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Towing Miss Trilly

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Towing Miss Trilly

Tag Archives: Trillium trailer

Fall Road Trip

19 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

composting toilet, RV travel, trailer travel, Trillium trailer, vintage fiberglass trailer

First, my apologies, friends, for the months that have slipped by. Miss Trilly has been parked in the driveway since January 8th, the day we returned from our very wonderful Southwest Road Trip. She is merely biding time until April, when we tow her to the Summer Palace in Oregon. We, on the other hand, are enjoying warm Spring days doggedly working on various projects. There remains much to do before we head north. Clark has engaged himself in building an HHO system for Zuzu. He is very intrigued by the prospect of increasing gas mileage and engine power by generating hydrogen gas under the hood. Inspired by a bloke we met in Pahrump, Nevada, he researched the details and located the required components. He is nearly ready to complete the installation. As for me, my time initially was soaked up organizing our photos and completing a website focused on our last three years of land travel. Now I am collecting loose ends and getting back to things that were put aside while I finished the website (begun last winter!).

We thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Miss Trilly! It is hard to express how pleased we are with everything she is. We encountered very few issues, a propane leak (yes, again) being one of them. Finding the source was difficult. We did find that one of the new valves in the stove was leaking. Fortunately, I remembered where I had stowed the old valves and Clark exchanged it. Still, propane was getting away from us for the duration of the trip. We elected to buy an extra tank, which is how we found ourselves at Shoshone Propane in Pahrump. A 1999 Isuzu Trooper just like ours drove in right behind Zuzu. Its driver called us over to show off what was under the hood–an HHO system that he had built. He raved about the enhanced performance. As a result of this encounter, we will be driving an HHO Trooper soon. Back in California, Clark spent days tracing propane leaks in the trailer. There were several. He ended up replacing all the flare fittings and installing a solenoid valve to turn the gas off at the stove when we aren’t using it.

TrillyChairs

I am excited about a certain delicate topic (if one can be excited about such a thing) in which a few of you may be interested. We have been using a composting toilet on our boat since we launched in 2004. We would not consider using anything else. It works great and we never dump effluent into the water. Miss Trilly is graced with a porta-potty, which most small trailers her size lack. I love not having to traipse to a campground facility or squat in the woods. However, a portable toilet has a very small capacity, which limits our time away from a proper dump station. To solve this problem, we are designing and building a micro-size composter that will replace the water-filled porta-potty. We nearly had it ready to go before the Fall Road Trip, but were missing the urine diverting part. For the trip, we reduced the amount of liquid going into the portable toilet by using a 97-cent long-nosed funnel in partnership with a 1.2-gallon flexible plastic bag with screwcap. This bottle is similar to the flexible drinking bottles you may have seen, but is larger and has a base which spreads to support the bottle. Its built-in carry handle makes it easy to transport to a nearby shrub. The flexible bottle will become part of Miss Trilly’s composting toilet next Fall. It will be a marked improvement over the porta-potty. I also bought a GoGirl, which goes with me on hikes. We keep a second flexible bottle/long-nosed funnel in Zuzu.

We did not want our journey with Miss Trilly to end. She was a perfect lady! Clark and I are already looking forward to more distant destinations, Southeast Alaska perhaps, with our sweet gal following closely behind Zuzu. This trip, we made it to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (our first time!) and to several areas we had not yet visited. We reveled in the luxury of propane heat, a comfy bed, a convenient galley, and solar power for our lights and for charging the iPad and cameras. The large windows are wonderful–we often found ourselves lounging on the bed and contentedly gazing at the view. We are totally pleased with the size and ease of Towing Miss Trilly! Regretfully, fellow travelers, I cannot devote more time and attention just now to recounting the details of our Southwest Wanderings. In place of my personal narrative, please visit our website… Winters Are for Wandering–2013. May all your journeys be as wonderful as your dreams!

