VAL Digest V1 #87

VAL Digest          Friday, December 5 2003          Volume 01 : Number 087




-----------------------------------------------------------------
When replying to a message, please delete all unnecessary Digest text

To unsubscribe or change to an e-mail format, please go to
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

Topics in Today's Digest:

Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction/Congrtulations!
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
RE: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
[VAL] was introduction, now uhaul truck
Re: [VAL] Our introduction
Re: [VAL] was introduction, now uhaul truck
Re: [VAL] Our introduction

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 09:38:37 -0800
From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

> Hi,
> We bought our 1966 Safari in March from the original owners.  We've
happily
> used it 4 times so far and hate to see it sitting in the driveway!  We
went
> to our first Airstream Rally with our local region 12 group a few weeks
ago.
>   We live in the San Fernando Valley, CA.  We have 2 kids who also love
our
> little trailer.
> Erica & Mitch

Hi E & M:

Welcome aboard.  Am in Region 12 myself but on the other end of the state.
Santa Clara Unit.  Pretty nice bunch of folks on the list and knowledgeable
too.  Lots of owners of the '66 thru '68 series to share experiences
(commiserate) with.

Have fun,

GQ '67 Safari
4082 in CA

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 10:44:58 -0700
From: "gshippen" <gshippen@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction/Congrtulations!

Congratulations Erica and Mitch,
What a great way to get your airstream.  Happy Trails, GAS
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Erica Haaseth" <eriboberi@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:42 PM
Subject: [VAL] Our introduction


> Hi,
> We bought our 1966 Safari in March from the original owners.  We've
happily
> used it 4 times so far and hate to see it sitting in the driveway!  We
went
> to our first Airstream Rally with our local region 12 group a few weeks
ago.
>   We live in the San Fernando Valley, CA.  We have 2 kids who also love
our
> little trailer.
> Erica & Mitch
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Wonder if the latest virus has gotten to your computer? Find out. Run the
> FREE McAfee online computer scan!
> http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 10:40:13 -0800
From: Glyn Judson <glynjudson@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

    All,

    From where you live, it seems that I too might be in region 12 as I'm in
Santa Monica CA.  We just bought a 1969 Caravel on eBay of all places and
are flying up to Sacramento next Tuesday to bring it down.

    We plan to rent a one way, 14 foot U-Haul box truck up there to tow it
with (very slowly).  I'm used to trailering a 25 foot sailboat at about the
same weight as the Caravel but with less windage.  Our route will be
Sacramento to Los Gatos to Monterey to Salinas and then south on the 101 to
Santa Monica.  Family elder care duties prevent a straight Route 5 southern
delivery.

     Any words of wisdom?

    Thanks,

    Glyn Judson
    1969 Caravel, don't know the hull/body? number yet.

> From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
> Reply-To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 09:38:37 -0800
> To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
> Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction
> 
>> Hi,
>> We bought our 1966 Safari in March from the original owners.  We've
> happily
>> used it 4 times so far and hate to see it sitting in the driveway!  We
> went
>> to our first Airstream Rally with our local region 12 group a few weeks
> ago.
>> We live in the San Fernando Valley, CA.  We have 2 kids who also love
> our
>> little trailer.
>> Erica & Mitch
> 
> Hi E & M:
> 
> Welcome aboard.  Am in Region 12 myself but on the other end of the state.
> Santa Clara Unit.  Pretty nice bunch of folks on the list and knowledgeable
> too.  Lots of owners of the '66 thru '68 series to share experiences
> (commiserate) with.
> 
> Have fun,
> 
> GQ '67 Safari
> 4082 in CA
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
> 
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 11:20:49 -0800
From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

>     We plan to rent a one way, 14 foot U-Haul box truck up there to tow it
> with (very slowly).

Hi Glyn:

Congrats on your new baby.  Re: the U-Haul truck.  I don't think you can
hook anything but the lights up to one of those.  I'd be surprised if they
even had an adequate hitch.  In any case, you almost certainly will not be
able to hook up the trailer brakes.  Could be asking for it.  Might be an
interesting converstion you would have with your insurance man in the event
of an accident on the way.  Long way from Sacto to Santa Monica, especially
the way you are going.  You actually would be safer in that situation on
I-5, IMHO.

