The News From Here

I suppose it’s time to update on the current events around “old #5.”
At the moment I’m waiting for an AC service person. I usually have done the visual inspection and coil cleaning myself and “Yes” I often neglected it till it was HOT. A local firm hit me with an offer that made me think about having I done. They included up to 1 pound of Freon. Now, if they show up, we’ll see what happens.

and now folks back to the trailer news. As you likely know I experienced some hitch issues. Issues like as in its hitched and now it ISN’T hitched. This is not desirable especially out on busy streets. If you need personal references as to that situation I CAN provide them. The old hitch is worn – Get a new one? Easy answer- NOT. I know because I did. It would have been a significant undertaking to install the typical new trailer coupler without welding it on. Welding wasn’t my first wish. I don’t trust myself or my welder that much. At $75 and up per hour shop rates it would be really disturbing to me to have to spend that much on the trailer. Alter trying about everything I could think of I decided to look at what was available in the marketplace. Yep much like I expected if you get a $20 one from Harbor Fright it looks exactly like the $50 one from a trailer supply. I verified that yesterday. I was Blessed with a shop owner who was up front with me. He asked exactly what happened and why I was considering a new hitch. I had brought the old one with me so I could compare any different ones. He looked it all over and said “the new ones pretty much look and are the same and they isn’t any easy or inexpensive way to put them on my trailer. After seriously looking my old one over he said “if I were doing it I’d put the old one back on.” He showed how I could lock it and be sure it didn’t release unexpectedly. $13 worth of new hardware and it’s back together and ready to haul. PLUS I have a new coupler to return AND I found the receipt. (chuckle)
Now onward to the AC service. Service man arrived on time and called to let me know. $40 later the report is good, based on the current used it “pretty fine” for its age. – AND the coils are cleaned. They needed it for sure. The chemicals to do that are over $20 so I figure the service and evaluation of the unit was actually $20 in real life. I will continue to clean the coils myself as long as I can get up and down a ladder. Unfortunately / Fortunately I inspected the roof while I was up there. Yes there is some maintenance needed on that flat portions. Not bad though – That is a real multi-stage operation as the spots where the work is needed HAS to be CLEAN FIRST- All do-able even for an old-timer.
I’m taking the hitch back right now BEFORE I lose the receipt AGAIN.
WOW just 10:00 AM am I on a roll or what? Ger her done Crusty”