Happy Vernal Equinox!
9ah & Clark

Transition Journey

01 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

camping, fiberglass trailer, Miss Trilly, road trip, trailer travel, Trillium trailer, vintage trailer

October 6— We had been on the go since o’dark hundred, having awakened before five a.m., even before the iPod alarm sounded. There were last-minute details to wrap up before we locked our boat’s companionway drop-boards for the final time until next spring. The Washington State Ferry departs from Friday Harbor each day at 8:05 and we wanted to be on that sailing. Clark and I had spent the previous nine days preparing our trimaran, Rikki-tikki-tavi, for his long winter sleep at the dock. The weather had become enjoyably mild after the first two days of blustery wetness following our re-entry from British Columbia on September 27th, which allowed us to take care of decommissioning chores in good order.

Between the 27th of September and October 5th, Clark borrowed a hooka, dove under the hulls, cleaned the metal parts and replaced the prop shaft sacrificial anode. We stowed gear, dried out the mainsail and removed it from the boom. I packed the sailcover to take back to California as a pattern for constructing a new version, which will also be of the sort that catches the sail as it is lowered. We also demounted our wind generator to take with us as the Rutland had developed a noise in its bearings. We removed the covers off the settee seat cushions and the complete back cushions for cleaning and revamping. We managed to get in a few visits with friends during those frenzied days, too. By the time we were ready to leave, the Trooper was packed very, very full. Confident that we had not missed anything of great importance, we drove away from the marina toward the ferry landing on the other side of the island.

RttDock

On the road, enjoying yet another sunny day, we stopped at the Costco in Clackamas, Oregon, to buy a battery for Miss Trilly and a couple of rotisserie chickens for dinner with family in Estacada. Finally, in the fading afternoon light, we had returned to our sweetheart Trillium trailer. We greeted family and sat down for some conversation to catch up on things. Because rain was to arrive overnight, the decision was made to hitch our lovely lady to her tow vehicle, Zuzu, before dinner and move her to the driveway. She followed the Trooper obediently, leaving the protection of her Summer Palace. Dan and Clark took the vinyl off The Palace for dry storage over the coming winter months.

Clark and I had been excitedly looking forward to the places we’d see during our first real land adventure with Miss Trilly. There was just a tiny problem… all the federal lands were closed to visitors. This meant no Yellowstone, no Grand Teton or Glacier to visit, no BLM lands or forest service campgrounds to stay in. Choices for sightseeing and camping would be limited to county parks and state parks. Our budget and our proclivities for more out-of-the-way places did not include private campgrounds. So, we sat down with the maps and brochures family had so thoughtfully collected and deliberated on the possibilities for routes and campsites. Miss Trilly was ready. We were ready to see some new territory. Where should we go?

We spend the majority of our time on the water, exploring the inner coast of British Columbia. We see a lot of saltwater, barnacled rocks, and green trees. After a while, it all starts to look much same. Clark and I were hunting for some scenery done up in colorful earth tones, so we chose a route through the rugged, arid center of Oregon. We would travel north and east past Mount Hood to the eastern side of the Cascade Range. Our drive would take us to the valley of the Deschutes River, which is contained entirely within Oregon, emerging from Little Lava Lake near La Pine. It flows north, passing through Bend, then onward to its confluence with the Columbia River a few miles southwest of Biggs Junction. Near the town of Madras at Billy Chinook Lake, the Deschutes is about 300 feet below the surrounding plateau. Established there is a state park named The Cove Palisades. The photos in the brochures showed interesting basaltic geology, so we chose that campground as our first stop.

MtHoodTurnout

Mount Hood in the distance–The Cove Palisades State Park.

The campground had been whittled down to one loop, all with full hookups. The camp host informed me that we must pay the $21 hookup price even if we chose not to use it. All the tent sites for $16 had been blocked off, so we plugged in. In the photo above, we are parked along the road that descends to reservoir level from the campground perched on the basalt cliffs above. This part of the Deschutes River is an interesting area, but we were glad to be there in the uncrowded shoulder season. Observing the launch ramps, mini marinas, and large parking lots, it was evident that the lake was heavily used during the summer. As you can see below, there was no activity on Billy Chinook Lake during our visit.

