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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: New tow vehicle, hitch height wrong
I have the welded version you are concerned with and have over 1200lbs of hitch weight. no issues at all.
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dodge guy
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11/23/09 11:21am |
Towing
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RE: Dual cam, cam arms
I have a 1,375# tongue. So I’m heavy too. I use 1,700# WD bars.
John
And I thought Kitty was bad, with 1,175lbs. of tongue weight on her T-2499!
I had you both beat with my previous tongue weight of 1530lbs. when I weighed the setup I just about fell over. after that I moved some stuff around and I am now just over 1200lbs +/- depending on our type of trip!
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dodge guy
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11/22/09 05:14pm |
Towing
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RE: Dual cam, cam arms
Don't worry about the tiny spot of thin surface rust on the cams. It will wear off very quickly on your next tow as the cams and the trunnion bar ends rub against one another.
When I un-hook, I swing the cam arms up and use the chains and snap brackets to hold them up higher so they don't hit the ground...just use the shortest chain links that you can.
Same thing I do. I also attach the safety chains to each excess hanging chain. keeps everything neat looking!
There is nothing to lose that the kids could touch except maybe the little clips for the snapup brackets.
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dodge guy
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11/21/09 10:53am |
Towing
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RE: Weld or Bolt Fifth Wheel Brackets?
Bolt on!
Welding, while OK, will not let the hitch brackets flex with the frame! and may, in the future, cause cracking of the weld and/or frame. just like box trucks, the boxes aren`t welded to the frame they are bolted (u-bolted). so when the truck flexes the box can also flex. this relieves the stresses that could build up if it were welded to the frame!
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dodge guy
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11/20/09 09:51pm |
Towing
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RE: stolen rock recovered
WOW! and it`s only mid-Nov.!!!!:E what`s gonna happen come Dec.?!:h where will your rock be then?
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dodge guy
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11/20/09 09:41pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Hitch on vehicle not right size
Yep a class III hitch wil get you going. I never seen a fullsize TT with a 1500lb dry weight! nice
On the hitch in the link above. go with the hitch farther down in the list "Class III max frame hitch" PN 75119. the hitch at the top has the cut out in it to fit around the exhaust and I personally think that will not be as strong as the one I recomend. just a personal preference.
Have fun.
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dodge guy
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11/19/09 09:10pm |
Towing
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RE: Stinky camper???
I just had the same problem with wet carpet alone the slide. As another said what his problem was - same with mine. The slide was not sealing above the wheels when closed because the rail that was to press against the rubber weather strip on the trailer side was not touching for half of the way. This allowed rain water to be blown into the trailer by the wheels. An ajustment on one end of the slide took care of the problem.
Yep I had the same problem with our trailer. the rain water was blowing up through the bottom of the slide. soaked the carpet with the same urine smell you have. leave the slide out and put a fan on the affected area to dry it. the smell wil go away after the moisture in the carpet is gone.
I also fixed the problem by screwing some sheetmetal along the bottom of the frame just under the slide seal. it protrudes just enough past the seal sa as not to interfer with the slide operation. no more water leakage problems when towing in the rain. why they didn`t do this from the factory is beyond me. the seal is just barely good enough to keep dust out let alone water under pressure.
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dodge guy
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11/19/09 08:53pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: stolen rock recovered
Put a rock on top of it to keep it from moving.
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dodge guy
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11/18/09 09:06pm |
General RVing Issues
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Diary of a snow shoveler
DW got this from here cousin. kinda long, but funny. enjoy! "edited" for language! LOL. should be OK now.
Diary Of A Snow Shoveler
December 8: 6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!
December 9: We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled snow for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.
December 12: The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. l don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man I'm glad he's our neighbor.
December 14: Snow lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.
December 15: 20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska , after all.
December 16: Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.
December 17: Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20: Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of damn snow last night. More shoveling. Took all day. The snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.
December 22: Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white "stuff" fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to go to the bathroom. By the time I got undressed, went and dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think the "guy" is lying.
December 23: Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she nuts!!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.
