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RE: Total Knee Replacement Recovery
There is a good knee/hip replacement forum, bonesmart.com, which might be able to give you some helpful information.
It is an international forum and gives you information from other parts of the world about knee and hip surgery. Good luck!
Mike
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TECMike
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05/11/12 07:26am |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
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RE: When to replace bearings ?
Go to the Dexter website and there is a very detailed explanation on the proper way to remove, replace, adjust, and maintain wheel bearings.
The Dexter website also has a lot of excellent information on other parts of the wheel and brake assembly, along with proper maintenance.
Too, I have found the folks at Dexter are very courteous and willing to help if you want to call with a question.
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TECMike
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04/25/12 08:59am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 303 Application Technique
Yep, we do have a small trailer, 21.5', compared to most. However, we come from the Casita community and we think we are large!
If you take a section at a time and pace yourself, it is a pretty easy job. The Aerospace 303 website has a lot of other good tips and information about the product.
I use a Porter Cable orbital buffer with a sponge pad to put the stuff on with and wipe it off by hand.
Think thin coats. Thin is your friend!
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TECMike
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04/22/12 06:32am |
Travel Trailers
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303 Application Technique
For the last few years I have been using Aerospace 303 Protectant on our trailers due to its UV blocking characteristics and protection for RV decals. We need it here in Texas.
So I thought I would pass along the following tips to help those who might try it.
The biggest problem for me has always been its tendency to streak if put on too heavy. So I always put in on in very light coats, which is also recommended by the manufacturer. If a streak does occur, I carry a lightly water moistened hand towel and rub the streaks out after I wipe it off. Eventually you will have a very slick, uniform appearance.
Next, I like to use 303 when the humidity is high. I have tried using it in arid, low humidity climates and it dries too quickly. More humidity give you more working time to work out the streaks.
Finally, I usually put on at least two light coats on our entire trailer. You will notice a marked improvement in appearance with the second or third light coat.
Hope the above tips helps someone.
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TECMike
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04/20/12 07:41pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Two Low Milage 7.3 PSD...
Starting with the 2002 model year, Ford upgraded the lighting system with better lenses. Not much of an issue unless you have older eyes, like me, and want better night vision.
There were differences in the 99 model year's turbo. Along the way Ford changed timing and computer program upgrades for better mileage and more power, with the most power being in early 2003 model year trucks, which were the last manufactured.
Transmission problems occurred with some the early 2001 models but Ford cleared it up on the 2002 models.
Some 2002 F-250s were manufactured for a short time in Ford's Mexico plant where F-450s and 550s were assembled and I own one of them. Their VIN number is different than those assembled in Ford's Kentucky plant.
The history of the 7.3 Powerstroke goes back to the early nineties, when International, who manufactured the 7.3 Powerstroke, called it the International 444T engine.
They put it into millions of yellow International school buses, garbage trucks and EMS vehicles across the United States.
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TECMike
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04/18/12 07:41am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Cleaned my roof today
Clarkston:
What year is your trailer and what shape was your roof in before you started?
I am going to clean mine and was thinking about using Spic & Span, but I like Dawn as a cleaning product also.
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TECMike
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04/14/12 06:32am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Spic & Span plus Bleach for Roof Cleaning?
Thanks. The maker of our rubber roof recommended Spic & Span, with granules and a soft brush. So I will give it a try.
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TECMike
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04/13/12 09:27am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Spic & Span plus Bleach for Roof Cleaning?
We have to park our trailer outside under a Live Oak tree.
I have washed the roof over the last three years, since it was new, with McGuires Car Wash soap, but the leaf and sap stains have left a lot of stains. Plus some mildew/mold dark spots have accumulated.
Thanks for not recommending bleach for the mildew/mold spots. I was thinking it might be alright.
Interesting comments about Lysol products. Any particular Lysol soap would be the best?
Mike
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TECMike
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04/10/12 07:41am |
Travel Trailers
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Spic & Span plus Bleach for Roof Cleaning?
Any one using Spic & Span with some bleach for cleaning their rubber roofs on their travel trailers?
If so what ratio are you using? Thanks in advance.
Mike
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TECMike
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04/10/12 05:59am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: TX HWY 31 Waco to Tyler
Yes, it is a good road. Part of it is only two lane, however, and you will get some trucks following close behind if you tow 60-65 MPH, which is our towing speed.
You will go through several small towns. Otherwise it is an easy drive and the Bluebonnets out this time of years should make it beautiful trip.
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TECMike
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04/04/12 04:03pm |
Roads and Routes
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Eternabond Tape Age
What is the life of Eternabond tape in a roll? Does it get old and not effective after a certain time?
I have some that is about one year old and need to move forward with some more preventive maintenance.
Mike
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TECMike
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04/02/12 06:46am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Tires Made In Vietnam
Checked the manufacturing codes. One tire was manufactured in April 2011 and the other three were manufactured in October 2011.
Had them mounted and balanced. Surprisingly they all took less weights to balance than my did Chinese Kumho 857s which they are replacing.