CovePalisades

Next morning, we drove to Bend to fuel up and make a quick stop at Trader Joe’s for provisions. Our goal was another state park down Highway 97 called Collier Memorial. I had used our iPad to research the Oregon State Parks website, making sure that the parks were open for camping. Because prices were posted on the Collier camping rate page for the time period of October 1 to April 30, stating that a tent site was $14 and that full hookup was $17, I assumed that we would be able to stay there on October 7. We made the left turn off 97 and were stunned to encounter a gate across the campground entrance. A sign read “Closed for Winter.” Now what? The casino parking lot eight miles farther along? That option sounded dreadful to us.

We were on a Forest Service road and our 3G service on the iPad was working, barely. An app we use extensively, AllStays, indicated there was a Forest Service campground just down the road a short way. It was closed, right? We had already turned around and were about to head back to the highway when a pickup truck turned in. A young man with a dog pulled alongside to ask if we needed assistance. He told us that the USFS campground was open, though the water was turned off. He noted, however, that the toilets were not locked and that he would be heading there shortly. So… we turned around yet again and drove down the gravel road to Williamson River campground.

The campsites were completely vacant. The fee box was covered with a plastic bag and there was a very small “Closed due to government shutdown” sign on the information board. We parked in a pull-through site, leveled the trailer, turned on the propane, lit the fridge, then had something to eat while coffee trickled through its filter. Outside, there was a faint whiff of propane reaching my nose. I tracked it down to the new regulator Clark had installed in April. The leak seemed to be very minor, but it seemed quite odd. (Note: The problem that prompted the replacement of the regulator turned out to be a clog in the fuel line leading to the trailer. We had not needed that new regulator after all.)

Over our afternoon ritual drink, we discussed whether to stay and risk being asked to move long or move along and risk not being able to find another camp spot. How comfortable did we feel with each choice? There was another state park a bit up the Crater Lake highway, a primitive campground with only ten sites, that was open through October 31. We could either drive there or stay put. It was very quiet at Williamson River Campground–a bit too quiet, perhaps. If something were to happen, there was no way we could call for assistance or alert someone nearby. We decided to leave.

On the road out, we crossed tracks with a couple in a VW Westfalia. They passed us, but Clark stopped. The Westie stopped too and backed up to meet us. We asked about the USFS camping. The couple said they had stayed in the campground the previous night and they would stay again that night. We then felt more comfortable–someone would be nearby in case of need. The problem then became that of turning Zuzu and Miss Trilly around yet again on the narrow gravel road. Clark managed the task with aplomb, with only two or three attempts. We chose a spot within sight of the VW, but far enough away as not to intrude on their privacy. Later on, two other campers arrived to share this “closed” area for the night.

Williamson-River

Tell us where to go next!

Settling into our new spot, we turned on the propane again and tried to light the fridge, but it simply refused to fire. The 34-year-old Dometic failed to work on 12volt setting too. Darn! Clark had tested it for a couple of days back in Estacada. What had gone wrong? Not having the fridge was very inconvenient. Another concern, besides losing our frozen food, was finding places to camp. Along routes south into California and/or Nevada, most sites are federal. What to do? Commiserating, Clark and I decided to turn westward toward the coast. For the time being, we had finished with earth tones. Decision made, we enjoyed the Ponderosa pines and the peacefulness of the area. No fumes or generators, perfectly quiet. We slept like babies, serenaded many times by choruses of coyotes.

Last to leave the following morning, we stopped at the casino for fuel, then headed up the Crater Lake Highway. Knowing we were prohibited from stopping at the National Park was a huge downer. We resolved to come back at another time and settled back to enjoy the scenery along Highway 92. The traffic was extremely light, which made the driving that much more pleasurable, though it was distressing to see so many “Closed” signs along the way.

Just shy of Medford, we stayed at another Oregon State Park–Joseph H. Stewart Recreation Area. Situated on another reservoir, we found the campground a bit crowded with motorhomes and fifth-wheels, but most folks were quiet. We stretched our legs, enjoying the balmy late afternoon light. Clark and I couldn’t help but notice the humongous nature of the vehicles people camp in these days. There was only one other small fiberglass trailer, a Casita, and the gent who traveled in it with his wife came by to spend some time with us. He was chock full of information! The restrooms, though, left something to be desired. One would think that a Camp Host’s duties includes more than just dumping the trash and sweeping the center of the floors.

