7'x16'x7'H Bedlam Squad

[Margali]

The AC pan drain is on the leading edge of the grate. Will install a drip cap set so it directs water away from louvers.

Regarding colder outside air, the AC unit fills the entire gap. It also has a lever to close off the outside air intake.

[kirkupnorth]

Margali, your kids are adorable! Great family photo -- looks like beautiful chaos. You'll treasure that one in the years to come!

[Margali]

So I want to hunt down the engineers at LG and smack them upside the head. The OEM sleeve that LG website lists as fitting my AC unit is 2" short front to back. And the AC unit collects water at the front and overflows if we are off level at all. Will need to fabricate extension piece or replace the sleeve which was $90! That will have to wait till after our trip.

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We have power. The AC unit, fridge, and 2 power outlets to plug in AC accesories. The DC led lights arrive tomorrow night and will be installed.

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Cutting it down to the wire. We leave Thursday afternoon for our shakedown trip. My plan is to sleep inside on futon Wednesday night as final check.

[Margali]

North for New Year's 2019
So our trip got off to a late start. 2 urgent care visits for strep throat (Dad and eldest son). Blegh.

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The kids enjoyed our overnight stay at Crater of Diamonds State Park. The trailer camped well though we needed to change layout a bit and move parent bed all the way to the back. The kids went thru the museum while I packed up. The AC unit splashed water all over in transit.

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[aggie79]

Sorry about the trip "challenges". Despite these, it sounded like overall things went well. In my travels, I can't remember how many times I've driven past Crater of Diamonds state park and never stopped. We are thinking about getting up that way early winter.

Take care,
Tom

[Margali]

We attended Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year's) services with Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Becca in St Louis, MO. Had a fun visit. Including an open house at a horse rescue with Pony Rides!! On our way to Meramac Caverns now.

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We are still on trip. Currently visiting Great-Grandma for her birthday in Oklahoma. We may swing back by Crater of Diamonds.

The park is tons of fun IF you go in cool weather. The mine is basically a gravel field in full sun. Bring a shade and stay hydrated. Camping at the state park is really nice for only $38/night for water and 30amp.

[Margali]

So Meramec Caverns was fun. Kids were tired of me taking their picture. We also enjoyed the stay at the Great-Gammer's ranch. They got to feed and play with the baby cow. I edited the previous trip posts to include the pictures.

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[Margali]

Trip Wrap-Up
9 Days, 2100 miles, hill country ~10mpg , flat land ~12mpg
We spent $1500 overall not including some food and fun paid for by relatives. That is half, 50%, of the cost of same trip 3 years ago. And that time we were driving a mini-van with much better mpg and less kids on solid food. We averaged $163/night for the family of 5. This far exceeds my hopes for more trips on lower budget.

Trailer To-Do
- Finish electrical (relay, inverter, battery) so that fridge has power going down the road.
- Finish wheels on fridge and dry goods shelfs above it.
- Fix parent bed at back of trailer. The current futon frame on bed rises is clunky to operate and flimsy. Good $30 trial setup though.
- Build portable kitchen setup. Between this and first two items we will have good cooking setup. We ate out all travel /non-relative house days cause of hassle.
- Make a permanent location (tongue box?) for electrical cord, jacks, and wood blocking.
- Make better entry steps with landing. The kids had issues with current wood steps and operating door while standing on them.

[McDave]

Nice! That looks like good times to me. These little trailers really can help you stretch the fun tickets. Mine has paid for itself already in just a few years and I just plain have more fun than staying in motels. Plus the adventure starts when you pull out of the driveway. Your schedule can be more flexible and you are in charge of the itinerary. If you want to take an hour to see worlds largest pile of beer cans, go ahead. Memories just waiting to be made.
Glad you enjoyed the trip with the kids.

McDave

[Margali]

Just completed another 4 night trip in the trailer. Grandma in DFW has a concrete slab and 30amp hookup in her backyard. I hope everyone had a good holidays. We had fun and grandma got ridiculous with the gifts (see unicorn in picture below).

No major progress with the build. Made a better set of steps with platform for entry to help the kids get in and out easily.

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I also put up a basic ikea roller shade for the skylight. It is amazing how much light comes in a 13"x13" window at noon.

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[Margali]

Working on next item for the trailer: parents bed. It is a Queen XL (60"w x 84" l). Designed by me to incorporate a 9 degree bed angle for apnea and relux relief while accessing storage.
Hubby has done all the cutting. I'm still not comfortable with the table saw. He's done an awesome job with shoulder cuts for side rail using plain saw blade (no dado stack).

[Margali]

Well, just discovered massive issue with the trailer. The AC install weather seals have failed and the driving rain we've gotten for the last week is coming inside. And we just got a move-it-or-else letter from the HOA.

Current plan is to replace outside grate with blank for storage. Then we will have someone fabricate us a sleeve that is the right length and has lip on outside so there will be no repeats. We will have to disassemble the wall to remove wood footer and replace the effected plywood.

[Margali]

On happier news, for my birthday next week we are getting a 50amp subpanel installed in the garage. This will allow us to actually use more that one tool or light at a time. We are also going to get a welder soon.

[aggie79]

I'm sorry to hear about water intrusion and HOA issues. I guess these things are life's way of keeping us from getting complacent. Hang in there. I know you'll overcome these things.

On happier news, for my birthday next week we are getting a 50amp subpanel installed in the garage. This will allow us to actually use more that one tool or light at a time. We are also going to get a welder soon.

I've been wanting to do this for a long time. Please post a picture of your subpanel installation.

[Margali]

Not sure what there will be too see but I will give an update. It will be a relief to use more than one tool at a time. We tripped the breaker 3 times yesterday using table saw.

Currently there are 3 circuits: A) 15amp that has a 2-plug GFCI outlet in the back wall of the garage and another 2-plug GFCI outlet on front porch. B) 15amp with a 2-plug outlet on ceiling for garage door. C) one measly light socket on ceiling.

Plan is sub-panel to supply A) 30amp rv outlet, B) welder outlet (if different) C) left wall outlet bank (at least 4 plugs), D) right wall outlet bank (at least 4 plugs). We are also going to rework light circuit to have 4 lights. The rough estimate last year was about $500 for run across entire width of house and sub panel. The outlets in garage we can do ourselves.