Morning Cup Of Coffee And Weather

Sweeney said:
thats more like it!




YIKES! Looks like too much trailer - most RV chassis' are pretty much at their limit when they roll off the assembly line, or so I was told by an engineer at one of these companies. Throw on a toy trailer and full water tanks...it could get interesting. Speed is not your friend. And we know people drive far too aggressively


Funny we use our serenity as a 'life raft' on sereral occasions. lose the power for a night? Just pulled the camper into the drive, fired up the honda and we were untroubled by any of it -- meanwhile the neighbors are sweating.

Score 1 for the prepper :D
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@Sweeney yeah, when I looked closely at video I said, "WUT! is that a full size trailer behind that RV?"
Crazy to be hauling that much, never mind on a grade.
Reckless endangerment of everyone else on that road.
 
Tour 931 said:
Still very smokey around here. The N95 masks do a fantastic job and I can’t even smell it when I go outside.
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Yeah, it's a little more smokey here today too.
They are saying that with as many wildfires as there are in northern MN and Canada, that they won't all be out until the snow flies. I'm afraid that until then, we are going to be at the mercy of the winds to determine whether or not we have smokey days.
 
dustinp said:
Yeah, it's a little more smokey here today too.
They are saying that with as many wildfires as there are in northern MN and Canada, that they won't all be out until the snow flies. I'm afraid that until then, we are going to be at the mercy of the winds to determine whether or not we have smokey days.
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Like the big ones in Saskatchewan a few years back...
 
I finally made my escape! I seriously considered heading up to Oshkosh. I was about an hour northwest of home when I checked the weather and decided to save Fun 'N Sun for the winter and try again next year.

I turned east, wondering where to go. Since I'm traveling solo, I have the freedom to do whatever I want. I don't need to be home until Sunday (or even Monday if I felt like it), though I will need to handle some tasks once I return. So, I headed east. Two years ago, I visited Knoebels in PA, and I decided it was time to go back. It is their 100th year in operation, and I think that milestone is worth the trip.

Honestly, it's a happy place. They offer free parking, free admission, and affordable food. Ride tickets are cheap, and they have one of the best dark rides I have ever ridden.

I didn't leave until early afternoon because a minor issue delayed me by nearly a day. I had a problem with my brakes. On my last trip, the passenger-side curb brake got so hot that I accidentally brushed it with my knee and suffered a burn at least second-degree, possibly nearing third-degree. I got home, ordered new bearings, drums, brakes—the whole works. While the parking brake option could have been retrofitted to standard brakes, the parts I received were welded together rather than bolted. Swapping parts would have been possible but time-consuming, so I ordered a complete new set from etrailer.com. They were special order, so it took an extra week and a half for everything to arrive.

Two issues came up. First, Dexter seems to have slipped on quality control. The drums were fine, but the bearing races were trashed and pitted. No big deal since I have spares in stock, but it caused a delay. The parts sat idle for another two weeks.

Then, I fell. I finally felt the gumption to do the work this weekend, mostly because I wanted to take the camper.

Second Dexter issue: It looks like they slightly changed how the magnets are mounted. The stud the magnets ride on appears to have about 2mm (1/8 inch) added to its length. When I assembled everything and spun the wheel, I heard a "tic-tic-tic" sound. Naturally, I tore it all apart looking for what I missed. I regreased the bearings and cleaned everything, but the ticking returned. I did something dumb and drove it around the test track, and the tick persisted.

I posted about it to my groups, and people suggested a bad grease job or a bent spindle, but both sides were making the noise. So, I tore it apart again. This time, I noticed slight scoring on the magnet surface—not deep enough to feel, but visible. It lined up exactly with the magnet arm. Under a magnifying glass, the tip was slightly worn. I removed the magnet clip, used a Dremel tool to cut off about 2mm, reassembled everything, and the noise was gone!

The tic was where the magnet stud 'tipped' the holes with the wheel studs. If it wasn't for that, I probably wouldn't have heard it just becuase of the noises brakes usually make. Small blessing I suppose.

Jerks.

Lesson: New does not equal good. After replacing a couple of grease seals and spending a few hours on the repair, I'll be opening a ticket with Dexter to at least attempt a warranty claim. I doubt I'll get anywhere, but I'm going to try.

so IF you do your own brakes, you know. If some one does them for you, tell them if they have to replaced the shoes. Usually you change out the whole backing plate -- it isn't worth the cost in labor just to do the shoes...
 
Well, as usual your post does not disappoint!
I've got a bearing job and some drums I ordered after last one...dunno if needed, yet. After last hot bearing I ordered drums as spare in a fit of be prepared enthusiasm
as I read "hard to get. long wait" then

and my 2010 is getting long in the tooth...Cary also said something something powder coat trailing arms?

And hopefully the brakes still work good...but if new parts are needed I expect I'll be poring over this to be 100% sure I'm getting it right...first time.

Dremeling...hmm!

Thanks @Sweeney
I think we need a way to hit the tip jar that does not compromise your integrity.

I'm thinking adult beverage at the CICO or next place down tbe road...or?
Who do you know that runs an animal rescue?
 
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dustinp said:
Yeah, it's a little more smokey here today too.
They are saying that with as many wildfires as there are in northern MN and Canada, that they won't all be out until the snow flies. I'm afraid that until then, we are going to be at the mercy of the winds to determine whether or not we have smokey days.
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What happened to the fires? Its just another news frenzy that disappeared.
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  • Media owner Tour 931
  • Date added
 
The Postman said:
Well, as usual your post does not disappoint!
I've got a bearing job and some drums I ordered after last one...dunno if needed, yet. After last hot bearing I ordered drums as spare in a fit of be prepared enthusiasm
as I read "hard to get. long wait" then

and my 2010 is getting long in the tooth...Cary also said something something powder coat trailing arms?

