MAX Burner

We keep the ViAir tucked in our collapsible plastic milk/tote crate inside the "garage." The tire plug kit (same one we use on for the scooter) sits right next to it...(actually plugged a rim pinch flat on a GS1200 with about 6 of those mushroom plugs with a healthy amount of glue and the guy made it out to the pavement and to a shop):

This is a good example of why we always fill the fresh water tank with the RV park plumbing system via our fresh water hose & activated carbon filter. Once the FWT is full (indicated by water exiting the overflow tube near the main hatch steps), we stow the hose/filter for a tidy "look" outside(*). This way - using the OTT water system is exactly the same procedure whether we're boon docking or staying at an RV Park (usually with unknown water pressure unless we ask). This practice exercises the water pump "ON/OFF" procedure used by OTT owner/occupants. If you're feeling "froggy" - as your FWT begins to drop in volume, use your 6-gal spare fresh water container to exercise your "boon docking" water valve procedure by topping off the FWT with the spare water. Then reposition your water valves, refill the FW container, and stow it and the hose. (*): Don't you just love seeing that SOB at an RV park leaking precious water everywhere from their fresh water hose connections that's spread helter-skelter between the hose bib and the trailer?

Correct, IMO. But in the original scenario with the 3.5k# Dexters and "under-rated" 4-pack springs from China -- those springs will always be the weakest link in the running gear. Poor design - specifically regarding the short "2nd" leaf spring and questionable quality (at best) of steel will be a critical path to failure and breaking of the 1st leaf near the eyelet. Jim Oliver, lead OTT designer, had it right. He likely knew of this shortcoming since he insisted on configuring his personal rigs with the 5.2k# axles and higher rated (2,750#) spring packs. AND, the "Jim Oliver" configuration has yet to report broken spring packs. Owners having chosen to upgrade their rigs with Alcans or similar designed/rated spring packs are clearly on the right path and making an informed decision leading to significantly lowering the probability of spring failure, IMO. Do not second-guess your decision to toss the Chinese packs and upgrade your running gear to a more robust/safer configuration. For us, the 5.2k# Nev-R-Lube Dexter's with our new Alcans are close-in on our radar screen.

We'd love to retro-in another door for the Man Cave - definitely on our radar. A drive-through is the top-shelf option, IMO. My only concern at this point is loosing the existing back wall which currently is floor to ceiling with metal storage racks... Someday, for sure.

So, we built a ramp for the R90 to get it into the bed of the "War Wagon" and would routinely take it on camping trips to have a fun mode of transport whilst boon docking with the "'Ol Rivet Smasher"! Sadly, we can't manage that option anymore with the TUNDRA, but we still have the ramp. This pic was taken pre-Magnus at Catalina SP near Tucson - D with our sweet "Willa"... Kinda miss those days, but Magnus and Oscar are making up for it! HA! Ya'll keep the shiny side up!

I love me a Boxer!

...or aluminum and rivets!

...with all the Touratec options possible!

yup

We do the same thing... it's called the last 3-4" of a beer can. Keeps the grease off your Levi's, ha!

Its also nice have a full/same-size spare, roger?

Whoa! No need to haul yours around @Geronimo John - we've got the Dewalt 9" variable speed angle buffer with wool pads like CGI uses and one of these Cyclos left over from our AS days - works like a champ: But... 3-hours? I'd give is a bit more time than that, we're not young pups anymore like the CGI guys! But we could certainly get 'er done! As for the cold ones, I've definitely got that part covered! Cheers!

Who's got that "Dead Horse" cartoon - @Patriot? HA!!! @Geronimo John - A side-by-side ride would provide some subjective insight to the differences, for sure. But just looking at the configuration of the 5-pack's 2nd spring and its overall length (eyelet to eyelet) gives one the sense of confidence knowing for the spring-pack to break - it's got two layers of spring material to fail.

Exactly correct! It's an optical illusion, but the CC is vertical... and seems to be happy in there!

If you like oysters, try the Coastline RV park near Apalachicola - real nice, but "buggy"... https://www.coastlinervresort.com/?utm_source=campgrounds.rvlife.com&utm_campaign=RVLife_Campgrounds&utm_medium=referral See y'all at the rally next month!

In "Love/Hate" category of wheel chocks is where "X-Chocks" fall... We use them exclusively on fairly flat surfaces, and augment them with Anderson "double-chocks" where the terrain is stepper, uneven, and OTT needs leveling. Just a suggestion, but it works for us... There's nothing wrong with leaving the chains connected in these conditions, we've been there/done that, too! Cheers!

