VACList Digest Saturday, January 11 2003 Volume 03 : Number 070
When replying to a message, please delete all unnecessary Digest text To unsubscribe or change to an e-mail format, please go to http://airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html Topics in Today's Digest: Re: [VACList] axle replacement Re: [VACList] axle replacement Re: [VACList] axle replacement [VACList] It's Home!!! [VACList] Where there is snow? Re: [VACList] Where there is snow? Re: [VACList] axle replacement Re: [VACList] axle replacement/out of the box [VACList] Mattresses [VACList] Virus? RE: [VACList] Virus? RE: [VACList] axle replacement/out of the box ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 09:17:02 -0500 From: "Mr. Joy Hansen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [VACList] axle replacement Hi Dick, I'm out of pocket for another few days and got too many irons in the fire to resume working with the axle thing. However, I settled on 22 degrees down as the starting angle. Without knowing the engineering specifics, it seems to me that the start angle will settle to about 10 degrees down with the trailer weight. I doubt that the torsion arm movement is more that 10 degrees during use. I'm going to up the weight of the axle by 10 percent as suggested by Andy. This means detuning a standard 3500#s axle to the weight needed for the trailer. For my Argosy, I plan to use two 3000# axles. The 5200# total for the original would then increase to near 6000#s- a bit more than 10%, but . . . I guess the most important thing is not to go too stiff and damage the structure like worn out torsion axles would do. Also, if the down axle begins at 15 degrees and settles at 0 degrees with load, then the wheel well might be impacted by the upward movement. These angles are in the Dexter specification sheets of the website and in the specification sheet made up by the Dexter rep. The engineer at Dexter will keep you on the straight and narrow when you have the specifications for the axle prepared. The only real problem is the shock mounting bracket. Dexter only installs one orientation and that has the tab pointing down rather than up as with the Henchen. I tried to get Dexter to weld a tab identical to the original before assembly of the axle as Dexter does for their assembly. Welding after assembly will void the warranty of the axle and most likely would weaken the torsion axle. Since most application of this type of axle do not use a shock, eliminating the shock altogether might be possible. Only the engineers of the list can tell about the high frequency vibrations that might develope. In the mean time, I'll just sit and read while I'm out of pocket. '69 Safari, Joy ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 09:59:35 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [VACList] axle replacement Would it not be possable to bolt a plate to the shock mount and have it extend upwards and mount the shock to it??? Jim Smith 1965 Tradewind(The Silver Abaltross) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 09:48:37 -0600 From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [VACList] axle replacement My old 1 ton flat bed truck was built without shocks on the rear. The duals hit the gravel road occasionally but otherwise rode in the air. The shocks I added keep the axle on the gravel more often than not now. It's important to know that the travel of the axle isn't so much as to put the tire against the wheel well. A "soft" suspension will allow more travel at the wheel and transfer less of the wheel motion to the trailer in rough terrain and that has to be allowed for. One of the old age failures of the original axle, besides settling lower is that the travel is limited giving the trailer the ride of an axle bolted nearly solidly to the trailer. Gerald J. - -- Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer. Reproduction by permission only. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 11:49:42 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [VACList] It's Home!!! Well after threats of a foot of snow and 30-40mph winds I made the solo journey up north through rain snow and ice to retrieve our new pride and joy '55 Sovereign. I took it to Burnside Rv in Gaylord MI. I would recommend them if in a pinch, I had them repack the bearings (as some of you suggested, thank you!) before making the 300 mile trip back. The service manager put 3 mechanics on it for me to get me headed south before the snow got worse. Had it done in less than an hour, including adjusting the hitch for me. Not pulling a trailer of any length/size before, I am very very impressed with the handling qualities of an A/S. I had no sway control and felt very comfortable towing it, even on snow covered roads. More details to follow.... Jason Jablonski 1955 Sovereign ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 13:37:54 -0500 From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [VACList] Where there is snow? Hello We are wanting to take a short (2/3 day) trip next weekend to someplace close that has snow. Since MLK day we will have a three day weekend and want to take the kids someplace where they can play in a little snow. We live in South Georgia, but we do not want to have to go very far North. We are hoping maybe 8 or 10 hour drive. Anyone got any good places that may interest us? Thanks Bobby '73 Ambassador (Heater is fixed) '02 Suburban 4X4 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 14:26:30 -0500 From: "T Meeker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [VACList] Where there is snow? We DO have snow in the mountains of North Carolina. Check out places that have ski resorts, there are campgrounds all over the mountain areas (well, almost!). There is still 'packed powder' on the slopes as we have had a very good year for skiers, it was an early winter 'up there.' Tom Meeker WBCCI 5303 - outside of Charlotte, NC From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 1:37 PM Subject: [VACList] Where there is snow? > Hello > We are wanting to take a short (2/3 day) trip next weekend to someplace close that has snow. Since MLK day we will have a three day weekend and want to take the kids someplace where they can play in a little snow. We live in South Georgia, but we do not want to have to go very far North. We are hoping maybe 8 or 10 hour drive. Anyone got any good places that may interest us? > Thanks > Bobby > '73 Ambassador (Heater is fixed) > '02 Suburban 4X4 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 13:28:19 -0500 From: "Mr. Joy Hansen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [VACList] axle replacement Hi Jim, I gave a minute thought to just tapping and bolting; however, I got some comments about a safety issue and abandoned that idea. Could weaken the tork arm or the bolts could work loose - could be disaster! :( Did you get anywhere with Southwest Wheel? '69 Safari, Joy Jim wrote: > Would it not be possable to bolt a plate to the shock mount and have it > extend upwards and mount the shock to it??? > Jim Smith > 1965 Tradewind(The Silver Abaltross) > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2003 00:16:00 -0500 From: "Paul P. Waddell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [VACList] axle replacement/out of the box I'm sure many people that play with Airstreams like myself love to color outside of the lines, think there is always a better/ cheaper way, etc... But, I also think in today's world that time is money. My question to every one that is doing an axle replacement is how much is your time worth? At a rate of $35.00 an hour, how long will it take with phone calls/emails/making/cutting/welding/ etc... to make up the difference in the price between all the above and just bolting a new axle up in place? There is something to be said for "out of the box". Maybe I just have more money than time (coming from a person that has three jobs!) I need things, that when needed to be replaced, can be done fast and easy. I know for myself when I have to do the replacement, I'll buy the axle that is the fastest and easiest to replace. And no, one of my jobs is not working for Andy (Inlandrv) or Henchen. Paul Waddell WBCCI/VAC 1270 66 Overlander 70 LY23' single Dick Parins wrote: > > Gerald J wrote: > > It would be better for the trailer for the spring rate to > match the load actually applied and that effective spring rate will > depend on the arm angle. > ----- > > This makes sense to me. Can anyone tell me how to determine the correct > arm angle? The axles are available with different angles. I know that I have > read that 15 degrees down is good but is that about where I want a new > axle to start? Or is there a way to calculate the spring rate at different > angles and different weights based on information the manufacturer > should have if only I knew enough to ask. > > Joy I'm still hoping to get an update on your axle replacement project if your > out there. > > Thanks, > > Dick > '62 Bambi > -- > __________________________________________________________ > Sign-up for your own FREE Personalized E-mail at Mail.com > http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup > > Meet Singles > http://corp.mail.com/lavalife > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > When replying to a message, please delete all unnecessary original text > > To unsubscribe or change to an digest format, please go to > http://airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 23:08:16 -0800 From: "Kathy Hunt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [VACList] Mattresses Just to clarify the old mattresses: In the late 50's-mid 60's the Original latex foam that was molded with air tubes inside was the epitome of quality mattresses and were not inexpensive but considered the very best bed available. If they were not well protected from oily residue through the bedding they would deteriorate more quickly but otherwise would last a long time. I have a pair of wing chairs from that era that only now, after 41 years, do they need to be replaced. I have been to many "foam" shops through the years and have never found any as satisfactory as the latex. Latex is much heavier than this newer plastic foam. My daughter recently purchased an Englander Latex mattress on the advice of their Dr. because her husband has back problems. They think it is the greatest thing that ever happened. In my opinion, I think latex foam is highly superior. Kathy ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 23:23:17 -0800 From: "Kathy Hunt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [VACList] Virus? Just received this message. Thought others may want to know. There was an attachment involved but I did not open it. Kathy Oregon's Best Internet's virus protection service has detected a potential email virus. This suspicious message has been quarantined in your Oregon's Best Internet Message Center: From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Movies Virus: W32/Sobig@MM (ED) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2003 05:50:10 -0600 From: lefty frizzell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [VACList] Virus? Probably. I got the same message about 3 times last night. Delete it and scan your drive. Lefty Frizzell http://home.earthlink.net/~leftyfrizzell - -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Kathy Hunt Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2003 1:23 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [VACList] Virus? Just received this message. Thought others may want to know. There was an attachment involved but I did not open it. Kathy Oregon's Best Internet's virus protection service has detected a potential email virus. This suspicious message has been quarantined in your Oregon's Best Internet Message Center: From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Movies Virus: W32/Sobig@MM (ED) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- When replying to a message, please delete all unnecessary original text To unsubscribe or change to an digest format, please go to http://airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2003 05:52:32 -0600 From: lefty frizzell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [VACList] axle replacement/out of the box Paul, I agree. Not everyone is qualified to do the job or physically able. I'd order the axle and then have some reputable shop install it. The last thing you need is to be going down the freeway and see one of your axles rolling across the road. Lefty Frizzell http://home.earthlink.net/~leftyfrizzell - -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Paul P. Waddell Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 11:16 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [VACList] axle replacement/out of the box I need things, that when needed to be replaced, can be done fast and easy. I know for myself when I have to do the replacement, I'll buy the axle that is the fastest and easiest to replace. And no, one of my jobs is not working for Andy (Inlandrv) or Henchen. Paul Waddell WBCCI/VAC 1270 66 Overlander 70 LY23' single Dick Parins wrote: > > Gerald J wrote: > > It would be better for the trailer for the spring rate to match the > load actually applied and that effective spring rate will depend on > the arm angle. > ----- > > This makes sense to me. Can anyone tell me how to determine the > correct arm angle? The axles are available with different angles. I > know that I have read that 15 degrees down is good but is that about > where I want a new axle to start? Or is there a way to calculate the > spring rate at different angles and different weights based on > information the manufacturer should have if only I knew enough to ask. > > Joy I'm still hoping to get an update on your axle replacement project > if your out there. > > Thanks, > > Dick > '62 Bambi > -- > __________________________________________________________ > Sign-up for your own FREE Personalized E-mail at Mail.com > http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup > > Meet Singles > http://corp.mail.com/lavalife > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > When replying to a message, please delete all unnecessary original > text > > To unsubscribe or change to an digest format, please go to > http://airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- When replying to a message, please delete all unnecessary original text To unsubscribe or change to an digest format, please go to http://airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html ------------------------------ End of VACList Digest V3 #70 **************************** When replying to a message, please delete all unnecessary Digest text To unsubscribe or change to an e-mail format, please go to http://airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html
