Our "new" (to us) travel trailer

frank_a · 05-20-2012, 03:45 AM

We took off at 9 yesterday morning for Rochester (actually Palmyra) and got home with our new travel trailer about 7:45 . It is a 1983 T-1550, about 7 X 16. It can sleep two adults comfortably, plus 4 other smaller people. It has a toilet, bathroom sink and shower, furnace, stove & oven. There is table space for 6 as well. It has been very well maintained and everything except the hot water heater works. I believe it was a deluxe model, as it has most all the options. We are VERY excited about it.

We first found out about this trailer when I posted some problems with our Sunspot a few weeks ago on the repairs and modifications form. Gary Wildey responded that he had this trailer for sale and wondered where we lived in NY. Now the rest is history. While it was a long drive to go look at an old trailer, it turned out great. We very much enjoyed meeting Gary and his wife Beth. They are really nice folks, and certainly treated us right.

Finally I have a trailer with working electric brakes. I hooked up an electric brake controller Friday night so I had it just in case, as Gary did not know if the brakes were operational or not. I bought a digital proportional controller, and it told me as soon as I plugged in that the brakes were connected.

Took us about 5 hours to get home, but everything went well. Gail & I brought our new schnoodle puppy, and found out he had more than enough room in my small standard cab pickup, which is great.

We are very pleased to have another Sunline, and owe much thanks to the Wildeys for it.

Attached are some pics form last night, right after we got home. Interior pics later today.

I'll be back soon with questions!

Frank

Jim-Bev-2363 · 05-20-2012, 04:08 AM

As the story goes, we start camping in tents to save money. Wives always like that idea.

Next, after sleeping on the ground and doing all that packing and unpacking for camping trips we talk the wives into buying a small, cheap camper. There is all that convenience with leaving the camper loaded for trips instead of unloading the tent and everything else out of the car.

After a few trip with rain outside and cold days being all cramped inside the camper seems smaller with every trip. Now the wife is ready to be talked into a larger camper. Congrats on step three of your camping journey.

frank_a · 05-20-2012, 04:27 AM

Thanks Jim, you got it about right. Plus, this is about the biggest Sunline we can pull with our vehicles. To go bigger means more vehicle expense, and neither of us are willing at this point in our lives to have a big truck or whatever just for that. I had been quietly looking for a larger Sunline (larger than our Sunspot, which is everything else!), and simply lucked out.

Now, a few projects...

Frank

**JohnB** · 05-20-2012, 08:48 AM

Frank,

Congrats on your new coach!

It is amazing how the decals have held up so well since 1983... Looks like like it was a well kept unit.

Good luck and happy camping.

John

frank_a · 05-20-2012, 09:07 AM

Thanks John. Yes, it is amazing how well kept this unit has been. Not much needed (if anything) to roll into the campground. Letchworth June 1 & 2, then Keuka Lake mid July for 10 days (both NYS Parks campgrounds). Those are already scheduled camping trips we planned to make with our Sunspot. Soon as Gail & I get some time for necessary repairs, the Sunspot will be for sale.

Frank

aaron · 05-20-2012, 02:00 PM

Congratulations on the rig! I am also a fairly new proud Sunline owner. I fell in love with Sunline’s a few years ago, just bought my first one this year. Love everything about it.

Happy Camping!!!

frank_a · 05-20-2012, 02:37 PM

Thanks Aaron, ya gotta love these Sunlines. Great little trailers, and this is an example of how well they were made. This little T-1550 was made almost 30 years ago, and is still structurally sound. It has a few age issue, but nothing basic, just little stuff. We will be modernizing it some with a combo electric/propane hot water heater (probably 6 gallon vs. the 4 gallon tank it came with), and A/C, probably a small Coleman unit.

Frank

apackoftwo · 05-21-2012, 12:23 PM

Congratulations! I love the smaller rigs..so cute! This past week end was my shakedown cruise and I am ready to go again!

frank_a · 05-21-2012, 12:27 PM

Thanks Joan. We had our shake-down cruise hauling this baby home. I was nervous, but everything went well. It tows sooo nicely. Enjoy yours too!

Frank

RockDodger · 05-22-2012, 01:48 AM

She's a beauty! I am very happy with my 1987 T2153. I see people with brand new rigs all the time that have problems right from the git-go. Sunline made a great product line.

frank_a · 05-22-2012, 03:06 AM

Yes, Sunline did make a great product. It is one of the sad moments in American corporate history that they went down the way they did. This is a 29 year old trailer and in unbelievable condition for that age.

Enjoy your T-2153!

Frank

OPIE · 05-22-2012, 12:38 PM

Wow...amazing...I've been hacking away at my 83 T1550 for a few years, and yours is what I want it to look like when I'm done!! Those stripes!! I don't think mine will ever look that good again!!

frank_a · 05-29-2012, 11:05 AM

So Opie, I see a few years ago you replaced the wheel bearings in your T-1550, or at least you posted about it. Does yours have the 10" X 1 1/2" brakes too? How about your load center? What kind do you have? Is it a Gould like mine with a single pole 15 amp breaker?

Just curious!

Frank

OPIE · 05-29-2012, 11:12 AM

My brakes were destroyed by a rock or some kind of debris that lodged in there a couple winters ago. They were literally disintegrated on one side, the magnet was pulverized and tore pretty much everything else out. Replacement parts are not to be found and new brakes won't work because it's welded, not bolted, so other than a one mile trip at very low speeds I am grounded until I can convince the wife to let me replace the whole axle. Sorry I can't help with brake issues...I truly wish I could, for your sake and mine.

frank_a · 05-29-2012, 11:24 AM

Ouch! I hope next year to replace my axle with new stuff, go to 10 X 2 1/4 for brakes, the "new" standard for 10" brakes. My brakes are not in great shape either, magnets are worn, drums couldn't take a lathe turn, but magnets and shoes are still available, at least from NAPA. I'll let you know, and maybe you would want my old axle? I wouldn't be asking for much, given those drum/hubs are NLA. Seems to me I found a 3500# axle kit with 10 X 2 1/4 for under 400 bucks (without springs), but I have my notes at home. I think that is probably the way I'll go.

Where are you in MA? We're just south of Albany, right near the mass pike extension that ties into the NYS thruway...

Frank

OPIE · 05-29-2012, 12:41 PM

Thanks for the offer, but I do mean to get a new one under there eventually. I am waaaaay over the other side of MA in Mansfield - closer to Providence RI than Boston.

frank_a · 05-29-2012, 12:45 PM

I sure don't blame you there Opie, same thing I would do. I found one on the web today for less that 300 bucks, no springs, and not including shipping (for what it's worth). You might find somebody around Boston or Providence that sells and maybe installs this stuff at a good price. I'll do mine myself.

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