Aftermaths/Gotchas of 2018 Camping trip

No camping trips is perfect.  We have to travel 7000+ miles for our southern route cross-country camping trip.  As a handy mechanic, I make sure all my vehicle and trailer is top notch shape before the departure day.  I have spend numerous weekend prepping the vehicle and trailer to be roadworthy.

For our 2018 Camping trip, I invested a lot on our truck to make the truck offroad capable.  For 4 years, we have travel mostly on paved road.  This year, we are changing our travel a bit different.  After almost 1 years of collecting parts and upgrading/installing, we finally ready to head out.  The camping tent setup is new to us and off-roading travel is also new to us. 

Prior to the trip, I have to change engine oil and top off all fluid.  Transmission fluid was change last year, hence this year is good.  I also completely change the brake system.  New rotor and brake pad.  The car has more than 20k miles since purchased.  The brake is wear out after 2 road trips. 

Here is a few gotchas from our 2018 Camping trip.  

1. While driving through the hot weather southern route, I found our vehicle AC is not as effective as we travel through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.  The AC blowing hot air instead.  Seem to be related to ambient temperature.  If the weather is 90+ degress, AC blowing hot air.  If the weather is below 90, AC will blow cold air.  This is the symptom of overcharging freon on the system.  Since we are on the road, I don't have the right equipment to fix the problem.  We cannot travel further up in AZ desert with this condition.  In Flagstaff AZ, I found a Harbor Freight store.  I went into Harbor Freight and purchase a AC gauge.  The store staff is graciously offer me additional 20% off.  I got AC gauge for about $60.  With the AC gauge, I can tell if my AC is overcharge.  Surely, it's overcharge with Freon R134.  With the gauge, I can properly get correct reading.  Hence I'm able to remediate the problem by correcting the overpressure Freon within the system.  AC is back !!!   
2. Prior to departure, the trailer sustain an accident.  The accident almost cancel our trip.  When I assess the damage, the trailer was still intact.  The only problem is the taillight is only functioning on left hand side.  Right hand side don't have brake or turn indicator.  I opt to continue our trip without remediate the problem as I think it's not the worst case.  Also, one of the stabilizer on the trailer is bend and not able to function as stabilizer.