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| Trip Report [message #214442] |
Mon, 15 July 2013 10:48  |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Trip report – July 3-11, 2013. So we headed out in the (as yet unnamed) GMC for an 8 day trip to north Georgia. The first leg of the trip took us from Americus to Atlanta to see my 3 week old grandson Owen again. We also scoped out the parking arrangements since we’ll be in the GMC for a month while we take care of Owen in September. I need to have an electrician run a line from the house to a location closer to the street where we’ll be parked.
After a nice visit to Atlanta we entered the Hell that is Atlanta traffic and inched our way toward Lake Lanier, just north of Atlanta. After the monsoons we have had for the last 2 months, I hesitated to pull into the driveway at the lake house, but we found a level spot right up close to the house.
On July 5, Johnny Bridges came over and we wound up spending the whole day on my Onan 6000. Before he got there I managed to disconnect the low oil pressure switch, but in the process pulled the connector completely out of the board. In short order we had the board out and determined that it needed to go to Johnny’s shop at work in Atlanta.
After some mighty skillful soldering we decided that Chinese food was in order and headed for the buffet line. Pretty soon we were back at the coach with the board installed. It ran, then it quit. We re-removed the board and Mr. Bridges soldered every joint in the joint and a few more besides. Now it’s running good, although it has developed a rather pronounced oil leak.
Sunday afternoon, we headed north to Amicalola Falls State Park in north Georgia. As I pulled into the park I saw the warning signs: Warning! 25% Grade ahead. Well, I’ve never heard of a 25% grade but I’ve read about people going up 7 or 8% grades with difficulty. I got a running start and made it about a half mile (in the pouring rain) when the front wheels started spinning. I put it in Park, set the electrically actuated parking brake and had my DW sit in the captain’s chair with her foot on the brake. I went out and disconnected the toad.
We swapped places and she went around me in the Jetta to scope out campsites. I, confident in my ability to scale the mountain without the extra weight of the toad, put the shifter in Lo and slowly released the brake. Not only could I not go forward, I felt myself slipping backward.
With no place to turn around, I started slowly backing down the mountain. Cars approached and were waved around and finally a ranger pulled alongside and kept the traffic at bay. I backed down the entire stretch of the road covered and decided against another attempt. Long story short, the park allowed us to stay in a cabin and to park the coach right next to the mountain.
After I changed my pants, things got better.
The cabin was rather bleak and the rain never let up. We were allowed to have our 2 little dogs in a non-pet cabin because they didn’t have anything else to do with us. We stayed 2 nights and headed to Stone Mountain.
Stone Mountain Park was probably the highlight of our trip. I was glad to be back on flat land and the campground was vastly improved over the last time I was there. Since we had exhausted all other means of spending money, we opted for a deluxe lake front site with television hook ups and wi-fi. It was great and would have even been better for a family with children. Stone Mountain Park has a lot to do for families with children.
After another brief visit with my daughter Meredith and our grandson Owen - dad was at work – we headed for Americus. The Onan ran great and, since the temperatures were in the 70’s, we were relatively cool.
As I was unhooking the toad (after I kissed the ground in my front yard) I noticed a film of oil on the VW. A quick check of fluids revealed that the leak is coming from the Onan and, when running, the drip is pretty aggressive. I need to get it out to Ken’s pit to see what the problem is. Also, in looking for the leak I discovered that the sending unit for my recently-non-working speedometer is hanging loose. That’ll get fixed in the next day or so.
All in all it was an interesting trip. My little dog developed some sort of separation anxiety or claustrophobia and destroyed several of the cellular blinds. They were old and raggedy and ready for replacement anyway, but first we’ll have to figure out what’s going on with psycho dog.
Many thanks to Johnny Bridges for taking the day to work on my generator. You are a gentleman and a scholar. Also, thanks to Ken Henderson who kept me encouraged with telephone calls from the Left Coast.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report [message #214474 is a reply to message #214453] |
Mon, 15 July 2013 15:08  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Dan,
Is my memory correct that there's a 24% grade right in Branson? Maybe we
could have a "hillclimb" during GMCMI. BIG prize for anyone who makes it.
:-)
KenH
On Jul 15, 2013 10:24 AM, "Dan Gregg" <gregg_dan@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks for the report Stick. I certainly enjoyed reading about your
> adventure. I do believe one other has climbed that 25% grade that threw you
> off. I will stay clear of that monster. My most enjoyable grade to climb is
> Bert and Fay's out in Eureka Ca. Not 25% but a few miles of winding
> assention. First and only place I ever boiled my brake fluid, coming down.