But in any event, good luck, be careful, and have fun.

GQ '67 Safari
4082 in CA

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 11:22:05 -0800 
From: "Ross, Wyn" <WRoss@xxxxxxxxxx.co.washoe.nv.us>
Subject: RE: [VAL] Our introduction

Howdy Glyn,
I also purchased a vintage Airstream on Ebay (of all places). However, mine
was about 2000 miles from my home (Wisconsin and Reno). I was going to fly
to Wisconsin, rent a U-haul truck, and drive west. After doing the numbers,
I realized it would be cheaper to have the seller deliver it at $1/mile
(which I did). I insured it (for next to nothing) before the trip. It took a
little skin damage on the way out which was covered. Keep your eyes open for
a 1965 Globe Trotter this summer in your neighborhood. My son and I have a
month long surf trip planned (San Francisco to Baja).
Good Luck,
Wyn

- -----Original Message-----
From: Glyn Judson [mailto:glynjudson@xxxxxxxxxx.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 10:40 AM
To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction


    All,

    From where you live, it seems that I too might be in region 12 as I'm in
Santa Monica CA.  We just bought a 1969 Caravel on eBay of all places and
are flying up to Sacramento next Tuesday to bring it down...

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 13:27:17 -0600
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

Unless the present owner has just been working on the lights and brakes,
expect them to work at best intermittently. It would be a very good idea
to jack it up and repack the wheel bearings and inspect the tires very
thoroughly. Old tires coming apart can do massive body, cabinet, and
wheel well damage. Packing wheel bearings doesn't take long to
accomplish if its not badly needed and no parts are required and can
save parts on the road.

I fitted ST205/75R15 Titan tires to my '68 Caravel last year and gained
an inch of fender well clearance.

Its faster to go to Walmart and buy a new Bargman plug than to try to
clean the old one though the only critical need you will have are
lights. Then swap the plugs. The U-haul box truck should have enough
mass to handle the trailer in all but the worst of panic stops. Then
you'll wish you had working brakes and brake controller.

I'm not sure the Airstream has more windage than the 25' sailboat. The
Airstream slips through the air very cleanly.

Take a tool kit including lug wrench, large arc joint pliers (for the
bearing caps which may screw or pull, if hex they unscrew), cotter keys,
wheel bearing grease, curved claw hammer (for popping off the wheel
hubcap), 3/16" or 1/4" screwdriver for lights and electrical connector,
and a small pair of pliers for bending the cotter keys straight and
bending the new ones to lock them in place. A larger flat blade
screwdriver can be handy for the bearing caps if the aren't threaded. A
#2 phillips might be needed for working on signal lamps. A bit of scotch
brite would be handy for cleaning lamp bases. Later, put a little
silicone dielectric grease on the cleaned lamp bases to keep them from
corroding again.

A trailer or tire store that also does brakes could do the tires and
wheel bearings in one stop if you wanted to pay for it being done.

You might want to rent a set of magnetic mount car towing signal lights
(U-haul will have them) and stick them down to the back bumper of the
Caravel if its lights don't work. You sure want turn and stop some way,
and need markers only at night.

Gerald J.
- -- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 11:50:24 -0800
From: Glyn Judson <glynjudson@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

    Gary,

    I kind of don't have much choice using a U-Haul as we only own a Camry
wagon with a rated towing max. of 2,000lbs.

    The issue of the electric brakes has gotten my attention too.  What is
involved in adding the hardware  (temporarily) to the U-Haul so as to have
them operable?  

    The trip south will be over at least two days if not three and VEEEERRRY
slowly.  I'm thinking 45 to 50 MPH.  Is even that too fast?

    By coincidence we're going to Los Gatos to pick up an Equal-I-Zer anti-
sway hitch that I also bought on eBay.  I can't use it on the U-Haul as they
don't have the 2" square pipe welded to the rear, so that fact and the
possibility of no trailer brakes has me convinced to take it easy with a lot
of room in front of me.

    The hitch will be good for the possible day I do get a bigger tow
vehicle.  

    Do you think I could use my 1995 Camry wagon, V-6, automatic to tow the
Caravel up the coast about 20 miles to a state park if I took it real easy?
Or would that be too much for the transmission even on that short run?

