Countdown for Kentucky

We're heading out again next week.  We're meeting sons, Dustin and Tom, Jr. with their families at Carter Caves State Park in northeast Kentucky.  We're looking forward to another great week - plus.  Now we'll see if the weather god will be as kind to us this time as he was at Petit Jean.

Haven't decided yet if I will tow Coors on this trip or not.  It would seem kind of silly since Dustin & Tom, Jr. will have their vehicles there.  But, ya never know where Joyce and I might go before and after Carter Caves.  I ordered the drop hitch adapter just in case.

Petit Jean breakdown

Not as bad as the title might suggest.  We had a great time at Petit Jean with sons, Dustin & family and Stephen.  The weather was perfect for late March.

Stephen, with his new pop-up manned the kitchen

Dustin was nearby on the hill in his Rockwood "hybrid".

After 5 days, Joyce and I headed to Monticello, Ar. to Stephen's house (he needed some "dad" assistance on his house wiring).  While there, Stephen drove us down to Vicksburg, Ms. where we toured the town and the battlefield.  Had a nice time.

Saturday I was prepping Pumpkin for the trip home and while checking the tire pressure made a disappointing discovery.  The passenger side air suspension top bracket had broken a weld.

This may have actually happened last September on our trip up north.  Joyce said she heard a popping sound once in a while and it may have been the bracket moving a bit.  I did notice on this trip that the passenger side always required greater extension of the leveling jacks no matter where we parked.  But, it's fixed now.  A local guy (just up the hill actually) has a body shop and heavy welding equipment.  Took a couple of hours and $80.

I'm Awake!

Actually entered a bit late, but Pumpkin is awake and ready to roll.  We're off to Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas for about a week.  Over the winter, I got Pumpkin rigged to tow Coors, so this will be our first outing with a "toad".  The braces for the hitch worked out great and the new tow bar and brake system are pretty slick.  I will have to order a 4" drop hitch adapter when I get back to level the tow bar a bit better.

Ice Cold Coors

Just before it turned off frigid, I had begun installing the base plate which bolts to the frame just under the front bumper of Coors and is what the tow bar connects to.  I managed to get it mounted along with the brake cable installed through the firewall and tail lights wired.  The base plate is bolted to the frame on the driver's side with the three bolts that hold the steering box on.  Just for a last minute "gotcha", I managed to twist off one of the bolts.  Crap!  And I was even using a torque wrench.  There is about 1/2" of the bolt sticking out and I was able to get hold of it with vice grips, but couldn't get it out.  The jaw teeth of the old vise grips were pretty worn.  So, I bought some new vice grips with some very aggressive teeth.  However, it turned off so cold, I'm going to wait for warmer weather to try again.  10-15 degrees is a bit below my lower limit.

Another job I have is adding some bracing to the hitch on Pumpkin.  Coors weighs a jigger over the rating of the hitch.  I wanted to install a heavier rated hitch but the frame on Pumpkin is a bit of a problem.  So, I've designed some additional bracing that should increase the tow weight capacity.  I'm adding two heavy steel straps that run from the hitch back (actually "up") to the frame about 30" on each side.  The hitch just bolts to the frame, so these straps should add quite a bit of pull strength and stiffen any side-to-side stress as well.  I have this job near finished.  I still have to drill a 3/4" hole through the bottom of each frame rail.  Since it requires me to lay on my back and drill up with little leverage advantage, I may have to have it done at a shop somewhere.

A Hitch In My Plan

Nothing happening with Pumpkin.  It's still asleep.  I am planning on getting a new trailer hitch installed right after Christmas.  It has a 3500 lb hitch now but it needs a 5000 lb hitch to tow Coors.  Coors is a silver Jeep Wrangler, a silver bullet.  Thus the name Coors.

Looks like the new hitch will have to be custom made.  I found a guy near Kissee Mills that will do it.  I've got to get Pumpkin over there to see just what it will take - and cost.  Once the hitch is installed, I'll order a tow bar and base plate (used to mount tow bar on Jeep).  The above photo was actually taken after I installed the tow bar and base plate.

I don't plan to take Coors with us every time, but some trips like out West or to Florida would be much more fun to have some extra wheels along for touring areas without having to break camp.  Joyce wasn't too keen on a towed vehicle (toad), but I think she'll like the idea once we get past the initial expense.

Shhh! Pumpkin is sleeping

We got Pumpkin winterized a few days ago and none too soon.  It has turned off cold with temps dropping well below freezing.  I guess Pumpkin will stay that way until March when Dusty wants to go to Petit Jean State Park.

Lake Wappapello State Park

Lake Wappapello State Park

We stayed at Ridge Campground because the main campground was closed for renovation.  We picked a site on a relatively isolated loop.  It was a bit tricky backing in and getting level.  But, Tom, Jr. had given me a couple of vehicle ramps which worked out quite well.

Nearing the end of our trip, we are tired and crash early.

We'll be home tomorrow.