> Let us know about the leak on the Onan.
> Dan
> --
> Dan & Teri Gregg
> Dexter, Mo.
>
> http://danandteri.blogspot.com/
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Trip Report [message #214492 is a reply to message #214442] |
Mon, 15 July 2013 16:46 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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Is it safe to assume that grade will not be anything we have to deal with in order to attend the rally?
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report [message #214495 is a reply to message #214442] |
Mon, 15 July 2013 16:55 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I wonder if you could back up the grade at the falls. I'll scope it out (with my toad, NOT my coach)
--johnny
--------------------------------------------
On Mon, 7/15/13, Stick Miller <stickmiller@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: [GMCnet] Trip Report
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Monday, July 15, 2013, 3:48 PM
Trip report – July 3-11, 2013. So we headed out in the
(as yet unnamed) GMC for an 8 day trip to north
Georgia. The first leg of the trip took us from
Americus to Atlanta to see my 3 week old grandson Owen
again. We also scoped out the parking arrangements
since we’ll be in the GMC for a month while we take
care of Owen in September. I need to have an electrician run
a line from the house to a location closer to the street
where we’ll be parked.
After a nice visit to Atlanta we entered the Hell that is
Atlanta traffic and inched our way toward Lake Lanier, just
north of Atlanta. After the monsoons we have had for the
last 2 months, I hesitated to pull into the driveway at the
lake house, but we found a level spot right up close to the
house.
On July 5, Johnny Bridges came over and we wound up spending
the whole day on my Onan 6000. Before he got there I
managed to disconnect the low oil pressure switch, but in
the process pulled the connector completely out of the
board. In short order we had the board out and determined
that it needed to go to Johnny’s shop at work in
Atlanta.
After some mighty skillful soldering we decided that Chinese
food was in order and headed for the buffet line.
Pretty soon we were back at the coach with the board
installed. It ran, then it quit. We re-removed the board and
Mr. Bridges soldered every joint in the joint and a few more
besides. Now it’s running good, although it has
developed a rather pronounced oil leak.
Sunday afternoon, we headed north to Amicalola Falls State
Park in north Georgia. As I pulled into the park I saw the
warning signs: Warning! 25% Grade ahead. Well,
I’ve never heard of a 25% grade but I’ve read
about people going up 7 or 8% grades with difficulty. I got
a running start and made it about a half mile (in the
pouring rain) when the front wheels started spinning.
I put it in Park, set the electrically actuated parking
brake and had my DW sit in the captain’s chair with
her foot on the brake. I went out and disconnected the
toad.
We swapped places and she went around me in the Jetta to
scope out campsites. I, confident in my ability to scale the
mountain without the extra weight of the toad, put the
shifter in Lo and slowly released the brake. Not only could
I not go forward, I felt myself slipping backward.
With no place to turn around, I started slowly backing down
the mountain. Cars approached and were waved around and
finally a ranger pulled alongside and kept the traffic at
bay. I backed down the entire stretch of the road covered
and decided against another attempt. Long story short, the
park allowed us to stay in a cabin and to park the coach
right next to the mountain.
After I changed my pants, things got better.
The cabin was rather bleak and the rain never let up. We
were allowed to have our 2 little dogs in a non-pet cabin
because they didn’t have anything else to do with us.
We stayed 2 nights and headed to Stone Mountain.
Stone Mountain Park was probably the highlight of our trip.
I was glad to be back on flat land and the campground was
vastly improved over the last time I was there. Since we had
exhausted all other means of spending money, we opted for a
deluxe lake front site with television hook ups and
wi-fi. It was great and would have even been better
for a family with children. Stone Mountain Park has a lot to
do for families with children.
After another brief visit with my daughter Meredith and our
grandson Owen - dad was at work – we headed for
Americus. The Onan ran great and, since the temperatures
were in the 70’s, we were relatively cool.
As I was unhooking the toad (after I kissed the ground in my
front yard) I noticed a film of oil on the VW. A quick check
of fluids revealed that the leak is coming from the Onan
and, when running, the drip is pretty aggressive. I need to
get it out to Ken’s pit to see what the problem is.
Also, in looking for the leak I discovered that the sending
unit for my recently-non-working speedometer is hanging
loose. That’ll get fixed in the next day or so.
