New owner with an '86 Saturn in California.

larry818 · 08-25-2008, 12:09 PM

Hi All,

We just bought an '86 Saturn model T1550 in pretty good shape. So far we've (me, wife, two daughters) have used it only one weekend. It's been a few weeks getting it into shape.

So far the only mod we've done to it is a solar charging system, but we plan to add air con as well. We're towing it with a '92 Volvo 240. Does ok, I still find lots of cars still in my way, but I'm having the 960 equipped with a trailer hitch as it has 100 more hp. I think the sunline has lots of miles on it as the spare is an entirely bald original tire. We're in sunny southern california. Two owners ago the Sunline was in Texas.

This is actually my second trailer. The first was a 1940's vintage teardrop, but a teardrop unlike any other I've seen. About 15' long and big enough to stand up in. Interior kitchen and sleeps 4. Kind of like any other canned ham trailer of that vintage, but cool teardrop shape. Because it lacked a bathroom and heater, I ended up not using it much. I'm hoping to get more useage out of the sunline.

SanDimasJoe · 08-25-2008, 02:13 PM

Welcome larry818,
I'm glad to see another Golden State member on the forum. I am in San Dimas with a 2005 model T2553. Glad to have you aboard.
Joe

kanyonkitty · 08-25-2008, 03:31 PM

Hello Larry818,

Welcome to the most wonderful happening place on the web, Sunlineclub.com

Also glad to see California Sunline owners

Kitty

rmstack · 08-25-2008, 07:39 PM

Welcome to the club. It is very interesting that Sunlines have made it to California. The factory was very near to where I live, and it was a sad day when it closed.

Sunlines live on across the country.

Check back to the site often.

Rich

Honda03842 · 08-26-2008, 03:23 PM

We have a 1982 15.5 foot sunline and love it. We've taken it to Labrador and plan to take it to the West Coast this winter. We have modified it for two and find it easily adequate for our travels. We tow it with a Honda CRV adn have experienced no problems.

Norm Milliard

larry818 · 09-01-2008, 07:46 PM

Hi Norm,

Your '82 seems to be the same thing I have, but the specs are a little different.

We have 2 small children, so we won't be modifying the trailer much. My bigger daughter wants to sleep in the top bunk, but I'm thinking I'd much rather have the storage space.

Best,

Larry

Honda03842 · 09-02-2008, 05:39 AM

Larry,

If you go to Other Sunline Files, you'll see some of our modifications under Preparing a 1982 Sunline... since our trip to Labrador I have increased the article. It has not been posted yet but if you'd like a copy send me your email address at normacs@aol.com.

Our nieces wanted me to keep the bunk a well, fun for kids but since we're gone for such long periods we thought we needed the space, though it's never very full.

Norm Milliard

HappyCampers · 09-15-2008, 07:01 PM

Larry, welcome to the group. Now I just gotta know how the 240 does towing a trailer. I'm a Volvo fan too, and have been thinking about putting a tralier hitch on our 2002 S-80 to tow my jet ski. The ski, trailer,gas etc... should weigh about 1,200 lbs. The owners booklet doesn't have much information on towing so I'm a little worried. The car does have the 2.9 inline six with plenty of power, but I'm nervous about the tranny. Have you had any trouble? I know I've seens lots of pictures of Volvos towing decently sized Caravans in Europe, but I'm not sure if they build them differently for European consumers. Any thoughts?

larry818 · 09-17-2008, 10:19 PM

Hi Happy,

That S80 will pull that 1200# without noticing. The 240 is about the same weight but has only 130 hp. It does fine pulling the 2200# Sunline and I'm always passing folks, but I feel it's a bit underpowered for Los Angeles traffic. I'm setting up my 960 (same 200hp 2.9L six your S80 has) to pull the trailer. The only comment I could find on towing with the S80 is the tranny cooler is undersized for the job, but it's modular and you can just bolt more sections on to it.