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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: trailer noise
Best advice is to put in "wet bolts" and bronze bushings (greasable) with the heavy shackles. See the Dexter sticky at the top for the HD suspension and EZ Flex. My trailer would wake up the dead when pulling into a campground. Did the upgrade-very modest price and about a one to one and a half day job for one person. Dead quiet now and pulls much better. Worth the time to read the thread and the money to do the upgrade. Dexter Link
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Jerry9n
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06/18/13 07:40pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: delamination
Gorilla glue expands as it sets. I have used two part, self mixing epoxy from West Marine.Clickyhttp://content.westmarine.com/images/catalog/full/10287571.jpg width=200
They have small syringes that work good for injecting it.Clickyhttp://content.westmarine.com/images/catalog/full/382796.jpg width=250
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Jerry9n
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06/10/13 06:44pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Axle flip question for those who have done it.
I have Lippert axles and put on the Dexter wet bolt, and rubber equalizer with no problems. It takes time. Just follow the posts on the sticky and you'll be fine. Once you put on the new bolts, heaver links, and equalizer, you'll wonder how they ever got by with the standard stuff. By product is no creaks and moans as you pull into a campground.
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Jerry9n
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06/08/13 12:34pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: rope lights
I have a string underneath the edge of the trailer on the door side permanently installed. They are colored and light the ground and area with a soft light. I put on a dusk timer set to a few hours and they go off late evening. I rarely use any other lights. These don't shine in neighbors' trailers like a lot of lights do - something annoying if you sleep under canvas. And nothing to install, unwrap, set up or take down.
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Jerry9n
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06/02/13 07:50pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Eterna bond
It is not as daunting as it sounds. I used a low voc lacquer thinner that flashed dry quickly. Do not set rags or can of cleaner on roof!
I went right over the Dicor sealant. Make sure when you put the Eternabond down it is where you want it. It is not moveable. Then make sure you used a roller - a small wallpaper seam roller or a larger laminate roller and roll, roll, roll to get a good bond. If you want you can put a little Dicor or ProFlex along the edges of the Eternabond, but not necessary. We did the roof 3 years ago and I just pressure tested the trailer and not one leak on Eternabond seams.
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Jerry9n
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05/31/13 05:05pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Dinette table legs
Since there are only two of us and we use the dinette seats for watching tv, I got rid of the table and built a drop leaf. Works great for two and if I ever need the other table, this thing is completely removable.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Mods/100_2106.jpg width=250
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Mods/100_2105.jpg width=250
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Jerry9n
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05/30/13 08:08pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: axle hitting frame question
My trailer had springs sized as Spike99 elaborated. 5000# across two axles, 1250# per spring. GVWR 5345#. I was headed out on vacation last summer and got 90 miles from home. Pulled into a rest area for a sandwich and did my walk around. Something didn't look right. Left rear trailer spring was broken! Managed a tow to a shop, overnight in a motel and back on the way next morning with a new spring.
Got home and did some research. Apparently Lippert had some bad springs, but these were loaded just below ratings (I scaled the trailer loaded). I ordered four 1750# springs and changed them. The other rear spring was considerably flatter than the front ones. Apparently the rear axles are more heavily loaded (I'll have to rescale the trailer to verify this). New springs installed and thing pulls much better. I had already done the Dexter upgrade with the EZ Flex.
I will be watching the springs and axles closely this year. The EZ Flex with the heavier links and wet bolts make all the difference in the world. Smoother ride, and absolutely no spring creak.
If you haven't, it wouldn't hurt to look at your axles and springs. I was lucky the spring didn't break at 65mph. Apparently it did it as I stopped and there was no collateral damage.
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Jerry9n
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05/29/13 06:09pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Need clean way to get 15A into my trailer from outside.
I have the marine 15 amp that I use with an extension cord and a trickle charger during the winter to keep the battery charged. Keeps my expensive 30A cord out of the weather and I don't need the whole trailer powered up through the converter.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Mods/100_2877.jpg width=250
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Jerry9n
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05/29/13 03:20pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Ford Ecoboost Problems
Okay, here is my take. It used to be it took cubes to make HP and torque because of the way an engine was aspirated and timed. Thermal efficiency (if I can remember my thermodynamics) is around 35%. With the advent of turbo, variable timing, direct injection and a host of other improvements, I am guessing they are getting the efficiency up around 50%, closer to that of the diesel cycle. If you do the same technology on the 5.0 or the larger engines, you should see a like rise in thermal efficiency and power output.
As far as problems, the Ford 5.4 had it's share. Plugs blew out of the block in the earlier ones, and in the later ones, you couldn't get them out without breaking them. After quite a few years of production they resolved these problems as well as a one piece spark plug. I don't think you hear a lot about plugs breaking because owners usually don't change them. When you do, it is quite problematic (and expensive if you take it to a dealer).
Each engine series has it's shakedown problems. Changes are expensive until a problem is identified as a real problem, not just an isolated oops. Recalls and TSB's are very expensive, so they need to get them right.
Sorry for rambling.
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Jerry9n
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05/29/13 01:38pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Power King Towmax tires for hybrid travel trailer
After reading many posts, I think all Chinese tires get lumped together. My trailer came with bias ply Duros and all of them developed sidewall cracks in less than a year from manufacture. The tires were kept properly inflated and covered during off season.
That was my experience, I thoroughly think they would have failed on the road if I had not replaced them. Duro replaced them with like tires which I promptly sold on CL with full disclosure and I put on Denmans before they were made in China and went out of business. No issues in 3 years with them.
