Dumping the camper is not possible at the moment as the trash bin at the back of the complex is full of furniture. If they unload it this week, I may be able to do that. I can try and gut it out some by removing the stove, icebox etc, but my saws are in need of new blades, so I don't know if I will be able to cut it up very well. However, I can give it a shot this weekend.

Also, I will look into the possibility of getting the engine and trans out of it. Then it would be no problem to haul it up there in a U-Haul trailer. However, I don't know if that will be possible, since I would need to borrow a engine hoist, and my limited mobility makes it hard to crawl under the truck and disconnect motor mounts/exhaust/etc. My neighbor's brother has a hoist he borrows from time to time, I can see if I can get that, and maybe get some help from my neighbor's son.

That would save us the hassle of trying to find a trailer/dolly strong enough for the truck/camper combo.

 

I'm still in holding pattern. No responses from the three people that are controlling my life. I've never felt so helpless before. I guess it's something I am supposed to learn.
As soon as I get some answers from them I can chime back in.

Anyone have a jaws of life ?????

 

Personally I think waiting for an interview is the worst thing to be going thru, with the possible exception of a vist to the dentist. Hopefully they will call you soon. I am sure the waiting is driving you nuts. (if you weren't nuts already that is!)

 

Just get the job and shut the F U

 

K - Thanks for understanding... Made past phone interview stage. Next day or two in person. I'm told to expect three hours or so for the interview. They are impressed so far I'm told. Crossing fingers... I think it would be a good job and keep me close to my buddies. ;-)

Now - I'll STFU

 

<-----am i being thrown aside???????

i am available this sunday to tow the beast, but if someone has better plan go for it. i was even thinking if we could if the camper has its own legs can it be lifted off the beast and i can drive my truck under it since i have a 8ft bed on mine. that way the weight would be on my truck and not the beast

 

just wondering, is the truck a 8lug bolt pattern, if so im calling dibs on front brake assy. if its ok with anyone else, i really need to upgrade my brakes these front drums are not cutting it much anymore. call me after 7pm tues-sat (209) 676-1408
or call during the day at (209) 595-1740

 

The truck is an 8 lug pattern, and you are welcome to the brakes and anything else on the truck you want. I believe the only thing AJ wants is the engine and transmission.

No you are not being thrown aside. I am just waiting on AJ to see what he plans on doing. Also, we need to be able to safely tow this thing to Mike's. The camper does NOT have camper jacks on it. It does have the mounting holes for them, but they did not work when I got the camper, and leaked oil. So I threw them away.

Your truck is strong enough to tow it, but we need to find a trailer/dolly that is wide enough to do the job. Clint says his is not wide enough. I don't know if U-Haul has one wide enough, but even if they do, someone stated it only has a rating of 3950 lbs for a rear wheel drive vehicle. This thing weighs about 5,500 I would guess.

The manager has not said anything to me about it yet, so that is cool. I am still waiting to hear from the insurance company, and can use that excuse should she decide to say something. I could also tell her I am waiting for the parents of the kids who burned it to tow it away since they caused the problem

 

I'll call Mike in the morning a we will talk about what can be done. I'll be glad to help but, I just don't how to at this point. Clint said we could borrow his tow bar. He has a bolt on type. I guess we could use bracket that Mike built for me. However, that would mean I'd have to take it off, drill four holes in THE BEAST to make it work.

I really need to make it over to Harbor freight to get the a tow bar. I hear they have one for $80 instead of the $150 that I spent. I'm doing everything I can to save money right now as I'm not working. I called they told me to call back the next morning cause they didn't have one in at the time.

The problem is tow bar is rated at 5000lbs and my truck will only tow about 1500lbs - hitch is rated @ 2000lbs but, I have a weak motor. Smooth but, weak with the wrong gears 2.73's.

So, let hook up online in the morning.... errr 10am maybe? I have a morning meeting from 7:30-9am and then I have to get back home to work on this.

 

You guys worry about numbers - you just hang on and mash down the gas. You have all heard my favorite story on how they mounted steel wheels on military jeeps and used them as switch engines - pulling long strings of loaded freight cars with a flat head 4 cyl. Power is not the most important item - - -

Nor is the rating of your hitch - it is calculated using the weight of trailer, and how much weight the trailer will transfer to the truck, in the worst case dynamic - like going through a dip while making a sharp curve at highway speed. A tow bar does not transfer any weight to the truck.

Nor is it your rear end gears - of course, it is better for them to be a good match, but this is a one-time use. If they are too high to cruse in the top gear of the transmission, run second gear - or even low if you need to.

To me, the most important item is how heavy a load your truck will start and stop. Automatic transmissions use a fluid coupling with torque amplification so they can start about anything rolling. Manuel transmissions use a clutch that you can slip if need be. It is not something you want to do very often, but you would be surprised how heavy a load you can start.