December 24: 6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a "gun" who drives that snowplow, I'll drag him through the snow. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was busy watching for that snowplow.
December 25: Merry Christmas. 20 more inches of the slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's an idiot. If I have to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to kill her.
December 26: Still snowed in. Why the did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27: Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze.
December 28: Warmed up to above -50. Still snowed in. THE "woman" is driving me crazy!!!!!
December 29: 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30: Roof caved in. The snow plow driver is suing me for a million dollars. The wife went home to her mother. 9" predicted.
December 31: Set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.
January 8: I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me.
Why am I tied to the bed?
-Author Unknown
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dodge guy
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11/17/09 09:26pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Mount Rushmore
We love Horse Thief Campground just outside HillCity. it is located on Needles HWY and close to Rushmore and all the Hills attractions. beautiful views of the surrounding hills and a beautiful view of Harney Peak (highest point in SD.)
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dodge guy
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11/17/09 09:10pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Towing info HELP for TOTAL "newbies" please!
Hi everyone! We are Don and Erin Severin from TN and we are
in the process of buying an '03 Coachman Class A. We want to
tow our '99 Jeep Cherokee Classic on all fours and therefore
had to buy a (REMCO)Driveshaft Disconnect Pkg. and will have
it installed, along with the towbar mounting brackets, etc.
next week (week of 11-16-09).
AFTER we purchased the above-mentioned package we heard that
as full-time RVers will will also need a BRAKING PACKAGE..
**aaarrggghhh another $1500.00** Our salesman says "don't worry"
(where have we heard THAT before ??)
Is this ABSOLUTELY necessary...???
Any and ALL comments will be GREATLY appreciated :D
If your Cherokee is four wheel drive, with a NEUTRAL position on the transfer case shifter, you SHOULD be able to tow it with the transfer case in neutral, the transmission in PARK, and the steering unlocked.
If it is two wheel drive, you need the driveshaft disconnect.
Check your Owner's Manual.
Now, you have to define "absolutely necessary".
To comply with the LAW, you will first have to find the law in YOUR state. DO NOT use any "list of towing laws" you might find on the internet. They are notoriously inaccurate, and they are often sponsored by a company which manufactures braking systems. Naturally, they want to convince everyone that they MUST buy their product. First, find the LEGAL definition of a "trailer" in yhour laws, then see if the braking laws only apply to trailers, or if they apply to towed motor vehicles.
From a safety standpoint, auxiliary braking is a good idea, whether it is legally required or not.
If it is NOT required by law in your state, then it is entirely up to your comfort level.
The only auxiliary braking system I would even consider is either the Ready Brake (for any towbar), or the Ready Brute towbar system. Either way, it is cheaper than $1500!
But, that's just me. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Good luck.
I know for a fact that if it`s 4WD it can be towed with the T-case in NEUTRAL and the trans in Park. I hope the tow bar you got is a good one that will not beat up the Cherokee or the RV I.E. push/pull on the back of the RV. after a couple hundred miles you won`t be a happy camper :B. And you definitely need and want brakes on the Cherokee or anything that is over 1000lbs and being towed.
And I agree there are good systems out there for less money. I would do some serious shopping around!
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dodge guy
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11/15/09 10:28am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Thinking about moving spare tire to front of TT
I moved my spare and rack to the side of the front A-frame when I installed a rear bike rack. I modified the tire carrier to fit the side of the A-frame just as how it was mounted on the rear bumper. I have no turning clearance issues at all.
Now on the rear mount bike rack.....
