RE: The new Dodge van?
.........(157 bhp, 400Nm - 400Nm what's that?)..............
Nm is Newton-meter... a measure of torque in the SI / metric system. IIRC, one foot-pound = 1.36 NM. Still basically 'force times moment arm distance', like ft-lb, just different units of measure.
Jim, "After four decimal places, no one cares."
RE: Rock slide closes I-40 at the NC/TN state line.
US 25/70 & US 321 are mostly one lane each way (ie, 'two lane'). 25/70 is definitely a mountain road, as is 321 crossing into Tenn. If you're not real comfortable with mountain driving, take either the I-26 / I-81 'official' detour, or I-77 / I-81. I-26 crosses one mountain north of Asheville at the NC-TN and is somewhat curvy on the TN side. I-77 is a fairly straight grade in VA.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
RE: build my own
I'll second the up-thread request that you post some build pics and text if & when. ~$15-20K for a conversion sure beats $200K or so for a new (now orphan, AIUI) Earthroamer.... even if it doesn't have the 'wow' factor, or the ability to cross Africa easily ;).
The posted positives of a rear locker are spot on in my experience, as are the posted problems about handling... My 1980 Toyota p'up had an aftermarket 'tight' posi that was mostly fine with the weight of a f'glass shell. Then I took the shell off, and almost turned it around entering I-40 on a 270* ramp in the rain. That's why my current one has an ARB air locker that only works when I want it to. Dunno if they make one for your chassis, tho'.
Jim, "Heart attacks are Mother Nature's revenge for eating her little critters."
RE: Endeavor Launch - STS-130
....
Question 1: What is the best place to boondock the night before yet have a great view of the launch?
.......
I'm sure no expert, but I've gone down for three cool-weather launches in the past ~three years, seen two. I've overnighted several times on the way down or back in the FL rest areas along I-95. Once, the security guard asked if I was self-contained and staying for the night...when I told him yes, he escorted me to the picnic area with several other RV's so he could 'keep a better eye on us' for our security. Only problem was that we were right alongside the access road to a truck parking area. Very noisy with big rigs going by all night, 'til started my Onan 'white-noise' generator. The other times have been without any incident, parked with the cars.
I watched both the ones I saw from the roadside just north of Titusville, along the water (Indian River?). The area is signed 'no camping', but a T'ville LEO told me that they don't enforce it the night before or after a launch. The second time, I went north of the 1st bridge north of T'ville; mistake, since they open it to allow all the small boats to come back thru after the launch, and it creates a massive traffic jam. I just stayed put and slept for a while.
To get to this area, go as far east as you can in T'ville, then turn left and go north past the last waterfront condos. Park in the grass along the east side of the road in the area where the VAB & launch towers are visible.
If there's another night launch in cool weather, I may well be there... ;)
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
RE: Chevy 4.8L V8 Engine-vs- Chevy 6.0L V8 Engine
I think as a part of the decision process, I'd maybe go to a big GM dealer and see about driving two approximately equal vans, one with each. You may not be able to find two 3500's with the different engines and whatever gear ratios are used by RT. But back to back drives in similar 1500's may give you some idea of what to expect.
You may also want to factor in where you live and largely plan to travel. If there's a lot of mountain driving coming up, I'd probably opt for the 6.0 just on that basis. If it's going to be a lot of flatlands and low elevation interstates, then it's harder to call.
Jim, "You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive."
RE: build my own
bronco78 (and others)--
What would an operation like Tulsa Truck (or similar) charge to convert a Workhorse chassis to 4X4? ....
First, what specific chassis, is it new or used, and is it already an RV? Quigley, at least, usually won't do one unless it it comes to them direct from the automaker, tho' they recently were looser on that because of left-over parts they needed to move. There are issues with a newly-made RV because of tanks and plumbing (may be in the way); a used one, even more so (rust, dirt, frame damage, residue in waste tanks, etc).
I only know sort of what they charged a B forum poster to convert his year-old Roadtrek Chevy 190 Class B as a prototype project a few years back... around $12K, IIRC, and I dunno if that included the new wheels and tires, but don't think so.
This should be an interesting thread...
Jim, "An ignorant person is someone who doesn't know what you just found out."
RE: build my own
I suppose the Tiger CX is too small. Have you looked at used Xplorers and Scotties? The 4x4 conversion of a used C is maybe the easiest approach, but the driving qualities after conversion are iffy.
I know I've seen pictures on the web of a TT mounted on a MDT 4x4, but I can't recall where. IIRC, that TT had a molded f'glass shell. If you intend to off-road it much, give some thought to exactly how it's going to be mounted. Thinking aloud, look at how the trailer's frame is loaded when normally towed... three points, hitch & axles. Might not be bad to sort of duplicate that to allow for the truck's frame flex.
You may want to browse this forum.... http://expeditionportal.com/forum/index.php for ideas. Slide-in truck campers on flatbed pickups are pretty popular there, and may give you some ideas.
Good luck!
Jim H.