MakeCoffee

Next day, we stopped in Medford for fuel at Costco and a new 2014 Rand McNally Road Atlas at WalMart (only because WM was convenient) AND some ice! Clark transferred frozen food to a cooler and we continued onward. Our route toward to coast took us on The Redwood Highway, Highway 199, which runs 80 miles from Grants Pass OR to Crescent City CA. Again, it was a road worth driving simply for its beauty. I enjoyed all the hairpin turns and curves, though negotiating them was tiring for Clark.

We chose a Del Norte county park in which to spend the night–Florence Keller Regional. It was a dark and wet little area located off Elk Valley Cross Road at the intersection of Highways 99 and 101. We parked in #3 in this small section of second-growth redwoods. Redwood forests just smell good, which was a relief since the restroom in this park was horrible! Country Western music was playing somewhere in the back of the very rundown building and the facilities were not what we could call sanitary. I asked Clark to accompany my visits even though the Camp Host was just a few yards across the narrow road. The host’s site, with its mobile trailer, was crammed with what appeared to be many years’ worth of collected “stuff”–a veritable junkyard. It left us wondering where our cash camp fee would end up.

Site3DelNorte

Florence Keller Regional Park in Del Norte County.

As Zuzu carried us through Crescent City the following morning, we spotted at least a dozen very spiffy classic cars taking part in a car rally. Very fun! We aimed for another county park on the Samoa Peninsula, which is a coastal bar that once separated Humboldt Bay from the Pacific Ocean. It is across from the city of Eureka where we had overnighted Rikki-tikki-tavi in the Woodley Island Marina on our “sail” up the coast in June of 2005. This time, towing Miss Trilly and traveling on the land, we stopped at one of our favorite places, the precious town of Trinidad, to wander down the pier. We bypassed several lovely North Coast California State Parks–specifically Prairie Creek Redwoods and Patrick’s Point–because of the high camping fees. This region of California is one of our very favorite environments, but we simply cannot accept paying $35 to $45 per night to camp. Samoa Humboldt County Park Campground is much less expensive, but it is an unsightly gravel parking lot. There were flush toilets and free showers, but we won’t stop there again.

Maps

An expanse of Humboldt Bay outside, Clark studies our new road atlas.

Continuing south from Eureka, we made a side trip to Ferndale, with its Victorian Village and small-town atmosphere. The ornate buildings are pridefully kept and we strolled up and down both sides of the main street. This very quiet town (at least when we were there) is very pleasantly surrounded by pastoral country.

FerndaleOrnate

Ferndale, The Victorian Village

Driving on, we left Highway 101 to meander along the Avenue of the Giants, which is a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101. Next trip, Clark and I will get out and hike. I am recuperating from a broken toe and torn ligament in a knee. It is a shame that we weren’t able to get deep into the stately and beautiful groves of tremendous Sequoia sempervirens. We were forced back onto 101 due to road construction. At Leggett, we bailed off the freeway to pick up the coast road, the famous Highway 1.

Redwoods

Avenue of the Giants

There were only state park and private campgrounds within reach. Would we want to pay $35 at MacKerricher SP or $25 at Westport-Union Landing SB? MacKerricher is a very nice park. We have visited many times in the past before the prices went crazy. Ten dollars buys a bit more than a couple of gallons of gas, so we stopped at the roadside primitive (pit toilets) site of Westport-Union, just north of Howard Creek. We discovered that seniors get a generous (?) $2 discount, so I wrote a check for $23 to park on the bluff above the waves. The weather could not have been more beautiful. We met a couple who were camping in a new R-Pod with slide-outs. Larry told us the trailer had two big-screen TVs and a pet iguana that had to be kept at 90˚ constantly.

HappyCampers

Miss Trilly’s spot at Westport-Union Landing SB.

