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DMiller 
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 Topic: Next on our Agenda here
Posted: 14 Jul 2024 at 2:24pm |
Camper of sorts.
Been chasing our own tail as to Toy Hauler to hang behind the KW I rebuilt, been scratching thru ads and chasing out issues on certain models only to find that ten years old or older the Dealers MAY or MAY NOT aid in trying to attain parts to keep them functional. Already had concerns as to damaged or semi destroyed units and asking real money as 'Are Repairable' to them. So change it up a Different Direction, Living Quarters Trailers, Livestock Based.
May still be chasing shadows but are some interesting aspects on these. Is ONLY Two of Us, we do not intend of entertaining or carrying others along on our quests so Room is not an absolute need. Need facilities should we boondock and a Generator for keeping AC or Heat or Batteries charged. Then the dimensions, Toy hauler size in rear area, 12 foot FLAT length a Optimum and ability to attach Tie Down units to floor another. Head Height is not a requirement beyond 7' Inside but decent access and sized internal doors a plus. So this week will be taking a ride to Cuba MO to Cowtown and Jim's Motors, may expand to other states if unsatisfied of what see closer. Are a Few older 3 and 4 horse Slant Load with 12-15' "Short Wall" LQ sets in these yards ads. One Bathroom smallish shower and a stool, Reasonable storage, nearly all had Awnings, slide outs and ramps at rear, all a considered plus. All so far had AC and Heat with Genny's. Trying to remain UNDER $40,000. RVs are stupid at well above $50,000 for Crap.
Had a Insurance Agent visit last evening, he noted a LQ Horse Hauler is considered AG, regardless how utilized so Insurance would reflect AG level pricing not RV. Already enjoy that on KW where my 99 Ford is $220/six months full Coverage, that 2005 Big Blue Beast SAME EXACT Level of Coverage is $292/Year. He basically felt as to LQ Trailer, HALF to 1/3 of the costs for RV Insurance, REGARDLESS Cost. As to Towing, can replace Goose Ball coupler to a Fifth Wheel PIN, simple exchange and remove Chains.
Edited by DMiller - 14 Jul 2024 at 2:31pm
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DMiller
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
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Posted: 15 Jul 2024 at 4:51pm |
The Two trailers contemplating
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 15 Jul 2024 at 5:45pm |
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Horse trailer would be a good option if your hauling a Side x Side or Motorcycle / etc.... They are extra heavy duty compared to a normal "RV"...... I would have a hard time with the PRICE for few weeks vacation per year..
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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DMiller
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Posted: 15 Jul 2024 at 6:47pm |
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We discussed what we paid on our last two week cycle run to CO, spent over $10,000 on rooms, feeds, limited room to carry ‘stuff’, could have gone in car but as such hotels have gotten seriously high. We paid $95-125 a night in 2012, those are now over $180-240 and crappy hotels.
With a RV or one of these can as much Boondock camp on many sites, unless tent camp those are out on a bike or in a car. Airfare and car rentals are stupid high.
I am Mostly retired, wife is closing in on that, have no kids so nothing to hold us at home, time to run. Wife even had thought of ALCAN Highway to Fairbanks.
Edited by DMiller - 16 Jul 2024 at 4:42am
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HudCo
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Posted: 15 Jul 2024 at 9:01pm |
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what about converting a kentucky moving van trailer then you could load your pickup inside if you wanted and still have a living room and kitchen
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iowallis
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Joined: 04 Jun 2017
Location: North Iowa
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Posted: 15 Jul 2024 at 9:25pm |
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Could you wait a year?
I live across the street from a campground. This year, other than the 4th of July weekend, the place has been relatively dead compared to the “Covid years” the past few years. Walking through the campground on our nightly walks it looks to be about 70-80% full, and that includes the construction workers who spend all summer there. A few years ago people were turned away on the weekends and it looked nearly full during the week.
I am predicting the bottom will fall out on the camper market in the next year. If you wait you might get a good deal on a newer camper/toy hauler.
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DMiller
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Posted: 16 Jul 2024 at 4:46am |
Considered but have decided no on a wait, been awaiting the Camper Prices to crash for nearly two years where those that currently have and stopped using are Upside Down in them, want top dollar and refuse to negotiate as they owe so much. That small part will only change as banks repo or the people just give up and allow these on the market to degrade ever faster, pricing is pretty well fixed in place as dealers also refuse to haggle on a price so are stuck with over priced crap. Secondarily do not want to purchase another Project, do not have time left to spend a few years adding even more cash on a bad investment Camper fixing what the last owner left go.
