RE: Air Safe Hitch (bumper pull)
I've been using a Class V Air Safe hitch for several years now. If you look at their site, it shows you all the benefits. And I have experienced every one of those benefits since I've bought mine. It works just as advertised, which means it is an excellent innovation for smooooooth trailer towing over our poooor Interstates.
RE: desiel fuel injectors
I, too, have an illogical array of fuel filters because, well, just because.
I have a 91-gallon in-bed auxiliary tank. The fuel in this tank is pumped into my F250 factory tanks through a 10 micron particulte filter, then through a 2 micron particulate/water separator filter. Then, from my F250 factory tanks, I have a 10 micron water/particulate filter, which then goes into the factory 7 micron particulate/water filter before it hits the fuel injectors.
That's four filters before it get to the 7.3 Navistar engine.
Call me Mr. Monk.
RE: 60 gallon RDS Auxiliary Tank NOT 60 gallons???
When I first got my RDS 91-gallon tank, I filled it up with 91 gallons. However, it was right at the top of the tank not using the superfast truck-stop pumps, and if I moved to uneven ground, it would spill out if the tilt were towards the filler cap when I removed the cap. So, I don't fill it up completely anymore for that reason. I've still got plenty to play with.
I may be wrong, but, after a couple of Jack Daniels this afternoon, I think my tank dimensions are (in inches) 20W, 20H, 55L.
I've had fuel run out of my F250 factory tanks before, if I filled up to the top, moved and parked on uneven ground tilted towards the cap, and/or if I filled up, parked, and the day got hot and the fuel expanded.
RE: Powerstroke
15W40 Shell Rotella is the only oil my 7.3 has had in it since the first oil change in 1996.
Since it's never been in the shop, I've never had to ask a mechanic, so I'll have to ask here:
What's the problem with Rotella?
RE: desiel fuel injectors
I use a half-ounce per gallon of 2 cycle ashless oil. If oil doesn't provide lubrication, then I'm out the effort. I began using this oil when the ULSD was forced upon us, because that fuel depends on the local fuel distributor to add the called-for lubricants, and if they forget or disregard or short the additives, the customers get shafted from the blind side. The oil has made my old 7.3 F250 run quieter. I also use a dash of PowerService to keep the injectors clean and the fuel gel-free.
RE: 7.3 power stroke
I've put 58,000 miles on my 1996 7.3 F250 since I bought it new. It's only used for hauling trailers (mostly RVs), and it does a great job of that. The last RV trip I took in it was about 4000 miles, and averaged 14.7mpg at 55mph towing 6000 pounds of travel trailer.
It's never been in the shop. I'm betting it will outlast me.
RE: Consumer's Report likes Chrysler
The Crown Vic has long earned the highest of safety ratings year after year.
The police have a particular problem, repeatedly parking behind stopped cars on 70mph Interstates. When hit in the rear, it's hard to protect a fuel tank at those speeds, although Ford has recognized they could make some improvements and has made some accommodations for the police in the past several years.
I've watched such shows as Cops and Police Pursuit through the years. Most of the police are using Crown Vics. They put those vehicles in the most stressful of circumstances, including ramming, being rammed, running over railroad tracks and curbs and through ditches at high speeds, and etc. I don't remember them exploding, disintegrating or otherwise doing anything but providing faithful and reliable service.
In fact, I admire the Crown Vic for its sturdy construction. The police must too. They keep buying them, although I'm not sure Ford will continue the platform just for that purpose looking into the future.
Are some police suing Ford for the perceived weaknesses, sure they are. Just like every other entity is being sued for every perceived and contrived weakness here in the great USA.
RE: Ford Transmission Tip
MikeJinCO, excellent advice. Unfortunately, I don't have 4WD, and I have heated up my E4OD in reverse enough to spit fluid all over the campground.
That's why I added a front hitch: Perhaps first gear is no stronger than reverse, but the front hitch allows me to maneuver much easier into very tight spaces, thus lessening the amound of slow-speed pressure on my old slushbox.
If I even burn out this old unit, I'll probably invest in a Brian's Truck Stop superbuild. It will cost about as much as the 1996 truck is worth, but, the rebuild will remove all the weak points of the original design, such as those weak first and reverse gears.
RE: WDH with Friction system sway control
I've towed with the classic friction sway control bars all my RV career, more than 30 years. This system has never let me down. Sure, the newer designs add something, but if the tow vehicle and trailer rig combination is adequate, what they add is not really necessary. However, I do understand that someone paying from $300 to $3000 for their new antisway designs would defend their more sophisticated and higher-priced choices.
RE: Wind deflector - helps mpg?
My wind deflector gained for me a few percentage points in mileage when towing my travel trailer. It is mounted on the rear of my F250 campertop. Surely worth it for me.
