to use with her, and set it up.   I had set it up once inside the garage this winter, but not outside.   After a few mis-assembly mistakes, I got it up.  Moved it over behind Waddles to see if I could open the kitchen hatch under the tent.... SUCCESS!      I took the tent down and got it back in it's bag, and backed Waddles into her parking place.   I left the car running and did a little walk around to see if she was in the right place, and low and behold the lights were working!    That made me nervous....  working intermittently is worse than not at all as far as I'm concerned.

So I decided to take our little jaunt after all.   I drove up to the nearby campground.   Got out and checked... lights were still working.   I drove into Parkdale and stopped at the store for something to drink (I figure I need to get used to parking and such).   Then I drove home.   No problem.  Lights were working; I'm getting comfortable driving with Waddles behind me.

Got a call from my trailer expert as I was backing into the parking spot, and his suggestion is that the ground might not have been a solid connection, evidently a somewhat common problem.  Moving the car around probably adjusted the ground so it worked.  He told me ways to check it also.    I'm taking the car to get the trailer wiring changed from 4-plug to 7-plug on Tuesday so I'll consult with them on how to mitigate this issue.

Everything else seems to be good.   I'm making lists of things to check before driving off with the trailer, when I get to a camp site, before I leave Waddles alone at a campsite.  What I need for my kitchen and other things for living out of the trailer.    I now have a box for all the kitchen items, a bag for all the security and parking items (chocks, locks, and such).    I also purchased more security items.   A wheel lock, to deter a would-be thief (this is a little trailer, easy to hook up and drive off with!).

I also broke down and bought a little can of mace.  I never thought I would do that, but traveling across country, alone, it seems like a good idea.  AND my theory is, if I have it, I won't need it.

I also tried out the kitchen today.....

Hot water from the propane stove?  Check.  

Refrigerator works? Check.  

Yellow pot holders for added cuteness?  Check.   

I think we are about ready to roll.  Oh and the problem with the back hatch locks mentioned in an earlier post, operator error... Fixed!

I'm feeling more confident, and my first trip is only for 2 nights, starting next week, so if I forget something critical it will be a lesson learned, and not a disaster!

Into the Sunshine

Waddles is out of the garage!

I was able to get her hooked up to the car (and oh boy does the backup camera help in lining the car up with the trailer to connect them).

I got all the wires and chains hooked up, pulled her out, drove around the driveway and backed her into the space next to the garage. (It took a number of tries to get her where I wanted her, but I got it done)!

I then got her unhooked, tires blocked, and leveled.    I plugged in to shore power, ran the water in the sink and drained what I could from the small water tank she has.    Hooked up the hose from the house water and flushed the system as best I could.   I'm reading that you have to park on a hill and/or raise the front of the trailer to get most of the water out of the tank.   Some say they leave the drain open when hauling the trailer so the jostling gets most of the water out.  The general consensus is to travel with an empty tank because the weight is on the very rear of the trailer, where you don't want weight.   I'm also reading that a lot of people do not drink water from the tank, but carry water in a jug(s) in the car.   Some have taken the whole water tank system out for more space!   Experience will dictate where I go with this information.

Then I tried to secure the trailer.   I have a hitch lock, which prevents someone from hooking on and stealing it.    I closed all the windows and vents, and locked the doors.   I tried to lock the back hatch, but failed.   I can't get the key to turn.😳.    So I posted a question to T@g forum to see what advice I can get.

I hooked up the solar panel, piece o'cake!

I didn't fire up the propane stove, but I'll be brewing some tea there soon!

I kept misplacing things through this whole process, which is a clear indication that I need to find a proper place for everything, and make sure that is where they are kept!  Oh, and I have an appointment to get the car wiring fixed on April 4th.😊

ALMOST.....

The snow is melting fast, and my first trip with Waddles is about 2 weeks away!   She is still in the garage, but I hope to get her out into the sunshine this week.  I thought it might happen today, but it is pouring rain, so she is still in hibernation.

Waddles now has curtains made from fabric I found on sale at the Pendleton Woolen Mills, but I'm not sure I like them.   They will do for now, and will keep the light out at night.

The Auto Electric guy seems to be out of town.  He is not returning my phone calls, so the plug on the car still needs to be rewired.  I'll be looking for someone else to do that work.

Thinking about all the things I need to have when traveling in Waddles is challenging! Normal travel things, clothes, toothbrush, etc.   Normal camping stuff, dishes, pots and pans, dish soap, etc.  The 'trailer' things are new to me;  fire extinguisher, flares (or reflective triangles),  hose for the water hookup, a place to drain grey water, electrical hook up, battery level tester, tools to fix a flat.  I got the solar panel but will have to figure out how to use it efficiently. I know I'm not thinking of everything!

Organizing things in a pretty confined space will come with experience, so the first trip or two will be interesting.  I don't want to add too much weight since I'm towing with my Subaru Outback, but I'm putting in containers to keep things organized in the small spaces I have.

So much to learn, I'm looking forward to our first trip!

Off The Grid!

I'm getting things together, little by little.   Today this showed up!   It hooks right to the battery, and should allow me to camp off the grid and keep my battery charged, providing there is some sun!  It has a built in converter, so it should be good to go!    I can't wait to try it out.    Beginning of April at the latest.   Snow is melting quickly, so I hope to get Waddles out into the sunshine before too long!

I'm working on getting the correct plug in on my car, but have yet to find the local automotive electrical guy open.   I finally read the sign today, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday!   I'd have saved myself a couple trips if I'd read the sign sooner.   Good thing it is not too far from home!

Spinning head!

Thinking about technical upgrades for Waddles is making my head hurt.  This is where I am the weakest in knowledge and confidence.    My trailer wiring needs to have a 7-pin plug in order for the trailer battery to charge while we are driving.    I don't have that, and need to get it changed.   Not sure where to start, but will contact someone who installs hitches to see what my options are!  These plugs are on the trailer:

This plug is on the car:

I have been reading about recommendations to upgrade the battery to one that holds a charge for much longer than many.   I have no idea if what I have needs to be replaced, or if it is good as is!

I have a plug for plugging in a solar panel, which would allow me to 'boondock' (camp off the grid) and keep my battery charged.  I'm hearing discussions that I need a converter to go with a panel to avoid over charging.   I'm not sure where to proceed with this, and I'd love to camp mostly off the grid!

And Waddles comes with a cooler, which runs off the battery.   I'm reading about non battery coolers that are super duper and will keep things cold for like 5 days.   Expensive, but I think would be better than running the battery down.

I have bought replacement fuses to have on hand, just because!  This one was easy.

I need expert advice!

Cuteness Overload?

As the snow SLOWLY melts, I'm spending more time with Waddles.  Thinking about what I need to live in her for about a month!   I have acquired dishes, a tiny dust pan and brush, a small frying pan, a dish towel, a foam pad to top the reportedly uncomfortable mattress.   I'm also succoming to cuteness adding my personal touches to her.   I added hinges to the bed boards, so when I lift them they don't shift out of place.

  I replaced the cabinet handles with ducks, cuz, you know.....Waddles!

And we have to have a mascot!

I wonder if this is too much cuteness...but want her to be less generic than she was.   I could lay some blame for the cuteness on the person who gave me the first personal touch, a pillow case, but I won't.

Oh and she has to be identifiable.....put a very small sticker on her nether regions:

I need to focus on some more practical things, like the battery and the cooler.....  baby steps!