FoamStream...

[Wolffarmer]

Aug 21st 2017. Total eclipse of the sun will be passing through Idaho about 75 miles north of me. Now that is something I want to see. And that will be the only total eclipse I will ever be able to see. Hitting a lot of the areas in the south also.

Path of Darkness and Light

Hmmm, need to add to my list of 2 bit novel titles.

Randy

[KCStudly]

Hmm, that's my birthday, and at the rate my build is going at the moment...

Not too many chances in a lifetime to see one of those.

[wagondude]

Then there is Earthquake Lake just into Montana north of Yellowstone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_Yello ... earthquake . We used to camp there when I was a kid. There is a huge boulder in the campground that sits on the remains of an outhouse. There is also a crooked cabin that was lifted by the flood and set down on another boulder near by. My Mother lived near Spokane, WA back then and remembers feeling the quake.

[Wolffarmer]

Yea, That quake almost killed me. We camped in the camp ground that the land slide buried the week before the quake. Then it tried again in 1968. Was up there with mom, he sis and hubby viewing the slide and the deep cut made in it to let the water out. Mom saw an interesting rock down the slope just before it went straight down about 50 feet to the water. I scrambled down there and got the rock and started to slip and slide into the trench. To hell with the rock and finally got out. LOL. sheesh, I did not know I lived such a dangerous life. Then there are all the farming accidents over the years. Only one car wreck so far. LOL

Randy

[GPW]

Dangerous ??? Considering our cosmic situation , it’s a wonder we’re here at all !!!

[GPW]

Got my Coupler for 3” sq. tube/ 2” ball , and two safety chains... Can’t weld today ... weather is c**p... But we’re ready anyway ...

[KCStudly]

Hey Geep, you might want to check those chains out a little closer. At 4 ft long, they may have a hook at each end. That means you can cut the middle out of one to suit the length you need, and take the other package back for a refund. Thrifty.

The ones I bought had two hooks on one chain in a single package.

[GPW]

Whoa COOL KC !!! ... They do have a hook on each end... But I was going to use those “loops “...guess I could just hook em’ to the loops huh ? Was going to permanently fix one end in the loop (theft-proof) ... But maybe I should store the chains instead of leaving them on the trailer all the time , might last longer eh ... Hmmm??? 
Two chains = twice as safe ... or does it work like that ...? Don’t want to lose the investment eh ?
And KC , while you’re here..... since this is going to live outside , I was thinking of packing the coupler mechanism with some kind of grease to prevent the rust that caused the current one to “fuse” together in a rusted mass... grrrr!!!! Is greasing a bad idea on a coupler ??? ... I don’t ever recall hearing about that before , never tried it on boat trailers in the past , but saw a Lot of rusted mechanisms for sure. Just wondering ?

[KCStudly]

What I do with the chain is cut the center link out with the cut off wheel in a grinder. Figure out how long they need to be and cut each half to that length; 2 ft is probably still too long. You want the TV to be able to turn full lock, but in theory, the tongue should not hit the ground when resting in the crossed chains.

Once you have cut both to the proper length, feed the "footman's loops" thru the end links and weld them to the lower edge on either side of your tongue tube.

Two schools of thought on coupler grease. One side says it collects dirt and makes the abrasion issue worse, plus gets you and/or your pants leg dirty. The other side says to grease for long service life and quiet operation.

I use small smear of grease myself, but have been considering trying cutting wax; the stick kind. For the adjuster mechanism I would be more likely to use PB Blaster, or some other penetrant.

[GPW]

QUOTE: “ You want the TV to be able to turn full lock, but in theory, the tongue should not hit the ground when resting in the crossed chains.” ... We’ll have to do some figuring on that Maybe just lower the jack till the coupler is x” from the ground and then measure the chains crossed ??? Thanks KC, I always wanted to know the correct way of doing that ...
That should be a Sticky huh ? Everyone may benefit from properly installed Safety chains !!!

KC , mostly I just wanted to grease the adjuster.. the bolt and nut ... not the ball ...

[KCStudly]

...mostly I just wanted to grease the adjuster.. the bolt and nut ... not the ball

Light oil. Sewing machine oil; PB Blaster; 3 in 1, work it around some, then wipe any excess. S'what I would do.

[GPW]

OK, Thanks !!! Will do that ...

[Jack B.]

I was always told you were supposed to put a little grease on the ball at least. What I do is use some of the dry chain lube they sell for bike and motorcycle chains in any of those places I want less friction AND less grime build up. Kinda sheds water and keeps the stuff that's supposed to move moving and is pretty easy on the clothes if you get it on you. Or go with the not so dry chain lube for better penetration. A bit more messy but not bad as it's made to soak in and be wiped off the outer surfaces.

Inflation = $.79 worth.

Jack

Oh yeah, I'll be shoveling sidewalks again in the morning. Boo-hoo for your balmy winters. This is why there's not much wine made up here yet. Too many sour grapes.

[Wolffarmer]

I grease my ball up with some nice black gooey grease and then leave the ball in the receiver to jump out and get anyone that walks to close to it. Something like cholla cactus.



Caution. He starts off nice and calm. Then starts cursing a bit.

I am glad it is to cold for them here. Though I have seen some that was brought in after they had grown a bit and was able to survive the winters. Some home owners have a strange sense of humor.

Randy

[mezmo]

Wow, those cholla cactus spines are like miniature
porcupine quills !