While I can't judge all Chinese tires, the Duros sure made me skeptical.
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Jerry9n
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05/29/13 11:54am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Jayco X20E TV shelf question
When I got my flat screen to replace the CRT I over thought the mounting while traveling. It sits on a low cabinet. The TV has a non slip base, so I put some 3M locking strips on the top to the wall. I put a zip lock with bubble wrap between the back of the tv and the wall and latch in the two tabs. Hasn't moved an inch while traveling. Just unlock the two tabs and you can move the tv wherever you want.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Mods/e775151d-b982-4be6-a2d4-2ae637b00aff.jpg height=250
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Mods/100_3890.jpg height=250
(I originally used a foam block between the wall and tv--too messy).
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Jerry9n
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05/26/13 12:37pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Reese SC Weight Distribution w Sway Control
I've had one for 3+ years and have been very happy with it. Easy to hook up, don't have to unhook anything to back up and it is quiet.
My trailer isn't as robust as yours, but sized right I don't see why it wouldn't work right.
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Jerry9n
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05/15/13 06:51pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Couple of Electrical Plug Mods
Got the box at Lowe's. Only one that had that narrow of a box (my trailer has a short tongue). I just looked and they are now $169. Mine is about 3 years old or so, not sure what I paid then. Otherwise it is a nice box. Held on to the tongue with square U bolts (from McMaster). I put a side pull on the latch so I wouldn't have to fish between the tanks to unlatch it. You can see the knob on the side just below the black 12dc receptacle I use to run my water pump (to fill the fresh tank from totes).
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Jerry9n
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04/29/13 05:25pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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Couple of Electrical Plug Mods
I was lucky enough to have room for a tool box on the tongue. The first one was pretty simple and solves the problem of what to do with the 7 pin plug:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Mods/100_3881.jpg width=320
The next was for winter. Rather than keep the trailer plugged in with the 30 amp cord, I use a trickle charger wired through a separate 115v receptacle.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Mods/100_2877.jpg width=320
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Jerry9n
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04/29/13 04:32pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: 2005 Expedition standard towing package (upgrade)?
I have an 06 Expy w/heavy towing package. My trailer is 5500# loaded. To stay at 65 mph you have to expect to run in 3rd gear. Personally even though it is rated at 8600# I think it would be a struggle on any hills.
Here is a copy of the specs for my Expy with a 3.73 axle:
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating: 3275 lbs. FGAWR
Gross Vehicle Weigth Ratiing: 7300 lbs. GVWR
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating: 4328 lbs. RGRAWR
Wheel Base: 119"
Tow Rating: 8600 lbs.
GCWR: 15000 lbs.
HItch Rating:
Weight Carrying: 6,000# Trailer Wt. 600# Tongue Wt
Weight Distibuting: 8950# Trailer Wt. 895# Tongue Wt.
Personally, I wouldn't really want to pull anything heavier than about 6,000#. Now the 07 Expy has a 6 speed tranny which changes things.
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Jerry9n
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04/23/13 02:53pm |
Towing
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RE: Moving On
Good luck on your new venture. Change is always good.
Like others, I will miss your presence. Especially on the technical end of things.
JU
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Jerry9n
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04/17/13 09:20am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Tow mirrors for expedition
Not sure about the 07 Expys but the 06 had a number of variants. Mine has turn signals, heated, remote,and puddle lights and there are no retrofits that I found to replace them. (If they are remote, they are also tied into the car's computer control, so not sure what happens if you try to take them off). F-150 mirrors will not fit.
I have the ones suggested and I had to put a couple of clips on each mirror on the Expy to keep them from sliding. The mirrors on the Expy are a funny pear shaped. The strap ons wobble some, but in the convex side you don't notice it.
The only ones I know of that absolutely solve the problems are McKesh if you want to put them on the door and pay for them.
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Jerry9n
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04/09/13 05:14pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 30 amp meter
I have the setup Old Biscuit uses, a voltmeter and ground checker before I plug in. Then I put in two voltmeters into the trailer to keep an eye on things. Both digital. I have a pic, but the AC voltmeter is not on because I did not have shore power plugged in. The buttons next to the meters are push on off switches to turn them off at night (kind of bright if left on). The meters were from ebay and under $10 a piece.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Mods/100_2882.jpg width=350
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Jerry9n
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04/06/13 10:01am |
Tech Issues
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RE: How to store a portable waste tank
I have a 15 gal and used a bicycle ladder rack from Camping World. I use nylon buckle straps, not bungies, to hold it on. Has done the job for 4 years. Not wild about the looks, but don't really have anywhere else to put it.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Mods/100_2879.jpg width=350
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Jerry9n
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04/06/13 09:56am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: small leak
If you are a do it your selfer, it is not hard to rig something up. If you do a search, some have used leaf blowers through a window. I did mine and used an old furnace blower through the pass through. I made a masonite blank off held in place with a couple of toggle bolts.
Be prepared to be amazed at all the soap bubbles. On a two year old trailer I ended up taking out all the caulking and putting in new and sealing all the lights. Here's a couple of shots of my blower:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Pressure%20Test/100_4223.jpg width=350
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Pressure%20Test/100_4220.jpg width=350
Lotsa bubbles everywhere:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/JerryU/Camper%20Pressure%20Test/100_4239.jpg width=350
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Jerry9n
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04/02/13 04:08pm |
Travel Trailers
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