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Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

We had been up in New England for almost two months as of today and this morning I sent my son a text telling him we were headed home and how happy I was that I didn't have to get any of my tools out to fix anything during the entire time.

But my elation was short lived.  Leaving Seabrook, NH this morning and driving to our first overnight stop in Matamoras, PA neccesitated beating our brains out on I-84 through NY.  It was bad on the way up,  but apparently worse on the way south.

When I pulled off at the rest area where we usually spend the night a truck driver who pulled in right beside me came and tapped on my driver's window to tell me that my taillight was hanging out.  After the beating we (and the coach) had just taken I wasn't surprised and got out to take a look.  The pictures tell the story.

Apparently the exhaust tip came off and allowed the hot exhaust to travel upward inside the fiberglass body melting the wire looms and the taillight itself,  allowing the taillight to fall out,  hanging only by the bulb(s) wiring.

So,  we are in a safe place with plenty of fuel, food and drink, but I need a little info. 

The exhaust tip and clamp should be obtainable from NAPA or the like,  but I have some questions about the taillight; 

My taillights are OEM 1999 Ford Expedition, but the one pictured is too distorted to go back in its opening.  Am I correct in my assumption that it has to go in from the outside because of the pins that hold it in place?  Does
the thin black rubber gasket come with a new light assembly,  or is that gasket a FT idea?  I'm guessing it's FT.

I always carry some tape for any emergency requiring it but because of the heat distortion it's nearly impossible
to tape the taillight in place.

No matter what I can't leave here without a tailpipe tip and a working driver's side taillight.

Thankful the coach didn't catch on fire.  Lot of heat there.

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #1 –
Don't see a gasket mentioned with any of the replacement lens offerings online.
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: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #2 –
I wish the fuel taxes collected would be spent on fixing the roads. Is that too much to ask for?
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #3 –
Quote from: bigdog –
I wish the fuel taxes collected would be spent on fixing the roads. Is that too much to ask for?

Don't make me go there!  We moved to Tennessee 25 years ago from Mass.  I'm going to send Cuomo the bill.

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #5 –
If you are going to buy one new lens anyway you might consider the taillight conversion I copied off Don's coach.  There are some that are the same for a lower price. You have to use a converter like the one that came on the coach for towing, to not have to add a light for the turn indicator.

What did you do to your coach today VIII


CG Ford Expedition 97-02 LED Tail Light Black | eBay
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #6 –
I was born in Western Massachusetts, and moved to NH in 1975 and left there in 2015.
The one thing I learned is for any destination south of Philadelphia, it's better to take I-90 to Scranton, PA and turn left.  Between the I-84 road surface and Metropolitan NYC traffic the time works out to be the same.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #7 –
Thanks Chuck but I'm an OEM/incandescent guy.

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
I was born in Western Massachusetts, and moved to NH in 1975 and left there in 2015.
The one thing I learned is for any destination south of Philadelphia, it's better to take I-90 to Scranton, PA and turn left.  Between the I-84 road surface and Metropolitan NYC traffic the time works out to be the same.

Cool,  but maybe you meant Syracuse?

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #9 –
How about my beautiful stainless tailpipe tip that's laying somewhere in New Yawk, is it a 5" X 8" does anyone know?

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #10 –
Have to measure the exhaust pipe could be 3 or 4 inches on a 295
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Travelin' Man –
Cool,  but maybe you meant Syracuse?


Ohhhhh.  You're right, I-84 all the way to Scranton.  It's going to be close but if I get the Fiat/Siata done in time I'm (we're) traveling that way to upper Maine.  Screw it.. If I need to I'll set the cruise on 45.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #12 –
Quote from: red tractor –
Have to measure the exhaust pipe could be 3 or 4 inches on a 295

Red,  I measured it as 5" around but guessed at the length. I Thought it stuck out about 3".  Luckily I am close to NAPA, AZ and Advance.

Anybody know the length of it from fiberglass body to end of tip? I guess I could order one that's too long, use it to get home and cut it to fit when I get there.  I also need to know how the taillight snaps in.  Maybe a call to Xtreme in the morning. 

I can't believe that I traveled on that POS NY Interstate and left them a tip!!

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
Ohhhhh.  You're right, I-84 all the way to Scranton.  It's going to be close but if I get the Fiat/Siata done in time I'm (we're) traveling that way to upper Maine.  Screw it.. If I need to I'll set the cruise on 45.

You'd better slow down. I've never heard of upper Maine but I-84 is ceratainly a preview to Nothern Maine.

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #14 –

AP Products CTD-5000 Stainless Steel 5" Turn Down Exhaust Tip Amazon.com: AP Products CTD-5000 Stainless Steel 5" Turn Down Exhaust Tip:...

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Glen & Suzie
1998 U320 36'
Build #5366
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
2015 ATC Aluminum 20' Trailer
Previous 1996 U295 40'
Motorcade #17546
Stephenville, TX

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #15 –
Thanks but it's straight.
Where's Rbark when you need him? 

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #16 –

I replaced our taillights on our 2001 this summer with the following for $46.  It came with the gasket.

1992-1993-1994 Ford Econoline E-Series Van E150 E250 E350 Taillight Taillamp Rear Brake Ta... Amazon.com: 1992-1993-1994 Ford Econoline E-Series Van E150 E250 E350......

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Michael Hayley; Barry Brennan
2001 U320, 36', IFS, build #5909
Buster and Shelby, (Boxers)

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #17 –
I don't think mine are the same but thanks.

Is the exhaust pipe stainless tip proprietary to FOT?
I can't find anything that resembles a straight 5" X 8" or 9" stainless exhaust piece.

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #18 –
I have my old one I removed when I did the exhaust upgrade.. its curved.. free though ^.^d

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #19 –
I'm right here T-man! Go with the curved one. What do you need?
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #21 –
That's the one I have. I had to cut the 90 deg back as it was making too much dust in the driveway. I cut it and l clocked it a little to the drivers side to solve the dust problem. In my reply number 5, second picture shows how it came out after grinding the 90.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Dodged A Bullet On I-84 In New Yawk

Reply #24 –
Quote from: craneman –
That's the one I have. I had to cut the 90 deg back as it was making too much dust in the driveway. I cut it and l clocked it a little to the drivers side to solve the dust problem. In my reply number 5, second picture shows how it came out after grinding the 90.

Thanks C-man.  Yours looks good in the picture.