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Date Posted |
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RE: Reese trunion bar lube question
I`ve been using el-cheapo Pep Boys marine grease on the ball and bar trunnions. I always wipe off the old before putting on new every time I hitch up. The contact surfaces have polished themselves to a shiny smooth finish as a result. I haven`t used anything on the cam surfaces til late last year. I tried Vasoline and it works nice.
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mosseater
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01/05/09 08:59pm |
Towing
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RE: foam mattress topper
We got a 3" from Sportsman`s Guide for about $130 for the queen bed. Works great! A Pillow topper on top of the mem foam would be even better. Do not recommend the water proof mattress pad though.
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mosseater
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01/05/09 08:43pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Towing Concerns - 2008 Ford 150 XLT V8 5.4L
Hey, Turbodog, I`ll race ya`!
We did 8000 miles with 8000 lbs. Three adults and two kids. Combined weight around 15,600. Truck did fine, no regrets. Can`t imagine it wouldn`t drag 5000 lbs like nothing. Know your numbers and have fun.
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mosseater
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01/04/09 01:51pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Replacing jack knife sofa
We installed an air hide-a-bed in place of the jackknife and are very happy with it. The bed is very comfy and inflates itself in about 1 minute using the built-in pump (110 volts). It still allows easy passage around the end when unfolded in our trailer. Check this before you buy!!! The only drawback that we`ve seen is the seat cushion surface is pretty narrow and, while comfortable to sit on, doesn`t give much room to lay down. Fortunately, with three other people in the TT most of the time, laying down isn`t an option anyhow. The biggest surprise was we had to disassemble it to get it in the door! I`d say it weighs about 75lbs more than the jackknife.
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mosseater
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01/04/09 01:33pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: lubricating the ball
OK..I did a lot of construction maintenance in days of yore, keeping the hitch ball clean and lubed isn't exactly rocket science, carry a few clean rags in the truck and anytime you hook-up just wipe the ball and apply a new coat of grease, thats it! Any good chassis grease is fine, you can get the Reese Teflon ball grease at a premium price if you're real anal about it but it won't last any longer, if you are traveling for several days continuous a good practice is to raise the tongue off the ball every other day and apply some fresh grease on the ball, when you un-hitch, a good practice is to cover the ball just to keep the grease off of everything that touches it, and under normal use the grease will turn black/
I do this too. Nice to know I`m not the only PM freak out there. Think about what the abrasive nature of road dirt and grit can do at that high pressure connection. I`m not so worried about he ball as the coupler. If that sucker gets worn out and scored badly, it may need replaced at some point. Not an easy job. I`m going to try a moly coating spray on the ball this year and see how it does. Grease works, but is time consuming and messy. I may try both in conjunction with the wax papar trick. I`ll post my results.
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mosseater
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12/31/08 12:11am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?
I too have some porpoising on rough roads, mostly because I`m in a constant battle with tongue weight. Spring rates are going to be softer on even a HD 150 by default of their lighter payload rating. Doesn`t mean they can`t handle it, just a question of comfort against price point for me. The 150 is a better daily driver and has better options, IMO. The 250 super cab rear windows don`t go down, they wing out. I think the 150 interior is better on several levels. I could go for a crew cab 250 or 350 in longbed, but it adds another foot to the wheel base. I think the turning circle on the 150 is better by quite a bit. There`s a lot to consider, but towing comfort should be your main concern. I tow 8000 lbs every time with my HD 150 and though I`m maxed out on GCWR and the power is marginal, it`s is a very stable, solid, confident experience. Not white knuckle at all. The 150 HD is a very capable truck and shouldn`t have any trouble with 7000lbs, but it isn`t a 250 or 350. My biggest complaint is I can`t just mindlessly throw everything in the back and go. I always have to watch what and how I pack. My .02.
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mosseater
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12/27/08 05:48pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Circuit Breakers
Don`t know if this is a possibility in this case or not, but trouble shooting 101 says to change the breaker with an identical one out of the same panel if there`s one available. That should tell you everything you need to know, short of an amp draw or loose connection. Sounds like it may be a bad one, but I wouldn`t jump to that $16 conclusion until I had proof. Good luck.
