First Trip/Modifications

Honda03842 · 09-27-2007, 06:05 PM

We purchased a 1982 Sunline for a spring trip across Labrador; working on it all summer in preparation. We took it out for our first trip to Saltwater Farm Campground in Thomaston, ME, a lovely hillside campground with large sites.

The handiest modification were the four micro bookcases on the valances over the side windows, providing space for all those little things. The trip suggested a few more small mods now that we've used it.

For pictures of our modifications go to Files/Other Sunline Files/Preparing a 1982 Sunline.

The trailer handled well however on the way home the ball squeaked a lot and did not squeak on the way north. Does anyone know why and what I can do to fix it?

The ball was brand new and we have an anti- sway bar. It still squeaked with the bar removed.

Norm Milliard
1082 Sunline 15.5 SB
2004 Honda CRV

Thank you

**Sunline Fan** · 09-27-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda03842

The trailer handled well however on the way home the ball squeaked a lot and did not squeak on the way north. Does anyone know why and what I can do to fix it?

The ball was brand new and we have an anti- sway bar. It still squeaked with the bar removed.

Norm,

Have you greased the ball lately? It may need a simple coat of white lithium grease on the ball to stop the squeak. Remember, DO NOT grease the sway control bar. You may grease the little balls that it attaches to, but don't grease the slide bar itself. It is basically a brake pad, so it'd be like putting grease on your car brakes...useless.

Jon

**Tweety** · 09-28-2007, 06:28 AM

Norm,
You have done an amazing job on your little trailer. If anyone hasn't followed the link to his pictures, know that it's worth going to! What great ideas!

Honda03842 · 09-28-2007, 01:49 PM

I'm sure each trip will show us more we need to do. We each usually keep a bottle of water next to us while sleeping. We sleep on the Gaucho Couch and there's no shelf so I'm putting a "little" corner shelf in for a bottle of water (I sleep against the wall).

It's been fun and we are anxious to get on the road to Newfoundland and Labrador next spring.

Norm Milliard

Bobo · 09-28-2007, 03:29 PM

I usally give the ball and the coupler a spray of WD-40 when I hookup.
When we purchased the trailer, the couple mechanism was corroded to the point that it was hard to move the locking tounge. Good ole WD-40. Rates up there as a handy man's helper, almost as much as duct tape(with appologies to the Red Green Show).

Bobo

emam · 10-01-2007, 07:00 AM

Hey Norm, I loved the article about prepairing the camper for your trip and actually pulled a few useful tips out of it. The Mylar Tape over the headlights while heading to Alaska I'm sure will prove to be a lifesaver. The Superglue on the windshield was also a great tip.

I'm really looking forward to hearing more of this trip, and cant wait to see more photos and hear the stories afterwards.

Thanks for sharing and keep us all informed on your travels.

Pat

purplesuebug · 10-01-2007, 07:14 AM

Norm,
Great article!!! Thanks for taking the time to prepare it and present it to us. Got some really good ideas from it. Marshall

Honda03842 · 10-01-2007, 11:13 AM

I have discovered a few more necessary mods since the trip and will be modifying the file. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Norm