I will just have to see how they hold up and perform. Time will tell. Thanks for all the input.
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TECMike
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03/31/12 01:40pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: F150 OR TUNDRA
Ford has been building trucks for a mighty long time. Much longer than Toyota.
And I do believe Ford is the number one truck sales leader and has been so for many years. It is hard to engineer truck success like Ford's unless a company has a long history of truck manufacturing.
The above being said, Toyota Tundra is fine truck in its own rights. And Toyota builds a very dependable product. Their record speaks for it's success.
I would buy the one that made me happy the most when I drove it. It will be with you a very long time.
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TECMike
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03/31/12 05:37am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Tires Made In Vietnam
I am replacing my three year old Kumho 857s that have served us well for close to three years without problems. They were made in China. I hope these tires will be OK also.
Have a very good friend who was in Vietnam during the sixties. He said Michelin owned and operated several large rubber plantations there.
It is also my understanding the Kumho plant in Vietnam is a fairly new one, less than three years old, and was a very large investment for Kumho.
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TECMike
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03/30/12 07:32pm |
Travel Trailers
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Tires Made In Vietnam
Recently I bought a set of Kumho 857 tires in their 205 series from Tire Rack. I noticed they were imported from China or Vietnam. The tires I received were manufactured in Vietnam.
Any feedback as to quality of tires manufactured in Vietnam?
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TECMike
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03/30/12 08:02am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: which brand of oil for diesal engine
I use Shell Rotella 15-40W and have used it with success ever since we have owned our Ford 7.3 Powerstroke.
Our son drove big rigs for nearly ten years and most of the companies he worked for used Rotella.
I am sure Delo 400 is just as good, as are other brands that meet modern diesel engine certification requirements.
However, you can go into any truck stop on the planet and buy Shell Rotella if you need it.
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TECMike
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03/27/12 11:11am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Sunnybrook Harmony 28BHS
We have had a Sunnybrook Harmony 21FBS now for nearly three years, with virtually no problems whatsoever.
The only one problem we have had have been self-inflected by me when I installed a larger bath exhaust fan. It turn out to be only a blown fuse when I did something incorrectly.
We have put over 25K happy, trouble-free miles on our little trailer. I cannot speak to the larger trailer and floorplan you are looking at. But I can attest to the quality of our little trailer.
The sofa in our trailer is a jack-knife version.
Probably need to go look at the build quality of similar trailers. Then look at the build quality of the Sunnybrook Harmony. I think you will be impressed.
The above being said, Sunnybrook was bought out by Winnebago over the last year, but it is my understanding the previous owner is still the General Manager and all the SunnyBrook employees remained the same. So I do not know if the build quality is affect or not. I suspect it is the same.
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TECMike
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03/24/12 07:43am |
Travel Trailers
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Texas Safety Rest Areas for Overnight
We have never over-nighted in a Texas safety rest area due to possible problems.
Recently we stopped at one and talked with the attendent in charge. She told us they have a few incidents when someone overnights in their travel trailer or fifth wheel as the Texas Department of Public Safety officers stop by and check occasionally during the night.
We have been considering over-nighting at the Safety/Visitor Information Center in Iowa Park Texas, just north of Wichita Falls, Texas, on US 287.
Anyone have positive or negative experiences?
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TECMike
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03/24/12 07:25am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Austin TX to Kerrville TX
Same as above. We have made the trip many times. Do not go through Austin. My vote is I-35 to Temple/Belton, take 190 West through Killeen/Ft. Hood and on to Lampasas. Lampasas to Johnson City, on to Fredericksburg and Kerrville via 16.
As mentioned above, lots of pretty countryside to see this time of year. Be sure to check out the Wildflower Seed Farm east of Fredericksburg on the way. Beautiful wildflowers and open to the public.
The city of Fredericksburg is a neat town with lots of interesting shops. LadyBird Johnson Municiple Park is just a few miles south of Fredericksburg. It is a good place to stay over night, see Fredricksburg and eat out if you are interested. Cable TV and lots of shady Pecan trees.
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TECMike
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03/18/12 10:05pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: 7.3 vs v10 Excursion, which would you buy?
My recommendation is the 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel engine. If it has been taken care of, it is just now getting broken in well. As mentioned above, the engine is nearly bulletproof.
The engine, manufactured by International, was put into a lot of yellow International school buses over twenty years. And you don't see many of these buses broken down on the side of the road.
Plus, it was put into a lot of large garbage trucks over the years and garbage trucks lead a mighty tough life!
The weak link has been the transmission, especially in the 2001 model year of Excursions and SuperDuties. If the transmission has been properly serviced and maintained with good fluid and filter changes, however, you should be able to get more miles out of it.
These vehicles with the 7.3 are very popular and highly sought after now by the Airstream folks I am told. And they have a very high resale value.
The above being said, the V-10s are fine engines also and like the 7.3L diesel, they have had their minor growing pains along the way. They are quite thirsty engines but do produce good towing power.
Have a qualified mechanic check out either vehicle before you buy.
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TECMike
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03/13/12 06:00pm |
Tow Vehicles
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