RE: Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos
More of an 'idea' than a 'item', and probably only usable by a few folks here... My '06 Tiger's water heater is a manual-ignition 3 gallon LP-only Suburban unit. I've found that it produces plenty of hot water for one, and probably two, 'sea showers' just by lighting the pilot light for a few hours... the main burner is only needed for quicker or more hot water. This also provides lower-cost overnight protection for it in sub-freezing weather.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
RE: 12vdc to 30vdc
Hmmmm... not real sure they'd deliver the amps, but a lot of _mobile_ laptop chargers output ~18-20 VDC from a 12VDC input. Not 30V, but closer to it than 12. I'm guessing they'd be pretty cheap at used computer equipment shops & sites.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
RE: Beginner Fender Benders
One, better mirrors... the 'fish-eye' stick-ons, and learning how to use them and what their limitations are (they're _not_ for judging distance, just telling "what's there").... millions of OTR trucks use them. Two, a good quality back-up camera system, looking down from up high up into the area right behind the bumper. Try www.rvcams.com. Look for at least a 5" monitor.
And stay out of tight spots... One of the things you've given up is the ability to go everywhere a car goes. You can cook a meal in it, take a shower in it, or use the bathroom in it, but it's _not_ going to fit everywhere a car does.... Accept it, be at peace with it, and don't push the limits. If you really want that kind of mobility, get a class B, a 19' C, or tow a car.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
RE: Rt 66
....
I always wonder how they got the simis over that section. Im sure the road surface was better then than now but it was still just as narrow and tight turns
hpk
For starters, the semi-tractor itself & the trailers were a lot shorter & narrower back in "the day". I think OTR tractors with twin drive axles were a relative rarity until after WWII, and I believe trailers weren't much over 36 or 40 feet. My grandad sold Macks in NC & SC going back to when they had solid rubber tires and chain drive in the late 19-teens. He told a few hair-raisers about driving new units over the primitive roads of the era for delivery.
Jim, "You can't get there from here."
RE: Heat for a class B with no electric ?
The biggest heat loser in a B van is probably the front window area. Curtain the cab off at night. Until you decide what heater you're going to use, maybe rig a curtain around just the bed. With good house batteries, consider a 12V mattress pad or 12V electric blanket (I haven't used either, but truck stops sometimes carry such things). Sleep in a ski cap... it helps a lot. Make thermal covers for the windows in the living-sleeping area out of Reflectix insulation. One winter, I even put some spare Reflectix against the wall next to my bunk, going up about a foot; probably didn't make the van warmer, but I sure slept better.
Jim, "We do precision guesswork."
RE: Suspension advice
My three recent experiences with Bilsteins... I replaced the worn-out OEM's on a '99 Dodge Ram Van 3500 (Roadtrek 190 Class B) at 55,000. Made a tremendous difference, but anything would have been an improvement at that point.
Then I replaced the OEM shocks on a class B Roadtrek 190 in an '02 3500 Express van at 8,000 miles. Made no detectable difference at all, and I was driving a curvy section of the BRP almost every day, so my butt dyno was pretty finely tuned. But after another ~25,000 miles, it still felt fine, so the B's likely lasted better than the OEM's would have.
My Tiger CX comes close to being a TC... I tried B's on it early on, and was underwhelmed again. They're OK, but again very little different if any from OEM's. I'm trying to decide whether to try KYB's or Rancho 9000's now.
My only conclusion so far, FWIW, is that GM is using a pretty good OEM shock....
Jim, "Laugh, and the world laughs with you. Snore, and you sleep alone."
RE: Battery Disconnect Issue
Hmmm... not likely to be it but maybe: Both my prior Roadtrek class B's were wired so that, IIRC, the battery disconnect would only work if it was switched to 'off' _before_ shore power was connected. ISTR that there was a good reason for this, but darned if I can recall what it was it now. Again IIRC, these used the monitor panel that included the battery (relay) switch. Maybe worth checking, anyway.
Jim, "Keyboard actuator error. Replace keyboard actuator and reboot."
RE: Barstow nightmare
Using carpeting as traction mats might, rpt _might_, have helped... but it can be rough on the carpet... ;) But I admit 'most all my experience is in mud & steep, not sand. Of course, all 4WD does anyway is get you stuck further away from help :B. BTDT, sooo many times... heck, it was even fun 'way back when! :)
Jim, "Manure occureth."
RE: Rpute to Gatlinburg from NC Coast
Other than taking a long detour, I think 40-74-441 is about the _only_ route until they re-open I-40. The last I heard a week ago, that was still estimated to be about 4 months away.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
RE: Rock Slide on US-64/74
Extra bummer... http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/nov/11/bridge-work-to-disrupt-i-81-traffic/...problems with a coupla bridges on the part of I-81 used for the I-40 detour.... sounds like a simple enough fix, if no further problems crop up.
Jim, "You can't get there from here...."
RE: Rock Slide on US-64/74
Here's the Youtube video of the actual slide... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVYGJYnJTi0. From that angle, it appears plenty dramatic, but much smaller than the one that has I-40 closed. Maybe the guess-timate of about a week for cleanup isn't too far wrong.
Jim, "Manure occureth."
RE: Hwy 74 Tn to NC
Yep, a rockslide (yesterday?) on US 64/74 in Ocoee Gorge. There's probably film of the actual event on youtube. A 200 ton boulder just missed a tractor-trailer, and a TV crew was out on that when the 'main' slide fell. I've heard a one week guess-timate on cleaning that up, but dunno if it's even remotely accurate.
Going thru Knoxville and Asheville looks like more of a 'good' option, or finding a southern route (thru Chatsworth, Ga?). If you can get onto US 23/441 around Clayton GA, there's a fairly good route to Maggie from there.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
