Yesterday was a gorgeous unusually warm day here in the Pacific Northwest. 80*, sun shining, perfect day to get things done on the T@B day...HA! Armed with my bolt for the trailer jack, tube, ends, straps, nuts, bolts for the waste hose storage tube, spare tire rack kit with "U" bolts to attach to the front jack tube, and all necessary tools, I set out to install, conquer, and modify. Chest proudly puffed out, I set about my modifications. First, jack crank bolt. Remove top from crank assembly, remove pin holding crank handle, remove handle, install bolt, replace pin, test (thanks Dale!), replace top, done! Confidence building, now for the next task...remove spare from underneath trailer. Air gun in hand, proper size socket for nuts securing spare to holder...under the trailer I go. (This is EXACTLY why I wanted to do this mod!) BRRRIP, BRRRRIP, bolts off, spare now wedging air gun between trailer, and ground.
After a couple of minutes of squirming, moving, sliding, finally freed air gun, and slid spare out. Grabbed wrench to remove spare mount, successfully removed, crawled back out, and reminded self that this is why I'm doing this. Picked up spare, began rolling towards front of trailer, HMMMM, this feels really soft. ( NOTE TO ALL: CHECK THE AIR IN YOUR SPARE!!!! Mine only had 10 psi.) Ok, compressor is going, grab air chuck, and air gauge. Proceed to fill tire with recommended amount of air ( mine takes 50 psi, and I know it will lose some over time if not in use), grab air gauge, check air, still low, add more. Go to check again...POP!
The ONLY part that was left in my hand was the little round top that goes on the valve stem, the rest (spring, tube, gauge, and plunger) were strewn all over the driveway! NEVER in 30 years being in the tire business has that happened before, NEVER! After gathering said parts, going to trash can and depositing said parts, found back-up air gauge and filled tire to proper pressure. (should have had a clue at this point, it wasn't gonna get better!)
Now, spare tire rack. Got kit, and spare tire, proceeded to install tire on said rack. Bolts through back side into square form-fitted holes, check. Now reading directions as to avoid any further complications, 'place washers, lock washers on to bolts', check. Use supplied nuts to secure bolts to rack........NO "supplied" bolts! Ok, I'll just "mock" it up, and get the bolts tomorrow at the hardware store, no biggie. Finish installing "U" bolts, rubber spacer, and nylock nuts on jack tube...done, finish tomorrow. Next, waste water hose tube.
Now, since things had started to already go awry, I thought (thank goodness), I'd better give this a "test" fit before gluing the ends on. Laid 4", 60" long pipe on ground, grab waste hose, insert straight , trailer end......too big to fit...REALLY? Ok, flip it around, try the other end...same thing to big to fit inside. At this point, frustration building, I thought, "Better just pick stuff up, and call it a day" HA, HA!
get everything picked up, turn around to make sure I got it all, and just happened to look at the front of my truck for some unknown reason before closing the garage door......
...broken right front headlight! I had been NO WHERE near the truck the whole time.
That's it, I'm going to drink a beer, I've had about enough for one day. Off to the Man Cave I go, retrieve said beer, open top, take a drink, phone rings......
I can see on the caller ID that it is my DW Liz. "Yes, dear, what's up?" Reply "I just wanted you to know, I got the shelf for the inside of the trailer with the brackets so you can put it in tomorrow" Reply..."Thanks dear,
, I'll see you when you get home, love you." Reply, "love you too, see you soon". Hang up. At this point, I had the choice to either laugh, or cry, I chose laugh, continue to drink beer, after all, tomorrow IS another day, and the good part is....I JUST re-stocked my beer supply!
Hope everyone has a great day!
Comments
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
2) No bandages were required
3) No animals were harmed
4) All broken/missing parts can be replaced, or acquired
5) I'm still smiling, it's just life!
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
PS: If you think a spare tire can be tricky to "drop," try a '54 Plymouth Hy-Drive tranny sitting on your chest when you're only 16 and weigh all of 120 lbs!! (Why?? Trying to impress the girlfriend whose car it was, of course.... )
Just glad when the spare dropped, I had my arm out of the way. I'd have sun-burnt knees and ankles today!
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
To mount to the jack tube, you'll need: two "U" bolts, with washers, and I would recommend NYLOCK nuts to secure the "U" bolts. Word of advise, take the mount with you, so you make sure you get the right size "U" bolts. I also bought a rubber "pad" spacer for use between the "U" bolts and the jack tube to avoid damage, and so it wouldn't have tendency to slide around at all. Another suggestion: Mount the spare tire to the tire carrier first, then put it up on the trailer frame for support. makes it a WHOLE lot easier to adjust the "U" bolts on the jack tube. Mine is all installed, I just have to get the two missing nuts for the space between the tire carrier, and the spare itself, I won't have to remove the carrier from the jack tube. Thank goodness!
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
Self preservation/ sanity thought...get more beer while I'm out & about!
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
And the BEST news? I got a great laugh outta it. Only cuz I've done worse. The bolts were loose on mah tire. I supported the tire with a coupla bricks as I screwed off the bolts. That worked until one brick turned over on it's side, with my hand and arm still under the tire. And it never fails, about that time, I have to take a bio break!
