The Big Metal Tent
Trip
Within days of
bringing the Airstream home, the complete interior was removed to address known
water damage to the floor. Even then,
big plans were being made for how best to enjoy my Overlander. The first camping trip though came much
sooner than expected:
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This plan would work
extremely well if one starts with a fully functional Airstream. A month or so
ago, my wife indicated there was an event at her alma mater she really wanted
to attend with our three & four year olds, and me. Unfortunately, she was
having trouble locating a motel room for one night. “No problem”, ever helpful
me said as I struggled to align a large, custom trimmed section of OSB floor
decking into the rear of the Overlander, “We can take the Airstream loaded with
sleeping bags!” I kept a straight face as she took in the lack of carpet,
furniture, toilet, running water, heat, and functional Bay Breeze air
conditioner. “Our first outing in the Airstream!”, I said indicating my
willingness to make a 400 mile round-trip with toddlers to camp in a campus
parking lot in Tuscaloosa Alabama with no hookups.
Last week, she confirmed the unavailability of motel rooms while observing the
aft belly skin still draping the ground. “Will you be ready?”.
Picking up the gauntlet, I inquired as to the expected temperature at the day’s
event. “Cool in the evening, but I will put the boys in long sleeve pajamas”.
Now, I had already spent a lot of time sealing seams and addressing
soft/missing floor issues, so the Overlander was structurally ready to hit the
road. But finishing the details responsible for the belly skin laying on the ground kept me busy almost down to the wire.
And, at the last minute, I decided to partially reconnect the wiring system for
12 VDC operation for overhead lights and so the boys
could watch Disney flicks before they went to bed. And, to make the experience
as rich as possible, Walmart sold me a porta-potti for $20.
We headed out early yesterday morning looking good. I pulled over
a couple of times early on to the check running gear, and was happy at every
stop. We were about halfway there when there was a muffled screeching sound
followed by a low roar. Pulling over to the side of the interstate, I found
that the Suburban’s radiator fan clutch decided to freeze up in the engaged position.
Deciding it would only affect gas mileage, I attempted to restart the engine to
find the starter motor solenoid did not care for the heat from a 454’s exhaust
manifold while towing at 65 mph.
After discussion, we decided that if I could get the motor restarted, we would
continue, as she really wanted to make the event, her parents were already on
standby to save the grandchildren, and I had put too many late hours in to turn
back now.
We pulled in to the 85 degF
An hour or so later, it began to rain. It was a gentle, cooling rain. “What a pleasant sound” I thought. “Like sleeping under a tin
roof”. Just as I was getting
coolly comfortable, a clap of thunder rumbled across the campus. The
Uhh, add “television antenna” to the list of things removed
from the Airstream prior to this trip.
This did not sit well with my weather watcher wife. Normally, when tent camping, we have a
portable radio & a handheld CB/weather radio with us. But, since clear skies were projected for our
one night trip, the radios were not packed.
Luckily, there was another Alabama Fan close by in the parking lot in a
fully functional RV who agreed to knock on our door if truly severe weather
headed our way.
Although the weather picked up intensity, it never got bad, and
ended up tapering off a few hours after it started. Although not all of us slept well, we did
stay dry.
The trip home, aided by the fact that the motor was never turned
off, was uneventful. I’m debating on
waiting for snow for the next trip…
Our luxurious accommodations The Boyz
enjoy a movie
Our campground