Edited by DMiller - 16 Jul 2024 at 4:48am
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DMiller
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Posted: 16 Jul 2024 at 4:50am |
 HudCo wrote:
what about converting a kentucky moving van trailer then you could load your pickup inside if you wanted and still have a living room and kitchen |
Considered, but most RV or State parks will not allow that size, many refuse anything over 30' main body length tongue type or fifth wheel. Then is the costs, $ and Time, to change it to something livable.
Wife also considered just AirBnB for vaca, got to checking reservations lead times and per night expenses, very unhappy on short order. She thought maybe just load bike and bike trailer on a small haul trailer and stay in Hotels, would have to pay storage fee to someone to hold car and trailer while gallivanting where expenses mount quick. As to hotel, she and her sis went to Memphis for three days, two nights, did not think to reservation a month or more early, paid almost $600 apiece for the stay with parking fee and add ons fees these hotel systems tack on. Untenable.
Use of KW so far pulling small loads, just running to keep fluids moving, going to shows or events, getting close to 8mpg, small, even median size LQ Horse style trailer will not affect that much if at all where the two above measure just at 30' Main Body. Several guys I used to work with have campers, best I ever heard on REAL mileage was 11mpg, worst 6, biggest Lies 16-18 & one at 23mpg the guys could not produce relevant data/receipts on. Their biggest costs, Tires and Brakes both trailers and trucks, two that use regularly end up warped rotors, burnt out pucks and shoes, fluid leaks at least twice per year with average repairs costs over $1000 to have done, overheated brakes brought on blowouts even on newer bought rubber. KW should outlast Me, Horse trailer as well as are built for durability against some nasty conditions not Princess appointments for appearance. Need it for Sleeping, Feeding, staying Dry and comfort level temps, MAYBE a little skin contact session or two, hauling motorcycle.
Edited by DMiller - 16 Jul 2024 at 5:09am
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DanWi
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Posted: 16 Jul 2024 at 8:54am |
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Friends have tried a few different options. They had a big 5th wheel with slide outs , toy hauler they could get a Harley trike and Harley bike in. Pulled by a diesel dually pickup. Too big. Then thegot a lite weight tandem they could pull with a Volkswagen diesel SUV. They could put the Harley trike in the back. Last winter they went to Arizona for a couple weeks I think they took the Harley on a trailer behind the SUV and stayed in motels or BnB's. They ended up buying a sprinter style RV in Arizona. They haul the bike in a trailer behind and said it's a good fit for them. They got hooked up with the network where you can pull in and stop for the night that costs little to nothing. Your just suppose to patronize local business. Some are farms one was a brewery, a distillery, another was a small town that allowed overnight camping close to a little cafe.
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Gary
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Location: Peterborough,On
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Posted: 16 Jul 2024 at 8:55am |
Have you looked at 5th Wheel Toy Haulers? See attached. In 2016 I bought a used 2011 Forest River 40 ft 5th Wheel XLR Toy Hauler. It has a full width rear ramp entrance to a 12 ft. garage capable of hauling 3,000 lb. Room to haul our Harley Trike, 2 Tricycles, and a house type Recliner Chair. Also a built in On Board 5500 Watt Onan Generator for overnight FREE stops at Truck Stops. Have spent every winter since 2009 down South. Tow with Silverado 2500HD Duramax, trailer loaded around 13,500 lb. Gary https://www.kijiji.ca/v-travel-trailer-camper/calgary/2014-5th-wheel-toy-hauler/1697054381
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DMiller
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Posted: 16 Jul 2024 at 5:02pm |
Every toy hauler we have looked to was really terrible for damage or neglect, owners or Dealers expecting Top Dollar regardless and would not negotiate as ‘were the in Demand Toy Haulers’. During Covid they became indispensable as well priced to the moon. All so many are so upside down in them Cannot Negotiate down.
Was the primary intent as agreed to the project truck to tow one as pricing then was not insane.
Edited by DMiller - 17 Jul 2024 at 5:14am
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DMiller
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Posted: 17 Jul 2024 at 5:21am |
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Wife discussed this again last night. She is now uncertain if will meet HER needs, ability to shower and run water continuously is NOT an option even in a Toy Hauler or conventional RV. Typically one rinses down, stop water, soap up, wash without running water and then rinse down, 2-4 gallons. She had many misconceptions as to how things worked, and now that has been educated may not want to even go here. As she became more aware of limitations she also was not sure could tolerate smallness, I have spoiled her as to that. She grew up one of four kids in a three bedroom 1100sf 1 & 3/4 bath ranch frame house, her Dad a Carpenter and kept things adjusted as children grew up and moved out. She has not ever not had roominess or places to keep 'Stuff' since we married.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 17 Jul 2024 at 8:28am |
WE had a RV trailer whent he kids were small.. When you camp, they need to get OUT and play, move around. When the kids left we sold the trailer. Wife wanted to get another, but we discussed the $$$.. We were not full tiime travelers.. Couple weeks out of the year or 4-5 weekends was what we were looking at.. Decided that cheaper in the long run to just pack up the SUV and travel to the area and stay in a hotel for 2-3 days while we saw the sights.. YEA.. you got to go to food places instead of cooking in the camper, but that was NOT what she had in mind.. Setting around the camper and washing dishes..
