We attend our first vintage trailer rally

May 19-22 at Pismo Beach, CA.  Over 275 trailers, teardrops and rolling thing-a-majigs that were more fun to go through and look at than can be imagined.  What talented folks!  Some of the interiors were stunning, lots of fun at the "yard sales" and night music jams too.

We were able to talk to other Boles' owners, one couple has a 1954 Ensenda, that was in bad shape when they got it, another Miramar, which is shorter than ours, that sat unused for 57 years in Yosemite that had an original interior.   Some 10 footers, some 60's vintage.  All in all, a very productive weekend, with making contacts and learning about aluminum and other factoids, and basic where-to-find-stuff info.

Once back home, we kept working thru the punch list.  Re-caulked all the roof seams.  Started polishing some of the window frames after pulling off the old thin window gasket.  The gasket was actually in good shape, it was the old plasti-coat that had been sprayed on them that caused them to look so bad.  We used several brands of aluminum polish with a buffer wheel on the drill.  What we got was shiny windows with the pitted, oxidized areas now showing up black.  Could NOT get the blackened polish out of the pits.  We finally decided, (after a lively discussion) that we would leave the remaining windows as is.  With the new grey gaskets installed, they look very passable.  Tried washing some exterior siding with good car wash soap and distilled water....didn't make any difference.  So, the siding issue is back on hold again.  One yahoo groupie said he ended up painting his whole trailer out with grey Dodge paint and followed up with a clear coat and it looks great....very tempting at this point.  When we take it to the body shop next week to get the tongue and hitch painted we will ask to see the paint chip and get a price, just for the heck of it.

While I was under the trailer putting copper plates over the open holes left from the old plumbing, I saw that the new axle was rubbing against the frame.  Hauled the trailer down to a truck and trailer guy who will lengthen the shackles on the new axle.  Also getting the trailer raised up an inch and a half and a new hitch attachment welded on.  Ordered new steps for the 2 doors, as the original ones are a bear to pull out. Of course, they are welded on, so will have them cut off and new ones installed when the axle work is getting done.  Geez, this FREE trailer is starting to cost some bucks!

We are getting eager to take this baby out and USE it somewhere.  Nice just to sit in it after a long day of working on the little projects with a nice cold beer.  Just wish the view out the window wasn't our pasture, but a nice mountain lake somewhere!