    Thanks already to all for sharing the great information.

    Glyn

> From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
> Reply-To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 11:20:49 -0800
> To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
> Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction
> 
>> We plan to rent a one way, 14 foot U-Haul box truck up there to tow it
>> with (very slowly).
> 
> Hi Glyn:
> 
> Congrats on your new baby.  Re: the U-Haul truck.  I don't think you can
> hook anything but the lights up to one of those.  I'd be surprised if they
> even had an adequate hitch.  In any case, you almost certainly will not be
> able to hook up the trailer brakes.  Could be asking for it.  Might be an
> interesting converstion you would have with your insurance man in the event
> of an accident on the way.  Long way from Sacto to Santa Monica, especially
> the way you are going.  You actually would be safer in that situation on
> I-5, IMHO.
> 
> But in any event, good luck, be careful, and have fun.
> 
> GQ '67 Safari
> 4082 in CA
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
> 
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 12:53:08 -0800
From: Joann Wheatley <jwheatle@xxxxxxxxxx.edu>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

Gwyn:
  If you driving south on 101 from Los Gatos to Santa Monica, just north 
of San Luis Obispo you will encounter a 7% grade, "Cuesta Grade". You 
might want to stop at the truck brake-check area which will get you in 
a situation where you can get your tow vehicle into a lower gear before 
starting down the grade. That grade goes on for about 3 curvy miles so 
you will build up a lot of speed and if brakes are not there for you, 
it will get truly exciting to slow the trailer down to a manageable 
speed. There is a truck lane for slow moving vehicle so you could drive 
there in 2nd gear (or "Low") or whatever you have). But you definitely 
don't want to get to the top of that grade in regular driving gear and 
then try to control everything with the tow vehicle brakes along - 
you'll smoke 'em.
    I'll send you my phone number by private email if you'd like. I live 
in San Luis Obispo which is the town at the base of Cuesta Grade.
Jo Ann

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 12:58:40 -0800
From: Glyn Judson <glynjudson@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

    Gerald,

    What a treasure trove of information, thanks.

    The owner states that he's just checked both 12 and 110 v. lights and
they all work, the tires and brakes are new and that presumes that the
bearings have either been replaced or packed too.  That said, I'll check
everything for myself.

    What are your thoughts on temporarily installing an electric brake
system in the U-Haul?  Is that too much to expect to do myself?

    Thanks for the tool rundown, I'll put a kit together soon.

    Glyn

> From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
> Organization: Gerald N. Johnson
> Reply-To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 13:27:17 -0600
> To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction
> 
> Unless the present owner has just been working on the lights and brakes,
> expect them to work at best intermittently. It would be a very good idea
> to jack it up and repack the wheel bearings and inspect the tires very
> thoroughly. Old tires coming apart can do massive body, cabinet, and
> wheel well damage. Packing wheel bearings doesn't take long to
> accomplish if its not badly needed and no parts are required and can
> save parts on the road.
> 
> I fitted ST205/75R15 Titan tires to my '68 Caravel last year and gained
> an inch of fender well clearance.
> 
> Its faster to go to Walmart and buy a new Bargman plug than to try to
> clean the old one though the only critical need you will have are
> lights. Then swap the plugs. The U-haul box truck should have enough
> mass to handle the trailer in all but the worst of panic stops. Then
> you'll wish you had working brakes and brake controller.
> 
> I'm not sure the Airstream has more windage than the 25' sailboat. The
> Airstream slips through the air very cleanly.
> 
> Take a tool kit including lug wrench, large arc joint pliers (for the
> bearing caps which may screw or pull, if hex they unscrew), cotter keys,
> wheel bearing grease, curved claw hammer (for popping off the wheel
> hubcap), 3/16" or 1/4" screwdriver for lights and electrical connector,
> and a small pair of pliers for bending the cotter keys straight and
> bending the new ones to lock them in place. A larger flat blade
> screwdriver can be handy for the bearing caps if the aren't threaded. A
> #2 phillips might be needed for working on signal lamps. A bit of scotch
> brite would be handy for cleaning lamp bases. Later, put a little
> silicone dielectric grease on the cleaned lamp bases to keep them from
> corroding again.
> 
> A trailer or tire store that also does brakes could do the tires and
> wheel bearings in one stop if you wanted to pay for it being done.
> 
> You might want to rent a set of magnetic mount car towing signal lights
> (U-haul will have them) and stick them down to the back bumper of the
> Caravel if its lights don't work. You sure want turn and stop some way,
> and need markers only at night.
> 
> Gerald J.
> -- 
> Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
> Reproduction by permission only.
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
> 
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 15:48:36 -0600
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

