My trip to MN

[Rob'Z]

So every summer I take my vacation to NorthEast Minnesota. I just completed the new trailer for the Starflite and it towed beautifully. I did have one issue (explained below) but all in all it was a great trip. 1930 miles with my GF and our two Dacshunds in the truck was much less stressful than I feared.

So if any locals (Fargo, Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Pelican Rapids, Alexandria) want to meet up just let me know. I'll be here for two weeks.

Here is a small pictorial of our journey.

Leaving Tucson.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic001.jpg

It rained.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic007.jpg

The tow rig is quite long.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic013.jpg

The Checkmate on it's new trailer. Notice I have spare tires this year.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic014.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic015.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic016.jpg

....but no spare axles. :(
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic033.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic034.jpg

No retaining devices on nuts (thanks previous owner/builder. :)) = hub, both bearings, and nut destroyed. The nut backed off and the LR assembly came off the bearings and rubbed a flat spot on the underside of the stub axle. The fender caught a groove in the tire which kept it from flying down the road.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic035.jpg

The guys at the trailer place didn't have an axle wide enough for my trailer and refused to repair it as I outlined due to liability concerns. I told them I would sign a waiver and they countered with offering me all the tools I needed to do the job.....I accepted and quickly changed clothes. ;)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic036.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic039.jpg

Fixed! An angle grinder with flapper wheel, sanding sponge, hammer, new hub with bearings, new nut and cotter pins on all axles later and we were back in business. The axle fell apart at 5:00pm and we were back on I25 just before 8:30pm. The trailer place closed at 5:00pm and they stayed 3.5 hours late to help us out. On top of that they would even take any $$$ for the parts! These guys were more than just honest mechanics. I think they were surprised that I actually made it roadworthy again.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic037.jpg

[Rob'Z]

Geting out to stretch our legs in NE.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic048.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic047.jpg

After the long stops and unexpected repairs we still made it to MN with plenty of time to spare before the firewoks display.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic070.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/Pic074.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/DSC_1664.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/DSC_1667.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Lake%2008/DSC_1669.jpg


More pics to come.



Rob

[JW]

You rock RobZ!! If I ever move from SW Michigan to Chandler, I'm flying you up to ride down with me!!!!!

[c10seven]

Looks like fun. I like that trailer nice and long, truck probably doesnt even get close to water when launching. I cant wait to get rid of my roller trailer I hate it.

[PapaMaC]

:bigthumb: I really like that trailer ... my check is sitting on a sturdy but pitiful trailer. I don't have a spare for it at the moment which is really bad on my part. I will get one before I get it wet again!!! Or I might just get a better trailer, I'd REALLY prefer a tandem over a single!

[Rob'Z]

Thanks guys. The trailer took a LONG time to complete but it was well worth it. It tows absolutely perfect, I don't feel it at all at freeway speeds. I tried purposely to get it to wag a couple of times and as soon as I held the wheel straight the trailer follwed suit. My old single axle would wander like crazy sometimes and was not as easy to reign in. It's a bitch to maneuver in some of the launch ramps but overall it's a much better package.



Oh, I hit 72.2 GPS today with the 24p Raker. I can't get enough ventilation on my 29p Allison cut chopper to get out of the hole so I made a quick exhaust cover to force the exhaust down around the hub of the prop. That let it cavitate just enough to get the RPM up to the engines power band and it was able to plane off. Problem is now that the V6 lower is choking the worked V8 and it won't rev past 6200. I know it's the exhaust plate restricting flow and not the 29p being too big for the motor because I swapped back to the 24p and left the plate on and it wouldn't rev past 6350 or so. Now I have to figure out a way to get on plane with the exhaust cover removed so I can get full power with the 29p. I think I'm going to have my brother tow me up on plane with our ski boat and then release the line so I can fly! ;) Kinda like starting a land speed record car. LOL.




Rob