Re: [A/S] Two A/S Owner Now!

[Patricia Raimondo <praimond@xxxx>]

Hi All,

I've been over on the VAC site for two days and thought I should let 
you all know that as of Tues. I am the proud owner of a 1954 A/S Flying 
Cloud!!!!!! I've been looking for another vintage trailer since selling 
my 67 Safari. I missed having a project trailer. There just wasn't 
anything to do on my 03 Safari!

The 54 was mentioned on the VAC site and it was located practically in 
my back yard. (if you consider Lancaster Cty. PA close to Long Island!) 
I read about it Sun. night, called the guy and went to PA on Mon. Thank 
goodness I jumped on it. Someone called him Mon. night and offered him 
more$ for it but I had already closed the deal! It had been sitting in 
a campground storage area since 74! I'm only the 3rd owner and the guy 
I bought it from had never taken it from the storage. I think it saw 
very little road use as it's in mint condition. Belly pan intact, all 
original inside, etc. he changed the tires for me and I pulled it right 
out!

At the top of the Mtn. where it was stored the tail lights and 
directionals all worked. By the time I got to the bottom nothing worked 
except the electric brakes! We tried everything but the harness was so 
frayed even tape didn't work. I called every RV and trailer service in 
the area but nobody would take me in to just change the harness. (so 
much for being friendly in the Amish Cty.!) Then it started to pour. I 
said "screw it" I'm taking it as is. So I headed home with no trailer 
lights and no sway bars!

I had no choice on back roads. To get to Long Island you have to take 
the PA Turnpike, Jersey Trnp. and over the GW bridge, Cross Bronx Exp. 
and then the Throggs Neck Bridge. It was pouring the whole way with 
lightening and a threat of hail! I believe that the weather is why no 
police ever stopped me! Who would want to stand out in that weather 
writing tickets for: no lights, no brakeaway switch, unregistered by 
me, flimsy safety chains, and my truck has an expired inspection 
sticker! (I get it done Mon.) I don't recommend doing this by the faint 
of heart.

Got her home in one piece, backed into my yard, (directly in front of 
the Safari as my property is only 60/100) and went to unhitch. Yep, the 
jack broke! slipped right down. Had to leave her hitched for the night 
cause I don't have a scissor jack. (buying one today) Decided the next 
morning (yesterday) to call Trailer City and see if they could take her 
in to rework the tongue. They could so I just pulled out and back on 
the road again with all those connections not working and towed her 
cross the Island to Hempstead. She is there now getting: new coupler, 
jack, harness, aluminum 30lb. propane tanks, regulator, tow bars, 
brakes, axles, bearings and springs! I don't even want to know what 
this all will cost! But she's worth every penny! They'll check the gas 
lines and go over it in general. I'll still have a year's worth of work 
to do but that's what I bought her for!

I'm very excited and no, I'm not going to sell the Safari. I'll use the 
54 for rallies and the Safari for long road trips. My neighbors and 
family think I'm nuts but that's what a midlife crisis is all about! 
Being single and not having a significant other bitch about my spending 
helps also! Life is good!

Patti

54 Flying Cloud
03 Safari
02 2500 Suburban