Shirley 24x42 Added to the Family!

This is a recount of my Epic 1,700 mile road trip the past weekend to buy it and convert it to a trailer model.

After working the deal with Wade (chet8888) I went to work mapping out the road trip. He had a 24x42 w/Warmer in causal mode (Patio Model) and I wanted a work horse (Trailer Model). So I sent an email to the Shirley Team to see what could be done. Tyler replied that he could make it happen. So after a day or two of emails and texts with Paul and Tyler, all was a go.

Now I'm in Prosper TX and the Shirley was in Norcross GA. So the plan was to pick up a UHaul 9x5 open top ramp trailer Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa (9.5 Hour Drive) and then grab some dinner and shut eye. Roll out about 7:00 Sunday morning and meet up with Chet8888 in Norcross GA. (3.5 Hour Drive) around 12:00 local time. Load it up and drive back to Tuscaloosa to drop it off back at Shirley Fabrication. Then we were to rest up get some dinner and a night's rest. Get up and drive over around 7:00am to Shirley Fabrication and see if anyone had any questions on the trailer refit.

All is going well we get the trailer Saturday afternoon the some dinner and a nights rest. Up at 6:00am and rolling to Norcross by 7:00am and we arrive a bit before noon. Text with chet8888 and he said his wife would show us where the Shirley was located in the back yard. Now I've been to N Georgia before and you can't take a step anywhere without going uphill or downhill and his neighborhood was no different. She kindly takes us to the top of the drive and points down to this set of 15 steps and she says "He had a couple of big guys from our church come over and they carried it down these steps to the back of the house. You will probably need to take it back up this way".
Well about that time my buddy Bill, who I asked to ride co-pilot and help load, Said "I don't think we can do that." I brought along a come-along and a bunch of tie down straps and Bill is starting to figure out how we going to winch it up the steps!! So out to the truck we go.

About that time chet8888 pulls behind my pickup, while I'm standing in the trailer, with a Police Escort and lights on!! He gets out and the Officer firmly states "That was a stop sign back there you drove past without stopping!" OK now with his game face on chet8888 replies" I apologize Officer I was running late to meet these guys and help them load this trailer and I am sorry about that!" The office replied back with I believe an OK and be careful next time. No signature required!! That never happens to me.

Anyway back to the steps. So we explain to Wade (chet888) he's wife's plan and starts to chuckle. He replied "No we rolled it in the yard around the other side of the house. Roots and all it will roll real easy around to the front and to the side walk. He was correct and it was amazing how good the Shirley rolled over the exposed roots, in the sand, dirt and through the grass. Both Bill and were two happy guys not to have to setup a bunch of rigging to go up them steps! We pushed it right into the trailer and secured her for the ride back. All is good.

We stopped by a friend of Bills over on the East side of Atlanta on the way back to Tuscaloosa for a bit. Once we were done we were on the way back to Shirley Fab to drop it off. This being Sunday, it was a bit of cat and mouse getting a hold of someone but Paul texted me that Sharron was at home. She greeted kindly and pointed us to the side yard where she said "Drive over there and I will help you unload and then we can push it up the driveway by the shop" Well I did just that. But once we lowered the ramp I told Sharron we can get this but Sharron still had a hold of the cooker. I looked at Billy and he knew we had this and not to let her have any of the load. We got it to the shop and all is going great. Paul you are one lucky man. Sharron was most kind and helpful. Truly a great lady.

Well now all we need to do is eat, sleep and meet up with Tyler in the morning. So at 7:00am we were at the shop to meet with Tyler and see if he had any questions. We were walking up the drive and they were already separating the cooker from the patio cart. Introduced ourselves, shook hands and said hi with Tyler and the guys. Tyler said should be finished in a few hours. Talked a bit, all is good and left to drop off the UHaul trailer. Had a bit of breakfast and by now is was coming up to 10:00am. Went back to Shirley Fab and the guys were just finishing up. Paul was there and meet him and we talked for a bit. As the guys were finishing I went to the pickup to get the pin locks. One for the removable tongue, receiver hitch and the trailer coupler. Then pulled around to the shop and hooked on to my New 24x42 Shirley with a modified trailer. I would be wrong if I did not say it was a very exciting moment. Shirley guys did a safety check for lights and chains. We are ready for the trip back to the Great State of Texas. Paid my bill, said my thanks and off we go.

Paul Shirley you must be so proud of your sons and the guys in the shop. We were welcomed into the shop and felt like we been friends forever. Both Tyler and Ross are two fine young men.

Sorry for all the words but I wanted all to know how good it is meet up with and do business with other great BBQ Brethren.
I did take a few pics below.
Thanks for looking.
























This towed perfectly!
Thank you Shirley Fabrication. An amazing family.