Sunny 18's maiden voyage

[EMD_Driver]

We got home a few hours ago, from a great M&G and Sunny 18's maiden voyage with us. I wasn't sure about the truck pulling it up Sideling hill, but it did just fine! Got to the CG and had to wait to check in. While I was waiting, a camp host from another loop, made sure I wasn't bored! That woman could talk!

We've had some slide issues and I spent 30-45 minutes, with JohnB on the phone. He was extremely patient with me while I went from inside to outside, to underneath, to the truck for tools, to underneath again. We narrowed it down to the bent slide floor allowing the slide to drop down too far, causing the problem we keep having. I was able to apply a band-aid to the problem, to allow us to keep camping and wait for the proper repair. A large section of the slide floor will need to be replaced and it will have to wait for a bit.

Over all, staying in Sunny 18 was far better, than staying in Sunny 17. 18 has the corner shower and much more headroom, than the micro shower 17 had. We were at the CG from Friday evening, until Monday morning. The 70 gallon fresh water tank proved to be more than adequate. I accidentally ended up bringing the remaining fresh water home with us. It was pouring down rain, while I was packing up the campsite and getting Sunny hitched up. I even had the honor of dumping the waste tanks in the rain!

We just had new LT tires put on last week and this was the first tow, on those tires. There was a huge difference in how the trailer handled and responded. It was a much better towing experience, than when we brought it home. I stopped at ten miles and checked/re-torqued the lug nuts. After only ten miles, I found four lug nuts loose. Two of those were very loose! I stopped again 35 miles later and re-torqued them again. That time, only one was slightly loose. I checked them one more time on the way there and once on the trip home. Both of those times, they were all still tight.

I also noticed that the brakes did not feel as firm, as they were in February. I haven't gotten into it yet, but will be checking the voltages and AMP draw as soon as I can. If I had the time, I would have pulled the drums off and inspected the brakes, when I was changing the tires. If it ever dries out around here, I will check and adjust the brakes properly.



Sunny 18's maiden voyage/shakedown camp was a resounding success and a lot of fun!

[JohnB]

Gary and Kitty,

Glad you made it home safe and sound and your Maiden voyage was a success. Good to see Kitty getting out and about.

And then you dropped this comment. Trying to figure out what you were doing this far west.

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

I wasn't sure about the truck pulling it up Sideling hill, but it did just fine!

Which road where you on? Was it one that looked like this? That is route 30 and I will never forget it... Sideling Hill is a really big and long hill....Or were you out on the interstate?

[Capt Skup]

I replaced the stock tires on our Sunline about two years ago. The stock tires had plenty of tread left but were cracking pretty bad on the sidewalls. The replacements, Dunlops, though the same size are quite a bit wider. I noticed this when I got home from the first trip with the new tires. Right front tires rubbed on the shock absorber. I then discovered whoever built the frame for the 5th wheel Sunline did an awful job of aligning the axle hangers. The front axle is not aligned properly. Put a straight edge across both right side tires and it is ver apparent. Tires are not wearing because of it but I did have to remove the shocks (they are pretty much worthless anyways) and I ground down the mounting tab a bit to prevent contact with the tire. Maybe someday I will correct the issue. The bigger tires do help raising up the trailer to ride pretty level behind the big 450.

[EMD_Driver]

Sideling Hill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

Sideling Hill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

OK your out in the interstate. The secondary roads are even more interesting...

This pic... tells the story. We where on the other end of that long mountain range coming out the wrong way from Cowans Gap State Park.... ( The other Gap park...)



Most likely any road up and over that "hill" is going to be a rough one.

[MACK C-85]

John, the "V" you see south of I-68 in the picture is the original US 40 aka the "National Road" that was the main road between Baltimore and Cumberland dating back to Colonial times, and Sideling Hill was a real bear on both sides!!!!

To add some scouting history.....there used to be what today would be called a "high adventure" camp located along the Potomac River near the base of Sideling Hill. It was called the "Lil-Aaron Strauss Wilderness Area" and is now owned by the MD National Guard as training facilities. They used to run week long canoeing trips on the Potomac from Cumberland back to the camp. There are hiker-biker camps every four or fives miles along the MD side of the river in the C&O canal trail National Park from Cumberland to Washington DC. There is a scout patch for the C&O Canal that has six segment chevrons. After completing this trip you received the Canal Patch and 3 chevrons and the 50 Miler Patch. I can say from personal experience it was fun!!

Mack

[JohnB]

Mack, Really neat. Thanks for the info. Never realized that

[rebellious78]

You mean there is a hill on I-68?

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

Sideling Hill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[EMD_Driver]

Originally Posted by rebellious78

You mean there is a hill on I-68?

I guess you wouldn't notice, with that tiny little lightweight Sunny you tow!

[rebellious78]

Yep! Actually I love to tow over I-70, I-68, I-79, and route 50 when traveling to Ohio. The views sure beat the heck out of the turnpike. Although I have seen many rigs that have problems over Cheat mountain near Morgantown.

Again it was great to see you and Kitty at the M&G. Be safe out there this holiday weekend.

[HappyCampers]

Coming down off of Big Savage Mtn., and Negro Mtn. can be a hair raising experience.