Spring of 2026

Kim and I got back to Goshen, IN April 9, 2026. We have been spending time with our family & friends. We are particularly enjoying our time with the grandkids. The first week of May we attended a Motorhome Maintenance Rally at the Goshen Fairgrounds. There were about 100 coaches there. I enjoy attending sessions from Cummins engines, Allison transmission, and other vendors. There is a lot to learn. Cummins is such a big company that they could make all the diesel engines for the RV industry's needs for the year in one eight-hour shift. I also enjoyed a session they had on 3-D printers. I didn't buy one, but I was impressed at how advanced they are, what you can make, the vast online libraries with thousands of ready-to-use templates, and the low cost to get started. A good beginner one (Bamboo A1) is only about $300.00. I wouldn't be surprised if I get one when we return to AZ this winter.

We pulled the Chevy Suburban behind the motorhome to AZ for the winter. In 2007, we had an enclosed trailer we pulled with a Mazda Miata in it. I really liked that for several reasons. One is that you can't back up a towed vehicle, even a foot, or it can break the hitch assembly or damage your vehicle. Another reason is that I like having my tools with me. Yet another advantage is that it gets things out of the motorhome, particularly the lower storage area, called the basement.

This spring, after we got home, we found a new 3-year-old trailer with hail damage on one side and the roof, and bought it for about 2/3 the price of new. It still has a full warranty though. It turns out that the guy who painted my 2007 trailer to match our old motorhome is still painting and offered us a really good deal to paint the new one to match our current motorhome. He is also repairing the hail damage. Here we are picking it up in Ohio. The door on the left opens, so when you drive your car in, you can open the car door to get out. After opening the trailer side door, the fender well pulls out so the car door doesn't hit, and you can open the car door fully.

Below is what the inside looks like. I had them remove the two lower right doors and install a toolbox.

Below is the toolbox. I guess it's the farmer in me, but I really am gifted at repairing things, and I just like to have tools with me. I also help others repair things in their RVs. I filled the toolbox, then added another red 42" toolbox on the left side of the bench top. Too many tools? I don't think so (smile). I'll get a pic of the red toolbox later. The trailer is getting painted to match the coach now.

Below is the rig when we were bringing it to Ben's house where we are staying for the summer.

We unhooked it at the neighbors' (above) and backed it in with the Suburban the first time. Here it is at Ben and Katurah's house (below).