Friday, October 28, 2011

Buzzard Trouble

Still trying to get rid of the Buzzard.

I wanted to pick it up last night and then take it over to Tri Tex today.

No go. The gate was locked last night so It might have to wait until sometime next week.  Sigh.

Good news, I'm off on a shopping trip to Fort Worth tomorrow: Fabric and a visit to the Habitat Restore.

Wonder if the guy with the Corian counter tops would be available for a pick up?

Random Thought: With a trailer this massively strong, should I just build a tiny house? Make it look period?

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Buzzards

So I was laying on my back tightening down screws and finishing replacing all the wood on the old trailer.

When I look up and see buzzards circling.

I'm calling this trailer the buzzard trailer from now on.

Monday, October 24, 2011

I love my trailer seller

So I got a call from my trailer seller (Ken) this morning.

Tri Tex was contacted by the trailer manufacture.

Do I want pin strips on the trailer?

LOL

I asked and yes the 2 inch ball will work fine.

Then I asked about letting them know what I'd be doing, maybe get the trailer made to the PAD specs. Ken said let me check and I'll call you back. He called back and gave me the trailer makers fax. I've faxed off the plans this afternoon. Cross fingers folk, they haven't started the build and if they can make it to spec. I may cut several weeks of the prep work, and move straight to build. 

And when I mentioned that I need to get rid of the other trailer, Ken said, "Oh really, bring it in and we'll see what we can give you for it." At this point, while I do care about how much I could get for it, I'm a realist. I won't get what I paid for it, and what ever I get I'll have them credit to the total for the new real trailer.

As to the old trailer. I spent 2 hours putting it back together today. I've still got to figure out where the last boards go as, the homemade trailer maker didn't seem to measure anything. It's a jigsaw puzzle putting the boards back together in the right way. Sigh.

Friday, October 21, 2011

For Sale One Trailer : Slightly Used:

So annoyed beyond words, at myself and the world in general and needing to make positive steps to get a life and keep this project moving...

I went down to the farm and ranch tractor dealer (Tri Tex) who does trailers and ordered a new one.

Rick the gentleman who owns the business called his supplier. Who right there on the phone quickly put together a price for a 5X14 dual axle with brake trailer. (The Vardo Plans are for 12 feet but the supplier won't put duals under anything smaller than 14 so I'll have a two foot porch.

One more hitch in the process is that currently the trailer maker is about two weeks backed-up with orders. Not caring and startling the poor man I told him to go ahead and order me one. Then I immediately put a down payment for it.

Rick looks at me and says, so the trailer normally comes in black but I can have the trailer to painted to match your truck.... I grinned and said John Deere Yellow. Both gentlemen, another customer had wondered in... cracked up... I explained it was a design decision that I had already considered because I wanted a yellow roof, and yes let the jokes begin.

What I forgot to ask, and I'll go back and ask on Monday is what is the hitch size in case I have to buy another ball, and could I tell them to not add the wood as it would be just ripped off and a waste of materials. While I'm thinking about it, I'll ask if I can give them the vardo plans, then they could build the thing to spec. and I wouldn't have to bother my welder to add things. Hey can't hurt to ask.

Back to the original trailer problem:

So now I have to put all the wood back on the original trailer, I'll wander in an hour early every day this next week to start to replace it. And now to start the process to get rid of it. I hope I can sell it for at least most of what I paid for it.  Anyone want to come to West Texas for a trailer?

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Suspisions Confirmed: The Emperor has had Raban seized...

Ok: the trailer is a bust:

My welder recommends reselling it to someone else and getting something else.

I'm off to purchase another one from the trailer store on I-20 sometime tomorrow, or at least order one that will work. I'm not waiting around anymore.  

The bummer is that I have to put all the wood back on, that I've spent all that sweat equity to get off. Sigh.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

At the Welder's at Last

Ok, after only slightly making a fool of myself, I backed the trailer into the gated area at the college's welding lab.

The other instructor Gene, understood when I said that it had been twenty five years since I had last tried to back up a trailer, and for the lack of practice on my part he did in point  of fact did not laugh to much. :)

Plus he then showed me how to hitch and unhitch my trailer. At this point, the gentleman that sold me the trailer and the gentleman who let me leave my trailer in his back yard, both did the whole gentlemanly thing. Each time I backed the truck up to the hitch, apparently very well, as they both connected it so quickly I didn't even get a chance to see what or how to do it. Sigh. Gene laughed as I explained that I had no idea how to hook or unhook it as the guys had been doing it for me, and showed me how to do it.


I will go an hour or two tomorrow and the next day before work and continue to remove wood from the trailer. I fear however that as the wood comes off I find that the nice looking outside has been hiding a rather not so nice inside. I'm hoping that this doesn't become a compete redo job for the welders.

Next I am working on a secondary location to leave the trailer that will allow me to work on it in my spare time.

Sweat Equity Begins

As soon as I finish my coffee and this post, I'm off to work on getting the original wood boards off the trailer soon to be Vardo.

The trailer had to come home with me last night and I might as well get some work done on it while it's here. I'll work on getting it into the locked gated area at work today and then then finish ripping off the boards tomorrow and Thursday there at the college.

Update: Two hours later I have a quarter of the wood removed from the trailer so welding can begin on Thursday. I would have said a third but there are a few bolts that are being particularly stubborn on coming off.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

The kindness of friends and I Love Craigs list

My problem is not having anywhere to park the Vardo as I work on it.

My 100 year old land lady is now stating that I can park it on one of the other renters properties that she owns.

This won't work because, a) the renter in the house hasn't even been asked, b) it would be impossible to work on it, in someone Else's yard, and c) the yard conveniently backs up to a alley... can you say goodbye Vardo?


