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RE: Hellwig Worth It?
The truck has the trailer package which includes helper springs. I've added air bags and polyurethane bushings, but I still get a lot of rocking around, especially when I'm turning while pulling out of a driveway. I thought maybe the original sway bar might have weakened some with age, or that the Hellwig, given its sterling reputation, might be of substantially better stiffness in spite of its smaller size. Also, I've tried more and less air in the airbags, but I haven't noticed much difference.
Sway bars are only loaded during cornering, so they don't really fatigue. Material of the Hellwig and stock is pretty similar.
You "rocking" sensation actually makes me suspicious you are experiencing the same thing I was when I first installed my 1.5" rear Hellwig bar. It was so stiff compared to the front, the van was basically "locked" (roll-wise) to the rear axle. Turning out of driveways would slam my head against the window!
My problem was the front sway-bar wasn't doing anything anymore because its bushing were shot. Once I fixed that, it was pretty well balanced. Have you looked into the condition of your front-end?Thank you for all of your information. I replaced the front bushings at the same time I replaced the rear. I've also added the larger rubber stops, I don't remember the name, that come in contact with the helper springs when loaded. And speaking of springs, could that be the problem?
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ralphnjoann
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06/12/13 08:50pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Hellwig Worth It?
You will lose roll stiffness. Why do you want to switch?
The only advantage would be the truck will be even less likely to over-steer with the smaller sway-bar, and maybe a better ride on some surfaces.The truck has the trailer package which includes helper springs. I've added air bags and polyurethane bushings, but I still get a lot of rocking around, especially when I'm turning while pulling out of a driveway. I thought maybe the original sway bar might have weakened some with age, or that the Hellwig, given its sterling reputation, might be of substantially better stiffness in spite of its smaller size. Also, I've tried more and less air in the airbags, but I haven't noticed much difference.
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ralphnjoann
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06/12/13 06:37pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Hellwig Worth It?
I have a 1996 F250 PSD, 214,000 miles, with a 1 1/8" diameter OEM rear sway bar. I'm thinking of replacing it with a Hellwig, but it's only 1" in diameter. Will I gain anything by replacing it? Thanks in advance.
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ralphnjoann
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06/12/13 04:26pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: MS Streets and Trips 2013
I bought Trips and Streets 2013 several months ago, and don't like the look and feel of it. I still have 2010 loaded on my system and continue to use it instead. Other than updated maps there isn't really anything in the newer version to make me want to use it.I use the POI Megafile extensively. The older versions of S&T won't work with the 2013 Megafile and the older versions of the Megafile are no longer updated.
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ralphnjoann
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06/10/13 08:45am |
Technology Corner
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Attaching Heater Thermostat
I have one of these electric hot water heater kits which uses a rod through the drain hole to work. I'm moving it from my 5th wheel to my truck camper. The thermostat was attached to the heater tank with two adhesive pads which were pretty much destroyed when I removed it. I've emailed Camco, but in the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could use to replace them? They have to be strong and withstand heat. Thanks in advance.
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ralphnjoann
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05/25/13 02:59pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Anyone Full Time In A TC?
I lived in a tent trailer for 14 months with no problems whatsoever. It depends more on the person, not the amount of space or "essentials." Only you can determine that. Good luck.
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ralphnjoann
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05/25/13 08:18am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Removing self levelling Dicor
See this thread:
Removing Dicor
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ralphnjoann
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05/21/13 12:13pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: License plates from truck to TC and back again, and again.
Call me crazy, but I had a copy made by a custom plate maker and have used it for thousands of miles across many states.
The TRUCK is licensed with accompanying paperwork. The camper does not require a license.
First of all, I would have to be doing something wrong to be stopped. I could crawl under truck to grab the real plate and install it for the 'offended' officer.
What are the odds? I think they are very low.Many states have laws against obscuring part or all a license plate. I can see where a truck camper could cause a problem.
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ralphnjoann
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05/08/13 09:12am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Flojet Portable Macerator - disconnect each time?
A simple twist, and it is off. The bayonet connector part of the pump cost about $65, and hanging below the TC it is easy to break. I always take mine off, but I really do see where it would make a difference if the dump valves were closed. They do sell permanent mount Flojet pumps. The connection appears to be the only difference.
WayneCan you provide a link to where the connector part can be purchased? I haven't had any luck with google. Thanks.
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ralphnjoann
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05/06/13 07:55am |
Tech Issues
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RE: HELP- Need key for Windows XP sp 3
Went to use my desktop computer for the first time in several months. It would start booting and then shut down and start booting again. It just kept doing that. I started to re-install XP but can't find the activation key. Does anyone have an activation key that I can use.
Thanks.The activation key is unique to each install disk. Someone else's key won't work with your disk.
