smithfamily Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 For all those with an ET... Do you have a preventative maintenance routine you follow? Also, for those using a lube plate, which one are you using? The largest I can find is the 12 inch disc, which we have been using for the last year and a half. However, I am battling a rust issue on the ET because the paint keeps getting rubbed off. Have treated and re-painted several times and we use a waterproof cover when parked, but still the head seems to rust over on the corners. Thank, Matt Matt, Kristi and Stanten ------------------------------------------------- 2006 Volvo 630 2015 DRV Elite Suites Manhattan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 Matt, My ET is six years old. I use a standard 12" Teflon disc and hitch up just fine with the plenty of room on my pin. Other folks have difficulty hitching using the standard thickness plate so make sure your pin can accommodate. As far as maintenance, I lube jaws with white lithium grease (spray can) and pivot points with liquid Teflon lube in a squirt bottle periodically. Never had any issues. BTW I have Henry take a look at my hitch at the National Rally each year to see if any issues. Least he can do since he slept in my truck last year rent free. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 I had a disc on mine and it was tight. Too tight. Took it off. Going to get a thin one. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gell Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 I agree with Carl, keep an eye on it and ask Henry to look it over when you can. We thought our hitch was fine until the 1" diameter pin that runs front to back under the Binkley, providing side to side pivot, slipped out of the front attachment point. I noticed it after I heard a loud clunk when I was backing into a site. I am not sure how far I drove with it only half attached. There was nothing to stop that pin from coming all the way out over time and freeing our trailer with Binkley attached from the truck. That could have caused tragic consequences. Our hitch was an early version that had set screws through collars on each end that screwed down onto the round shaft. Henry now drills indentations in the shaft for the screws to sit in. They would need to loosen up quite a bit for the shaft to slide now. I brought my truck to Henry in FL and for a reasonable cost, he upgraded my hitch including the new shaft with detents. We use a 12 inch plastic lube plate with no issues. Because we don't grease it, the hitch plate is rusty. I was told not to worry about that rust , but it does bother me enough that I spray with a light lubricant occasionally. Jim On edit: It's probably obvious, but to be clear, I suggest checking those set screws for tightness regularly. I may put a paint dab on one side of each screw so I can see if it has moved. 2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it? '05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel 2016 smart car We started full timing on December 1st 2014 Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 Here's the crux of the problem gentlemen: The reduced portion of the pin has a diameter of 2.00” and height of 1.45”. What you see in this picture is a Binkley jaw as it grips the 2.00” section of the pin. The jaw’s height in that area is approximately 1.20” leaving approximately 0.125” gap on either side, if the pin is positioned and welded perfectly in the pin box. Note that even in perfectly positioned pin, anything thicker that 1/8 inch (0.125”) will be right on the edge of “high hitchup” I measured the thickness of one of the disks that “work OK”, my guess would be that the material used was specified as 0.125” thick. My experience with UHMV polyethylene is that the manufacturing process is not very accurate when it comes to holding the thickness dimension. It is not uncommon for the material to be several thousands thicker (in this example of a part 0.013" thicker than required). Incidentally, these disks are commonly called as Teflon disks. Teflon is not the right material for this application. Although Teflon has other properties that are better than UHMV polyethylene (and is lot more expensive), it is a soft plastic by comparison and it flattens out and flows under great pressure, UHMV can withstand great pressure, not flatten and remain slippery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 Someone at National Rally last year had some newer, thinner discs. I believe it was Gregg or David but can't remember for sure. Anyone recall? 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 Just for clarification, the material to use is UHMW, Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. Steve 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuke-E Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 Yep--UHMW. Carl, your memory is pretty good--Gregg has some (not sure how many are left), and they came from me. If anyone needs one, let me know. 45' 2004 Showhauler -- VNL300, ISX, FreedomLine -- RVnerds.com -- where I've started to write about what I'm up to Headlight and Fog Light Upgrades http://deepspacelighting.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 David, I may take you up on one. Mine is getting worn out and would prefer a bit thinner. BTW hope the trip was good and guess what, forgot the tail light when we left Racoon Valley. Damn this getting old and forgetful is bothersome. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Wilma Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 If anyone needs one, let me know. David, I'd like a thinner one to give me a little more "forgiveness" on my approach alignment. I'm in no hurry and if you have some at Hutch, that'd be great. Jim & Wilma 2006 Travel Supreme 36RLQSO 2009 Volvo VNL730, D13, I-shift, ET, Herrin Hauler bed, "Ruby" 2017 Smart Class of 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithfamily Posted May 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Great info. Thanks to all. David, I would definitely like one, could you PM me if you still have some? Thanks, Matt Matt, Kristi and Stanten ------------------------------------------------- 2006 Volvo 630 2015 DRV Elite Suites Manhattan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuke-E Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 I'll have some made up this week. I'll probably also have some made up out of nylon--should last longer than UHMW with heavier pin weights. 