Sometime in mid September, we bought an MGF for use in Club Motorsport events. We knew that it would not be road registered and we would need to look for a car trailer, which would also be useful for Historic events with our MGTC. So far so good!

Over the next few weeks, we looked at several different styles and then He decided to look on eBay. One close to home looked promising but the bids quickly went out of our agreed price range. Then He looked again told me He had put in a bid on a fully enclosed car trailer, which looked promising. It was a low bid and He was sure that it would not stand. The minutes ticked down and Guess What?? Congratulations you have won this item! Cause for celebration you might say – but – then He told me it was pick up only and the location was Evans Head. Now for those of you who are not familiar with NSW, Evans Head is on the East coast about 20 Kms south of the Queensland border which is some 2000 Kms each way from Adelaide.

So, we packed the dogs in the Prado, together with our tent (never put up since purchase and trial!), air beds (with an inflator – more on that later), tools and the necessities of living “on the road”.

First night at West Wyalong, put up the tent (after a little discussion about the order of poles etc), had dinner and inflated the air beds. After some considerable time during which He claimed He could puff harder himself, we settled down for a nice night’s sleep. Then the rain came. We packed a wet tent into the Prado and, after breakfast, off we went. After I insisted that we stop at an outdoor shop in Parkes to buy a decent electric air bed pump, we reached Armidale. This time everything went smoothly. Another night’s sleep. Next day, I suggested that we could reach Evans Head and come back in a day, so we left the tent and everything else at Armidale and set off.

Over the mountains to Grafton, there was still snow at the side of the road! But when we got to the McCafe, all you could see was caravans with Grey Nomads as far as the eye could see. On we went, getting to Evans Head by lunchtime. He took one look at the trailer and decided that the tyres were not suitable to get 30 Kms down the road, let alone home! So off we went, with trailer, to Lismore. Got new tyres and a number of shackles to extend the safety chains. Then off again, heading to Tenterfield.

By the time we got there, the rain was coming down in sheets (as sub tropical rain is wont to do) and darkness was falling rapidly, so we decided to stop for the night – now remember all our camping gear is still at Armidale - at a motel which we were lucky to find.

On again in the morning. I was driving by then and several people waved as they passed me. I waved back. Then a car slowed right down and pointed to the back. When we pulled over, the bottom back door of the trailer, which had been fitted by the previous owners and wasn’t very strong, was dragging on the road. We removed this one and although I suggested removing the top one at the same time, He said “Oh that will be OK”. Another 100 Kms down the road and He could see the top back door swinging sideways in the rear mirrors! Another stop at a rest stop and deposit the remaining back door near the rubbish bin.

BUT – when the top one came off, it pulled the welds of the side supports loose and the side, covered with sheet steel then flapped in the wind – loosening the tech screws holding the side sheets on. From then on until we got back to Armidale, we stopped every 50 Kms to tighten or refit tech screws for the side and to tighten the ropes holding it all together. The atmosphere in the Prado became a bit strained!

However, the tent was still standing after 12 hours of rain and wind. We packed the Prado in record time and set off for Hay. The sun came out by the time we got there and we were able to get some bolts to secure the side properly before the home leg.

Then I asked Him if he had the charger for the, by then, flat battery-operated drill. Receiving an affirmative reply, I set about cooking some dinner. Soon I was told that the cord He had seen in the Prado was NOT for the drill. After the manager of the caravan park came to our assistance with his electric drill, all was well and after another pleasant night’s sleep, we had an uneventful trip to home.
The trailer has since had new light-weight sides and a winch installed and has actually turned out to be good value for the price.

But beware and check what your “Other Half” is doing on eBay regularly!!!! - otherwise you too may be travelling 4000 Kms in 6 days to collect His latest find!

Geraldine Hough