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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Under size leaf springs on my 5th wheel?
The trailer did not seem to ride much higher, maybe an inch. Seems I did add more air to the air bags on the truck to level it. While I can't say if it rode differently due to the springs, it seems like less was disturbed at the end of a 1200 mile trip. The ride issue I can't truly speak to since I had installed a MorRyde pin box at the same time as the spring replacement. Could be the combination, but it rode wonderfully, truly a comfortable trip. BTW, US made springs were about $28 each. Looking at the new springs installed, they did appear to be well arched when loaded. I'm very happy with the results and extra peace of mind.
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BlackMax
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05/18/08 10:32pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Under size leaf springs on my 5th wheel?
If you follow this ink you'll my post on replacing springs. Put the 3500 # springs on. You won't regret it.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/20366913.cfm
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BlackMax
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05/18/08 05:01pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Airbags
Install them independent of each other. I've got the Schrader valves through the sheet metal above and inside the top of the tire where I can reach them when I air up the tires.
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BlackMax
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05/07/08 10:40pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: CB Antenna Mount for 07 Dodge Ram Truck
I placed a piece of the "Clear Bra" 3M clear vinyl on the truck's painted surface under the magnetic base. Peels off if I ever want it removed.
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BlackMax
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05/02/08 12:23am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Mor Ryde Hitch
Go to Mor-Ryde direct. You'll need the model or measurements off your current pin box to order correctly. Instructions come with the new pin box including a healthy warning to have plenty of help lifting if you do install it yourself, which is fairly simple.
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BlackMax
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05/02/08 12:18am |
Fifth-Wheels
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First Mor-Ryde pin box trip results
This is an FYI for those considering ways to improve ride comfort. I experienced some pretty severe chucking with our rig. It was very uncomfotable for DW when we were on expansion joint highways or rougher roads. So, I decided to bite the bullet and install the Mor-Ryde "pin cushion". I have a Pull Rite hitch and ordered the appropriate plate, getting the benefit of easy pin conversion to conventional if needed.
What an improvement! Our first trip with the Mor-Ryde was 1200 miles and I can report that it made a world of difference! So for me, it was a very worthwhile investment and possibly the most valuable addition I've made to the rig.
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BlackMax
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05/01/08 08:33am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: backing into a space with the 5th wheel
There's more to the answer. Others can chip in but a normal back-in campsite is on a diagonal along a fairly wide lane. If this is the case, pull up close on the site entry side of the lane, broadside to the camp site with the diagonal pointed the same direction. Practice will determine the actual sweet spot for your rig, but at some point when the trailer's tires are in front of the campsite entry, turn the truck sharply across the lane. This will begin to swing the tail of the trailer along the line of the diagonal campsite. Just when you’ve nearly crossed the road, turn sharply to steer the truck for a few yards in your original direction. At this time, if your initial distance was correct on your first turn, your truck and trailer should be forming an arc that points the back of the trailer into the campsite. Now you'll reverse and "chase" the trailer into the site. Watch the trailer tires in your mirror and keep them following a smooth line into the site. Try it with some matchbox toys on the kitchen table before you set out to practice and you'll get the concept. Others here can offer a better explanation I'm sure, but the bottom line is that with some thought, practice and attention, you can get pretty good. Always have a spotter. Also remember that if you get to turning a great deal while going back and forth (you will), the power steering fluid can get very hot, so take your time.
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BlackMax
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01/23/08 06:40pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: So who here has installed their own Super Glide?
I did mine. A Saturday type of job that I found rewarding. I don't let anyone touch my truck if I can help it. As to cutting the bed, I got a bit anal about it and fabricated a guide pin that fell into the frame supports and gave me a centering guide for the hole saw cut that left the bed holes exactly centered to the pins. Also I replaced the rails with straight tubing, bored to fit the pin locations and hitch. This eliminated any motion from the adjustment slide area.
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BlackMax
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01/16/08 09:49am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: CA. HWY 20; WILLITS TO FT. BRAGG?
It's a challenge. You need to be alert. Loaded logging trucks are frequent. It is windy, locals are greatful when you pull off to let them pass. Beautiful area worth the trip.
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BlackMax
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12/13/07 02:55pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Older Chevy 454 engine hesitating under heavy load
Hold the fort! We need some more info. Can you fill us in?
Why was the carb rebuilt?
Is the engine catalyst equipped?
What is the condition of the engine?
Plugs, wire, cap all in good shape?
Vacuum hoses connected correctly?
ERG overactive (Plug off to test)?
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BlackMax
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11/29/07 06:15pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Older Chevy 454 engine hesitating under heavy load
See if you can borrow a different ignition distributor. I fought a big block once for days that had lost magnetism in the induction pick up. It acted similar to your description of symptoms. Misfire under a specific load. If you can't borrow a distributor, take it out and rotate the shaft with your fingers. You should feel definite "notches" in the spinning from the magnets "grabbing". Don't mess with the carb yet. I've seen too many ruined by "tweeking".
