Drove up to RoadAbode, packed her up, hitched up RoadToad – and pulled out. Kimberly and I showed Amy how to hook up RoadToad, and in what order to do things. This is the first real test of pulling RoadToad.
As we drove West on the PA Turnpike, it started to rain, and get dark. I don’t mind them each to their own, but rain and dark together is my least favorite combination. We drove up without incident, and got to the Spring Gulch office after 7pm. Amy checked in while I disconnected RoadToad. Amy drove RoadToad up to our site while I followed. We setup the basics, gas, electric and cable, and settled in. We planned on de-winterizing the plumbing first thing in the morning.
Amy readied our pizza in the oven, and we got the table ready. After dinner, we watched TV, and then got ready for bed.
The rain came down hard during the night – but sounded great on RoadAbode’s roof.
Showing posts with label RoadToad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RoadToad. Show all posts
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Saturday, April 15, 2006
We Did It! RoadToad's first tow
Towed RoadToad for the first time!
We've been chronicling the work we've been doing to get the RoadToad to be an actual TOAD
Kimberly & I went out to visit RoadAbode, and do the final piece of wiring. With Kimberly's help, I tested and noted each wire function at the 7 wire connector by RoadAbode's hitch. We attached the baseplate for the 4 pin connector to bottom of the 7 wire connector. I then 'pigtailed' into the connecter the 4 pin connector needed to connect the electrical umbilical. (Picking up some of that black plastic covering later to finish it off - for now it's functional)
After testing by connecting the umbilical and using the test light on it's far end, we verified it was working. Time to put the whole shebag together!
I pulled RoadAbode up in her spot, slipped RoadToad behind, then backed RoadAbode to about 4 feet away. (With Kimberly's directions) I was able to connect the Driver side, but the passenger side was just a wee bit back. So we pulled RoadToad up further. We connected, checked and rechecked the towbar pins, umbilical wiring, safety cables and the EvenBrake system. After Kimberly said we got a clean test on EvenBrake - we pulled out. For about 10 feet. Where we park RoadAbode, we have to swing about 90 degrees to get up the main driveway. With the additional length, we didn't make it. Did I mention you are NEVER suppose to backup with a car in tow? We had to disengage everything, Pull back RoadToad - and then Pull into the main driveway and get positioned and reset up - and tested. It was a good learning experience! After that slight fiasco, we did well! Kimberly kept a watch in the passenger side mirror and monitored the EvenBrake display.
It was strange - I hardley could feel Road Toad Back there! Except when I did some hard brake tests in the Borders Parking lot (It's 2 or 3 miles up the road). I did some figure 8's and Stops and turns; just basically got use to the fact that we were now about 40 foot long! (Like an Articulated City Bus)
We turned back toward RoadAbode's home, and had no issues at all. Really feel good about this short trial and adventure.
Next week - we get to really try her out when we go to Spring Gulch!
We've been chronicling the work we've been doing to get the RoadToad to be an actual TOAD
Kimberly & I went out to visit RoadAbode, and do the final piece of wiring. With Kimberly's help, I tested and noted each wire function at the 7 wire connector by RoadAbode's hitch. We attached the baseplate for the 4 pin connector to bottom of the 7 wire connector. I then 'pigtailed' into the connecter the 4 pin connector needed to connect the electrical umbilical. (Picking up some of that black plastic covering later to finish it off - for now it's functional)
After testing by connecting the umbilical and using the test light on it's far end, we verified it was working. Time to put the whole shebag together!
I pulled RoadAbode up in her spot, slipped RoadToad behind, then backed RoadAbode to about 4 feet away. (With Kimberly's directions) I was able to connect the Driver side, but the passenger side was just a wee bit back. So we pulled RoadToad up further. We connected, checked and rechecked the towbar pins, umbilical wiring, safety cables and the EvenBrake system. After Kimberly said we got a clean test on EvenBrake - we pulled out. For about 10 feet. Where we park RoadAbode, we have to swing about 90 degrees to get up the main driveway. With the additional length, we didn't make it. Did I mention you are NEVER suppose to backup with a car in tow? We had to disengage everything, Pull back RoadToad - and then Pull into the main driveway and get positioned and reset up - and tested. It was a good learning experience! After that slight fiasco, we did well! Kimberly kept a watch in the passenger side mirror and monitored the EvenBrake display.
It was strange - I hardley could feel Road Toad Back there! Except when I did some hard brake tests in the Borders Parking lot (It's 2 or 3 miles up the road). I did some figure 8's and Stops and turns; just basically got use to the fact that we were now about 40 foot long! (Like an Articulated City Bus)We turned back toward RoadAbode's home, and had no issues at all. Really feel good about this short trial and adventure.
Next week - we get to really try her out when we go to Spring Gulch!
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