Trailer Issue Snowball

 The downside to having a breeding stallion, lessons, shows and a full time job is the trailer is tough to schedule a checkup. We did not notice anything until the well into breeding season and the show season. So we did fixes and watched until we could get it in. Fast forward to the beginning of November. Mom and I were driving back to the barn after a saddle fitting. The roads are hilly, winding and a little narrow, but we have gone this way for four years with no issues. This time we felt a huge bump, or something that only affected the trailer. Immediately we thought it was a tire. A look around showed four tires on both the trailer and truck. Roscoe was good and we could not see anything. We moved on.

A week or so later we went to what turned out to be my final lesson with Karrigan. Along the way we found the trailer had no lights. I called our trailer place and told them the problem. Mom brought it in the next day and we hoped it was just a fuse. Which is partially was. The truck blew a fuse, but fixing that did not fix the trailer. So they told us they could not do any work on it until the first week in December. That was not good as I have a lesson scheduled for the first. But with no lights we could not go anywhere, so the trailer stayed in case they could get to it sooner.

Thankfully they got to it this week and fixed the lights. Now they needed the truck to adjust our balance system, which we said had not been acting right. When my parents dropped the truck off, they found out why our lights died.

 

It turns out after three hours of searching for the problem, the bracket to our balance system cut the wires for the lights and the brakes. We have noticed over this year that the brackets had been slipping and it was on the list to tell the trailer people when it went in. We just tightened the bolts. It seems that all the issues we have felt with the balance system probably stem from the wires it was gradually cutting. And the big bump we felt was when the brakes locked after the wires were cut completely. The trailer literally jumped.

 

This lovely trailer issue snowballed into a big bill. You can bet we will be bringing it back right away if we see any slippage of the brackets. They will added a strip of metal if needed to hold it in place. It figures that the wires are the least protected on the tongue. What are the chances? Virginia requires an annual inspection so our trailer goes in at least once a year, but this all happened after. Hopefully now our trailer issues will be limited to little things like interior lights and the dang moonroof.

WW: Fixed and First

Trailer Update: Whew, Not Totaled

My trailer was finally freed on the 9th. Mom said they used a bobcat to lift the tree off the trailer and then used a tractor to lift the trailer out of the ground and push it backwards. Then they were able to chop up the tree.

The MVP

Rest in pieces

The worst damage

I now need a new rest

 Before and after the tree was removed. The fiberglass popped up somewhat in the front, but all the way where it rested along the support.

Amazingly, the trailer looked better once the weight was lifted. The front was not bowing either. My Dad had it hooked back up to the truck by time I got to the barn.

Mom made the appointment with the Taylor Boyz for an estimate. Peggy and I brought it to them and watched the amazement blaze in their eyes when I showed them the pictures. They could not believe the limited damage considering the size of the tree.

So they are going to patch the fiberglass and bend the supports back into place. The jack probably needs a new bolt at the front since it is loose. I also asked them to check the tackroom door. The floor just inside was wet when I emptied the room. The seal may have been loosened during the hit. My insurance is thrilled because the price is much lower at $2115.

Mud everywhere

Peggy and Larry managed to drop off the trailer yesterday in the rain/sleet. So in a about a week, we should have a whole trailer again. I got so lucky. Other people need brand new roofs due to tree damage. My trailer got hit at the strongest point and the impact was absorbed by the ground and the truck.

Bailey wanted to go out

I love snow capped trees

Looking for Spring

The rain/sleet turned into the most snow we have had all winter. So spring begins with lots of mud.

Trailer Update: The "T" Word

Well, my poor trailer is still pinned beneath the tree. Hopefully tomorrow... The truck has been moved and seems to have literally bounced back. It did try to take the trailer with it for a couple of inches before the hitch slipped free.

My Atlas trailer

The tree guy came on Sunday to give an estimate. He said it is a slightly complicated job due to the other surrounding trees. It will run $500- $600.

The adjuster came on Monday. I think I took more pictures than he did. He noticed the front panels are bowing under the weight. As he looked at the roof, he dared to utter the "T" word. I was not even thinking that word and was surprised. I told him that trailer was worth more than my car, so I did not think it possible. Seriously, if my car was not totaled in September, there is no way my trailer is. He had to go do some research for parts before sending me the estimate. The estimate covers the roof and front panels at about $3800. That does not take in account the jack or the paint scratches. I see supplemental in my future.

At least none of these boys was on the trailer

Cheer up, We have Time!

So once the tree is off, we will contact our trailer place who does our inspections and repairs. Taylor Boyz can do collision repair too. They will deal directly with my adjuster to assess the damage and cost of repairs. Of course we have to figure out how to get it rehitched to get it there first, sigh.

Good news/ Bad news, my show got canceled this Sunday due to an EHV occurrence at the barn I rode at during college. I am bummed Roscoe and I have to wait to try Training 2, but with no reliable wheels it is a blessing.
Roscoe's Westfalen auction ended on Monday with three bidders for him. This auction was one that you could place a max bid. It turned out that the person who bid first earlier in the week, had a high enough max bid that the other two did not outbid. I am excited to see who won. I did have someone ask if she could buy a breeding outside the auction if she did not win who has a grey warmblood mare. Bonus being she is in VA, so I could see the foal. These auctions have done what I wanted and allowed him to be visible to people I cannot get him in front of. Someone bid on him for the NEDA auction. I think I know who, but I have not received confirmation. If your keeping count that is at least 3 dates for Roscoe and probably one more with a mare that lives with Tawe (mare in foal to Roscoe for 2018). He may actually have to work this year.