45' 2004 Showhauler -- VNL300, ISX, FreedomLine -- RVnerds.com -- where I've started to write about what I'm up to Headlight and Fog Light Upgrades http://deepspacelighting.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuke-E Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 I'll have some made up this week--material will be delivered tomorrow. Going to give a self-lubricating nylon a try also--should last longer than UHMW, especially with heavier pin weights, and should be strong enough to go with 1/16" thick. I'll post back here when they're ready to go. 45' 2004 Showhauler -- VNL300, ISX, FreedomLine -- RVnerds.com -- where I've started to write about what I'm up to Headlight and Fog Light Upgrades http://deepspacelighting.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted May 18, 2016 Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 Great!! I want two of them for sure..... Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted May 19, 2016 Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 Going to give a self-lubricating nylon a try Those will absorb water and swell. Delrin (not sure which blend) is probably the best material for this application. "There are No Experts, Do the Math!" 2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp 1850ft-lb 18spd 3.31 260"wb SpaceCraft S-470 SKP #131740 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted May 19, 2016 Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 Nylon is hygroscopic, one of the unwanted aspects of this is that it becomes hard and brittle as it absorbs moisture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuke-E Posted May 19, 2016 Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 Those will absorb water and swell. Delrin (not sure which blend) is probably the best material for this application. Nylon is hygroscopic, one of the unwanted aspects of this is that it becomes hard and brittle as it absorbs moisture. Both true--but the tighter tolerances for the nylon mean that even from dry to maximum water absorption the variation will be less than the as-manufactured tolerances of UHMW sheet. And while nylon will undergo brittle fracture, even with maximum water absorption it's tensile strength is higher than UHMW, and impact strength increases with absorption. If it were a non-reversible degradation, I would be a little more concerned, but in this application I think it'll be fine. Only one way to find out, but barring outright failure, nylon will wear 14x longer than UHMW and 27x longer than POM (Delrin). Material didn't show up yesterday, but should arrive today. Might have to cut two squares, bake one and dunk the other to see that the real world supports the data. FWIW, Reese makes a lube plate out of nylon also (1/8" nominal thickness though). 45' 2004 Showhauler -- VNL300, ISX, FreedomLine -- RVnerds.com -- where I've started to write about what I'm up to Headlight and Fog Light Upgrades http://deepspacelighting.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted May 19, 2016 Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 We were using nylon fasteners in one of our products (when I was a youth, in better shape with better memory, in Jimmy Carter's era). We probably accelerated the process by boiling the fasteners with water with a dye to give them the color of the external case. When the units came for service we noticed that we had to be very careful with disassemble removing the fasteners or the would shatter in the case and create extra work to dig them out. But it was totally different application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted May 19, 2016 Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 I want one. I'll let you know where to send it Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuke-E Posted May 19, 2016 Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 I went ahead and set up a listing on the website for these--for now just accessible via this link: http://deepspacelighting.com/shop/rv-fifth-wheel-lube-plate/ They're being cut as we speak, and they'll all ship tomorrow from NC (postage will be calculated based on where you ship). 45' 2004 Showhauler -- VNL300, ISX, FreedomLine -- RVnerds.com -- where I've started to write about what I'm up to Headlight and Fog Light Upgrades http://deepspacelighting.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrap Posted May 19, 2016 Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 The no lube 5th wheel inserts like the ones on that aluminum 5th wheel posted awhile ago are marked UHMWPE if that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuke-E Posted May 19, 2016 Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 I'm hoping that by deforming less the nylon will do a little better grabbing the pin. If it doesn't work well enough, we'll replace them with UHMW, but I'm pretty confident the nylon will work. UHMW is definitely cheaper, but it's a 0.125+/-0.020 spec, as opposed to 0.09375+/-0.005 for the nylon. Was the lube plate on that aluminum fifth 3/16" thick? 45' 2004 Showhauler -- VNL300, ISX, FreedomLine -- RVnerds.com -- where I've started to write about what I'm up to Headlight and Fog Light Upgrades http://deepspacelighting.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted May 20, 2016 Report Share Posted May 20, 2016 David, What's MDS filled? And which is really the best choice for my 20k trailer before I order since you said self lubing would be better for heavier trailers? 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted May 20, 2016 Report Share Posted May 20, 2016 What's MDS filled Molybdenum Disulfide "There are No Experts, Do the Math!" 2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp 1850ft-lb 18spd 3.31 260"wb SpaceCraft S-470 SKP #131740 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Wilma Posted May 20, 2016 Report Share Posted May 20, 2016 Here's a data sheet for molybdenum disulfide filled nylon though some most of the specs are lost on me. The advantages over unfilled nylon include: Low surface friction Increased surface hardness Increased heat resistance Higher tensile properties Improved dimensional stability Check's in the mail. Jim & Wilma 2006 Travel Supreme 36RLQSO 2009 Volvo VNL730, D13, I-shift, ET, Herrin Hauler bed, "Ruby" 2017 Smart Class of 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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