Hunters arrive in San Diego

[San Diegan]

Hunters arrived in San Clemente, Escondido, and San Diego today. That's Mr. Global himself at the delivery to my home. I received a thorough briefing on the Shadow's functions and then we installed the battery, smoke tested the electrical connections, and had fun with safety chains. I have a few issues because my car is a factory low rider, but we worked it all out thanks to his experience. He pulled all three Shadows from Idaho with a VW Vanagon (two on top of another trailer and one behind that). I guess I won't have too many problems with the Magnum.

So far, the Shadow has exceeded my expectations. It is just plain solid, llike it's builder. We talked about his dream of a new facility between Cour d' Alene and Sandpoint, craftsmanship, and bodywork on aging VWs. This guy has got it down. He is doing just what he wants and producing an excellent product.



Of course, you have to try out your stuff in the galley, don't you? With an aluminum tear, it is only fitting to have an aluminum pasta pentola (I have to have pasta), vacuum bottles, colanders, misto, thermal mugs, and towel rack. I will figure out a way to get it all battened down once I have moved the configuration around a bit. That's another slider on the right of the stove in the retracted position.

That's about as far as I got today. I live on a very small cul d'sac on the edge of a preserve with very few neighbors. EVERY neighbor came over, had to open and close the hatch, open and close the doors, pull the slides out, lie on the mattress, and say they want one. We'll see.

Tom

[metoady]

looks great hope you enjoy it

[campadk]

Nice!

Interesting to see the Hunters coming out with a bit of variety in the galley. Looks too like they now allow more room for the camp stove too... or did you request that? We had to flip our slide out drawer to fit the Coleman grill stove and it just barely fits, however yours seem to have lots of room for larger stoves like yours. First Hunter I've seen with cupboards in the lower right also.

Is that Jim Hunter then in the photo?

Any word on a new dealer in the east? I heard that Family Express in Canton Ohio now only sells the Little Guy. Is that correct? Out here in the east we often get asked where you can buy them, and I have to tell them 'Idaho'.. uugh..

Would sure be nice to have someone from Hunter represented on T&TTT...

[Proud2BCDN]

Very nice! I'm glad it was worth the wait

[dmb90260]

Just in time for you to make your reservations for Spamboree at Guajome Park. Check Southwest Gatherings for details/contacts

[billnut]

Tom it's not FAIR!!
B is befor T
:
Simi is closer to Coeur d' Alene than San Diego
My PT is smaller than your Magnum
And your got yours befor I
And i'm OLDER

But anyway
Bill

[San Diegan]

Dave and Kate,

So you like grill stoves? How about a grill and a stove:

Just kidding. The grill will live on a side table and stow in the compartment beneath the cabin when not in use. The second slider is intended as a work surface adjacent to the stove that can be moved out of the way to get to the utensil drawer and lower cabinets.

The new Coleman stove has it's own issues. I got it because it has 11000 BTUs; 1000 more than the original model. It is smoothly adjustable from low to high heat. The stove end connection is a pain and I am hoping a flexible Century Primus hose will do a better job. Also, the dimples on the stove bottom do not fit the Hunter holes, so it was off to the lumber yard today for birch plywood, edge molding, and 1x2s. The left hand slider will be a "do over". That's OK, since I was going there to purchase the birch for the side tables and some spar varnish. It does fit when the slider is retracted.

No, that is not Jim Hunter. I think Michael B has a better history of HOP than I could give at his website: http://teardrop.blogicalthoughts.com/td_history.html

The gentleman in the image is Phil; he built my Shadow and delivered it. He is a cool dude.

The modifications (right side cabinets and slider) were the result of a night of fooling with Photoshop. I sent the image to SuZanne and asked what they could do. They responded with a reasonable price and I went for it. Now, I understand, they will be offering the extra slider and right side cabinets as options. Phil was rather proud of himself for having pulled it off and I salute him.

dmb90260,

I would like to meet you there, along with Nick and the gang. I am a little disadvantaged; all my stuff is new and not vintage. And the only thing I know how to do is Spam Sushi; misubi. Humm, how about Persan Spam Kebob with Safron on Lubia Pollo (rice with green beans)?

Bill,

Look at it this way. Phil was practicing on my Shadow so he could make yours better.

All,

Today was the maiden tow. While at the lumberyard, and following Phil's directions, I purchased some extra heavy duty chain, barrel nut connectors, and snap links (I like those better than hooks). I managed to dismantle the hitch and attach the new longer chain and gizmos without breaking anything and another trip to the hardware store. With everything back together, I hitched up, tested the 7 to 6 pin connector, running lights, brake lights, and turn signals. It all works.

