After several attempts to contact TexTrail trailer supply, a company used by Jim Blackburn to source axles and tires, they never got back to us. We have now decided to use the online option and obtain our axles in the coming weeks. So this week we looked to the future again. We decided to do this because eventually we would have to go through this process in the future and with nothing to do we thought this was our best option in continuing this project. What we did this week was we started sourcing parts like our variable height 2 5/16” coupler for the trailer. We also found a 2500 psi hydraulic cylinder from Dalton Hydraulics that matches exactly what the plans call for.
The next steps include finding the hydraulic pump with 2 gallon reservoir, lines, the battery, and the controller. We also will be getting our axles soon and once we obtain them, we will install them on the trailer, enabling us to move the frame around wherever we need it with ease. We also plan to finish the frame welding and cross bracing on November 4th, before Tim has surgery on November 5th.
What we did well this week was responding to something we can not control. We have been struggling to get access to work on our trailer, but there has always been something in the way with scheduling or unexpected problems. So instead of doing nothing we decided to search for parts that we will need. We are doing the not so fun work now so that we can fly through the project when everything starts rolling. The good thing about this is that this week is our last week of football for our school which will open up an enormous time frame for when we can work on the project. With scheduling being much less of hassle than it has been in the past, we are going to have a lot of time to work on the project and get as much done as we can. We are headed in the right direction and with our schedules opening up we plan to get a lot done before Christmas is upon us.
There’s not much we could have done better, other than we could have driven to TexTrail to talk to them in person about a quote for axles and tires. We relied on technology and realized that it doesn’t always get you the results you want, and it does fail sometimes. We could have improvised and got something more done on our project as well, but you live and learn everyday.
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