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mosseater
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12/27/08 05:22pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: F150 Motor Trends Truck of the year 2009
As far as the bed-side storage, Ford had a compartment down along the quarter panel that locked back in `69 on the camper specials. Everthing old is new again! Why do we have to keep re-learning what works and what doesn`t? I think Ford did a poor job with the redesign on the `09. Why do they have to have the 150 always mirror the SD at some point? I think the previous generation styling was the nicest looking 150 they`ve made to date. That`s a large reason I bought one. The highly subjective matter of looks aside, the 150 is a very capable performer, but it ain`t a 250 or 350. Lets not kid ourselves. I`m very happy with mine, but it isn`t perfect. Just more perfect than the others, in my opinion. Each to his own.
FWIW, I have a stock `86 Yamaha FJ 1200 that has NEVER had so much as one loose bolt, oil leak, vibration, etc. To be fair, it still is in it`s infancy at 30+ K miles, but rest assured I`ll not be wishing for a HD in my lifetime. Fast and smooth for me. I like having the front wheel continuously touching the ground at redlights. And having some feeling in my hands helps when I have to open a beer.;)
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mosseater
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12/23/08 04:44pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Gettysburg
We saw the new visitors center last year in about 2hrs and I could easily spent 8 there. I`ve heard others complain about it, but I remember the old visitors center and this new place is great! We also did the driving tour with map, very cheap and you go at your own pace. Takes all day if done right. I live down the road about 20min. and love spending time down there. Getting a guide and doing the tour would be a great idea too.
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mosseater
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12/22/08 09:05pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: For Those of Us that are Winterized and 'Idle'......
I need to re-work my hitch setup. I found a Curt ball with a 1" rise (Amazon!!!)and now I have to get everything all adjusted up again and go weigh it. Since we took such a long and expensive trip last summer, we are going to have to lay back a little this year unless things change. Probably do more of the PA parks. I`d like to go to FL and see the shuttle go up in person, but probably not this year. Also bought a new tv for the bedroom so I`ll have to get that up and running. Other than that, the trailer is pretty much set to go, unless I have more tire trouble next season. I hope not. Too poor for that much fun.
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mosseater
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12/22/08 08:33pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Reese Dual Cam rub
If you`re concerned about binding, get into a sharp turn and frequently get out and check for hitch clearance, or have someone you trust check, and when you get near the end of your turning clearance, mark reference spots on the front of the trailer you can see in your mirrors from the driver`s seat. I used a Sharpie to make little circles with a verticle line through them. When they line up with the side of my truck in my mirror, I don`t go any tighter on my turn. Works backing and forward.
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mosseater
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12/17/08 09:33pm |
Towing
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RE: CG near San Antonio Tx.
We stayed at Green Tree Village. It has quite a few permanent residents but was a nice, well kept park with pull throughs and decent prices. I didn`t use the facilities (showers, laundry) but the wife said they were very nice.
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mosseater
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12/16/08 08:08pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Ford 150 2009
I doubt the marketing dept. is setting the tow ratings for Ford Engineering any more than the service dept. of a given dealership is paling around with the sales dept. Warranty is what it is and all the commercials in the world won`t pay the bill if the scale tips too far away from the reliability direction. We can speculate whether towing on the verge of full capacity is a good idea or not. It`s an argument that has merit, but no end. Skip is living proof that the claims aren`t just hype. Maybe every 150 unit won`t hold up to the claims, but I`m betting most will, and in equivalent percentages on par with 250 numbers, which makes them valid. I know my truck is in it`s infancy as far as towing my trailer (8k miles) but I`ll bet I`ll be towing it for quite a while without trouble. Time will tell. I had a 250 for 13 years that was pure junk and had a tow rating half what this truck has. Does that prove all `94 250 were junk?
With my current rig, I won`t win any races up PA`s mountains , just like I didn`t win any out west last year, but I got there safe and sound. That`s what counts. I didn`t see any trophies handed out along the way for 250`s, 350`s, Chevys, Dodges, etc, and there were plenty of times I wished folks would`ve gotten out of MY way.
