What did you do to your Tow Vehicle today?

[SMS1115]

The tires I ordered Saturday arrived so I had my tire guy install them today. It's nice being back on 15/32 of tread.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

Good thing we did I think as my Andersen No-Sway started acting up shortly after we got out of the monsoon-style rains that we were running in the first couple of hours. The tapered shaft that turns with the trailer to provide the anti-sway bound up making it really hard to make sharper turns like getting off/on the freeway and in/out of fuel pumps. It was quite dry and dusty the whole week until just before we left. I suspect that there is a sand/dust/water mix that worked it's way down into the friction material while driving through the downpours that is causing it to seize. So long as I re-adjusted the chains just before getting back on the freeway it didn't seem to affect the anti-sway. But it sure made one hell of a noise turning in/out of gas stations. I'll be calling Andersen this week to see what needs to be done to repair it.

Talked with Andersen support Monday and found out that dirt and moisture seeping into the friction cone does occur from time to time, however, it usually just makes the hitch somewhat noisy and removing the tapered shaft and cleaning the friction cone often fixes it. Complete binding like I experienced is apparently very rare. I had about 5000 miles on it when the problem started.

They shipped me a new friction cone - lifetime warranty so no charge. It arrived yesterday so I disassembled the hitch in preparation for installing it. I need to clean it with a soft-medium wire brush before re-installing. Here's some pictures of the unit after I disassembled it. You can see the dried water/dirt stain around the base of the ball where the water pooled as we were driving through the rain storm. You can also see thin chunks of the friction material still stuck to the tapered shaft after removal. There also appears to be some small aluminum filings embedded in the outside of the friction cone though it may be hard to see in the pictures.

The new friction cone is white and a little bit different material that is supposed to be more resistant to this kind of thing. It's pretty simple to remove the tapered shaft and either clean or replace the friction cone. I will now carry a pair of snap ring pliers in the trailer so if the need arises I can do a quick cleaning......

[Camper_bob]

Had to park her outside last night

DW had a technical problem with the mower last night while I was working late at the office, so she parked it in my truck's spot in the garage. She thought I'd like to work on it in the garage instead of out in the lawn.

Glad there are no storms scheduled until this weekend...

[Magnolia Tom]

I ordered an on board compressor so I don't have to haul around an air compressor to air up the air bags or in case I need air in a tire. Also going to add a very loud train horn. [emoji41]


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[ttavasc]

Gave it a good washing and changed the air filter.

[genxrainman]

Picked up this little gem for $250, the guy had it for a year setting in his garage and was looking to move it. Wow what a find, I'm still speechless.


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[jal0710]

Looks like it could use a little TLC, but looks like you got a great deal.

[33 RLDS]

All new coolant hoses and coolant and a fresh coat of wax and rain-x. Fort wilderness here we come !!

[Camper_bob]

DW had to drive it to a meeting today. She got all mad because "it rides too rough". She hit a "small" bump and spilled her coffee.

Come to find out she spilled her coffee all over the place! I told her she had to hit one heck of a bump to spill that much coffee!! She needs to stop running over stuff with my truck!! I've gone over the railroad tracks at 40 and not spilled a drop!

[Camping Grandpa]

Well it's been said that one shouldn't drink and drive.
I've spilled lots of coffee in my truck over the years.....then I discovered non spull travel mugs....and got a new truck with black interior.
Fixed that problem at least.

[SmokerBill]

Hooked up to my TT and pulled it about 100 miles east on WA State Route 20. Parked at the first Walmart I saw in Airway Heights, and bought some stuff in return for the privilege of overnighting here.

[goldenroads]

Upgraded from 17" 80 series to 20" 55 series tires. About 2" wider per tire and a higher load rating. And even a smoother ride. 3" Level Kit up front so I can still turn lock-to-lock, and untouched in the rear so the 5th Wheel setup should be relatively unchanged.

Pretty happy so far!!!

Just got my baby back from the shop and loving it!





And Finally got her home!

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by goldenroads

Upgraded from 17" 80 series to 20" 55 series tires. About 2" wider per tire and a higher load rating. And even a smoother ride. 3" Level Kit up front so I can still turn lock-to-lock, and untouched in the rear so the 5th Wheel setup should be relatively unchanged.



Pretty happy so far!!!



Just got my baby back from the shop and loving it!











And Finally got her home!

Looks great! Did you need to add spacers between the rear duals?

[goldenroads]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

Looks great! Did you need to add spacers between the rear duals?

NOPE - the new wheels have MASSIVE offset to them. They have a neat interlocking setup between the inner and outer wheels that is supposed to give it more support/rigidity as well.


Only thing we couldn't do is add wheel balancer weights on the outer rims -there is literally NO space on the inside and I wasn't going to have them stick on weights on those shiny black wheels. Went with silicone beads instead. The shop stands behind them and the internet/youtube research I did on them sounds like they will work -as long as I don't go "full smoke show" and burn up my new tires. Took them on the highway on the way home -no vibration, all good. (So far!)

[DrtEmaxChvy]

Originally Posted by goldenroads

Upgraded from 17" 80 series to 20" 55 series tires. About 2" wider per tire and a higher load rating. And even a smoother ride. 3" Level Kit up front so I can still turn lock-to-lock, and untouched in the rear so the 5th Wheel setup should be relatively unchanged.



Pretty happy so far!!!



Just got my baby back from the shop and loving it!











And Finally got her home!

That's the exact truck I wanted. And those wheels and tires are stunning. Well done.

[goldenroads]

I freaking LOVE that truck!!!
Thank you!

[edatlanta]

Nothing as exciting here as new tires/wheels. I'm off today to pay my tag renewal for the next year. As well as my fifth wheel, scooter, and utility trailer.

[genxrainman]

Installed new P3 Brake controller, thanks to all the wonderful reviews found on here. The plug and play install was a breeze.


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[goldenroads]

Originally Posted by edatlanta

Nothing as exciting here as new tires/wheels. I'm off today to pay my tag renewal for the next year. As well as my fifth wheel, scooter, and utility trailer.

that was my day today too! Just had to renew my license for the truck, my wife's van, and 3 quads that require plates and insurance because we use them in provincial parks.... $250 for just the license plate renewal. Insurance on top of that.... $$$$$$$!!! But fun, very fun!!!

[genxrainman]

Installed trailer receptacle in the bed of the truck, used a real nice plug and play system that has two plugs. One for the factory tow hitch and the other plugs into the truck wiring.


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