bikerdib
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Re: Is it OK to weld Tie Downs to Frame
I'm not sure about your truck but there has been a movement from the heavy weight steel C-channel frames of the past to lighter weight steel box section frames on newer trucks. The light weight steel wouldn't be the best place to weld a tie down IMO unless a backplate is first welded to the frame section. (I've done more steel fabrication than I can remember over the last 40 years or so). Any fabricator worth dealing with should easily be able to fab up a bolt on tiedown.260Views0likes0CommentsRe: How often do you use your portable generator?
When I was younger I used to camp almost every weekend; meaning in a tent without electricity. Now at 58 I decided I like having comfortable sleeping conditions (especially since I have trouble sleeping, even at home). Most of my overnighting is within 300 miles of home and being that is in SE Texas in summer the heat and humidity is not conducive to comfortable sleeping without AC. Up to now in the summer I've only stayed in hook up sites because of the need for AC. I just ordered a Champion inverter generator model 75531i. This will hopefully get me into some sites without electricity that I've been looking at.267Views0likes0CommentsRe: Questions; about boat towing & about how to emergency tow
Thanks everyone. I do have a front hitch receiver but I'm thinking off loading the camper at the campsite first will be the best option, especially if staying for more than one night. Some have pointed out the possibility of the rear of the camper touching the water if backing down, I never even thought about that. It won't be a problem on the trip we have planned for the end of July because it turns out my nephew is going to be there with his 5th wheel and I'll just let him use his truck to launch the PWC after he unhooks from his trailer.502Views0likes0CommentsRe: Questions; about boat towing & about how to emergency tow
LOL, I guess I didn't make myself clear. I'm not concerned about backing up a trailer. I have regularly backed up trailers (at least 2 or 3 times a week while I was an ironworker), everything from 10 foot single axle to 30 foot goosenecks and VERY many times into tight spots around blind corners. I personally have a 10 foot single axle and a 20 foot tandem axle for my tractor. My PWC trailer is 17 feet and double wide (side by side PWCs). Additionally, I've had boats of and on for the last 30 years or so, boatramps are not a new experience to me either. I'm concerned with the stepness of most boatramps and the fact that the only thing holding the camper in is the torklift and fastguns. This is the same concern I have about being towed especially on a tilt deck like the one pictured above. I'm just not sure about how secure the camper is when the truck is tilted that much.502Views0likes0CommentsQuestions; about boat towing & about how to emergency tow
I'm going to be towing my PWC's for the first time behind the truck camper this summer. How do you guys that tow boats get them down the ramp? Do you offload the camper first. I have a front hitch and thought about just using that to drive the trailer down the ramp. I'm just concerned that if the ramp is too steep I may end up with a "house boat". Also, for you long time truck camper people, have you ever broke down on the road and needed your truck/camper towed down the highway. How is that done? I surely wouldn't want them trying to load my truck/camper on one of the tilt bed wreckers.2.2KViews0likes15CommentsRe: Supersprings and sway bars
I run SuperSprings, Timbrens and Roadmaster anti-sway bar along with Bilstein shocks on the rear of my 3500 4X4 SRW, factory anti-sway bar on the front. Yes it did make the truck ride a little rougher (especially on large bumps like speed bumps). However, I'd rather have as much safety margin as possible. You never know what may occur, the need for a quick swerve or having a blowout. Plus this coming July I'll be towing my PWC trailer behind with the 2 three person PWC so that will be about 2,600 trailer weight.510Views0likes0CommentsRe: Shocks for 2013 RAM 3500 Laramie Crew Cab Dually 4x4
It's all because of the new front end frame changes to the 2013 3500 trucks. i had a 2012 2500 and had Rancho 9000 front and rear. Then I got a 2013 3500 and like you found, haven't been able to get front shocks for it (put Bilsteins on the rear). The aftermarket is behind getting new shocks for the front but I'd think they will soon.236Views0likes0CommentsRe: RAM REAR BACK UP CAMERA
I haven't had a chance to work on it yet but I've bought the parts from Tasca online: www.tasca.com I bought the camera and the wiring harness that is inside the tailgate. The wiring harness has one end that plugs into the pigtail of the camera and the other end has the plug that fits the plug at the end of the bed that you disconnect to remove the tailgate. I'll probably have to splice the wires in the harness to make it long enough but that won't be too difficult. Part numbers are: 56054164AB for the camera and 68051748AB for the harness. Please don't just take my word on the part numbers though, double check them before ordering.187Views0likes0CommentsRe: Toyota 5.7?
One quick word of advise, don't believe the dealers claims of what will fit on a half ton truck. Check the capacity of your truck. Then get the wet weight of the camper you find and add at LEAST 500 pounds to the camper weight (to allow for camping gear, food, etc.) to make sure your truck will be able to handle the weight. Capri campers seem to be popular with people with trucks with lighter capacities.225Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 20, 202544,029 Posts