The waters of the Pacific Ocean were mesmerizing and, well, pacific. We could envision our trimaran sailing past this coast in weather such as this. We would be motoring, of course, as there was no wind to ruffle the sea or propel a sailboat. In 2005, rounding Cape Mendocino from our overnight anchorage in Shelter Cove, which was within sight, the sea was as flat as glass. We could peer into deep blue of the Mattole Canyon! We sighted many sunfish and thousands of by-the-wind sailors, even a couple of puffins. From our current vantage point above the soft surf, we enjoyed our afternoon java, then watched the sun slowly “sink” into the horizon, the golden light reflecting off the washed sand below. Sublime.

In the page headers, you will see a view of the Trinidad pier with fishermen, another of the line-up of campers at Westport-Union (Miss Trilly is visible if you look for her), and one of our Zuzu and Miss Trilly parked on Little Lake Street in Mendocino. Of course, we spent a few hours wandering around the lovely town of Mendocino, enjoying the art galleries and bookstores. Then, we stopped for fuel in Fort Bragg and a driving tour down to the harbor of Noyo, where we had spent eleven days in June of 2005. Such excitement we had back then–a USCG inspection, frightening sea lion encounters, a tsunami alert scramble, hiking across the bridge into Fort Bragg against a gale wind. Happy memories include a steak dinner and rock jam session with a new friend, many fun and inexpensive bus rides to Mendocino, and meeting the delivery crew of a motor yacht who introduced us to Saint André cheese (OMG!).

We thought we might overnight at the Navarro River Redwoods State Park, but we did not want to park in another gravel lot like we found at Navarro Beach, so we drove to $25 Paul Dimmick Campground–and found it CLOSED! Phooey. Hendy Woods SP eight miles northwest of Boonville is an outrageous $40 a night, so we continued to tiny Indian Creek County Park in the tiny town of Philo. We are fans of community public radio (our favorite is KVMR in Nevada City). Philo is home to KZYX and we tuned in. Indian Creek has only ten sites, but the place was empty. A bobcat came strolling down the road soon after Clark got the trailer leveled, but it spotted our movement and trotted off in the other direction. There were no pay envelopes and nobody came to collect–another free night to offset the more costly stops. The smell of propane emanating from the new regulator was getting stronger, so Clark replaced it with the old original unit. Hooray, no more odor!

Driving east on Highway 128 next day, we were astonished to see how many vineyards have been “installed” on the hills in the Anderson Valley since our last visit in 1987. Incredible. Do we really need to plaster the planet with wine grapes? In Calistoga, we parked at Pioneer Park and took a jaunt down the main street. I ambled around a consignment shop while Clark checked out a gourmet kitchen store. We briefly contemplated getting spa treatments at famous Doc Wilkinson’s, which we had experienced many years ago. Best massage I’ve ever had! We had visited Harbin Hot Springs on our honeymoon and enjoyed it very much too, so I checked on their offerings using my iPad. Because the weather was so perfect, it was very tempting to stop for another day or two, dragging our feet. The rates and facilities at Harbin were quite inviting. In the end, we chose to continue driving east to Sacramento. We enjoyed cruising the back roads past Lake Berryessa. Miss Trilly and Zuzu were parked in front of the house before three in the afternoon. Time for coffee!

Until our next adventure, happy travels!
9ah & Clark

Addendum to fridge problem: Clark discovered a missing pin in the connector between the control selector knob on the face of the fridge with the actual fuel selector inside the unit. A bent-on wire served as a quick and free repair. Clark later became suspicious of the accuracy of the thermostat, especially the propane side, as he monitored the temperature on different cold settings. Subsequently, we installed a new one. That cost $100. I have no complaints. Clark is the cook. Enough said.

The Mystery of the Ironwork

08 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

interior, Trillium trailer, vintage trailer

CeilingSupportSM

This is a very intriguing mystery, for us at least. Perhaps it will also be compelling to other vintage Trillium owners out there. When we wrote about Miss Trilly’s unique pink-colored ironwork on her Attributes page, we were under the impression that Trillium didn’t have supports between the galley countertop and cabinets or between the countertop and the ceiling. We had never seen even one photo of a Trillium with a support between cabinets. In truth, we felt that the thin, twirly iron supports in Scamps were rather unattractive. Our reaction to the gargantuan structure possessed by Miss Trilly, when we first saw it, was one of distaste.