@nrvale0: Once you receive your new board, please post your R&R efforts with pix for other owners to learn from. We replaced one in a previous camper years ago - it's tedious but by no means difficult. You'll be fine, good luck... OBTW: It would be helpful to add your Oliver Hull #, type (LE 1 or LE 2), TV model and year to your address block. It's better having this info for responders to forward you more accurate information to your questions/concerns. Cheers!

Concur, 100%, John!

Same here, Mike. In fact in New Mexico (I understand in other states, as well), State Police will issue citations for those driving on E-rated tires and rubber stems. Evidently, metal stems are far less to cause a catastrophic tire failure at the higher pressures than rubber stems - not that anyone in this community runs at 80psi... Rule of thumb - if you're running any tire over 80psi, you should consider metal valve stems. These, for example, are rated at 200psi and are recommended by eTrailer for E-rated tires, FYI:

Hey, John; Alcan will absolutely install them at their shop rate in GJ. It's what they do! You'll have the piece of mind that they'll be R&R'd correctly. For arrangements, you can call either Lew or Mike at: 970.241.2655 Good plan, brother! Good luck!

We did the same by replacing our ZAMP PWM with the more efficient Victron MPPT unit, but we mounted ours on the forward bulkhead inside the compartment behind the Furrion. The wiring for the solar modules were right there like @mossemi and @mountainoliver describe. Access was gained both by removing the Furrion and going through the deck plate on the forward bulkhead of the overhead storage compartment aft of the pantry. Both were needed to get "hands-on" the mounting location. Pic below taken from the overhead storage compartment looking forward through the deck plate opening: We added Victron's remote gauge to monitor solar energy production in addition to their 7" touch screen. The pic below isn't a very good snap but you can see the 7" screen (with protective cover attached) above the Furrion and to the right is a partial view of Victron's circular solar monitor: We like the Victron features... Cheers!

That's awesome! Who bought?

Same here - but D calls it a "sickness"....

Hey, John: There's at least 4 or 5 "reported" broken springs from reading these forums. Obviously, no clue how many haven't been reported here. But I've learned that there are some good reasons for switching out the 4-packs to higher rated 5-pack springs. Let me summarize: 1. Spring Rating: There's evidence that the Chinese-made "AxleTek" 4-packs, although rated at 1,750# may actually less than that rating. Mike at Alcan informed me of this. The 5-packs are rated in the 2,250# range. So, the 5-packs have somewhere in the range of 500# more weight rating. Can an owner "feel" the difference? I tried. My wife drove me around our country road neighborhood for several miles before and after swapping out springs. FWIW: I couldn't "feel" any difference. 2. Weak Area Near Eyelets: Of the reported broken springs - the break occurs within a couple inches from the eyelet on the top spring - this break is near the end of the second spring which is about 4.5" from the eyelet. On the 5-packs, the second spring extends beyond the center of the eyelet about 7/16" on either side - doubling the spring material where reported ones break. To experience a broken 5-pack spring - the break would have to take-out the two top springs. That's likely why there's never been a reported 5-pack break. 3. Bushings: The bronze bushings in the Chinese-made spring eyelets are measured at 1/16" thickness on my springs - the replacement Alcan spring bushings are right at 1/4" thick - 4x the material, which will take much longer to wear out. Also, to get that 1/4" thick bushing into that eyelet the outside diameter of the eyelet must be made larger. The OD of the AxleTek eyelet is 1.34" while the Alcan eyelet is 1.53", giving the 5-pack eyelets a more robust configuration. 4. Steel Composition: The Chinese steel is of unknown pedigree - unless someone wants to pay for an NDA test (which I'm not interested in) we'll only know subjectively that their steel sucks compared to the recognized high-quality of US-made steel. 5. Comparative Weight: OK, the 5-packs have one extra leaf, right? How much more do you think that extra leaf weighs? I weighed both - the Chinese AxleTek is right at 10#; where the Alcan comes in at 18#. Here's why: The total length of spring material in the 4-packs is 66-1/4" versus 99" for the 5-packs, or 49% more material in the 5-packs. 10# versus 18# = an 80% increased weight for the 5-packs. Above shows the eyelet-to-eyelet measurement of the 4-pack top spring. Each subsequent spring length was measured straight across from end to end. Notice the "flattening" of the arc of the 4-pack. The other 4-packs were flattened like this one. JFTR: We never even come close to the 7k# GVWR of the OTT on any of our excursions. 6. Price Point: New 5-packs/U-bolt kit will cost owners approximately $800 plus shipping from Grand Junction, CO. I'm in NM and shipping was $110. FYI: No tax if purchased outside of CO. For us it was a no-brainer. One of the last issues we want to handle is a broken leaf spring in the middle of a boon docking location in the middle of EBF somewhere. Cheers!