So my friends that are temporarily parking my soon to be vardo and who have a 2 inch ball hitch will be bringing it into work for me tomorrow. I'll have to work on getting the wood off the frame on Tuesday, then finding somewhere to have a shower before going back to work.

I ADORE MY FRIENDS.

GULF WAR 146 and counting...

Update:

I was looking on Craigslist as I was putting together my build list for after the welding gets done and I was thinking about a kitchen counter for putting the sink on and a place to prep food. There is a business going out of business with pieces of Corian kitchen countertops; Light and strong, great for the Vardo!

72x33x1/4 (about 400 pieces) (4 colors).$37.00 ea YEP 37 bucks for 6 feet of counter space.  Even if I cut it in half.. 37 BUCKS:  I just hope that there is a neutral cream color in there somewhere and i'll see about driving out to get it next weekend.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Making a Welder Happy = A Happy Me

So I went over at 6PM this evening and met with the Welder here at my campus.

I showed him the plans (HE LOVED THAT I HAD PLANS) and explained to him what I needed, that I would be more than happy to pay for all the supplies...

Oh No!! We have more than enough here, we'll take care of everything.  You can bring it by on Monday right??

It seems that I have the perfect project for the welding class to practice on at the perfect time.

All I have to do now is pick up the trailer from my friends house and strip all the wood off it.

If I don't need the wood, I can take it into Habitat for Humanity's Restore either this weekend or next.

149 days to Gulf War!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Welder on the horizon

Ok, one thing that is good about working at a community college is the available help you can ask for.

I called the Head of the Industrial Arts Department, who gave me the name of the welder on our campus, and told me to tell him, that I had a project, for the welder to work on. :)

Now the Department Head can't promise that the welder could do my project for FREE as part of the class but the welder could at least take a look at what I had and either do it in class OR tell me where I could get the welding done.

I'm off to see the Welder, the Wonder Welder of Oz....

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Nothing is Happening II

I now have a trailer.

It's the annoying details that have to be worked out before the actual build can begin that no one tells you about. I haven't been able to talk to the welder, which has to happen before I work with the builder.

Because, he's deep into Ag. this semester.

So nothing else is getting done and even though I'm trying to have  Quality of Life time for myself..

I'm still looking to put in 50 to 55 hours at work this week.

Sigh.

Maybe I'll try for the DMV. And add a new level of craziness to the mix.



I want a welder!!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

MORE RAIN

MORE RAIN
MORE RAIN
MORE RAIN

OH THANK YOU GODDESS


RAIN

UPDATE:

The rain continues, the cats are terrified and hiding under anything they can find, sofa, bed, cupboards, me...

Friday, October 7, 2011

Yellow Roof

I've decided to go with the yellow roof and base, because I love the color green and want it on the body of the Vardo. Actually, I had a fabulous color call Mediterranean Teal that was a great blue green, but Lincoln Green is also great.  So many greens. The yellow is easy, sunshine yellow. Sigh.

I found out that the Welding dude is deep into Ag. this semester so probably won't be able to do the welding that I'll need. But probably will know who I can take it to.

Will check with a carpenter I know in town and see if he's up for a challenge.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Color

Color Color Color


All day long I have been wondering about color: I plan on having a green and yellow, primarily, trailer.

But the wonder is: Do I put the yellow on the top and bottom or the green?

(Yes, the John Deere Jokes may now start...)

What every color I choose it will have to be soon so I can start to plan what paint to buy, i.e. budgeting the expenses of the materials over several months.

Everything is down to the timeline of having the trailer inclosed enough for Gulf War which is in March.

No time to loose.

So:
Welding (Not yet confirmed)
Move to a build location (Not yet confirmed)
Hire a builder to help me (Cause I know i'm going to need help & Oh yes, let's not forget:  Not yet confirmed)

And I'm worrying about paint.

P.S. Yes, the trailer is safely stored at the friends house until I can get the welding done. One step done so many more to go.  And Gulf war is 156 days away and counting. 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

MINE ALL MINE

I checked with the DMV at the county today, as long as I have a bill of sale with me, on the trip home then I can move the trailer without plates. When I explained what I was doing, the ladies behind the counter looked shocked and worried, "Oh you'll have to have that inspected." Yes, I know, we discussed this... I'll have to get the inspector's name and number again, and go over all the details with him before I start, and take lots of notes and pics during the build. Better to have the inspector involved from the start then find out something is wrong or needs modified after the paint is on..

It was a 2 1/2 hour trip each way and I had to stop for some business on the way. Only got lost once, but that's not my fault! Billy forgot to tell me to turn Right at the Y not Left.. Sigh. 

I met Billy and his wonderful kittens. He has seven, he told wife you want to keep them, they all have to be spayed and neutered and giving their rabies shots. (I so like this guy.)  

The trailer was a home made item that was originally intended for customer who needed it to haul bails of hay. But then didn't need it.  We discussed tiny houses, and I mentioned that he might make some money making trailers for the tiny house/vardo crowd. :)

The ride home was broken up by a little More shopping, seems I had forgotten something on the first pass through town. I wanted to drop the trailer at my Friends house tonight but I had to go back to work and be online in case any student needed online reference help. So I'm hoping to have it moved to the friends house, tomorrow, before the Landlord's Son of Doom, see it and get's upset. So, it is sitting in front of my rent house, and I hope soon I'll be able to contact welder at my other friends high school to see if he can either help or point me to the person who can. Because it was 'homemade' there are a few things about it, that according to the "Go House Go" booklet that I can already see will have to be modified and refitted to be suitable for a vardo/tiny house. 

HAPPY DANCE