I don't think U-haul will allow truck modifications. Probably a page in
the contract prohibiting that. To really have the truck master of the
trailer without trailer brakes might need a larger truck, like 18'. Then
it might have a welded on hitch ball too big for your Airstream. That's
another hurdle. In '68 all Airstream hitches used a 2" ball. A 2-5/16"
won't go in the hitch even with a big hammer. And a 1-7/8" ball rattles
a lot.

Very slow with a trailer is 35, some of us cruise at 50 with all systems
working perfectly. I could probably go faster (and did last week with a
tandem axle flat bed, loaded or empty), but with the Airstream at higher
speeds, I find cabinets too often emptied on the floor when I pause and
it seems like too much driving work. I know I create lines on midwest
two lane roads, but I'd have to drive 7 to 10 over the posted speed
limit to not make those lines, so I choose to remain calm at 50 and to
pull over a couple times an hour to clear the lines out if the road is
too crooked or hilly for most to pass.

It might be better to enquire about an Airstreamer already equipped for
towing to do that first move for you. Using a tow vehicle properly
equipped saves many worries and possibilities of damage. Experience
helps too.

Between air fare and truck rental, it might be more cost effective to
have the Airstream hauled on a slope bed truck, and to worry about
lights, bearings, and brakes later.

There are more limits to your Camry than just transmission. First thing
is whether there's enough structure to hook up a hitch to hold up 500 to
700 pounds of hitch weight and to stand the forces of the load equalizer
bars of the hitch to put some of the load on the front wheels. A tow
vehicle with the front wheels dancing along tippy toe gets to be an
overly exciting drive. The next problem is starting torque. No matter
how strong the hitch, if the combination of rear axle ratio,
transmission low gear ratio, and torque converter ratio don't put enough
thrust to the ground to pull the trailer up the steepest slope you
encounter (probably in the state park campground), its not going to
achieve the tow. The wagon may be geared a little better but it weighs
more to take away towing capacity. A trip to a hot rod shop changing the
rear axle gears to a higher ratio, say a change of about 4:3 (changed my
manual transmission F-150 from a load rating of 2200 pound to something
better than 4700 pounds by my figuring) could be a start. Cost me $480
in Iowa for that truck gear change nearly three years ago. I don't know
if Camry axle gears with alternative ratios for drag racing are
available though. Then you have to change the speedometer pickup gear to
correct the speedometer reading. Then the transmission needs a cooler.
If there is one now, its not big enough for trailer towing. Heat is a
big enemy of automatic transmission life.

You can get the same help with thrust by going to super low profile
tires, but you sacrifice ground clearance in the process. That is if you
use the same diameter rims as the originals. In a pickup it would be
possible to get the same thrust increase as I did with the gears, but
ground clearance would be only 3 inches and the gravel piles around here
are taller than that (as well as the snow today).

And there should be commercial haulers willing to quote on such a move.

Gerald J.
- -- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 16:18:54 -0600
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

I don't think U-Haul will allow adding a brake controller and the
associated wiring.

If you have the driving skill you could cobble a brake control like the
one I use with a button on the control that lets me run the trailer
brakes manually and then I can proportion them as I wish neglecting the
pendulum of the brake control but that takes the coordination of tap
dancing, chewing gum, rubbing your belly, and reading poetry
simultaneously. My dad's first camper built about 1958 worked that way
and I learned to drive it then.