Now, to the headlights..... First, bear in mind, I'm working on a truck that is 45 years old, in good shape, but still, 45 years old. Headlight # 1) remove outer decorative ring (screws and holders pretty corroded) screws removed, ring off
2) remove inner screws attaching retaining ring for headlight (again, corroded) successful removing 2 screws, other one left, not so much, but still have room to remove headlight connector, and broken headlight.
3) plug new headlight in, check...no light....REALLY? Unplug, clean connector, apply dielectric grease to both light connections, and light, re-plug, still no light, wiggle connection, LIGHT!
4) Go get Liz (so I don't have to keep running back & forth, plugging, un-plugging, and turning lights on & off
5) finally, after cleaning, plugging, un-plugging, lights on, lights off...success, WHEW!
Now, to the other light...Same sequence as other side, right up to #2, then....not so good Tried to remove third screw, screwdriver end broke (flat tip) Now, bear in mind (again) I DON'T buy cheap tools! This was a Craftsman screwdriver I've used many, many times on rusty, corroded screws, with success. So...left the (ok) "stubborn" screw in, and did the same way I had done before. Now, down to #3, SAME scenario, plug in...no light....AGAIN, really? Finally, after on, off with plug, lights on & off, got it working. Putting everything back together was all good, until the trim ring decided to take a hunk out of my pinky! ( And just to think, yesterday I had POWER TOOLS, and no injuries!) Didn't even notice at first, until I looked up & thought, hmmmm, "don't remember any red paint around the truck", then Liz says "You know you're bleeding, right?" By this time, I just wanted to get things put back together. Finally got it all back together, re-checked everything more than once, high beam, low beam, off & on several times..DONE
On her way out the door, heading for work was..."So, you going to put the shelf in the trailer today?" Reply "Maybe tomorrow dear, I've had about enough fun for one day! Have a good day at work"
Good thing I bought more beer!
To be continued with the "shelf saga" tomorrow!
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
Two trips to the west coast & back, one to KC & back, west coast from Berkeley to San Diego, east coast from Montreal to WDC... lottsa memories! Still wax nostalgic every time I see one of those old trucks. Rings around the headlights? Yep, BTDT, too! (Always used a lot of Nev'r-Seize!)
Had about 250K on it when I let it go. Was just thinking the other day that I miss our old DM T@B in a very similar manner! Simple, sturdy, maybe a little crude, but effective. Note: Still have dreams about that Blazer!
The rings around the headlights are what hold the light to the housing. Separate adjuster screws though, and they still work. Chrome 'square' around the ring that affixes to the grill.
Intend on keepin' the ol' truck 'till she dies!
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
2017 T@b 320 - 'Smokey' 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport - 'B@ndit'
Dave - Tuscaloosa, Al
Thanks for the laugh! (RDWHAHB!)
2014 T@B CS Maxx
TV: 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI (diesel)
Martha Lake, WA
@dmerzbac I made one last weekend but it is too narrow for both Rhino hose end caps so right now they are in a plastic grocery bag hooked over the propane knob. I used a 4" wide, 60" long pvc pipe(as someone had recommended, can't remember who), end cap that I gorilla glued on, and a fitting for the other end that includes a screw on cap. I need to take pics.
2016 NuCamp 320 T@B Max S
T@bbey Road
Appleton, WI
@dmerzbac, I'm still kicking that one around for the sewer hose. Until I come up with something that will accommodate the hose with both ends still attached it will live in the front tub when not in use.
@ScottG , No, don't start with beer, but at times make up for the fact that I didn't later!
@TerryV6 , I think I've had a little Gremlin following me around this week. I didn't even mention some of the other mishaps that have occurred around the house! Thinkin' about just takin' the day off today. At the most, go out & measure and cut for the shelf mod. Funny how it's the simplest things that go sideways the most.
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
M@bel M@y, my 2017 T@B Outback Max S (silver w/black trim), towed by Maude Myrtle, my 2016 Jeep Rubicon Hardrock.
I had the same "mystery puddle" in my '72 P/U, and found out when I had a new windshield installed, they didn't get the corner of the windshield gasket seated properly and it was leaking down the door post on to the floor.
Sounds like horrible workmanship on your poor T@B, and can't say as I blame you for taking it back! Hope they get it back in to shape for you.
You and your brother now have some memories that won't be soon forgotten, and you'll have a good laugh over them in the future. Hope your ankle and back are better, and on the mend.
Thanks for sharing, and let us know how things turn out.
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
M@bel M@y, my 2017 T@B Outback Max S (silver w/black trim), towed by Maude Myrtle, my 2016 Jeep Rubicon Hardrock.
Once 'ya get M@bel M@y outa' the T@B hospital, you can enjoy her without the frustration and relax!
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
Didn't have the heart to tell her I already re-stocked yesterday. After all, a guy can NEVER have enough beer supply!
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf
Amazon has this. I have the 15 foot rhinoflex mounted on the passenger side tongue. All I do is separate the orange sewer hose seal, slide in either end of the rhinoflex with caps intact including the opaque elbow and the orange sewer seal is the last thing to go in the tube. No removing any edges either. Easy peasy. Ask Verna. Hey Verna - can you fit any more length of hose in your holder?
Valterra A04-0153XBK Black 64" EZ Hose Carrier