I am not sure of who it was, but the was a Sling owner in Fort Mac Alberta this year. Not sure what he chose to drive out with, but the pictures from that country while the evacuation took place were horrifyingly beautiful.
But, yeah, if the fire gets close, that ash in the air is an issue.
Best of luck and stay safe. If you have access to a hospital, see if you can get a surgical mask or two to help with ash in the air
Display MoreNot really, some hypothesis's, but more curious about what type of trailer you were pulling, tongue weight etc. Also wondering if the bolts on the rear shock mount where the hitch bolts to were tight enough, if loose, this could have caused that area to fatigue and break.
Rather than hijack your thread I moved my response back to the SOS thread.
One day, when I set aside some play money, I will need to chat with you about your engine mods, lol.
MBMedic wrote:
So did they have any further thoughts as to why that hitch broke? Is the armature on the right side too thin or narrow? Or did I simply get the one and only dud of the batch? I am really glad to see you got a new hitch too. I was concerned about this.
To be perfectly honest, I am concerned now and am considering simply selling off my trailer and investing into the saddle bag add-on over the rear tire. Seems a better option than running into a repeat of this issue when I go to New York in August.
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[/quote]Not really, some hypothesis's, but more curious about what type of trailer you were pulling, tongue weight etc. Also wondering if the bolts on the rear shock mount where the hitch bolts to were tight enough, if loose, this could have caused that area to fatigue and break.
I wouldn't be surprised that they will be addressing this in the current design and have me do some heavy duty testing again
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Bolts at the rear shock mount were tightened with that 30" sway bar as tight as I could go on them. Also redone when it was welded.
As for trailer specs, here is the info on it;
1/8" thick Aluminum
600lbs. Full Width Torx-Flex Axle
12" Single Piece All Aluminum Rims With Bias-Ply Tires
LED Turn/Stop TailLight
2 Dual Latch Locks per Compartment
Lockable Pushbuttons For Locks With Stainless Steel Hardware
Weather-sealed Carpeted Rear Area With 14.5 cu.ft. Of Space
Hydraulic Lid Supports
Built-In Drainable Cooler
Available in Plain Aluminum or PowderCoated
Total Trailer Weight = 150lbs
Website can be found here ---> http://www.trailertrax.ca/
In my trailer I had 2 duffle bags at <50 lbs each. A laptop bag at about 5 lbs. I also had 1 gallon of fuel in a jerry can, my tool bag at 43 lbs, 1 floor jack, 0.5 ton , portable air compressor, 1 liter of that green slime stuff for a flat repair, led light for power outlet.
Total weight 350 - 375 lbs with a tongue weight of only 41.5 lbs
That's about all I can give you for info.
I would love their opinion on further use of this trailer & hitch when they get a chance. As for product test info, I do have this trip planned for August, which is another 6000 kms. if I could be of assistance, I would be happy to help.
So did they have any further thoughts as to why that hitch broke? Is the armature on the right side too thin or narrow? Or did I simply get the one and only dud of the batch? I am really glad to see you got a new hitch too. I was concerned about this.
To be perfectly honest, I am concerned now and am considering simply selling off my trailer and investing into the saddle bag add-on over the rear tire. Seems a better option than running into a repeat of this issue when I go to New York in August.
Absolutely deserve both chickens and goats 
Sorry Slingshot Garage, but looking at your trip, (and toy, complete with upgrades) she's a keeper, so keep'er happy
Heh, I am so glad your trip is playing out like more of the adventure it is rather than the nightmare I got, lol. Can't really complain though, like you said, talking through these forums is one thing, but when you get to tie a face to the name, it makes them mean that much more!
I am hoping to get down to Rushmore this year too. Seems silly to have not seen it yet when it is only a day's drive away. Looking forward to the scenery.
Enjoy your home stretch travels.
Rooting for you two. Take care down there.
Got the presedential parking again. Only one hotel so far didn't let us park under the awning. Pretty cool.
That's awesome. I had more than a few Hotels look at mine like it was a Lambo or something, but I sure as hell never got that treatment when we showed up soaking wet, lol
Dude, you are having an amazing trip. Enjoy that open road!
Now the not so good. First was the heat I finally understand the heat issue. Up north the heat has always been welcome by me. Where I'm from its never hot for long a month at best and never humid. This afternoon it was 100 f and really humid. The draft on my feet was like having a hairdryer on full heat blowing on my feet and the cabin was just cooking us alive. Feel sorry for those if you who live here guess you just can't ride on days like that. Got to the unbearable point so I pulled off to grab a couple slushes. I get back in the sling go to start it and it won't start my heart sank. Waited a few minutes and tried it again and it fired up. I thought wow it must be running really hot so we got going to give it some airflow. It was at this point we noticed there was a rather ominous grey clouds to the east didn't worry too much because we were heading west. Drove for about 20 more minutes and I thought that's weird it sems to be catching up to us. Pressed on thinking hopefully we will outrun it. Didn't happen we got hit with the most violent storm imaginable quickly pulled over and grabbed the umbrellas from under the seat. Really were no use at all we got pummeled lightning hail and wind was simply unreal. I had my umbrella pointed directly left and did no good at all. So much water it was unbelievable. Takes a lot to scare me but honestly scared the crap out of me. And we were right out in the open. Drove down the shoulder and couldn't see a thing rain and hail hitting my glasses mad it impossible to see. Finally saw a side road and pulled off and hid under some trees. After 45 minutes I was done didn't know what to do just beat us up. Called my wife panicking not like she can do anything. She said just pray it all you can do. A few minutes later it started to let up a little. And I thought we can't just sit here there was a few power poles knocked over and I'm thinking we gotta try to go. Hit the shoulder again and just puttered along in first gear. Finally saw a gas station so headed for that knowing there would be a canopy. Which there was sat there for a few minutes and it almost stopped. At that point I could see a hotel and made a b line for it. When we walked in we looked like we just jumped out of a pool kid you not. Everthing we have with us was completely soaked will take all night to try and dry it out. Freaked my kid right out. But on the plus side we didn't get hurt or go hydroplaning so thank god for that. Man what an afternoon. We didn't even Make it halfway to Sioux Falls. But we're ok. I've seen the freak storms on the news before but never been stuck right in the middle of one. Was pretty freaky traffic just stopped on the road.