The modern brake controller needs a mechanically solid mounting so the
pendulum can be calibrated to detect vehicle slowing. Then it needs to
be wired to 12 volts for brake power and to the brake light wire so its
enabled when the brake lights are on and so if the button is pushed it
can turn on the brake lights. Then it needs a wire to the trailer
receptacle. In my '98 F-150 that was mostly trivial. With a manual
transmission on the floor, I was able to mount the control so I can hit
the button with my right index finger while still holding on to the
steering wheel. The brackets to not cobble the dash were complicated.
But the wiring (with tow package in place) was trivial. Hook up four
wires of a Ford harness plug to the four wires of the same color on the
controller, mount the controller, plug in the connector and calibrate
the controller (its computer objects to loosing power so has to be
recalibrated after that). And it has to be calibrated for each of my
trailers and for the load on each. My flat bed tends to lock a brake
when empty and I stop too quickly, while I was able to make the
controller a lot more aggressive with a decent load. I suspect that
locking brake may be a little lose in adjustment, I'll have to check
that some warm day (at least a few degrees above freezing).

Be sure to get all the keys for all the doors and hatches from the
seller. Its a pain to open them without keys and a worse pain to lose
them on the road from not being locked.

Gerald J.
- -- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 14:41:15 -0800
From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

>     Gary,
>
>     I kind of don't have much choice using a U-Haul as we only own a Camry
> wagon with a rated towing max. of 2,000lbs.

Remember the CLICK & CLACK's (Car Talk) adage, "It's the stingy man who
spends the most".  Sooner or later you must face up to the fact that you
need a TRUCK or at least a tow vehicle with more BEEF than a Camry.  It's
scary enough coming down a grade or making a panic stop with a properly set
up tow vehicle.  I think I'd consider putting it on a flat-bed car hauler
for the trip down there if you can't come up with an adequate tow vehicle.
(Remember what Click and Clack said above)
>
>     The issue of the electric brakes has gotten my attention too.  What is
> involved in adding the hardware  (temporarily) to the U-Haul so as to have
> them operable?

As far as I know, there is no way to jury-rig a brake controller to work
with a rental truck as you would need to do in this situation.  Anybody out
there know for sure?
>
>     The trip south will be over at least two days if not three and
VEEEERRRY
> slowly.  I'm thinking 45 to 50 MPH.  Is even that too fast?

If you went 55 or 60 you would block traffic.  They'd run right over you.
Think it over.  That's why I suggested I-5 because of the number of lanes
and the straighness of it.  Even then you would be a sitting duck but people
could get around you.
>
>     By coincidence we're going to Los Gatos to pick up an Equal-I-Zer
anti-
> sway hitch that I also bought on eBay.  I can't use it on the U-Haul as
they
> don't have the 2" square pipe welded to the rear, so that fact and the
> possibility of no trailer brakes has me convinced to take it easy with a
lot
> of room in front of me.

So it doesn't have an adequate hitch.  You have to have a certain ball size
too.  On mine it's 2" but on yours I think it's bigger - 2 5/16"?  Anybody
out there know for sure?  Also consider that the trailer brakes not only
will allow for a shorter stop, but should keep the trailer BEHIND YOU as
well (hopefully).
>
>     The hitch will be good for the possible day I do get a bigger tow
> vehicle.

Do yourself a big favor and consider sooner instead of  later.
>
>     Do you think I could use my 1995 Camry wagon, V-6, automatic to tow
the
> Caravel up the coast about 20 miles to a state park if I took it real
easy?
> Or would that be too much for the transmission even on that short run?

(See above.....)
>
>     Thanks already to all for sharing the great information.
>
>     Glyn
>

Hey Glyn, I don't want to be a pessimist but please be careful about this
and take your time.  Maybe consider getting the trailer from whereever you
have to and find a place to store it in Sacto or thereabouts until you can
come up with a better method of getting it home.  A couple of months ago I
went to a Rally near Sacto and getting there and back from the Bay Area was
like a demolition derby.  I have another one to go to in January in just
about the same area and am not looking forward to the trip.  This ain't
Kansas, Aunt Em.