All in all it was an interesting trip. My little dog
developed some sort of separation anxiety or claustrophobia
and destroyed several of the cellular blinds. They were old
and raggedy and ready for replacement anyway, but first
we’ll have to figure out what’s going on with
psycho dog.
Many thanks to Johnny Bridges for taking the day to work on
my generator. You are a gentleman and a scholar. Also,
thanks to Ken Henderson who kept me encouraged with
telephone calls from the Left Coast.
--
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza
Americus, Georgia
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report [message #214507 is a reply to message #214481] |
Mon, 15 July 2013 17:59 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Hmmmm...seems to me you probably just forfeited (No-Show). :-)
KenH
On Jul 15, 2013 1:39 PM, "Dan Gregg" <gregg_dan@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Ken Henderson wrote on Mon, 15 July 2013 15:08
> > Dan,
> >
> > Is my memory correct that there's a 24% grade right in Branson? Maybe we
> > could have a "hillclimb" during GMCMI. BIG prize for anyone who makes
> it.
> > :)
> >
> > KenH
> > On Jul 15, 2013 10:24 AM, "Dan Gregg" <gregg_dan@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks for the report Stick. I certainly enjoyed reading about your
> > > adventure. I do believe one other has climbed that 25% grade that
> threw you
> > > off. I will stay clear of that monster. My most enjoyable grade to
> climb is
> > > Bert and Fay's out in Eureka Ca. Not 25% but a few miles of winding
> > > assention. First and only place I ever boiled my brake fluid, coming
> down.
> > > Let us know about the leak on the Onan.
> > > Dan
> > > --
> > > Dan & Teri Gregg
> > > Dexter, Mo.
> > >
> > > http://danandteri.blogspot.com/
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> Ken, I like that. My plan will be to use Jim k's coach.
> :d
>
> --
> Dan & Teri Gregg
> Dexter, Mo.
>
> http://danandteri.blogspot.com/
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Trip Report [message #214536 is a reply to message #214442] |
Mon, 15 July 2013 20:49 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| Stick Miller wrote on Mon, 15 July 2013 11:48 |
<snipped>
As I was unhooking the toad (after I kissed the ground in my front yard) I noticed a film of oil on the VW. A quick check of fluids revealed that the leak is coming from the Onan and, when running, the drip is pretty aggressive. I need to get it out to Ken’s pit to see what the problem is. Also, in looking for the leak I discovered that the sending unit for my recently-non-working speedometer is hanging loose. That’ll get fixed in the next day or so.
<snipped>
|
Stick,
You don't need a pit.
Having chased an oil leak of my own (on a BF) and just doing the same on Guy's NH, the place to start is with a couple of cans of brake cleaner, one of spray on foot powder and all the sheet metal covers and the spark plugs removed. Oh, either pull the wire that goes from the points to the coil or put the plugs on the wires and leave them sitting on metal. You have to do this or you may damage that expensive coil.
As you are taking the six or so pieces of sheet metal off, look for clean places. Often the leaking oil will actually wash the areas closest to the leak so they look relatively clean.
You will need a small puller to get the flywheel off. When all the sheet metal is off (the collection of screws are in a closed jar), wash as much as you can with the brake cleaner. Now, put the flywheel on just snug. Now you can spin the engine with the started fast enough to make oil pressure and hopefully the leak will show it self. If it is shy and not very distinct, this is where the spray powder comes in. I still have some of the now unavailable spray on tracing powder, but at Shawnee they used spray on foot powder to the same effect. It worked well there.
The best candidate always seems to the be the oil filter adapter or its gasket. Next is the front timing gear cover. On a friend's, we were able to just snug up the fasteners and get the leak to a reasonable level.
I'm not actually sure that you can get an NH or BF Onan to not leak any oil (kind of like a British car or Bike), but you can get the leak rate to be low enough that you don't need to wash the toad all the time.
Let us know how it goes.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: Trip Report [message #214546 is a reply to message #214536] |
Mon, 15 July 2013 21:19 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Thanks Matt, This is something new. I check the oil regularly and this is the first time it has shown a decrease of any great amount.
Luckily, I think this happened right at the end of my trip since the oil coating on the car was not bad and with 2 quarts added, the generator seems to run just fine.
Looking at it, the drip seems to come from the back of the starter side (as opposed to the fuel pump side) but I'm really watching what is dripping off the sheet metal.
