This and that

We ARE working on the trailer....just not a lot that's photogenic!

I'm pretty much finished with the awning.....but I can't get a good photo with it mounted on the trailer yet because there is a ladder in the way.  We use the ladder to get up on the roof - and it's tied up to the hangar rafters for stability (so we can't move it). 

Anyway, I'll get a photo of the awning in all it's 18' of glory when we move that ladder!!  For now, it's just piled up on the sewing table and ironing board....

And I'm busy still removing the roof "goop" so that we can seal them permanently - hopefully No More Leaks!! 

Roof work

Duane's still working on the plumbing/wiring....so not much "exciting" to photograph.....

I'm working on something that's not really too exciting, either....but must be done!

The roof has several layers of "stuff" painted on it.  Probably mobile home roofing coating.

We want to make absolutely sure we never have a leak - so we're removing some of the coating, down to bare aluminum.  Then we'll come over the seams with this "miracle tape" called EternaBond.  It is supposed to be 100% leak free for a lifetime.    So, we want a smooth surface to apply the tape.

Messy, messy job - I soak rags with Xylene overnite - then it scrapes off like toothpaste.  Slow going....and not at all sexy!

More awning work

Finally got back to the awning since I received the orange binding.

Really pleased with the color match!

Tedious process....had to rip out a few seams where I didn't line it up correctly.

Scalloped edge came out nice, I think.

The edging pinned to the huge awning body.....put I ran out of UV resistant thread!   So, I went inside and ordered another spool from Amazon.  It will be here tomorrow - and I'll get it all sewn together then.

Air Conditioning Installed!!!

Duane installed the new air conditioning unit without me!!!   I was inside doing some last-minute Christmas baking on this very cold day.....I went down to the hangar this afternoon and this is what I see!  This is the roof of the trailer - he put boards up there so he could walk around without damaging the roof.  The unit is 15,000 BTU and is a heat pump, so we'll have a/c and heat.   It's replacing a smaller unit, so hopefully we'll be nice and comfy!

It weighs 99 lbs - he used a block-n-tackle to hoist it up. 

Here's the interior view - looks great!  Looking forward to using it!

Scalloped edge for awning

So, I see all the pretty photos of awnings online - and I have to make mine pretty too!

After several attempts, I got a nice shallow scallop pattern.

Then I marked the 34' of edge fabric with a pencil.

And proceeded to cut it all.....34' is a lot of fabric!!!  Now I'm still waiting on my orange binding tape to finish it off.

New Air Conditioner

I ordered the new air conditioner a few weeks ago.  It was backordered so we had to wait....no worries.

Got the call from the truck driver this morning that he was out at our driveway.  So, we scooted out there with the pickup.

Uncrated it to inspect for shipping damage, but all looked well.

Reading the direction booklet and measuring everything to make sure it would fit, we found a major issue.  The original opening in the roof of the trailer was too small by about 1/2"!  The opening in the trailer is almost exactly 14x14" square.  The paperwork for the new a/c unit also says that the opening has to be 14x14"....

The problem is, the new a/c unit has a mounting flange that measures 14 1/4 inch square.  So, it will not fit!!!

I called the manufacturer to see if there was a mistake, but their technical support folks say that "most roof openings are around 14 3/8" square, so their measurement is not exact.  Their suggestion was to take our trailer to a repair shop an have our roof modified!!

Now, you know that's not going to happen!!!

Duane dove in this afternoon - and modified the roof opening by taking out the rivets, removing all the brackets, cutting out aluminum skin so that the opening is larger.

He re-installed the re-positioned brackets and riveted them in place.  Now the a/c unit will slide in place nicely!

Now we'll have to lift the 99 lb a/c unit to the roof!!  First I've got to clean some "goop" off the rooftop to make sure we get a good seal - don't want any leaks!!

Belly Pan Replacement

Duane is about finished with the plumbing/wiring that needed access to the belly....looks a lot different under there since we first got the trailer!!

Kinda hard to see on the grey hangar floor, but we cut the new aluminum to fit using the old belly pan as a pattern.  That's it for now....Duane will work on installing it under the trailer in the next few days.