Gettin' Ready

I got to thinkin':   Why don't I wait until it gets colder and rains all day to keep working on the Sabre..  Okay, it's a joke.   I have been finishing up some things.   I re-bolted the motorcycle rack back on after painting it.   I insulated the storage compartment since our bed is right above it and the cold comes right through the paneling when the temperature drops.  

I heard something today about why some trailer manufacturers don't make better use of the space in a trailer.  They evidently don't expect the owners to travel in the rv for a long period of time..  evidently, only weekends or for a couple of weeks.   So why make use of every nook and cranny.   The upper rectangular open space was covered by a piece of paneling and the larger opening below it has a vented access panel that was screwed on.   The upper opening will have a shelf from the front to back and will be open.  The lower opening will have a pull-out storage unit and the access panel will be on hinges.   I wish I could turn in my suggestions to the Sabre factory for prizes or something :)  .   I think it's gonna' be nice when I get it done.

 

In order to cut the pieces for the shelves, I set up the ShopSmith outside under the 12x12 shelter we plan on  traveling with to stave off the rain.   I also use my share of Harbor Freight tools.   Home Depot had some smaller pieces of birch veneer - I brought one home, stained it golden pecan and after drying, cut the shelving pieces out.   They are going to work wonderfully.  

 

I decided that I was going to store the sewer drain hose under the trailer - NOT in the bumper.    Four inch PVC and some end cap stuff did the trick.   My amateur radio antenna parts are going in the bumper - more on that later.

We have been promised sunshine tomorrow in the the great State of Michigan.  I'm hoping to figure out the best way to mount one of our Honda 2000 watt generators in the rear storage compartment so that it will be convenient to hook up the "shore power".  But that's tomorrow..  Time to relax for the evening.

More work on the RV so we can boondock

Today I set out to accomplish the installation of the nifty toolbox I picked up at TSC stores (from a suggestion from another blogger) and the attempted repair of a Thetford Tote Tank that got dragged down a gravel road on the way to a dump station.  But that's another story.  The repair is real.  Like everything else, it took more time than I thought it would.  But the projects are coming along nicely.

The toolbox is going to add GREATLY to the amount of storage space in the Sabre travel trailer.  Speaking of the Sabre, we really have appreciated working with Phillips Camper Sales in Mount Morris, Michigan.  Randy and his crew have bent over backwards to give us great customer service after the sale. 

And in the interest of repair sanity, the SPECIAL kit that is designed to repair these tanks that I purchased from a local RV parts supplier.......  it didn't work..  oh well..  I'm trying J&B Weld with fiberglass mesh.

Finished the motorcycle rack

Getting ready for the "big trip" involves figuring out a way to "rack" the Suzuki GZ-250.  We bought the 250 as a "commuter bike" - 60-80 mpg and we plan to use it as much as possible when we are parked.   The Sabre travel trailer has a factory-installed rack on the back that is rated at 450 pounds.   I had to install something on the that would keep the motorcycle in place.  I used parts I had around the garage and shop and came up with a plan. 

The new rack is going to get a coat of gloss black Rustoleum and then I am going to work on the tool box behind the propane tanks on the front.   We're adding some shelves and a couple of extra electrical outlets inside for "boondocking" purposes.   Thanks to everyone who has blogged and made it easier for us who are just starting out.