The existence of iron braces, we believed, was unique to Boler fiberglass eggs, among Canadian-built trailers, and to Scamps. When we visited the Trillium RV factory in Florence, AZ, in January, we asked Tom Young about the ironwork in our 4500 w/AC. Without seeing our Trillium, he immediately responded, “You have a Boler!” He told us that Trillium “never” put supports in their trailers. “They don’t need them because of how they are constructed.” Subsequently, it was our theory that this prominent piece of metal (painted PINK! omg!) had been added by an owner somewhere along the line, perhaps because they’d been concerned about the 82 extra pounds of AC on the roof.

Like everyone who acquires a vintage trailer, fiberglass or not, one begins to seek out other examples of said trailers. So, unable to sleep one night, I lit up our iPad and began cruising through Google® images under the search “Trillium 4500”. To my great surprise, what should appear but another “very rare” 1979 Trillium 4500 with factory installed roof top air on Fiberglass RV Classified Archives. Two years ago, this Trillium was located in Missouri and the seller was asking $7500. As I scrolled down the page, I was amazed to see, revealed in the photos of the interior, a twin (!) of our heavy-duty ironwork, except this one was painted white. Wow. Our theory (and Tom’s assertion?) was derailed. I almost woke Clark to tell him, but restrained myself and decided to wait until he was enjoying morning coffee.

WhtCeilingSupport

Where does this new revelation leave us? Were these twin supports installed by Trillium as the campers with AC were being manufactured in Ontario, Canada? Or were both of these structures installed by a Trillium dealer? The same dealer would have had to sell both trailers, don’t you think? We inherited a binder containing the paperwork and history kept by various owners of our 4500. The original Owners Manual and Warranty Card (in French), is dated 30 November 1979. The dealer on the card is Camping On Wheels in Irvine, California. We wonder if the 4500 in Missouri with matching ironwork (wondering, too, where the trailer may currently be) was also sold through this particular dealer. All very interesting questions, which serve only to deepen the mystery of the ironwork.

As of yesterday, however, our Miss Trilly has lost some weight. We removed the rooftop AC unit AND her pink ironwork. Yippee! She looks so much sleeker on the outside and roomier on the inside. (The paper towel holder went away, too. Neat.)

Should you be able to provide a clue to help solve this mystery, please let us know.

Happy travels!
9ah & Clark

Higher Ground…

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

axle, ground clearance, Torflex, Trillium trailer, welding

Clearance, that is!

Miss Trilly has a new axle and a perky posture, standing quite proud as she shows off her higher ground clearance. Her wheels no longer cant outward as they did on the original axle that carried her for thirty-four years. Trilly fairly shines with newfound buoyancy and satisfaction. Her trailer is flashing a fresh black gloss. Even the bolts on her wheels reflect the new attitude.

Here is the story as it played out. First, Clark borrowed two floor jacks and four jack stands, collecting these at the designated place of Trilly/trailer separation. Then, he summoned my help. It took the two of us to remove the eight bolts that held Miss Trilly to her trailer. I gripped the plate and heads of the bolts from inside the trailer, using channel-lock pliers, while Clark applied torque from underneath with a socket wrench. The bolts were very difficult to remove. Two of them, being rusted nearly through, broke completely in half. Only one, the fastener located inside the aft port bin under the drawers, came out with some measure of ease. After we removed all of the bolts, I left Clark to remove the “egg” from its trailer, which he accomplished by himself.

Trilly's "Wheels"

Clark cut and ground off the old axle and then prepped the metal to receive Miss Trilly‘s replacement axle, a Dexter #10 Torflex with -22.5˚ starting angle. Here is a photo of the new 53-inch axle lined up with the rails of the trailer. It is quite a bit heavier and beefier than the original unit.

2AxleSet

We found a local welder with a mobile unit on Craigslist. His professional-looking website, thirty years of experience, and $50 per hour quote gave us the confidence to trust that he would do a great  job. Howard Whipple says, “Trust the welder. Trust the weld.” We were ready when he showed up on time Monday morning.