WE thought if you spend $2 -3000. for a vacation and it cost 10 X as much to buy a camper, that it would be cheaper in the long run with the small payouts... The "vacation" idea faded away within a few years as we got older.. Not having the camper setting here taking up room and dropping in value every year is a blessing.
You have to have a LONG TERM goal when you spend that kind of money on an RV... Your in it for the long haul at that point.. If you like to travel several weeks out of the year and live in a box, OK ..........Not me.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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DMiller
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Posted: 17 Jul 2024 at 6:06pm |
Won't be 'Living in a Box', Sleeping, perhaps catching the news and maybe finish eating a snack yes. Intent is to Stay OUTSIDE the Box, on the Bike, Touring the sights to see. End the day on our Own Bed and in our Own little world.
Nasty place pull off to, find another gear and change it, cannot do that for hotels/motels. Not looking for a $65,000 RV, looking at 20-30-up to 36,000 for a trailer can be used for other purposes and retains much of their value.
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DMiller
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Posted: 19 Jul 2024 at 3:38pm |
Cowtown seems to be THE place for answers to real questions, Tape in Hand and measuring as went. Wife made notes, Liked as she looked and defined a playing field set of dimensions for a LQ Trailer. Should she hit the Lottery can even buy a Toy Hauler series from most producers now. Other side of Coin, will need to either build a Flip Over or Drop Ball for these as Fifth wheel both TOO Tall even to place a pin type in the trailer and too far forward with it all the way to backstops. 39" to Goose Hitch is Typical with a few inches to adjust Up or Down, cannot get above 43" with a standard pin and Wheel Face sits at 52".
More Enganearing to come.
Edited by DMiller - 19 Jul 2024 at 7:51pm
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DMiller
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Posted: 21 Jul 2024 at 8:14am |
Y'all know full well 'ol Dave is crazy as a Pet Squirrel, well just ordered a Goose Ball weld in assembly to situate behind the Fifth Wheel Plate. Will set the ball at roughly 42" Hitch height which is adjustable on Goose Hitches. Frame height on KW is 42", the Ford Flatbed is Deck height 42"(Not sure how that happened as NOT Planned), ball height on the Ford is for a 39" Goose Hitch adjusted height where Four Inches is adjustable on a Goose Hitch, trailer side. Installed behind the Fifth Wheel Slide Plate situates the ball 14" Rearward as well so gain clearance will need for Any Trailer towed. Ball is designed turn over to Stow or even remove, 30,000lb Capacity.
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Codger
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Posted: 21 Jul 2024 at 8:58am |
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Glad you posted that link up Dave. I have a B&W hitch removed from an 08 F-250 I was going to cut the center from and use on my Mack B-61 being built into a steel landscape type flatbed with a hoist. Was planning to cut this one apart as didn't know the center section could be purchased separately.
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A career built on repairing and improving engineering design deficiencies, shortcomings, and failures over 50 years now.
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DMiller
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Posted: 21 Jul 2024 at 4:41pm |
Glad to be of Some help, at Times!!
Install could not be simpler in case interested.
Edited by DMiller - 21 Jul 2024 at 4:43pm
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DMiller
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 5:00am |
Package arrived last night, Well made and substantial material construction. Plate to install should be here latest by Monday or Tuesday.
In NOT using on a Pickup or ton flatbed will be modifying the Release lever mechanism for 1: access and 2: functionality. While aligning to install this noted had three bad torque arm bushing, Age Dry rotted. Called KW and was shocked the Old Style arms bushings are NLA, they are now installing a Aftermarket Type from ATRO Mfg. KW still sells the Big Aluminum Forged arms however are substantially Higher than the aftermarket and have to be Ordered as no longer a Stocked Item. New arms are Steel with Urethane Bushings as opposed to Rubber. Will be replacing ALL four as a Matching Set.
The replacements also aid in Space to install that Flip Over style ball hitch.
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plummerscarin
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 6:18am |
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Well, I guess that is an upside to it then
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Codger
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 6:38am |
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Nothing wrong with ATRO bushings. My preferred install and they will outwear the originals by about 3:1. Not that it matters in a hobby truck I know but the cost offset isn't that bad for the service provided.