Sure hope it's nice tomorrow.
Damn man, you've had quite the Saga..... I got busy being back at work, and logged in to see all you've gone through, lol, damn.
May you have clear blue skies until your return.
hope you have a safe trip.... and "Tales From Alberta"
Love the video, that was awesome!! Hah, we totally stopped at that gas station with the Tipi & the buffalo at it too, lol. Great Chili there, lol.
Sucks about your tooth man. Sorry to hear that. But since I got home just fine after leaving Minneapolis, I figure the bad luck was down there. You must have hit it where I left it.
I kept looking at the video where Troy was backing it out of the garage trying to figure out what was different?
Watched the damn thing about 4 times until it finally hit me! No center lights, that Canadian thing 'A'!
Great pics of your son with the monster ride!
LOL, guess that's right, you never went around to the front of mine, we hung out at the back, so you never saw my front lights, lol
For me, I want to find the center molding from a US unit and put in the headlights so I will have the 6 across the front as well. I'm all about being able to see at night. Love night driving.
For me, this would be very dependent on timing. If the dates align I would be very tempted to come out. However, I wouldn't be able to commit to any purchases (other than those faceplates, lol)
I have a New York trip planned in August and need my $$$ for that run. lol, NO trailer this time I think, lol
So, a little update to finish this thread off. (Got home and we had no phone or internet due to some construction snipping the line, couldn't post till today)
We got home last night at 9:00 PM. The rest of the trip was windy as hell, and got cooler as we got closer to home. I had had enough by the time we had got home. Total trip was 5000 kms, (3100 miles) I now know without question that while the stock seats are ok, I can't wait to be in a position to purchase a set of custom seats. Something with lumbar support is needed without question.
The thread on Hydroplaning here in these forums saved my ass I am sure as I was pre-warned of the danger and cautious of the hazard. Which was great because, DAMN did we get wet, lol. Rain gear is awesome, but not even it could repel the onslaught.
Lastly, the fellowship displayed over these past few days by members on this website has been phenomenal!!! 
When shit hits the fan, and someone simply pipes up that they were in trouble, and just like that, someone else throws them a lifeline! A complete stranger reached out letting us get back on the road. SlingJockey without question, if you didn't happen to look at the forums, and get in touch, I have no doubt my day yesterday would have been spent going to Alpha, (which would have been fine too for a chance to see the place), but my wife worked today, and we would not have been home until about now.
So, Mark, thank you most sincerely. You are the reason my wife didn't smother me in my sleep, lol. (her - "You know, if we had taken the Focus, none of this would have happened" 
, me - "But honey, it's all part of the experience, and look how this all played out!" 
, her - "You can sleep in the other bed anyway" 
)
So just driving today we are currently in Fergus falls. The wind the wind was unreal spent the whole time trying to hide behind the windshield. It kept blowing my helmet back on my head and the strap ended up actually cutting into my neck. Haven't experienced wind like that in the sling yet. Didn't calm down the whole time until we were just about here.
Was awesome meeting you on the interstate!! We went by and I was like " Hey, I know that SS!!!" Wife & I both waved and I was laughing. She was like, what's so funny. I told her that I knew who that SS was, and she was like, How?
I am really starting to like these forums, lol.
Yeah, That wind never let up once on our ride through to Fargo then north to Manitoba. Plus it got cold as hell too. It was 13 C (or around 55 F for you USA folks, lol) Anyway, glad the whole trip is over and we are back home, lol
Enjoy your time at Alpha!
Well, on the road again. This is a direct result of the friendly members found right here on these forums.
Thanks to everyone who offered info and advise, and thanks one last time to SlingJockey for the direct help that is putting us on the road this morning.
Will update when we get home.
@roadog1aj We are returning from Jackson, came out on 35 hwy. Too bad, we could have met for coffee, lol, but......that rain, had to leave that behind, lol
@Slingshot Garage wish we could have stuck around to say hi, but this breakdown put us behind a day. We need to hit the road.
Safe journey.
@SlingJockey Thanks again my new friend. My wife is totally grateful for your assistance as well.
She's still looking at me trying to figure out how this all happened. When we got to the hotel earlier, all i said was that i had an idea, and posted here. Then, well, all this happened and now we simply have to get up and get going in the morning.
This is truely what forums are for. I will be sure to pay it forward whenever its needed. For now, its time for bed.
sent you a private message