GQ '67 Safari
4082 in CA

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 16:49:47 -0600
From: "Jarrod White" <jarrodwhite@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

You could probably install an electric brake controller in about an hour. IF
(a super big if) I were considering doing it, I would use a motion based
sensor (I like the Prodigy). I would get it ahead of time and rig the power
to plug into the lighter (with a fuse in-line).  I would also buy a female
seven pin connector for the tow vehicle which has a separate plug for the
standard four pin connector (you just plug it into the 4 pin connector and
the wires for the lights on the seven pin connector work).  You would need
to run a wire from the cab of the truck to the back for the brakes (you
could probably duct tape it along the outside side of truck).  The only
permanent modification to the Uhaul truck would be drilling two small holes
under the dash for the brake controller mount.  You might even be able to
use heavy duty velcro, but it needs to be secure.  Proceed with this plan at
your own risk (and out of sight of U'haul).
 Jarrod



- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Glyn Judson" <glynjudson@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 2:58 PM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction


>     Gerald,
>
>     What a treasure trove of information, thanks.
>
>     The owner states that he's just checked both 12 and 110 v. lights and
> they all work, the tires and brakes are new and that presumes that the
> bearings have either been replaced or packed too.  That said, I'll check
> everything for myself.
>
>     What are your thoughts on temporarily installing an electric brake
> system in the U-Haul?  Is that too much to expect to do myself?
>
>     Thanks for the tool rundown, I'll put a kit together soon.
>
>     Glyn
>
> > From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
> > Organization: Gerald N. Johnson
> > Reply-To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> > Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 13:27:17 -0600
> > To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> > Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction
> >
> > Unless the present owner has just been working on the lights and brakes,
> > expect them to work at best intermittently. It would be a very good idea
> > to jack it up and repack the wheel bearings and inspect the tires very
> > thoroughly. Old tires coming apart can do massive body, cabinet, and
> > wheel well damage. Packing wheel bearings doesn't take long to
> > accomplish if its not badly needed and no parts are required and can
> > save parts on the road.
> >
> > I fitted ST205/75R15 Titan tires to my '68 Caravel last year and gained
> > an inch of fender well clearance.
> >
> > Its faster to go to Walmart and buy a new Bargman plug than to try to
> > clean the old one though the only critical need you will have are
> > lights. Then swap the plugs. The U-haul box truck should have enough
> > mass to handle the trailer in all but the worst of panic stops. Then
> > you'll wish you had working brakes and brake controller.
> >
> > I'm not sure the Airstream has more windage than the 25' sailboat. The
> > Airstream slips through the air very cleanly.
> >
> > Take a tool kit including lug wrench, large arc joint pliers (for the
> > bearing caps which may screw or pull, if hex they unscrew), cotter keys,
> > wheel bearing grease, curved claw hammer (for popping off the wheel
> > hubcap), 3/16" or 1/4" screwdriver for lights and electrical connector,
> > and a small pair of pliers for bending the cotter keys straight and
> > bending the new ones to lock them in place. A larger flat blade
> > screwdriver can be handy for the bearing caps if the aren't threaded. A
> > #2 phillips might be needed for working on signal lamps. A bit of scotch
> > brite would be handy for cleaning lamp bases. Later, put a little
> > silicone dielectric grease on the cleaned lamp bases to keep them from
> > corroding again.
> >
> > A trailer or tire store that also does brakes could do the tires and
> > wheel bearings in one stop if you wanted to pay for it being done.
> >
> > You might want to rent a set of magnetic mount car towing signal lights
> > (U-haul will have them) and stick them down to the back bumper of the
> > Caravel if its lights don't work. You sure want turn and stop some way,
> > and need markers only at night.
> >
> > Gerald J.
> > --
> > Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
> > Reproduction by permission only.
> >
> > -----------------------------------------------------------------
> > When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
> >
> > To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> > http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 16:53:56 -0600
From: "Jarrod White" <jarrodwhite@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

Your description of manual brakes reminds me of Desi Arnez trying to use
them in the Long, Long Trailer. A great movie.
 Jarrod

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 15:30:00 -0800
From: Sharon Chaytor <sharonbc@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] was introduction, now uhaul truck

If you are already going to rent a u-haul, why not simply rent a real 
truck, with electric brakes and the proper hitch setup? Much easier on your 
nerves...

And, I second what one list member said about stopping at the brake check, 
and gearing down into the basement, even if it is an automatic. Keep your 
speed down at the start, and your speed will be acceptable at the bottom, 
without incinerating your brakes. Also, do not go back into a higher gear 
until you are *right* at the bottom of the hill. Flashers are good!

