RE: Short Bed 5er Towing
If you have been reading, you already know there are lots of opinions on use of standard bed vrs long bed. Some need a slider, some don't. The brand truck makes a difference too, as they have more/less distance from rear axle center, to back of truck cab. It is mostly driver's awareness, same as backing a boat, or utility trailer. They will hit too, when backing short and not paying attention.
Jerry
RE: skylight/sunroof. clear, cloud, or smoke.
You can always paint it white, using a Rustoleum rattle can for plastic paint. It is also a UV protectant. The white paint will still let some light in.
Jerry
RE: Planning to replace a cracked fender
Just a follow up, as my icon direct fender arrived quickly (2 days). The picture online on their site was a bit misleading. While the fit/measurements were quite accurate, the finish was not. I was expecting bright smooth surface polar white, but came dull/textured white finish.
I have a body shop owner friend, I will show it to. Maybe his paint guy can hit it with some bright white enamel, that will also cover some of the texturing. My OEMs were nicer looking, better quality, but like most, a number of holes cracked by the speedy screw gun guy.
Jerry
RE: 5th Wheel Rails in Truck Bed
I have seen plastic plugs used for this purpose. I had some to put in previous truck, but ended up trading, and left rails intact. I think carriage bolts would work as well, but may need smaller size than currently in rails.
Jerry
RE: Planning to replace a cracked fender
bpounds...thanks much for the reply! I kind of remember the thread, after reading it again. Anyway, good to hear of your good experience! After not getting any response, I went ahead and ordered from Icon. The price was $149 plus shipping, came to $186. Not a bad shipping price, but I could have maybe saved a little, going through amazon. I'm supposed to receive it in 3-5 business days. Mine will not be a perfect match either, but darn close, and gained some trim points from your previous posts.
Thanks again, for the thread link too,
Jerry
RE: Planning to replace a cracked fender
Where are all our Canadian members? This company is in Manitoba, Canada. Maybe this name is more familiar (Icon Technologies Limited)? Appears to be a large supplier of many RV parts, and in business a long time.
Jerry
Planning to replace a cracked fender
I am having trouble finding an exact fender replacement from dealer/manufacturer. I have found one that is a close match at Icon direct.com. They sound knowledgeable, and claim to ship the very next day. I would like to know if any other members have ordered from them, and did you get the one expected? Did it ship promptly, and delivered in a normal amount of time?
Jerry
RE: Black tank line
Has it always done this, or just recently? It is common for residual water to remain in longer pipe when draining. Then with travel/moving, it gets to the dump exit. If you are talking about a quart-half gal, this is likely your issue. More likely to be gray water though, than black tank water.
My galley tank has a long line to sewer exit, and has done this since new. My solution was to install sewer cap, with garden hose attachment and small cap. I can loosen small cap, hold hose under, open small cap to drain residual, before opening large cap to attach hose.
Jerry
RE: Graphics Vinyl Stickers Decals
If stored in the sun, the vinyl graphics will deteriorate, although a few products will prolong the effects. Purchasing with painted graphics, or done later at a paint design shop, after purchase is better option. Of course the best option is a storage shed, when not in use, and even the vinyl will last a long time.
Jerry
RE: dumb hitch ball question
I think it would be safe at low speed on flat ground, for that short distance. A simple trick some use, is to put a heavy rag over the 2" ball to fill the gap, when clamping the hitch to smaller ball.
Jerry
RE: Slide Out Making Banging Sound
Rack & pinion is likely Lippert. If nothing is catching, or obvious, it could be a damaged tooth on the drive. Could you see the drive gear, when the coroplast was down? Has the slide always open/closed evenly, side to side?
Jerry
RE: Check valve location
I don't think it would matter, but I would put it after the pump if I used a separate valve. I would probably consider replacing the pump, and just go with pump installed valve.
Jerry
RE: aluminum f150 body work
Your truck is too nice for a home fix it up. If a rim is damaged, suspension/alignment needs to be checked by a pro. If a dent in door can't be easily popped out with suction, it also needs a quality body shop. JMHO
Jerry
RE: Service, landing gear down, or while still hooked to truck?
If you add 2" to the inside of the wheel well you might face the possibility of the tires hitting the wheel well on some of our nice, smooth, no bump roads. Happened to me when I went up a little on tire size and hit a really rough road section.
You are correct...taking away 2"s of clearance in the well, would not work in most cases. I will be replacing, not adding. My FW is designed with a 6 sided 2.5" square tube aluminum cage. I will slice the Darco wrap that covers bottom of tubing, remove existing fiber insulation, replace with above mentioned, glue Darco back to solid insulation. I will be adding 4mm thick coroplast over the fix. I will still have nearly 3"s of tire to WW clearance as 4mm (a long 1/8 inch) is all that will be added.
My question/concern was raising the axles to remove tires, with the landing gear down, not connected to truck, causing stress.
Jerry
RE: Komfort 23ft. 5th Wheel trailier towing harness
Are you sure yours is a factory installed receiver? My FW receiver came factory installed, and included visible 4-wire connector for trailer.
Jerry
RE: Service, landing gear down, or while still hooked to truck?
Nope, I bought as big a FW as I could, to keep at home 31' OAL. This allows 4"s from garage eve, and pin box right at edge of public sidewalk. I put my MC trailer tongue under FW, and other end under pin box, so no one can possibly hit their head.
Truck connected...across side walk, apron, and in street. I may want to remove both wheels, same side, for best access.
If I leave truck connected, it would be at a shop a couple miles away, so not so handy.
Jerry
RE: Service, landing gear down, or while still hooked to truck?
Jerry this item works wonders!!! I have done maintenance and road side repair with this wonder.
TrailerAid Plus
https://i.imgur.com/Aw55WJ2l.jpg
Yes Ron, those work great for a lot of uses. I like my trailer aid plus, especially for brake adjustment, as then there's nothing in the way to use brake tool. I've used it once in an emergency road side issue. Nothing quicker, to get her done, on a busy interstate.
Just not going to work, if I do it at home, truck unhooked.
Jerry
RE: Service, landing gear down, or while still hooked to truck?
Thanks for the replies! I plan to rebuild my wheel wells to make them more water proof. I try to avoid towing in the rain, as the nylon Darco covering has a few holes, with fiber insulation above, and then floor above that. I plan to use 2" extruded closed cell foam insulation, a layer of foil faced bubble water proof insulation, and cover all with 4mm coroplast.
This project will take a while, as I have other daily obligations that take me off the job. It would be nice to not tie up the truck, being connected for 3-5 days, but seems others feel like me...best to leave connected, landing gear up.
Any other thoughts/replies appreciated,
Jerry
Jerry, I have to do the same thing, my new FW just has the black tarp looking material in the wheel wells, what a stupid thing for manufacturers to do.
I'm thinking of using the pvc material sheets at Lowes for bathrooms on mine.
Yes Gary, while that Darco actually is pretty rugged, a rock, stick, or flying road debris will cause a puncture. Wouldn't matter so much, but with fiber insulation above, getting wet, could lead to flooring issue.
Jerry
RE: Service, landing gear down, or while still hooked to truck?
Thanks for the added thoughts and opinions! I think I'll try it disconnected, as I'll only need to raise the axle about two inches to remove tire/wheel, while doing one side. I'll use my 8" high wood blocks under landing gear, so I won't need to use much of the landing leg extensions.
I jack under a U-bolt, using a hardwood 2x4 that is cut out, to just fit one of the U-bolts. I have a rubber padded jack stand to put under the axle tube near axle end. My axles are 5200 lb, and seem robust.
Jerry