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ralphnjoann
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04/24/13 06:54am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Tip for Ford Owners or anyone with a transponder key
Deleted. Duplicate posting.
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ralphnjoann
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04/23/13 09:22am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Tip for Ford Owners or anyone with a transponder key
I have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. I purchased a spare transponder key off eBay. Walmart would not cut the key, their reason being that if the electronics in the key don't work for some reason, they are blamed and are expected to replace the key. Ace did cut it for me at no charge. The key could be programmed by the car itself. There is a procedure to go through outlined in the Owner's Manual.
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ralphnjoann
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04/23/13 09:21am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Older tow vehicles
My 96 F250 diesel was bought in the Spring of 96 for travel trailer and ranch towing purposes. After coast-to-coast towing duty, it's still going strong. I like the looks better than new ones.
X2
All subjective of course but I think that 90s body style is the best looking pickup Ford has ever produced.
My 08 is homely by comparison :-)X3. I have a 1996 F250 PSD, white with a blue trim, and people will come up to me while I'm refueling and ask about year, mpg, garaged (it's not, but it looks like it is)how many miles on it, etc.
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ralphnjoann
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04/23/13 09:10am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Centering devices - how much slop to you allow?
My guides don't allow any slop. Not too worried about jack strain, I get more strain from just raising and lowering since the jacks are not perfectly parallel.What is FRP? Where can it be purchased? Are the any special tools/techniques to cutting and bending it? Thanks.
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ralphnjoann
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04/22/13 10:38am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Walmart, Internet on the Go
Another option may be to look at FreedomPop.com. Purchase their mobile modem or hotspot, and you get 500MB of 4G data per month FREE. Just 0.02 per MB additional. Buy their home modem router, and get 1G of 4G data per month FREE, 0.005 per additional MB. Or you can get 10G of 4G data for $10. per month.
FreedomPop uses CLEAR 4G WiMax network, and speed is limited to 1.5Mbps. In fact, I received a Free mobile 4G modem during a promotion for S&H, for basically being on their email list. Just haven't had much time to evaluate their service as I already have an unlimited 4G CLEAR Hotspot.
BTW, Sprint purchased CLEAR pending FCC approval. They apparently intend to upgrade existing WiMax towers to LTE to build out their own 4G network.Before you spring for FreedomPop, check out their coverage map. The only place you can get service in Colorado is in Denver and there are many states where there is no service at all. Also, when I signed up for their "free" plan, they started charging $0.99 per month to my credit card. When I called to find out why, I was told that for any month that I didn't use the free service at least once, I would be charged to help "spread the cost of the free service around." Go figure. Long story short, I dropped them.
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ralphnjoann
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04/22/13 10:15am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Rear Sway bar upgrade from stock--suggestions?
At least with the current Hellwig sway bars most of which are made in China the metal leaves a lot to be desired. It fatigues fairly quickly and over time the benefit decreases. This may be the case with the factor bar on your F-550.
Adco makes a better product but they make them for fewer truck models. They do make one for the F-350/450/550 and as it is the same bar it is not going to be effective for the 550 as the 350.
According to the Hellwig website, they're made in the USA.
Hellwig
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ralphnjoann
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04/18/13 04:00pm |
Truck Campers
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Outboard Motor Gas in Generator?
Every year at the end of boating season, I wind up with several gallons of gas that I didn't use. It has two stroke oil mixed in it at a 100:1 ratio. I hate to keep it over the winter even if I use marine Stabil. Would it do any damage to use it up in my Honda EU2000i generator? I understand that the plug may need to be cleaned, but anything else?
Thanks.
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ralphnjoann
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03/30/13 03:02pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Straight Talk (ST) Phone Service
At Walmart yesterday, they had the new IPhone 5s for Straight Talk. They are $649!!! Way too much for me, especially since I went to the $45/month unlimited instead of a contract. I can get a contract and cheap IPhone for less than that per year.Are there taxes and fees on top of the $45 per month?
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ralphnjoann
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03/17/13 08:19am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Methanol dissolves Dicor
In the states, it has been difficult to get Methanol since that bombing in Oklahoma.
Fred.
The 'uni-bomber' used a mixture of Diesel fuel and nitrogen fertilizer and that nitrogen fertilizer (ammonium nitrate) is now difficult to get in large quantities.
The Oklahoma City bomber was Timothy McVeigh; the unabomber was Ted Kaczynski. McVeigh used diesel fuel/fertilizer in a truck; Kaczynski used smokeless explosive powders sent through the mail.
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ralphnjoann
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03/07/13 08:33am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: EU2000 Generator advice please
If you never intend to parallel two there is no need for the Companion model.
...and even if you do think you might want to parallel them later, you can always buy the Companion at that time.
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ralphnjoann
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02/28/13 05:00pm |
Truck Campers
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