3Weld

We are extremely pleased with the workmanship. The new axle is welded on MUCH more thoroughly than the original. Howard left no joint unwelded.

4FnlWeld

Clark cleaned up the remainder of the trailer frame, removed minor rust, primed and painted the rails, tongue, and cross members. He applied a clear-coat for additional protection. Trilliums originally had foam tape on the rails of their trailers. We wanted something with a bit more substance. There is a funky metal surplus store in our area called Blue Collar Supply. On our last visit, we saw stacks of neoprene sheets of varying thicknesses, priced incredibly low. Clark picked up a large sheet for less than $6. I cut strips 1.25″-wide, which we spot-glued using Shoe Goo. It is visible in this photo of the freshly painted trailer and axle.

5Dxtr10

This is the newly refurbished trailer, complete with an updated waterproof electrical box on the port forward rail. It is ready to receive its “egg” cargo.

6ComplTrlr

We are pleased to present the updated and lofty Miss Trilly!
(The photo will enlarge when clicked.)

7GrndClear

Happy travels!
9ah & Clark

New Seat Cushions

11 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

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Tags

DIY, interior refurbishing, sewing, Trillium trailer, vintage trailer

Yesterday, I am proud to say, marked the completion of new upholstery on the seat cushions. We are pleased with the textured Crypton fabric and are certain it will wear extremely well. The color complements the buttercream of the trailer’s gelcoat. I chose a very elegant Barrow fabric with a leaf pattern for the seat backs.

Crypton Textured Earth for the seats:Crypton-Fabric

Barrow M8221 Chameleon for the back cushions:BacksFabric

My mom’s 85-year-old Singer sewing machine performed the majority of the stitching. She says it was Singer’s very first electric model. I was unable to get the tension set properly on my much younger and fancier Brother machine. It does a myriad of decorative stitches, but apparently doesn’t like heavy duty thread. The old Singer handled it just fine. I decided to make cushions with a top and bottom welt, so it would be nice to have a welting foot to make the sewing a bit easier, but I am making it work with a zipper foot.

And here is the result…
FwrdSeat1sm

SetteeSeat1Next, we will build up foam to make a deeper wrap-around back cushion for each front dinette seat. The flat cushions do not provide enough support as they are. The small table there was designed to drop down to make up a single bed, but we will never use it that way. Instead, we will create an attractive and inviting sitting area. This table will be utilized constantly, so the seats must be comfortable and functional.

Miss Trilly came with a new, one-piece foam mattress to fit the large, aft settee. It is very comfy! We will leave this mattress in place with the bed made up. Perhaps we will also have throw pillows there for lounging. You are probably wondering why I am going to the trouble to recover the cushions for this area. Just in case we decide to use the area as a table sometime in the future, we want everything updated while the fabrics are available and I am set up to sew.

We have ordered a new Torflex axle. The next post may be about the axle installation! Stay tuned…

Happy travels,
Clark & 9ah

A New Sweetheart

27 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Travel, Trillium trailer, vintage trailer

We met her the first week in December 2012. The very second we set eyes on her, we were smitten. A sweet buttercream “glass egg” trailer, she charmed us with her clean good looks and splendid health. All her systems were in working order––remarkable for her nearly thirty-four years of age. As she welcomed us inside, we found her diminutive size perfect for us. We were completely taken over with the excitement and anticipation of getting to know her and enjoying her companionship.

Clark and I are still amazed that the chaos of the universe managed to bring us to her––and to her caretakers, Lloyd and Judy. They welcomed us and made us feel like special friends right away. We spent hours talking and found we had much in common. We told them how we were camping with our other vintage trailer, a 1948 Higgins. Lloyd, especially, was excited to meet our old pal. Next day, we towed him down from the campground and introduced everyone. We don’t think Mr Higgins was too upset upon meeting our new love. He had plenty of his own admirers that day! Then, apologizing for our disregard, we abandoned him to cozy up overnight with our latest infatuation. She was everything we had dreamed of and we were like kids snuggling with a new puppy!