here is what I did. this is my response to a previous topic on bike racks! As long as the bike rack is properly secured so that it doesn`t bounce while going down the road you should be OK. even with a hitch mounted to the rear frame you will still need to secure the rack so that it is rigid. I mounted a bolt on 2" reciever to my rear bumper and added 2 stainless steel eye bolts through the rear wall (through both the wall studs and bunk supports). this allows me to use ratchet straps (criss-crossed) to secure and support the bikes. I also added a set bolt in the reciever to take out any vertical movement. this allows me to tighten down the rack and then cinch the ratchet straps. my bike rack is very solidly mounted with no movement or bounce when I`m on the road! I have a rear view camera mounted on the rear of the TT and can keep an eye on the bikes. before my mods to keep the rack secure I could see how much the bikes would bounce. Here are some pics!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/gustafson/100_6085.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/gustafson/100_6084.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/gustafson/100_6086.jpg
In this pic I didn`t install the set bolt yet, but it goes in from the top and presses down against the reciever draw bar. I also use a small ratcheting tie down from the rear frame rail, under the bumper, over the drawbar and back under to the frame rail. In many miles of towing I have not had any issues. I didn`t want the bikes on the front. not because of any cooling issues, but because I didn`t want bugs splattered al over my bikes. I believe they do make a rack that fits the X`s roof rack rails, but I really didn`t feel like lifting 4 bikes up on the roof! I feel my design is good for mounting the bikes on the rear of the TT. I moved the spare up to the front A-frame to help offset some of the weight from the 4 bikes on the rear.
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dodge guy
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11/15/09 10:13am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: School bus vs. HUMUNGOUS deer! OMG!
Glad everyone is OK, but I`m still trying to figure out this figure of speech (snip " I spotted a HUGE buck on my left running hell-bent for leather!"):h LOL
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dodge guy
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11/14/09 08:06pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: 3 word sentance
What was that?
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dodge guy
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11/14/09 07:59pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Story time, 4 word sentences...
that thing over there!
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dodge guy
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11/14/09 07:58pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Digital Picture Frames
The Kodak frame I got for my B-day 3 years ago worked great. untill it stopped working a year and a half later! I used a memory stick, but it stuck out the side. the better option is the memory card. I would imagine by now they should have some type of built in memory of more than 128mb?
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dodge guy
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11/14/09 07:55pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wisconsin
The only CG we've stayed in WI was the KOA in Wisconsin Dells. Nice place but busy, busy, busy. We had a site near the RR tracks - didn't bother me but our neighbors in the pop-up in the next site were not as thrilled. Also, it ain't cheap.
Yep, you got that right......it`s the Dells!
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dodge guy
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11/14/09 05:40pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: 10 clunkers to avoid, according to Hannah Elliot
I just replaced a R/R hub/bearing on my DW 97 Plymouth Voyager with 185k miles. what a piece of junk!!! still has the OE ball joints and tie rod ends. And I again had to change the oil, it still isn`t using any oil in between changes!
I really should have bought a better car!
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dodge guy
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11/14/09 05:31pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Springfield IL campgrounds
Thanks everyone. I had read the reviews for the KOA and they had the same issues with narrow roads. I also read about Double J and the issues some have had with their rules. I`m kinda leaning toward Double J.
Thanks again.
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dodge guy
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11/13/09 06:33pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: They want $5K - FINAL REPORT
That repair could have been done without replacing some of those parts....
HUH???? Your name suggests you were/are an engineer of some sort.
Enlighten me on which parts could have been done without????
Personally I may have done more based on the mileage(which I dont know or remember) and the simple fact that the differential is already disassembled.
Shade tree mechanics will try to get by without buying a new crush sleeve, etc.
I have seen flat rate dealerships repair a leaky pinion seal by marking the pinion nut, and pinion as to where the nut was originally torqued.
After the seal is replaced and the yoke is put back into position, they replace the nut, and then give it a 1/16th of a turn. By doing this, they retain the preload on the bearings.
Is it fixed by this method? Yes. Will it last? Probably. Does the tech have any idea as to what his "new" pinion bearing preload value is? No. Is it fixed according to proper axle setup guidelines? NO.
FWIW, crush sleeves are a non-reusable item.
Well I can tell you that Dana doesn`t expect you to replace the crush sleeve if you are just replacing the pinion seal. And I`ve replaced many seals this way and have never had one come back for a bearing failure. and we see all the trucks as we did the maint. done properly it is a proper repair. and they do have a spec on TRT (total rotating torque) so you know if you have the pinion nut torqued properly.
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dodge guy
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11/13/09 06:15pm |
Tow Vehicles
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