I agree, the pit won't do much good, but there is something comforting about being at Ken's shop. At least I have a shaded spot with a concrete floor on which to work.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report [message #214666 is a reply to message #214442] |
Tue, 16 July 2013 22:58 |
Nelson Wright
Messages: 147
Registered: May 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Stick,
I also encountered that 25% grade and just made it with my Smart in
tow on a dry road. It was foot to the floor, all 4 barrels screaming
and maybe 5 MPH til I got to a pull off about 3/4 of a mile up. I let
her cool down and called the Ranger station and told them of the
situation, they said if I made it that far I could probably make it to
the campground, which i did.At that time last fall I requested that
they warn all drivers before you make that left turn to the 1 mile 25%
grade.
Nelson Wright
Orlando, Fl. and Nantahala NC
78 Royal rear bath
On 7/15/13, Stick Miller <stickmiller@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Sunday afternoon, we headed north to Amicalola Falls State Park in north
> Georgia. As I pulled into the park I saw the warning signs: Warning! 25%
> Grade ahead. Well, I’ve never heard of a 25% grade but I’ve
> read about people going up 7 or 8% grades with difficulty. I got a running
> start and made it about a half mile (in the pouring rain) when the front
> wheels started spinning. I put it in Park, set the electrically actuated
> parking brake and had my DW sit in the captain’s chair with her foot
> on the brake. I went out and disconnected the toad.
>
> We swapped places and she went around me in the Jetta to scope out
> campsites. I, confident in my ability to scale the mountain without the
> extra weight of the toad, put the shifter in Lo and slowly released the
> brake. Not only could I not go forward, I felt myself slipping backward.
>
> With no place to turn around, I started slowly backing down the mountain.
> Cars approached and were waved around and finally a ranger pulled alongside
> and kept the traffic at bay. I backed down the entire stretch of the road
> covered and decided against another attempt. Long story short, the park
> allowed us to stay in a cabin and to park the coach right next to the
> mountain.
>
> After I changed my pants, things got better.
>
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| Re: Trip Report [message #214756 is a reply to message #214536] |
Wed, 17 July 2013 19:20 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Matt - thanks for the tutorial. Today I attempted to do a modified diagnosis without removing so much sheet metal. No luck. I took off the panel through which the oil filter passes and was able to get several cans of brake cleaner on some pretty crusty stuff. I thought I might get lucky and that the spray was just an accumulation of old leaks. Not so.
After my cleaning, I put the panel back on, made sure the oil filter wasn't the source of the leak and fired it up. After the oil heated up, I noticed a steady drip.
My next step will be to remove more sheet metal and (possibly) the flywheel, but I'm really tentative about pulling that wheel. I can replace the sheet metal (with lots of pictures and diagrams) but the deeper I delve into the guts of the beast, the less comfortable I am.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Stick
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trip Report [message #214811 is a reply to message #214770] |
Thu, 18 July 2013 07:03 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Quote: |
Matt Colie wrote on Wed, 17 July 2013 22:16
Also, DO NOT run the engine with the head covers, or any other sheet metal parts removed. It will overheat in less than 30 seconds.
Matt
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Glad you told me that. I assumed they were to protect me from getting burned.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: Trip Report [message #214813 is a reply to message #214442] |
Thu, 18 July 2013 07:44 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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the flywheel removal is very easy. if you have the correct puller. Broke a couple wrong pullers, and when i got the right one, it was off in 30 seconds or less, with very little effort.
see my blog post. shows a picture of the right puller. I borrowed mine from O'reillys. it was cheap if I wanted to buy it.
http://www.lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/2012/07/onan-repair.html
When I first got my onan running. it seemed ok. then I tried to use it to run the roof air on a trip, and it turned into a leaker.
the little bit harder part was getting the old flywheel seal off.
I replaced at that time, the oil filter adaptor gaskets, and the flywheel seal.
it has been not leaking since that repair at this time.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Trip Report [message #214815 is a reply to message #214442] |
Thu, 18 July 2013 07:56 |
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SeanKidd
Messages: 747
Registered: June 2012
Location: Northern Neck Virginia
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Nelson and Stick...What final drive were you running? I realize the FD won't prevent the tire spin but....do you recall how much fresh water/ black tank levels? Just trying to get a feel for the dynamics of our coach's CG.
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD Honda 6500 inverter gen.
Colonial Travelers
[Updated on: Thu, 18 July 2013 07:57] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Trip Report [message #214816 is a reply to message #214815] |
Thu, 18 July 2013 08:04 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I'm gonna have to look in the book for that one. Mine has been changed out multiple times and I really don't remember what it wound up with.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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