|
Post by freebirdbeachbum on Oct 2, 2019 10:59:22 GMT -8
I've recently purchased a 1961 Shasta Astrodome that the seller says rolls but has not been towed in many years. The trailer is located in RI and I'm in Texas.
The whole vehicle shipping business is undependable as best and a complete fraud at worst so I'm going to rent a car hauler locally and go pick it up myself.
I would appreciate any helpful hints, tips, warnings, supplies, tools, etc...I may need before I embark on this adventure.
|
|
shastatom
Full Member
I can chase women or fix campers, I choose to fix what I understand........... campers.
Posts: 745
Likes: 419
Shasta 54,57 1500 58 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by shastatom on Oct 2, 2019 16:00:32 GMT -8
Make sure you know the width between the wheel wells for the trailer. My guess this camper 7 feet wide.
When I did this I brought the following items:
Extra set of tires for the camper in case they don't hold air Electric winches to pull the camper up the trailer Come along Duct tape Sheet plastic for taping up windows tie downs socket set with a long bar to get the nuts off Other tools, hammer, screw drivers, drill, etc Tarps Screws and some boards to help firm up some areas if need be
Those are just a few of the items I can think of.
|
|
kirkadie
1K Member
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 556
'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
Currently Offline
|
Post by kirkadie on Oct 2, 2019 17:01:37 GMT -8
A lot of us use 2x4s as X braces that go corner to corner, floor to ceiling and a T bar, a 2x going floor to ceiling attached to another 2x4 that spans the ceiling wall to wall and holds up the ceiling in case wall to floor fasteners only go into rotted sill boards. There have been some pictorial posts showing disasters from unseen rot even though the trailer looked fine on the outside. 6 2x4s and a piece of carpet or something similar to keep from tearing up the ceiling. Hand saw and screw gun. Plus all of shastatom's list.
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Oct 2, 2019 21:32:37 GMT -8
|
|
jukebox
Member
Posts: 43
Likes: 9
1961 Shasta Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by jukebox on Oct 4, 2019 15:40:14 GMT -8
I would just rent the car trailer from where the Shasta is. Saves you gas dragging an empty trailer all the way there. You can rent car hauler trailers from U-Haul one way. You will need a winch. Maybe the car hauler trailer has one? Also, a tow strap to connect to the winch cable if you can't back up the trailer close to the Shasta. You may also need some 2x6 boards to extend the ramps to get the Shasta up onto the trailer. Straps on all 4 corners. Ratchet straps from both rear corners of the bumper and also 2 in the front. All 4 are required. I would also put 2 more from the axle of the Shasta to the car hauler frame.
I did this about 2 years ago and worked well. Also, make a cardboard wrapped in plastic protector for the front windows of the Shasta. You don't want a stone from the tow vehicle taking out a window.
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Oct 4, 2019 15:50:17 GMT -8
Hi Friends, Since this is turning into a valuable thread, I thought I would ask these questions: To Jukebox or anyone else, are you winching the trailer backwards on to the trailer or pulling it on from the tongue so the tongue is closest to the front of the flatbed trailer? The next question is if you pull it up on the trailer with the tongue forward, then how do you pull it off? One could assume, you could just accelerate suddenly and hope that it falls off the back like dishes on a table cloth, but somehow... I don't think that would work too well. Thanks, Rod
|
|
mrmarty51
Leading Member
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 423
1972 HOMEMADE
Currently Offline
|
Post by mrmarty51 on Oct 4, 2019 21:07:15 GMT -8
If renting a UHaul trailer, they might not like Your load and refuse to rent to You. They seem to always ask what You are going to be hauling. At least they do over here.
|
|
shastatom
Full Member
I can chase women or fix campers, I choose to fix what I understand........... campers.
Posts: 745
Likes: 419
Shasta 54,57 1500 58 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by shastatom on Oct 5, 2019 10:06:17 GMT -8
I am taking off tomorrow to retrieve a camper. It is pretty bad shape but with some bracing and new tires I am going to haul it home 4 hours away. A friend of mine has pulled home over 150 campers and has only had issues with tires, so I am going for it without a trailer. I filled the back of the truck up with I hope everything I need and I will write up my recovery story in the next couple of days.
|
|
jukebox
Member
Posts: 43
Likes: 9
1961 Shasta Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by jukebox on Oct 9, 2019 18:00:56 GMT -8
This is a late reply. You may be back allready.
I pulled the trailer from the front. Naturally the front of the hitch is center and lots to hook onto.
If you are going to tow it then bring a jack and lift one wheel off the ground and spin by hand. If it growls then don't do it. If it growls and had movement top to bottom then really don't do it. Check both sides. It can be 4 hours of hell.
Just read the recent post and the story they had. I also noticed that they had all that trouble with the trailer axle, towing, the stress of added cost and probably hotel cost and she ended her post with a positive camping note to all of us. Great attitude. Really nice to see. I wish I was closer to offer help.
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Oct 12, 2019 22:23:27 GMT -8
Hi Friends, Thanks Jukebox. How did you pull the trailer off with the tongue forward? Also, I couldn't find this thread a week ago when I wanted to post. It was created by NCCamper on bracing walls during a retreival. I am including this for anyone searching out threads about trailer retrieval. cheers, Rod
|
|
mrmarty51
Leading Member
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 423
1972 HOMEMADE
Currently Offline
|
Post by mrmarty51 on Oct 16, 2019 19:00:20 GMT -8
Hi Friends, Thanks Jukebox. How did you pull the trailer off with the tongue forward? Also, I couldn't find this thread a week ago when I wanted to post. It was created by NCCamper on bracing walls during a retreival. I am including this for anyone searching out threads about trailer retrieval. cheers, Rod Yeah, curious minds is wanting to know.
|
|
aslmx
1K Member
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 360
Currently Offline
|
Post by aslmx on Oct 17, 2019 16:41:05 GMT -8
If renting a UHaul trailer, they might not like Your load and refuse to rent to You. They seem to always ask what You are going to be hauling. At least they do over here. yep don’t tell them what your hauling and make sure to buy the insurance.
|
|
SimonTuffGuy
Junior Member
Posts: 53
Likes: 9
1973 Shasta 1400
Currently Offline
|
Post by SimonTuffGuy on Mar 24, 2020 16:31:45 GMT -8
When we retrieved mine we had a friend with a deckover tilt trailer and built in winch. Super easy up AND off.
|
|
ruderunner
Active Member
Posts: 470
Likes: 96
Currently Offline
|
Post by ruderunner on Mar 28, 2020 3:29:54 GMT -8
Getting unloaded is much easier than loading. Id pull on tongue first.
To unload, don't think of getting the camper off the trailer, think of getting the trailer out from under the camper. Some sort of anchor point chained to the camper axle and drive the tow vehicle out from under.
|
|