RE: Changed Cummins Diesel air filter
All this talk about Father Time degrading air filters and thus destroying engines.
Should we check the date code on them when we purchase, like on tires? :-)
RE: Mice
Decon killed a big rat in my rig. It died inside some insulation over a wheel well, and I could not find it until I had other repairs to do and accidently found the skeleton years later. The rotting body kept me out of my rig for a year. I now use mechanical means, spring and occasionally glue. You never get them all if you park near the woods, but you usually can get them fast enough to keep from a lot of damage.
RE: Gear Ratio v. Downshifting
I paid for all four forward gears in the E40D transmission of my F250 7.3 PowerStroke diesel, and I use them all.
I am not one of those who worry that the transmission won't hold overdrive in the steep hills.
I have a 3.55 rear axle, and it is not unusual for me to shift out of overdrive in the steeper hills when towing. My transmission's converter locks in third gear too.
If things are really steep, there's always second and first, and even though the converter may not lock in the lowest gears, the additional torque provided by a "slipping" converter is often welcomed for the short distrances they are actually used.
My "tall" rear axle sure is nice on the long, flat roads, when my engine slows to about 1500 RPMs and my mileage approaches 15 while towing.
RE: Fumoto valve
I bought one and quit using it for two reasons:
1. It is the lowest thing on my undercarrage. It just hangs down there in mid air. It looks like it's inviting a road gator to knock it off the pan. My neurosis acting up again.
2. It does not drain the oil completely. Since the valve rises a bit off the floor of the pan, there is always a little bit of oil left in the pan when using but not fully removing the valve. Not much, but a little. Maybe it's got the worst dregs of the oil in it, undrained and ready to be reintroduced into the engine with the fresh oil. And a true neurotic won't let that be.
RE: Front Hitch for Maneuvering
I installed a front hitch after blowing a few quarts of overheated automatic transmission fluid trying to back my travel trailer into a very tight campground site. It took me quite a while, with many backs-and-forths, to get into that cursed spot. Now, with the front hitch, my long wheelbase truck with a large turning radius can maneuver a trailer much better when going into tight spots.
As stated before, there is a problem seeing where you're going when you have a large trailer in front of you. My solution was to use an old towing mirror with its attachment arm to hold in my left hand to see where I'm backing on that side, and my wife to watch the other side for me. This works quite well.
RE: Exhaust Breacks
I've got 60,000 miles on my original F250 brakes with a 7.3 diesel and automatic transmission. I use this truck only for towing. I've been over the Rockies a few times towing my TT, and many other mountain ranges through the years from coast-to-coast. All without an exhaust brake.
The exhaust brake is nice to have, but not vital to safe towing with adequate rigs and a reasonable driving attitude.
RE: Mold/Mildew Prevention
I live in a high-humidity area. So, I run a dehumidifier whenever I'm not using my unit, because everything becomes sticky and mouldy with the high humidity, no matter how much humid air-ventilation I may have. I keep the same dehumidifier in the unit when I'm traveling, and when needed, I run it. Makes everything a lot more comfortable for me, and beneficial to the coach as well.
RE: Truck is leaking oil after last long trip...
Have you noticed if the leak is producing red oil, ie, from the transmission?
My F250 will occasionally puke transmission oil when in reverse and in difficult backing situations. It is a known phenomenon with these transmissions, and unless overdone, it is usually self-correcting.
I have read that it occurs because of the temperatures and pressures created when the transmission is pushed hard in reverse, and the transmission seal is breached temporarily.
I've also seen it happen, but less frequently, in forward gears as well, when the transmission is pushed to the limit in low-speed maneuvering.
In my experience, it is relatively harmless unless taken to the extreme. However, I would make sure the transmission oil is changed according to manufacturers' recommended schedules.
RE: 2011 RWD Chevy V8 Caprice-police car-can it tow
As stated and as I believe, Ford will only offer the Crown Vic to Police Departments and perhaps other such fleets. However, I have read that if someone knows their local Ford Fleet Manager, one could possibly buy one individually.
I have also read that anyone wanting a Crown Vic can easily get its twin sister, the Mercury Marquis, since it reportedly will still be offered to the general poublic. That rear-wheel-drive and fully framed platform and drivetrain is a legend for sturdy construction and long lived performance as demonstrated in taxi fleets, etc. Reaching 300K to 500K with the 4.8 modular engine is commonly reported in such circles.
All this is probably Ford's effort to simplify and consolidate their offerings.
RE: Mouse Season
A Decon-filled RAT died in my unit. I couldn't find it for several years. The horrible odor kept me from camping for a season. I finally found the skeleton burrowed in a wall while doing a repair job. No more Decon for me.
