furballs
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Re: Timken bearing sets
I picked up a set of wheel bearings for my TT last week at a store that sells bearings, seals and a few tools. The name of the place has "Bearings" in it. It has been there for 40 years that I know of. When I told the counter guy that I drive out there to get Timken bearings because they are made in the USA, he said "not anymore." He said they are now made in China. I wish mine had said made in USA. On the other hand, if they had said USA I would wonder how long they had been in the pipeline or sitting on a shelf. Hmmm.465Views0likes0CommentsRe: Running Air Conditioner Via Inverter while Towing/Driving
I use a system that works for us. Because I use a pickup, my exact setup would not work for the OP, but perhaps just knowing it can be done and how, you may get some ideas. I use a Victron inverter/charger and 6 Lifeline 6 volt batteries in series/parallel. Single aught gauge interconnections. Double aught cables to/from inverter from the batts. The Victron has some pretty nifty features that allow you to charge and run AC with lower wattage shore feeds. I blew 300 amp fuses multiple times testing the system on AC so there are very high currents involved here. I never tried to run the AC all day. I envisaged being able running the AC at noon rest stops. During testing i could run the AC for 55 minutes on low fan. The inverter/charger will put around 60 amps (depending on temps) to the batteries with a 30 amp shore line. I have a '17 truck with dual alts. I have obtained a supply of 0 gauge cable and intend to interface the batts with the truck's system. There hasn't been much urgency because we typically camp at no service campgrounds and such for 2 or three days. The batts will run the micro, cat warmers, electric blanket, TV, etc for two days. If we will be staying longer, we bring twin connected Hondas and slam the batteries as hard as possible. Lifelines were chosen because they have nearly unlimited charge and dischargw rates. The batts and inverter fit in a aluminum in bed tool box. Your results may vary.649Views0likes0CommentsRe: I can't decide between a Hensley or ProPride Hitch.
pullin2 wrote: ..."The Hensley stinger that fits a 2.5 inch receiver is really heavy (Hensley recommends not using an adapter for the rcvr)... I just hung up the phone to Hensley's tech line. Hensley does not frown on adapters. I told the tech person I have a 3" receiver and use two adapters. He told me that was fine and happy trails. His only suggestion was to line up the 2" to 2.5" adapters and tack weld them together so as not to hassle with so many pin holes at hitch time. Good tip... Fire up the welder...1.4KViews0likes0CommentsRe: I can't decide between a Hensley or ProPride Hitch.
HA user here. The word on the stinger is right on... They weigh a ton. It takes both my SO and myself to put it in place. Yes, I could do it myself, but after 3 back surgeries I won't try. The word about not using adaptors is news to me and I will call the factory on Tues. The 2017 Ford F-350 comes with a 3" hitch so adapters are a must. I also need two stingers as the truck rides at two different heights depending on whether there are two ATVs on or not. Never had a problem hitching. Plenty pricey.1.4KViews0likes0CommentsRe: How fast do you go
I just looked at the Goodyear site and the Endurance ST 225/75 R 15 speed rating is "n". Speed charts are all over the web an "n" rated tires are listed at 87 mph. I'd have to look, but I am not sure my truck's speedometer even goes that high. At any freeway speed I know both my truck and TT tires are good.464Views0likes0CommentsRe: How fast do you go
We tow at 3 mph over whatever the limit for towed vehicles might be. I went to the trouble of changing the trailer tires to Endurances specifically so as to not be limited to 65. I am always confused by the statements that someone is not in a hurry to get anywhere. If I am going at all, I must be going somewhere to do something. Whatever that something is, it certainly isn't being done sitting in a truck cab. I'm jealous of those in states with higher limits. If I could, I would cruise at 75. Mileage? I don't even check. 18,000 lbs. and the aerodynamics of two 4 by 8' sheets of plywood being shoved down the road sideways. Whatever it is, it isn't good.464Views0likes0CommentsRe: What is the best weight distribution hitch?
I've thought about the never ending discussions about hitches and have reached a few conclusions. Each driver has a different set of skills and a different amount of risk acceptance/avoidance. Likewise, folks drive in differing environments. Putting this all together with the tow vehicle and TT match, there ends uo a sliding scale for which hitch goes with a particular scenario. A garden variety WD hitch will work fine at the end of the scale where enviroment +driver skill +towvehicle /trailer match dynamics are good. However, environment is not always predictable or within a driver's control. There's the rub. At that lesser probability point a run of the mill WD hitch is not gonna cut it. The point at which a problem arises will be further up the scale with a more exotic hitch. Thus we get folks with basic hitches who honestly report 250K with "no problems." I submit that they haven't encountered the combination of factors that exceeds their spot on the scale. I tend to push the "conditions" envelope a little and have therefore exceeded the capabilities of a simple friction bar. I have also exceeded the capabilities of a tension style sway control. I never did exceed the capabilities of a Pull-rite on F-250 supercab for 6 years, another on a F-350 crew diesel for 11 years. Pull-rite has stopped making hitches except for a few models so I couldn't put one on (I begged) the new 17'F-350 crew. I still expect to push the ends of the scale so, HA on this truck. Do I need it? Define "need". I am a very experienced driver but I know I am not perfect and sometimes there is a surprise waiting. It is little different than insurance or fire extinguishers...ya don't need it until you need it.246Views0likes0CommentsRe: Could use some guidance choosing AGM’s.
Agm batts won't take a lot of current or heat? Good thing nobody told my 6 Lifelines! My inverter/charger routinely puts 150+ amps into 6 Lifeline 6 volt batts. On the flip side, the AC pulls a hair over 200 amps from those same batts. The inverter/charger has a thermistor constantly mrasuring temps and I have never seen any heat reactions,even with temps in the 90s.486Views0likes0CommentsRe: Battery recommendations for 1500W inverter
Hmm... Thought I just did that. No matter. 6ea. 6cvolt Lifeline batts that will take as much charge as you can give them. My charger is older and only has 3 stages. When charging from shore power the "bulk" stage runs at 200 amps when the batts are low and not temp limited. Tapers off on absorbtion. Truck diesel has twin alts and can put over 175 amps depending on depetion and temps. Runs the AC for about 55 mins or so or the MW for any cooking the two of us want. Trying to do both is what blew fuses.460Views0likes0CommentsRe: Battery recommendations for 1500W inverter
What sort of tow vehicle? My TT is not wired heavily enough for a large inverter, even with two Trojan 6 volt batts. My solution was to put the 3.5KW inverter/charger into the truck bed along with 6-6volt agm batts. Short double aught wiring. Fused at 300 amps and I blew several fuses during testing. None blown in normal use. The TT plugs into the inverter through normal 30 amp shore connection. Moving everything to the tow vehicle makes all DC cable runs very short. Cooking in the MW is no problem.460Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 13, 202544,029 Posts