We had a Ford 6 with a 3 speed manual for a service truck when I was farming - it would pull a loaded 18 wheeler around the yard enough to get it started. You need a bit of skill and to be careful as you are abusing your truck but that is what they are for - to do some work!

The hardest thing is to stop a load. We live on flatland, so there is no worry about control going down a hill, except for exiting the freeway and stopping at the bottom. You have to give yourself lots of room, and use the engine for breaking as much as possible.

The worst is an emergency panic stop - you just have to avoid them. Slow down, use care, and pick something soft to hit if you have to.

Just keep telling yourself this is a one-time thing, and avoid traffic!

On Edit:
We are talking old-school pickups here - I don't know anything about the newer trucks. One of my friends pointed out that some people think Rangers with plastic gears in the tranny are trucks. Cast iron I understand, plastic I don't. I would hate to see someone destroy a 4 or 5 speed tranny by putting to much strain on them.

 

The truck is only going to Mike's. So, as he pointed out that is 80 miles or so. All flatland. And f2501967 has already agreed to use his truck. His is a 3/4 ton, so the tow vehicle is not an issue. I am sure his brakes can stop the beast if needed. Of course, he will have to be careful. But it can be done.

Several years ago, (more like 10-15 years ago) I pulled a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass with a 1980 Dodge D-50. The D-50 had the 2.6 liter 4 cylinder, and a 5 speed manual transmission. I disconnected the drive shaft of the Cutlass and used a tow bar (back then they still rented them at U-Haul) and flat towed it from Laguna Hills to Anaheim. About 35-40 miles. I used the slow lane of the freeway for some of the trip, and surface streets for others. I coasted to stops when possible, and used the brakes sparingly at others times. I did not have any panic stops to make, and made it with no problems. The engine never overheated, and the car never tried to steer the truck. I went around corners very slow and kept my eyes on the road as far down as I could to anticipate any problems. It was a one time tow.

I don't know what either vehicle weighed, but I would be willing to bet the Olds weighed a bit more than the D-50 (think Mitsubishi's answer to the Ford/Mazda Courier) I am sure a F-250 could flat tow another F-250 with no problems if the proper precautions are taken. One thing I am concerned about is the top of the camper that is hanging down on the driver's side. Somehow, I have got to get some tin snips, or a saw up there, and cut that piece off. Can't have it dangling around in the lane next to it.

 

I have two towbars, one an adjustable I bought off Ebay. I used it to tow a F150 down from above Seattle. It can be adjusted for a wide hookup. The second is a heavy home-made one a guy gave me. It had been mounted to the front of a dune buggy. I keep it around as "someday" I intend to weld it in place of the coupler on the front of my trash trailer.

Both require holes be drilled into the bumper. Unless someone wants Nighteye's front bumper I suggest we just use a torch and blow holes in the bumper. That, and dropping the drive shaft, should be all we need.

I guess if someone has some lights that are easy to install we ought to consider adding brake lights.

And someone needs to check that the truck can be steered. It looks like the cab fire was hot enough to melt the steering wheel, we don't want something to fall down inside the steering shaft and bind up our steering.

We will also need a heavy safety chain - I have one, but I would hate to lose it.

It is not so easy to get to Mike's without getting on the freeway. There are a couple of rivers to cross, and the bridges are not in the best location. I generally stay on the freeway to Merced, at least.

However, there is a CHP scale between Chowchilla and Merced I recommend you avoid. I don't think the truck has current tags, and the title is not so good. Likely the cops would leave you alone, but why give them a shot at you?

I also recommend you dump the camper - unless someone wants it. It will be an eyesore at Mikes, and draw attention to the truck as you transport it. It will also be in the way as you dismantle the truck, and make it very difficult to get rid of the carcass.

You will be driving by the Madera dump - you will have to give them my address to dump it there, and they will charge you a good sized fee. They are not open on Sunday. Perhaps someone knows a better place? Fresno county would be free for Nighteyes. . . . Perhaps we could use some chainsaws and cut it into peaces that would fit in his apartment's dumpsters.

Anyway, you guys make your plans - I can show up at Nighteye's with a torch and a towbar whenever you wish.

 

I think the best things is what Clint has mentioned...i/e get rid of what's left of the camper before we travel.

If we use a towbar, I can make up a light bar for the ***-end.

ANother thought is to bring sawlzalls and cut up the camper, put as much in the dumpster as we could, leave the rest in the bad of the truck and strap it down...out of sight, out of mind.

Problem with using a chainsaw, I'm afraid we'd spend more time sharpening the blades than cutting things up.

Jim,

How far is the truck from the nearest outlets? I picked up a small honda powered pressure washer the other day, I'll look into seeing if I can breed the engine to my small generator, it's something I need to get done anyway and might come in handy!

I've plenty of chain to use for a safety chain.

 

Carefull, that could hurt!!!

I can bring a sawsall with a long blade, and maybe a skill saw - but they both are too heavy for me to control anymore.

Also, there is a Harbor Freight store near where he lives.

 

Well now...how about I see if I can "adapt" it?