The News From Here

Late afternoon- almost evening
The trailer hauled its first load today. I am a little careful with first time ventures with untested equipment. All went well but I’m still concerned with the antique (REALLY OLD anyway) tongue hitch receiver. After it letting go yesterday in the MVD parking lot this morning I was all over it. It’s adjustable I discovered. Normally I’d say that’s pretty cool but it IS OLD. I adjusted it for a 2” hitch ball and thought all was well. I even used a cheater bar on the ratchet- it WAS tight. On the trip home I felt it and heard it banging as the inside of the receiver was hitting the ball. I began being VERY careful. Barely rolling through the dips in the streets. I got home OK and got it backed up into the storage area without incident. That was the first time I’d backed it through the gate. Before I just unhooked it and rolled it by hand. I believe it’s the shortest trailer I ever owned so it reacts instantly. I didn’t embarrass myself but it didn’t get in on the first try. (chuckle) Over ½ to ¾ ton seems a safe cargo weight to deal with. I had .60 ton on it and both Scout and trailer handled it easily. That really isn’t much and after the hitch issue is resolved I’d probably lean toward the ¾ ton more comfortably. All that is history as it’s all put away and the Granite has been off loaded, wheelbarrowed and spread on the two pathways here.I would have taken pictures of the pathways but from past experience the difference isn't visable in pictures. It’s been a while since I operated a manual shovel much and between that and the raking and smoothing I believe I’ve had enough for one day. I got my book and cold drink, turned the patio cooler on and read a couple of chapters and soon gave it up and dozed a while. We’ll see how I feel in the morning before I decide if another load sounds like a good idea.