Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

...ask your questions in the appropriate forums BUT document your build here...preferably in a single thread...dates for updates, are appreciated....

Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Thu Dec 03, 2020 6:19 pm

rjgimp wrote:Sparksalot, fantastic build! Three years or so I've been here and finally got around to reading through it - all in one day! Stepping back in time, the 2008 me is inclined to say that you and the Mrs S sure make some cute kiddos! Did Workingstiff go far in the BSA? I'm an Eagle and tend to have an eyebrow raise involuntarily when I hear of a kid crossing over from Cubs. Are you still homeschooling? We do that and it is awesome! No lines or crowds to fight with in late October.


The stiff did two years in scouts then stopped. He won’t go camping anymore and will give no explanation.

He was homeschooled all the way through. The princess is nearly done with high school and does go to the local high. Best choice for her personality and interests.

I’m glad you read the whole thing. I go back at time to figure out what I did and when. It’s a nice time capsule.
Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Fri Mar 19, 2021 9:52 pm

I was finally able to get an awning in December. Rona had them out of stock in North America.

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Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Thu Mar 25, 2021 5:25 pm

Well goooollleee, Sgt. Carter.

It occurs to me today is Rose's birthday. I picked up the very first plates for my new "utility" trailer on this day in 2008. Yup, Rose is now a teenager.
Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Mon Mar 29, 2021 3:07 pm

What does Rose look like from above?

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Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:33 am

A teardrop is never done, chapter 37.

Looking into the wayback machine, some might remember this pic from 2008. Note the cabin on Rose.
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And the rats pic.
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Somewhere recently another one joined us. The next chapter begins soon.
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Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Sat Apr 03, 2021 9:20 pm

I’ve decided it was time to get some bigger bearings to ditch those little utility trailer pieces. So, out with the old axle, in with the new.
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Since everything was outta da way. Fender mounting.
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After 4 years, the axle has only hit the bracket once. I was on what was called a road, but was really a pile a rocks. Not something I wish to visit again.
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I opened the notch a little more to account for the larger axle diameter.
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Mounted up.
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And then I’m stuck. The hubs were shipped wrong. Back to the catalog.
Last edited by Sparksalot on Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Sun Apr 04, 2021 5:19 pm

The second set of, correct, hubs arrived early enough to get busy today. So, unwrapped the axle. Dexter EZ lube 3500#.
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Box full of joy.
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Coming along.
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Remember the “rats” pic above. Apparently not all axles are the same length. A little tough to see, but there’s 1-1/4” of clearance between the widest part of the tire and the frame. Yay, no mo spacers.
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I like this full look. I had 1” spacers in there before. Not this time.
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Last edited by Sparksalot on Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Sun Apr 04, 2021 5:29 pm

You might be asking, “whuh fer?”

Speed limitations. Turns out 12”, 13”, and maybe even 14” trailer tires have a speed rating of, drum roll, about 65mph. Little bitty trailer bearings are probably right in there.

Going to the 3500# axle and hubs gets larger inner bearings.

The wheels are for a 1996 Ford Ranger. A quick call to discount tire, and viola, a new pair of shoes. Speed rating is more than I need. The 14” Tires are less than 1/2” larger diameter than those tall skinny 13” trailer tires.

Again, whuh fer? Long distance trips, like to New Mexico or even Wyoming. A 1,000 miles at 65 sux. Walk The Winds anyone?
Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Terra6 » Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:37 pm

Agree with you on the axle and tires. :thumbsup:
If you're going far distances, upgrade tires to at least 14 inch.
Safety and flat tire issues. Flat or blowout can damage axle, rim and trailer. It's happened to me after crossing the country. Got a flat that bent the rim and axle. Had to go to a mechanical shop for repairs which took a couple days.

Did make it across the country twice before but luck can only take you so far...
On the road to Shambala...
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:33 pm

I’ve gone to Wyoming and back twice now, 3,500 miles each trip without incident, but I’ve had the feeling I’ve pushed luck far enough. Rose has about 30,000 miles on her, so it was time for a bearing replacement anyway. Even with better tires, I still was worried about the bearings as a weak point.
Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Tue Apr 06, 2021 3:12 pm

And reply #400 to celebrate 81118 views of the thread.

Y’all are an inquisitive bunch. :thumbsup:
Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Sun May 16, 2021 6:28 pm

Because a teardrop is never “done” I made some more changes. I’ve recently added a 45l fridge to my tow vehicle, so the ice chest is redundant. Why the TV, because sometimes I adventure without Rose.

At the same time, I recently acquired a 5# propane tank and wanted to find a nice spot to stow it. The configuration allows for adding waterbricks for those times the 11 gallons in the TV might not be enough. Removing the microwave when I’m without shore power allowed adding 3 waterbricks. I can add 2 or 3 more now. Spatially, the weight of the waterbricks is just behind the axle, so no real effect.

Looks so spacious in here.
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Tank bracket. It’s really a 20# fire extinguisher bracket without the 3x overland tax added.
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Home at last.
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Waterbrick tryouts.
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Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:39 am

Since Rose is a teen now, she’s well into acne time.

Her varnish is showing some effects of time. I had planned to refinish her last winter, but storage options didn’t allow me access. So it’s spot finish time.

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Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Sparksalot
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby Sparksalot » Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:56 am

The spot that made me look. This one got wet on the last trip. Ughhhh.

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I saw this today. Bears a lot of watching.

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Last edited by Sparksalot on Sun Jul 17, 2022 11:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Sparksalot
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Re: Rose Rolls - The unathorized Compass Rose autobiography

Postby bdosborn » Sun Jul 17, 2022 4:22 pm

Water leaks?
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