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BlackMax
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11/29/07 06:08pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Am I the only one
The return system was to avoid vapor lock and over pressuring the float valve in the carb (Quadrajet). A few things can happen. The drilled chamber plugs in the body of the carb can leak fuel; either flooding or starving the engine during start up. The insulation block under the carb was missing on some shade-tree serviced trucks we'd see, causing hard start from fuel percolation. There was a small filter in the input of the carb in addition to the regular fuel filter that would be easily clogged by now on an 84. I seem to recall a spacer block between the pump and engine block that had to be the right dimension. An 84 Quadrajet carburetor was one of the most developed fuel delivery systems ever to come out of Detroit. If they were set correctly (and that was no mean feat) they worked amazingly well considering the emissions restrictions on engines of the day. As I recall a new carburetor was about $1500 at the time and that cost was one of the considerations in going to the less expensive fuel injection. Find a good GM tech that worked on these, probably retired by now, and ask him to help you out. You had to be there to understand these beasts and everything (engine condition, intake, exhaust, ignition, fuel delivery and fuel quality) was important. (Anyone remember clothespins on the fuel line?)
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BlackMax
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11/29/07 04:43pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: slider hitch
Imagine this scenario. It’s your first day out towing your new 5er. You’ve just driven through Downtown San Francisco after a bad call by your copilot (read DW) with the NAV unit. You’re underway in heavy traffic but need fuel. You get off the highway and search for a station. In the search you find yourself on a dead end road, a narrow dead end road. So, you know the maneuver from reading and seeing it, you need to jackknife the rig. You’re watching traffic, you’re watching parked cars. You’re trying to calm the DW. Turn signals, curbs, mirrors, angle, squirming tires, and trying to figure out where the filling station really is. Believe me, the last thing you’re going to think about or want to do is get out of the truck and release a manual slider hitch, make your turn, jump out of the truck again and reset the slider. That’s when the damage might happen.
That’s what happened to me. That’s why I’m happy with a PullRite. It won’t happen to everyone, not everyone needs one. But I consider it an asset. I actually installed it before we even shopped for the trailer.
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BlackMax
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11/29/07 03:40pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Question for Pull Rite owners
You'll need the adapter plate in place to tow the rig. I suggest you get all the latest information regarding the installation of the plate as there are both options and issues that need to be addressed.
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BlackMax
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11/14/07 11:44am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Happy Veterans Day
Thanks from our family.
Go Navy! Beat Army!
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BlackMax
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11/13/07 05:20pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Ever had to change a tire on the side of the road?
I use a Harbor Freight 12 ton bottle jack (jack comes with a nice carry case) under the spring plate of the axle. I have a breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts, a torque wrench to tighten and a Harbor Freight 18v. battery powered impact gun for in between. Usual safety concerns about blocking the rig and warning triangles ect. Piece of cake. Remember to check the air in your spare too. You can practice when you routinely adjust your brakes. You do adjust your brakes don't you?
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BlackMax
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11/12/07 06:23pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Outrageous service labor rates...
I am amused when this type of discussion pops up. I am biased in that I’ve been in the auto service profession for 37 years. I’ve been what some call a grease monkey, and proud of what I’ve accomplished. I have the multiple scars, broken bones, ruptured discs, poor eyesight and damaged hearing to prove it. I’ll work ‘til I drop because there are no pensions and few benefits in this industry. My personal investment in tools exceeds $50,000 with no tax benefit. And due to the nature of the business I’ve worked well into the night and over the weekend on more occasions than I can remember. My technical education has been accomplished on my own, not at seminars or teacher conferences. I’m not complaining. I’ve made ends meet for my family and provide for my future.
I have seen to it that my children will never lift a finger to fix someone else’s problem. They have 8 to 5 jobs with perks and vacations. They go to the gym for a workout and have AAA change their flat tires. They’ll go through life with clean fingernails and soft skin. If they’re lucky maybe some tennis elbow. They’ll retire prosperous and young. No one will ever call them a grease monkey or question their ability to garner an income that allows them the standard of living they aspire to. Bottom line is if you don’t want pay, you don’t need to. Stop your sniveling and do it yourself.
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BlackMax
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11/07/07 04:05pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Best place to locate FW connection in TV bed
I installed mine where BeeTee is thinking. There is ample room for the socket, no structure damage, there is space behind the taillite for routing wiring and a clear path for wiring to the bumper hitch harness without drilling anything more than the socket hole. Works great, looks clean and is easy to reach. Use one of the intercepting plug kits available so you have both plugs intact. Measure carefully so the tailgate can close without striking the cable plug.
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BlackMax
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10/26/07 06:16pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Rust holding my wheels on the hubs.
You can do both, heat and impact, at the same time. If the drive axle is jacked up with the wheels off the ground, simply loosen the lug nuts a few turns, run the wheels forward, brake and run them in reverse, brake and repeat. The brakes heat the drums and rims, and the jolt from braking knocks them loose a bit too. Take the usual safety precautions.
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BlackMax
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10/24/07 12:40pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: How to lock your hitch
Like most have said, if someone wants it, they'll get it. I had mine stolen. I decided that making the hitch less valuable, in the sense that most people ogle these things, might be the best issue. So I suggest you buy an inexpensive metal lettering stamp set from some outlet store and stamp "Stolen from (your name here)" on the base and removable head where it's readily visable. A serial number of your own creation would be helpful too if you ever had to ID it.
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BlackMax
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10/10/07 12:19pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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