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A career built on repairing and improving engineering design deficiencies, shortcomings, and failures over 50 years now.
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DMiller
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Posted: 25 Jul 2024 at 4:51pm |
Funny thing of ATRO, can remember as they First Started at Cuba MO, came to the shop I was working and sold us some of the Very First sets of Hendrickson Bushing systems. Easy to swap out for the Old stuff, know Three Trucks(Not used much anymore) STILL equipped and Still in decent shape with those we installed in 1986.
Outgrew their first facility, have long ago moved to St Clair MO.
SWEET looking young lady was THE sales Staff back then, the Owners Daughter, MAJOR Heart and Other Throb for many of us old Grunts. STILL a Grand looking Woman.
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DMiller
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Posted: 27 Jul 2024 at 3:50pm |
Started as early as usual this morning. Cleaned up and organized shop for the work. Start for real at 10, pulled fifth wheel two bolts broke, several not look so good so ordered replacements with Washers and New Lock Nuts, then set to swapping torque arms. Photos to follow. All four done by 2pm, Bolts appeared excellent shape, reused all. Managed to get all the Zip Ties restored then de-scabbed rust on Frame Flanges and fifth wheel mount angles, painted with the Encapsulating paint used on the Ford. Have two angles still here was going to use to Set fifth wheel rearward, should work fine for Goose Ball plate that is also here. So working on Goose hitch tomorrow.
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DMiller
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Posted: 27 Jul 2024 at 5:59pm |
Pics
Edited by DMiller - 27 Jul 2024 at 6:01pm
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DonDittmar
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Posted: 29 Jul 2024 at 12:22pm |
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I like ATRO too, they make a fine product, just remember this important detail that ATRO will NOT tell you: Rubber absorbs vibrations, poly TRANSMITS it. Whatever driveline vibrations the OEM rubber bushing absorbed are now being transmitted to other parts of the truck. Any rubber bushing left on the truck will now have to pick up the void left from the OEM bushings being gone. Poly outlasts rubber 3-1 partly because its not doing the job the rubber bushings did, its just passing it along.......
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Experience is a fancy name for past mistakes. "Great moments are born from great opportunity"
1968 D15D,1962 D19D
Also 1965 Cub Loboy and 1958 JD 720 Diesel Pony Start
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tadams(OH)
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Posted: 29 Jul 2024 at 12:34pm |
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As handy as you are why not build a box on the back of the cab, you have the bed ( bunk in cab) all you need is a bathroom with shower and living and dining area and entry door with steps.
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DMiller
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Posted: 29 Jul 2024 at 4:35pm |
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Truck is registered Truck Tractor by MO State standards, to add a living quarters and defeat the Semi Truck part would have to be retitled to RV per MO SHP. Once swapped cannot return to a Functional Semi truck or any other manner of truck.
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DMiller
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Posted: 29 Jul 2024 at 7:04pm |
Rains put me off work today so worked on Hitch, down to awaiting on bolts have ordered.
As progressed Angles installed yesterday and plate drilled on truck to 5/8", side note, the drillings are set to the same repeat pattern of 4" and 8" stagger on the fifth wheel table, that is in keeping with original intent to set fifth wheel rearward just at 12" when bought those angle irons. Plate was ordered 40" width for the installed Angle Iron dimensions.
Next was fabricate the hitch
Are 2" diameter holes on each side brace against new hitch pocket, was trying to determine how to use the supplied release, then decided a Conventional Cat4 hitch Pin was the ticket as not intending to swap the ball a lot and pin area is relatively accessible for truck rear so no need for the Under Bed release as on flatbeds.
Top of hitch is still devoid of Chain Loops, ran out of steam today The reason for ball location toward front edge is clearance to the Torque Rod attachment on third member, the air suspension on the truck has a Dump Feature and that comes up pretty close as reaches axle stop blocks.
Is still one foot further rearward to center of ball than center of Fifth Wheel pin at full rear stops.
Edited by DMiller - 29 Jul 2024 at 7:19pm
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DMiller
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Posted: 04 Aug 2024 at 12:13pm |
As of this morning, All is Complete. Hitch and Bolting for Fifth Wheel all done. Ride height is a Tad High, 43", can decrease bag height by 1/2" and trailers on Torflex axles have Dexter Sponsored 2" Risers possible so would be back to around 41 1/2" of Goose setting. Fifth Wheel still functional and suspension at full dump does Not interfere on New Hitch.
Ball retention has been settled to a Reese Hitch Pin. Seems to Semi Lock the pin inside the bore as must be swiveled Up on angle bent end to remove.
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plummerscarin
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Posted: 04 Aug 2024 at 12:44pm |
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Nice work!
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