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Topic: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS (Read 1911 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #25 –
It isn't the lifting so much as it is the pulling that concerns me. Certainly, the structural components low in the structure are put under tension while the upper parts are put under compression while lifting one end, because of the angle. Then going down the road we add the dynamics of road irregularities, and the push and pull of stopping and starting. The steel wall framing of the super structure with its diagonal bracing provides a lot of resistance to compression. It is the basement structure which will be under tension and the weakest point of that assembly is the rear bulkhead joint. Normally, the largest forces putting the bulkhead joint under tension come from the retarder. It is plenty strong to resist that force unless compromised by rust. I don't know how towing it from the rear compares, but I think it would be more constant tension from the lift angle and just resistance from drag etc.
Hopefully, It came through fully intact, as the super structure is very strong.
Don
Quote from: krush –
Do you mean picking the coach up from behind the rear axle? Picking the coach up by the rear axle is arguably similar to driving down the road (provided the angle lifted isn't too great . Agree with the "frame" behind the rear axle is designed to hold the engine, not lift the coach

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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #26 –
Quote from: cajk –
Yes.  She said "...rear axle rearward...", that is, anywhere behind the rear axle.

Exactly and thank you Chuck.  I guess I should have been more clear that I was talking about the frame, but since Mark stated the following I didn't think it was required at the time:

Quote
Hence, the reason he chained the differential to the upper frame so it wouldnt just hang going down the road..
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #27 –
I had our 93 U280 towed by the rear end last spring. Don't recall exactly how many miles but there was no damage to the rear bulkhead.I tested the rolloks at 25 foot for pounds and they checked OK. Noticed this year I have a bit of resealing to do but it looks pretty good back there.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Roland Begin –
I had our 93 U280 towed by the rear end last spring. Don't recall exactly how many miles but there was no damage to the rear bulkhead.I tested the rolloks at 25 foot for pounds and they checked OK. Noticed this year I have a bit of resealing to do but it looks pretty good back there.

Roland


Thanks Roland.. :)

I noticed the front bags (front wheels) are still aired up....  I don't know what the wrecker driver did or didn't do..







1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Mark of Houston –
I noticed the front bags (front wheels) are still aired up....  I don't know what the wrecker driver did or didn't do...
He just manually filled the bags.  The fact that they are holding air is a good thing!  There are many check valves and solenoid valves in the air system - now you know at least some of yours are operating properly.  You really need to procure a air system schematic for your coach.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #30 –
Quote from: cajk –
He just manually filled the bags.  The fact that they are holding air is a good thing!  There are many check valves and solenoid valves in the air system - now you know at least some of yours are operating properly.  You really need to procure a air system schematic for your coach.

Barry sent me an air schematic. thanks..  I think it's written in Greek  :)
1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #31 –
Mark,

Here is the repair manual for the HWH computer controlled air leveling system you have in your U300. It is in super easy to follow, step by step instructions with diagrams. It is in PDF format so download and keep with you as you travel.

You are getting to the stage where you will have to start replacing airbags. Check for erosion where you can see the cords. They are very thick in construction so can crack a lot before they start leaking. See older posts for directions on how to change them. If the compressor starting cycling often, you may have a leak. A tubeless tire plug may temporarily stop the leak until you can drive to have it changed. A serious leak may drop the coach until the tire touches the top of the wheel well. The other airbag next to it may not lift the coach off the tire. Ours didn't. Driving with the tire touching will damage the coach and could catch it on fire.

http://www.hwh.com/ml11148.pdf

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #32 –
Also we've put 20,000 miles on our coach with a tiny bit of separation right under the water outlet and one missing bolt (all others torque up).  So it's not necessarily immediately dire (though I am no longer of the opinion that mine can safely be ignored)

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Here is the repair manual for the HWH computer controlled air leveling system you have in your U300.
Pierce, Mark will have the manual air leveling system - no HWH anything on pre-'92 U300's.  I recall giving Mark the leveling instructions on one of his prior posts.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #34 –
Quote from: JohnFitz –
Pierce, Mark will have the manual air leveling system - no HWH anything on pre-'92 U300's.  I recall giving Mark the leveling instructions on one of his prior posts.


Thanks Pierce,

Yes,  correct John ...  I have the manual 3 floor levelers to the left of the drivers seat on mine..  and thank you for your files

Barry sent me 11 files on the air etc..  all PDF..  I sent them to staples copy center and had them all printed up in legal size

Anybody that sent me files pertaining to my coach over the last 1.5 month's,  I've had printed up..  pretty soon I will have the whole owners manual and it will have only cost me $500.00 :)  maybe I should call Foretravel to see if they have the book available for purchase.

I don't have a printer..  I do, but my computer is too old and it's not compatible the newer printer.  Staples, yesterday didn't receive the electrical schematic I sent them. so i had to get on their computer at 30 cents a minute, find it and copy to legal size, 3 pages..  it cost me $8.50 for 3 printed pages..  but i saved myself a trip home and back again..  (rolleyes)  :)


1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #35 –
Sorry, had the 1993 U300SE that was on eBay on my mind as I had just finished looking at it.

I wish we had the manual system!

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #36 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Sorry, had the 1993 U300SE that was on eBay on my mind as I had just finished looking at it.

I wish we had the manual system!

Pierce

 Your not the first person that's said that !!!
1989 Grand Villa, U300 6V92TA Detroit 40'
Mark, Houston Texas,  East Side

If you are so inclined to burn the American flag,  wrap yourself in it first please.

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #37 –
Quote from: acousticart –
It isn't the lifting so much as it is the pulling that concerns me. Certainly, the structural components low in the structure are put under tension while the upper parts are put under compression while lifting one end, because of the angle. Then going down the road we add the dynamics of road irregularities, and the push and pull of stopping and starting.

Been gone, but I just want to toss out this thought. If the coach is towed by the front axle or lifting front wheels, is it not "pulled" on the front bulkhead that normally experiences no "pulling"?
1998 U270 34'

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #38 –
A very excellent point krush

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #39 –
Front and rear bulkheads are the same design-- same number of bolts, same box beams.

The front weighs a LOT less (generally around 1/2) than the rear.  So lifting the front puts less stress on the bulkhead.

Also, the rear bulkhead is subjected to more degrading influences as spills in the wet bay can affect it.

Lastly, there is a lot more overhang in back, so the moment of torque on the bulkhead will be more if picked up way behind the rear axle.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #40 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
The front weighs a LOT less (generally around 1/2) than the rear.  So lifting the front puts less stress on the bulkhead.

Also, the rear bulkhead is subjected to more degrading influences as spills in the wet bay can affect it.

But if lifting by the wheels or axle--what carries the weight when the tow truck isn't around?

I do agree, don't lift/tow from the rear frame behind the axle. But for intellectual honestly, some of these theories deserve at least a discussion.
1998 U270 34'

Re: I had the beast towed in yesterday , 89 foretravel :) A few PICS

Reply #41 –
I came across an RV that had gone over an embankment with just the back sticking up. I pulled one of the covers off our front, hooked a chain to our front hitch receiver and the other RV's rear receiver then pulled it up and back on the road using our 6.xx reverse gear. Never worried about the bulkhead and didn't even look at it afterwards. Pulled hard enough that the other RV's front wheels were off the ground when it was almost back up and high sided.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)