Do I wish I had a bigger truck? Sometimes maybe. Do I NEED a bigger truck? No. Everybody has different needs and expectations to fulfil within their budget. As long as you stay within your truck`s capabilities, I don`t see a problem with the 150 tow ratings as advertised.
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mosseater
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12/16/08 12:42am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Reese Dual Cam rub
I couldn`t see the former pictures, they may already cover what I`m about to say. Just be sure the protruding threads from your ball don`t make contact with the spring bar trunnion housing in a tight turn or they will lever the trunnions right out of the seat and spit them across the pavement in a spectacular fashion (don`t ask!). The trunnion seats are not as deep as they should be and can allow the trunnion pin to slide out even without the help of the ball threads levering them in a tight turn. Install the bars in the seats without the trailer attached and swing them into a steep angle, as if you were making a turn, and see how far it`ll go before they`ll come out of the hitch head. You`ll see what I mean.
And yes, my bars do rub lightly on the yoke bolt sometimes. No harm done so far.
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mosseater
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12/15/08 09:45pm |
Towing
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RE: Installing Tekonsha P3
Mine is mounted almost vertical along the face of the lower dash panel about knee height. As long as the wide face of the controller is perpendicular to the direction of travel it should work fine. Knee level makes it easy to index the manual control lever without looking should you need it. Just slide your hand down your leg and there it is at the top of your knee. I use my manual lever to control porpoising on bumpy roads sometimes. Just a touch here and there to settle the rig down. Also makes the display easier to read since it`s angled at the eyes.
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mosseater
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12/12/08 08:12pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 2001 F150 Supercrew towing/weight question
Sounds like you`ll be over by quite a bit after you load up. I wouldn`t do it.
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mosseater
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12/08/08 05:58pm |
Towing
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RE: confused about WD hitches.
The other point I don`t hear mentioned very much is tire wear. If you don`t use a WD system, all the tongue weight will be on the rear axle. I can`t imagine you won`t see more wear on the rear tires as a result. With WD you`ll probably have a more even ride and handling since some of the weight is taken by the front axle, if properly adjusted. My .02.
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mosseater
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12/03/08 09:39pm |
Towing
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RE: half ton truck
a 1/2 ton is a better daily driver
That`s what sold me. I had my kidneys beat bloody by my `94 F 250 for 13 years. This 150 is dream as a daily driver. Although, the 350 screw longbed I drove with the V10 was pretty nice. They lengthened the leaf springs by 9" according to the salesman. Wasn`t a Caddy, but wasn`t harsh either. That 150 will spin when the time comes. It lives at 3500-4200 rpm. I learned to love the sound too. With the new tranny ratios, it should be able to find a good gear at a slightly lower rpm. Anybody know if they re-tuned the power curve to mate with the new trans on the `09 s?
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mosseater
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12/03/08 09:31pm |
Towing
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RE: half ton truck
I`m riding the fence, both in truck capacity and opinion of how it tows. I`m also cheating, in that my "1/2 ton" is actually the same ratings as the old lightweight 250. My numbers are at the max and every time I pull, I`m rearranging the load and measuring the tongue in an effort to keep it under the max numbers. Pulled it clear across the country and back last year and likely won`t do that again for a year or so, but it did ok. Just ok. Wolf Creek and Granite passes were painfully slow. That said, the new 150 with the six speed and hp bump should tow a lot nicer than my 4 spd. I really can`t answer your question except to say I`m satisfied with my rig. Not overjoyed, but satisfied. Only time will tell how it holds up.
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mosseater
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12/02/08 09:11pm |
Towing
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RE: Checking Brakes Before Trip
If your really worried about possible brake light switch failure, go step on the brakes in the TV and look for the reflection of the TV brake lights on the front of the TV to confirm the brake light switch is working.
Well, yeah. No offense, but that`s what we should all be looking for: that the system is working correctly, not just that the bulbs are good. That was my point. Doesn`t work means doesn`t work, even if the bulbs are good. Obviously we cannot predict when something is going to stop working or why, but if we check all the systems, not just the bulbs, we can maybe catch a problem before we pull out. Don`t they come through the ambilical plug on different connector pins? Could even be a bad connection there. Pays to check and only takes a minute.
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mosseater
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11/30/08 01:09am |
Travel Trailers
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