And hopefully the brakes still work good...but if new parts are needed I expect I'll be poring over this to be 100% sure I'm getting it right...first time.

Dremeling...hmm!

Thanks @Sweeney
I think we need a way to hit the tip jar that does not compromise your integrity.

I'm thinking adult beverage at the CICO or next place down tbe road...or?
Who do you know that runs an animal rescue?
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HAHA --- no tip necessary :) This forum was an life raft for me in 2021 -- its just my payback ;)

The dremel cut was just to remove a little of the tip (Insert mohel joke here) - I took everything as far apart as I could and moved it far away, then doused it all with brake cleaner twice. I didn't want to to risk any contamination of anything. The cut took all about about 10 seconds plus a polish with a little emry paper.

I don't mind doing stuff like this, I just HATE the process of diagnosing problems on new parts, especially as I am still effectivly workign wiht one hand - my grip strenght is OK, I can push and pull OK....but I can not put any lateral or twisting stress on the wrist. Like, oh, I dunno, removing fasteners.

Mine is kept indoors, and it doesn't see winter at all except on rare occasions....probably 2 or 3 times a year, and its before the first salt, and after the first rain.

Coming to CICO? Awesome...we're definately doing are darnedest...
 
Sweeney said:
HAHA --- no tip necessary :) This forum was an life raft for me in 2021 -- its just my payback ;)

The dremel cut was just to remove a little of the tip (Insert mohel joke here) - I took everything as far apart as I could and moved it far away, then doused it all with brake cleaner twice. I didn't want to to risk any contamination of anything. The cut took all about about 10 seconds plus a polish with a little emry paper.

I don't mind doing stuff like this, I just HATE the process of diagnosing problems on new parts, especially as I am still effectivly workign wiht one hand - my grip strenght is OK, I can push and pull OK....but I can not put any lateral or twisting stress on the wrist. Like, oh, I dunno, removing fasteners.

Mine is kept indoors, and it doesn't see winter at all except on rare occasions....probably 2 or 3 times a year, and its before the first salt, and after the first rain.

Coming to CICO? Awesome...we're definately doing are darnedest...
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Stuff like this makes me nervous. I'm fine with turning a wrench or three, and have replaced brake shoes/pads in the past, but this is a whole other ordeal. Hard to get parts? Yikes.
 
FWIW --- take off a little more than i did --- 400 mile trip, was fine until the last 60 miles. Hopefully no permenant damage >:(


taranis17 said:
Stuff like this makes me nervous. I'm fine with turning a wrench or three, and have replaced brake shoes/pads in the past, but this is a whole other ordeal. Hard to get parts? Yikes.
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Yah me too. In the past few months I've done quite a few of 'em. 95% of the time they are just fine --- but then there are ones like this....and in this case it is a 100% quality issue with Dexter who up to recently has been good. But I've had problems now 3 times with them....they are slipping. Sad part is, its the only game in town.
 
taranis17 said:
Stuff like this makes me nervous. I'm fine with turning a wrench or three, and have replaced brake shoes/pads in the past, but this is a whole other ordeal. Hard to get parts? Yikes.
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It's not that they are hard to get -- actually, pretty easy. The 'parking brake' makes it slightly more difficult, but even then not much more. If you look locally, you probably have a 'trailer shop' that has what you need in stock. I've got at least 3 I buy from routinely when I need something fast.

The brake plate install is 4 bolts, plus the new drum --- they are replaced as as set. This of course means new bearings as well. Not bad. I can normally do mine in about 40 minutes per side.

I AM NOT SUGGESTING THIS IS A DIY JOB. If you dont' know what you are doing, you can get into trouble. I say that because I know what I am doing and have gotten myself into trouble.

As for this install, it was annoying as heck since the cause of the problem was so abundantly unclear. In hindsight, the clues were there. I'm waiting to see what etrailer says --- frankly, I'm not sure what I want to make it right.
 
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Sweeney said:
It's not that they are hard to get -- actually, pretty easy. The 'parking brake' makes it slightly more difficult, but even then not much more. If you look locally, you probably have a 'trailer shop' that has what you need in stock. I've got at least 3 I buy from routinely when I need something fast.

The brake plate install is 4 bolts, plus the new drum --- they are replaced as as set. This of course means new bearings as well. Not bad. I can normally do mine in about 40 minutes per side.

I AM NOT SUGGESTING THIS IS A DIY JOB. If you dont' know what you are doing, you can get into trouble. I say that because I know what I am doing and have gotten myself into trouble.

As for this install, it was annoying as heck since the cause of the problem was so abundantly unclear. In hindsight, the clues were there. I'm waiting to see what etrailer says --- frankly, I'm not sure what I want to make it right.
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This is one of those "I'll just take it to the nest to have the work done when it's due," and learn HOW to do it properly while I'm there if possible. Always up for learning new stuff. It's a good reason to attend CICO while I'm in the area.

47F. I'm jealous. We're in the Texas Dog Days here. 85 when I got up, supposed to be 105 later. There's absolutely no reason to go outside, and it's driving me nuts.
 
Kilometer 31 said:
Sans the raindrop, but just arrived in Destin Florida, just to be greeted by Tropical Storm Bertha. Not much of a storm, but enough to close off water access today (double red flags). Hopefully mostly passed to the west by tomorrow. (Good day to see "The Odyssey")
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Grayton Beach is just east of Destin and our personal favorite. Checkout the Red Bar for great food.
 
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