It was time to leave our new sweetheart behind. She would wait for our return. We had come to the dance with another partner––dear Mr Higgins was our companion. Waving farewell to our new friends, Lloyd and Judy, we drove away without her, Higgins following obediently behind Zuzu, our trusted Trooper. Our new love would be safe in the hands of those who had been caring so well for her.

Three weeks later, we returned as promised. We made her an official member of our family of vagabonds and towed her home to California, happy to be once again wrapped in her cozy embrace. We call her Miss Trilly, an endearment of the proud Canadian Trillium family name. She is a 1979 Trillium 4500, a vintage fiberglass trailer. We introduce you to her now, as she was when we first met. Isn’t she simply lovely?

OrigStarBd_sm

Clark & 9ah
(Don’t worry, Mr Higgins. You love you for who you are. We shall never part with you.)

Miss Trilly

Mr Higgins

Contents

  • About
  • Miss Trilly
    • Miss Trilly’s Attributes
    • Makeover Details
  • Mr Higgins
  • Links of Interest

Recent Posts

  • A Yearly Check-In?
  • 4,244 miles!
  • Fall Road Trip
  • Transition Journey
  • The Final Chapter (until Fall)

Archives

  • March 2016
  • February 2015
  • March 2014
  • November 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013

Blogs We Follow

  • WALKING WOMAN
  • Christopher Briscoe
  • Wright Away Sails Away
  • Birgitta Höglunds Paleo
  • tylersculinary
  • The Science of Human Potential
  • Adventures of Dave and Ann
  • WatsonsWander
  • Wheeling It: Tales From a Nomadic Life
  • Technomadia
  • Gone With The Wynns
  • The Graphic Side of Life
  • Movin' on
  • Travels with the Blonde Coyote
  • rvsue and her canine crew
  • WEB OF DEBT BLOG
  • Eat Like A Swede-LCHF (Low-Carb, High-Fat)
  • Red Road Diaries
  • Zeebra Designs & Destinations
  • Anita & Michael's travels
  • A Word in Your Ear
  • Worrall Travel R's
  • simpletravelourway
  • Family Outdoor Adventure

Copyright 2013

Text and photographs included in these pages are copyrighted to Nina Courtney Wagaman and/or Clark Wagaman, except where noted. You may NOT use either media on your website or on another website without express permission. However, you MAY quote a short excerpt with a link back to this website. Thank you very much for your interest.

Blog at WordPress.com.

WALKING WOMAN

Christopher Briscoe

At the intersection of storytelling and art.

Wright Away Sails Away

Going where the water is warm and clear.

Birgitta Höglunds Paleo

Let food be your medicine

tylersculinary

Tylers culinary blog

The Science of Human Potential

Understanding how to be the best you can be. Professor Grant Schofield.

Adventures of Dave and Ann

with appearances by Mr Higgins

WatsonsWander

with appearances by Mr Higgins

Wheeling It: Tales From a Nomadic Life

On the Road Since 2010, Traveling Across USA & Europe With Pets

Technomadia

Adventures in Nomadic Serendipity

Gone With The Wynns

The Graphic Side of Life

Movin' on

Meandering with camera...

Travels with the Blonde Coyote

Follow the Blonde Coyote and see more of the world!

rvsue and her canine crew

Living on less and enjoying life more

WEB OF DEBT BLOG

ARTICLES IN THE NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMENTS, FEEDBACK, IDEAS

Eat Like A Swede-LCHF (Low-Carb, High-Fat)

Join the LCHF movement in Sweden!

Red Road Diaries

Musings from the back roads

Zeebra Designs & Destinations

An Artist's Eyes Never Rest

Anita & Michael's travels

Just another WordPress.com weblog

A Word in Your Ear

Stories and Photographs of my travels, Tales of friends, family, animals and my life

Worrall Travel R's

with appearances by Mr Higgins

simpletravelourway

Beth and Joe enjoy simple and active travel – every day of the year. They started their trip in 2012 and are still slowly traveling the world.

Family Outdoor Adventure

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