My acid test was the Torrey Pines grade. The Dodge stayed in 3rd about 5 seconds more than it would without the Shadow behind it, but that was it. It was at the top of the grade that I got pulled over by John Law. No plates, no registration for the Shadow, and speeding. The guy didn't even ask for my license. He had never seen anything like it before and wanted a look. He had a look at the interior, the galley, asked questions. I gave him a Hunter brochure and we went on our way.

Feeling lucky so far, but not wanting to test that luck, I took the most direct route home. I washed and waxed the exterior, hit the interior and galley with Pledge (Phil swears by it), and pushed it back into the garage.

Tomorrow is another day.

Tom

[IraRat]

Congratulations and enjoy!!!

But PLEDGE!? I avoid that stuff like the PLAGUE!

[dmb90260]

Dave and Kate,

So you like grill stoves? How about a grill and a stove

Those look just like mine, except for the color. They are annoying to connect but cook as well as they can. After a couple "flame" incidents I tossed my old gear and went with the new Colemans. No more fires!

I would like to meet you there, along with Nick and the gang. I am a little disadvantaged; all my stuff is new and not vintage. And the only thing I know how to do is Spam Sushi; misubi. Humm, how about Persan Spam Kebob with Safron on Lubia Pollo (rice with green beans)?

Not to worry, you will be welcome. The only thing vintage in my set up is me.
Spam Sushi?? That would be a winner in Hawaii. I avoid the Spam contest (not my one of my skills) but do bring a dish for Sat dinner. It is fun and the show is outstanding.

[hammer & tongs]

Looks like first rate workmanship....enjoy..

Hammer & Tongs

[Rob]

Tom--
CONGRATS on your Shadow !!! I think I saw yours in Coeur d'Alene a month ago. It looked great. Phil & SuZanne are wonderful people and VERY helpful. Our Coleman stove fit on the slide-out prefectly and Phil secured it while we waited. He also did a good job hooking up our electricity. I can't believe you got stopped for no plates. We travelled from Coeur d'Alene home without a second glance from the law. I was expecting to get pulled over on the way to the DMV - and I was ready with all the paperwork sitting next to me - not a cop in sight. I know you'll like your Shadow. We'll be using ours the next couple of weekends and I can't wait. Again, congratulations on your Shadow.
Rob

[San Diegan]

Rob,

Saw the images of your Fat Shadow on your personal album. Looks great with the drawers. Phil was great at the delivery and a hoot on top of all of it. I enjoyed meeting him and valued his advise. I had not heard from him the night before delivery and figured it would be another day before I got it. I came home from shopping and found him kicked back in his Vanagon several doors down from my house. I had the feeling I was about to awaken a sleeping bear, but he was cool about the whole thing.

Hope we can all hook up one day with yourself, Sarge, and Bill. I'll bring a bottle of Eiswien for you. Interesting stuff and it seems to be attracting interest among the wine enthusiasts down here.

San

[campadk]

Yup that Coleman grill stove is great, but I always her my wife cursing (a tad) when she tries to connect the propane adapter. Oh well we have to have some challenges in the morning now don't we?

[billnut]

Ok Ok Tom how do you like it soooo far?? ??
Darn i sure love your cabnets !
But's to late for me
Bill

[San Diegan]

Bill,

It is working out very well. A couple more surepitous runs (DMV appointment is scheduled) around the neighborhood hills have convinced me that it has little impact on the Magnum and the electrical works and has no shorts.

Mrs. Diegan is visiting her mother, so I have a break from honey-dos to fabricate an insert for the behind the shelf partition to hold those vacuum bottles and cannisters. I am also working on the side tables. These will mount using interlocking slide hardware I purchased from an RV center and chopped paint poles for legs. The wood is consistant with the galley; sealed birch plywood with edge caps of solid birch (had to fabricate them on the table saw) finished with spar varnish. I am also working on a "do over" for the left hand slider to accomodate the 2005 Coleman stove footprint. I will post pictures.

Come on down to San Diego when yours arrives for a Mexico or Borrego run. I wonder if they will charge double at the toll booths on Highway 1D (not el libre). I would like to head to 1) Estero Beach, 2) Santo Tomas, or 3) San Filipe. I have not had much trouble tent camping there (pay any guy that shows up and says he is the Ranger $3 and your site is guarded for that day). Borrego will cool off in October and become quite pleasant.

Tom