rickeieio

Who knew that a Jackalopee could double as a storage area for excess wire?

22 minutes ago, noteven said:

Myth part 1: 91 octane gas is better for your modern 8:1 compression ratio generator engine 

but part 2: “87 minimum required” as stated in the owner manual for your almost 400hp 6000rpm computer controlled fuel injected 10.5:1 compression ratio variable valve timing 379 cubic inch etc etc V8 means “recommended” and 91 is a conspiracy between Ford and Big Oil…

Part 3:  If you're going to store gasoline, buy high octane and put a stabilizer in it.

I can tell you that my 180 hp, 12:1 compression, carbureted motorcycle likes 85 octane in the mountains.

New myth:

Today we moved the trailer into the shop, only latching the hitch, not bothering with electric cord or air lines (BluDot).  It was parked 4 days ago, and when moving it, the brakes were dragging.  After I unhooked, I checked the air tank under the trailer, and found it still had a little pressure.  When we first installed the BluDot, it would leak off in less than a day.  Mystery solved.

So, the question is, should those of us with BluDot dump the air in the trailer tank when parking? 

We bought our 4 y/o trailer in 2015.  Three axle toyhauler, GVW 21k, 8k hubs/bearings.  Unknown history, pull about 5k miles/yr.  I check bearings at least yearly for play, adjust as necessary. 

Until late 2022, I'd needed to adjust 2 (two) bearings.  At that time, I took the trailer to a trusted trailer repair facility, and had a suspension overhaul, along with repacking the bearings.  The mechanic said one wheel had a little dirt in the bearings, all others were still perfect.

Since that time, we've pulled another 10-12k miles.  Trailer got back into the shop today for a going over and bearing check.

So, my opinion is that if you check for play occasionally, and are well below the load capacity of your hubs,  repacking more is a waste of time.

I'll also add, I will not run Bearing Buddys.  They only put grease in the outer bearing, until you eventually fill the cavity inside, before any grease gets to the inner bearings.  When you pull off a hub, is there generally grease in the cavity?  No, because you need that air space for expansion as the hub warms and cools.  Fill that void and when the grease cools, it sucks dirt past the seal.  Dumb, dumb, dumb.  

Carb heater?  I've only once experienced carburetor ice, on a 1949 International KB-6.

Works like always for me.

Welcome Bill.  A brief description, of yourself and the truck, and some pics would make for a lovely introduction.

37 minutes ago, lappir said:

If you are hooked up to your trailer 99% of the time, the lights at the rear of the truck are not 

that much of an issue, but if you daily drive you need to be sure. 

True, but if I were an engineer, building beds for money, I would be concerned about the liability of putting out a product that isn't legal to be on the road.  We jump through a lot of hoops to be "motorhomes" and "non-commercial".  As such, we should make an effort to really be what we claim to be.  "Good enough", isn't really good enough.

Spend a little quality time on David Dixon's site (Deep Space Lighting).  All the info is there.  He was gracious enough to help me plan the lighting on our bed.

A common misconception is that replacing the original tractor lighting is okay.  It's not even close.  Using the back plate of the ET won't cut it.

So far, I don't see any provisions for DOT compliant lighting, though it's quite possible I missed it.  Don't forget reflective material and side markers mid-ship, since you surely over 30" oal.

I guess Henry's been too busy at Bike Week to post new pics?🤣

I would hope a $565 claim would not trigger a non-renewal after 15 years of paying premiums, but we'll see.

5 hours ago, Dutch_12078 said:

I wonder if they cover schoolies.

Don't know about roadside assistance policies, but I can tell you that my agent for nearly everything insurance told me that in 2020-2021 he had a LOT of folks come to him, trying to schoolie insurance, and could not.

The problems with insurance are wide and deep.  My Progressive policy covers towing, and I'll see if they reimburse me for a recent tow when we get back from this trip.

And while you may have read this before, it's worth repeating:  DO NOT tell the person answering your call that you have a road tractor, semi, etc.  If you do, you'll likely be refused service because they assume you are commercial.  Happened to us on the Alaska Highway.

And another dis-satisfied Good Sam customer speaks out.  We left GS some time back.

Oh, and WELCOME RonK!!!   A few words about your self and your rig, and perhaps a pic or two are part of the official admittance fee.  Then SuiteSuccess will send you your Secret Decoder Ring. 

Yep, Kilgore is just 8 miles from that campground.

Sitting around at happy hour with new friends, one fellow mentions he was working in a campground up in north-east TX several years ago,  and someone with a champagne colored Volvo with trailer to match came in, and took the truck to a nearby town to have a bed built.  Sure sounds like Brad and Jacylin (sp?) to me....

Our rigs get noticed.

And then there's the Fitch Fuel Catalyst.......

36 minutes ago, Ray,IN said:

https://www.apparentlyapparel.com/news/200mpg-carburetor-conversion-pdf

On 3/1/2024 at 12:41 PM, Wrknrvr said:

  

It's simple physics.  There's only so many btu's in a gallon of fuel, and it takes "X" numbers of btu's to make the vehicle go down the road.  Given the inefficiencies of internal combustion and friction, 200 mpg isn't reasonable, with today's technology.  But it's a heck of a lot closer than it was when I first heard those stories.

44 minutes ago, Wrknrvr said:

    Could reverse cam engine, suck the oil out of the engine?

Depends on how the oil pump drive is configured.  All I remember is that we skied behind reverse rotation engines of Mopar, GM and Ford origin.  Of course, this was in a former life, BC (before children).

Back to the reverse rotation motors, most inboard ski boats 50 years ago ran reverse rotation motors.  All you needed to do to put your favorite motor in a hull was get a specially ground camshaft and switch the plug wires around.  I helped my uncle put a 392 hemi in a Correct Craft in about 1970.

5 hours ago, lappir said:

The price to purchase would be reasonable, if only they would allow me to live in my home on wheels for half or less of a year for  a few years. I'd then sell it at a reasonable price to the person who has the two acres so in my mind it would no longer be an "Illegal Subdivision".

Having spent a few years ( over 20 ) on various zoning boards, I can tell you, we heard that line a lot.  "It's just temporary.  I'll only live there part time...."  Ten years later, we've got neighbors complaining of the run down old trailer with raccoons and opossums running in and out of it.

4 hours ago, Wrknrvr said:

How about a reverse rotation Chevy v-8.

I've worked on several of those.

I remember a feature in HotRod magazine about flipping the transaxle over to put a small block in the back seat, making a mid-engine car.

Hint: one organization pretty much has say ( think flight control ) over the orbits, since that country has the most satellites.