More About Award Trailers..
Yes that’s an SUV in the mountains near Banff Alberta. No equalizing hitch, Steep hills, No problems ! However it would have been a nicer trip with the equalizing set up.. and more air in the Buick’s tires. Things got a bit too bouncy at times. Also I suspect too much weight up front in the trailer.
Here’s a new video I made… a tour of the outside:
We’ll discuss the interior in a different post. Let’s see and start at the front of the trailer. Some of these things are unique to Award trailers. Like the hitch and tongue.
That’s a very good coupler but there is no way to lock it. Interestingly it fit a 2 ” ball, most travel trailers are 2-5/16″. The whole hitch is very narrow so you can turn sharply without jack knifing and hitting the corner of the tow vehicle. I plan to change the jack for a power one.. Notice no batteries up here, and the propane tanks are in the front hatch. No need for a cover. All part of keeping things slippery.
The front window is very unique to the Award trailers. It is two pieces of curved lexan with an air space. You can’t get these anymore, but this one is near perfect … even the rubber trim looks new. Mostly the trailer body needs a bath and a polish. Next year I would like to replace the vinyl insert on the trim. I opened up the awning today.. Just want to make sure it works ok and no damage.
Could use a bath, but very good condition. This pleases me. I’ve inspected around the trailer 100 times and have found very little to complain about. I let the awning dry in the warm breeze. That’s when I found a broken piece on the front rafter slide. New piece ordered. Oddly the strap wasn’t even in it’s slot… just tied up at the end. We can’t have that.. It’s needed to open and close the awning evenly.
The business side of the trailer! Like I said in the video .. I think it’s great that all the heat producing stuff is on this side. I don’t need to replace any of these doors and hatches. Just the two keyed locks. Which is now done.. they are keyed alike, and I have four keys. I’ve ordered the electric jack for the front. Once that is replaced the outside is good for now. Oh Oh I was washing the trailer mostly the roof and the vents. But I decided to carry on and do every thing. Has to be done before any re-sealing. Then I can install the two vent rain covers. Well I discovered the window in the door had sagged down on one side leaving a gap for water to go though. I’ve had problems with these in the past.. There is very small tabs inside that hold the glass, and one was broke off. A small block of wood works, can’t see it , it’s inside the frame. FIXED! Also it has bugged me that two of the “A’s ” are missing from the decals.
Must be my mild OCD or something… But this really does bother me. So I fired up the Cricut cuting machine and make four new “A’s” that are just a bit fancier. I have lots of 3M sign vinyl so why not.
There is actually five places that say “Award” on the trailer two of then being the front nose. Both those are in poor shape from road rash.. So I may just take my eraser wheel to them. Well here is the new fix ..
Not so boring . I made new decals for the first Surf Side trailer I restored too. The folks on the fiberglass trailer forums loved it…
Anyway I like things to be nice.. Sooo I will do the sealing and install the covers and say good to go for the winter. However while I was installing the new sliders for the awning rafters I decided to give the awning a much needed bath. It was a nice warm day so the awning would dry. While I was rolling it back up the ratchet cam decided to let go of the spring. Good grief.. what next ! So I had to take that apart and investigate. The wheel that the cam grips was badly worn. So I used a file to give it new teeth. Works great again…for now ! My new electric jack came , but I’m leaving that job for the spring.
The inside…well that’s a thing that needs a chat on a new post..