Sharon, in BC
68 or 69 airstream
three horses
two dogs
cat
two rabbits
an assortment of 79 fords
a few other miscellaneous rolling (or not!) stock
and
A hubby! (best for last;-)) 

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 17:30:28 -0600
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

Manual trailer brakes work better than the modern inertia or time based
brake controllers for ALL situations if the driver has adequate skills.
They cause the rest of the world to mess up and break things.
Independent brake controls for tow vehicle and trailer allow greater
control and balancing of the braking action for maximum control in all
braking situations, gentle or panic.

Come to think of it, my previous Ford had that manual control too for
electric brakes. It had a hydraulic operated controller but because it
was an old controller it took way more oil than the dual brake system
would allow so wasn't connected. My dad drove it that way for several
years and I put in a few years with it. Wasn't hard for me to proportion
the two brakes, one by pedal, one by hand lever for all situations. But
without an experienced and adequately coordinated driver it would not be
safe.

Gerald J.
- -- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 17:10:16 -0800
From: Glyn Judson <glynjudson@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] was introduction, now uhaul truck

    Dear Sharon, Gary, Wyn, Gerald, Joann, Jarrod and of course Tom for
making all this possible,

    Thank you all for the valuable, insightful, frightening, humorous and
most of all kind sharing of your thoughts to a newcomer like me.

    If I have gotten this all correct, I should buy a shipping container
from a steamship company, store the Caravel for a few months in the
container, have that loaded onto a bigger U-Haul truck and drive that onto a
large flat bed semi that will stop at the top of even the lightest rise all
the way to Santa Monica to check their brakes and have them bring it to my
house where I'll have a crane awaiting it in the middle of the closed off
street to pick up my Caravel and hoist it over the house, back yard and
garage to the spot I invision it going.  Of course, I'll demand velvet
covered lifting straps and have coffee and donuts for all involved including
Santa Monica's finest who'll be manning the squad cars at both ends of the
block.

    Actually I'll have Marilyn do all the crane supervising as I will have
previously made reservations at St. John's Hospital just a few blocks away
from our place and will be sitting up in bed getting ready to have a heart
attack thinking of all the trouble I'd be in if I were to have gotten behind
the wheel of that 14 foot U-Haul and driven it around the corner from the
yard.    

    Anyway that was my slightly humorous way of saying that I sincerely
appreciate the information you so willingly shared wit me.

    Glyn

    
> From: Sharon Chaytor <sharonbc@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
> Reply-To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 15:30:00 -0800
> To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Subject: [VAL] was introduction, now uhaul truck
> 
> If you are already going to rent a u-haul, why not simply rent a real
> truck, with electric brakes and the proper hitch setup? Much easier on your
> nerves...
> 
> And, I second what one list member said about stopping at the brake check,
> and gearing down into the basement, even if it is an automatic. Keep your
> speed down at the start, and your speed will be acceptable at the bottom,
> without incinerating your brakes. Also, do not go back into a higher gear
> until you are *right* at the bottom of the hill. Flashers are good!
> 
> Sharon, in BC
> 68 or 69 airstream
> three horses
> two dogs
> cat
> two rabbits
> an assortment of 79 fords
> a few other miscellaneous rolling (or not!) stock
> and
> A hubby! (best for last;-))
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
> 
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 20:42:53 -0500
From: joepatwink@xxxxxxxxxx.net (Joe Winkler)
Subject: Re: [VAL] Our introduction

Almost all U-Haul trucks have excellent brakes and hitches because so many people rent one, 
fill it full with a very heavy load of personal belongings and then also pull a trailer or 
a two wheeled dolley with an extra automobile that is also filled to the brim with stuff. 
I would not be afraid of pulling a trailer without brakes as long as the driver took their 
time and made sure the trailer had repacked bearing and good tires. What I would be afraid 
of is pulling it with a too small car.
  Joe

__________________________________________________________________
McAfee VirusScan Online from the Netscape Network.
Comprehensive protection for your entire computer. Get your free trial today!
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/computing/mcafee/index.jsp?promo=393397

Get AOL Instant Messenger 5.1 free of charge.  Download Now!
http://aim.aol.com/aimnew/Aim/register.adp?promo=380455

------------------------------

End of VAL Digest V1 #87
************************


-----------------------------------------------------------------
When replying to a message, please delete all unnecessary Digest text

To unsubscribe or change to an e-mail format, please go to
http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html