Alignment is huge. I had to slot the mounting holes 5/8 inch to get alignment to hitch and prevent rubbing at front of wheel wells. But after 10,000miles, tires were lumpy due to belts. Found the toe in was half inch, corrected that by bending axle beam. Few years later replaced axle with dexter adding 10"brakes. The combined miles after toe correction in excess of 23,000miles and tread looks brand new. Aliner 2006 sport weekender model that weighs 1600pounds.
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Re: Solar charger recommendations
And the only issue with compressor fridges vs. absorption/evaporative units is that they require AC or DC voltage to work: they won't run on propane.?
Dave .......?
And there is the major problem with evaporative type refrigerators.
My Dometic pulls 14 Amps continuously. That's way over 150W all the
time.
My new Alpicool compressor type cooler pulls 2.5 Amps
intermittently. Duty cycle depends on ambient temperature. When it's
not above 80 degrees F, my little Jackery 240 W portable power pack
will run it for 3 days.
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My alignment was off by 1/4" from the factory which made the tires wear out rapidly.? I unbolted the axle from the frame, did some filing, and was able to get the axle aligned to have the distance from each spindle to a point on the tongue match exactly.? The net result is the trailer will travel down the road straight and there is no wear to the tires from a misaligned axle unit.
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Re: Solar charger recommendations
And there is the major problem with evaporative type refrigerators.
My Dometic pulls 14 Amps continuously. That's way over 150W all the
time.
My new Alpicool compressor type cooler pulls 2.5 Amps
intermittently. Duty cycle depends on ambient temperature. When it's
not above 80 degrees F, my little Jackery 240 W portable power pack
will run it for 3 days.
Alpicool CF45
Alpicool makes a dozen different sizes. Only the largest pull more
than 2.5 Amps
When my Dometic dies I will NOT spend $1,200 to $1,500 on a new one.
I'll spend maybe $500 to $600 on a pair of Alpicools, one for frig
and one for freezer, which will run off my battery for a couple
days.
Jackery 240
On 6/29/2023 12:30 PM, Scott Ellington
wrote:
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Show quoted text
On Sun, Jun 18, 2023 at 12:53 AM, JoeS wrote:
We don’t plan to run the a/c but maybe the
refrigerator, furnace? and coffee maker for a few days??I
You would need a lot of batteries to run a refrigerator for a few
days, at least 300 Ah. Lead-acid batteries would be way too heavy
for an Aliner, and Li-ion batteries would be extremely expensive.?
A modest sized battery might run a refrigerator overnight, if you
used a generator in the daytime.
Scott Ellington
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Re: Solar charger recommendations
On Sun, Jun 18, 2023 at 12:53 AM, JoeS wrote:
We don’t plan to run the a/c but maybe the refrigerator, furnace? and coffee maker for a few days??I
You would need a lot of batteries to run a refrigerator for a few days, at least 300 Ah. Lead-acid batteries would be way too heavy for an Aliner, and Li-ion batteries would be extremely expensive.? A modest sized battery might run a refrigerator overnight, if you used a generator in the daytime. Scott Ellington
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Richard :
When I spec'ed my 3500# axle, I found that it worked well under my 2500# 2005 LXE. The GAWR rating is just a matter of how much rubber Dexter provides in the axle tube, and has little bearing on rigidity or tire wear.?
What does matter is the distance from the tip of each axle spindle to the center of the tow hitch. These dimensions must be within 1/8" of each other or your camper won't track straight and tire wear will be significant.?
Yes, some drilling/enlarging may be required.?
Dave?
.........?
Thank you for the link. It was a very helpful article!
After reading it I decided that I did not want /need a 3500lb axle after all. I don’t carry that much weight and having that axle may cause uneven tire wear for me. I think I will custom order a Dexter axle set for 2600lb (+/-) which will be the slight load increase I need.
Question: it appears the Dexter axles use 5/8” bolts, and the Aliner mounting holes are 1/2”. Did you simply enlarge the existing holes, or did you have to drill new ones?? |
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Thank you for the link. It was a very helpful article!
After reading it I decided that I did not want /need a 3500lb axle after all. I don’t carry that much weight and having that axle may cause uneven tire wear for me. I think I will custom order a Dexter axle set for 2600lb (+/-) which will be the slight load increase I need.
Question: it appears the Dexter axles use 5/8” bolts, and the Aliner mounting holes are 1/2”. Did you simply enlarge the existing holes, or did you have to drill new ones??
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This is inaccurate. Dexter makes a wide range of torsion axles, many of which are compatible with Aliner frame mounts. Check their website for details:?
https://www.dexteraxle.com/Products/Torsion-Axles
Dave?
..........?
| Dexter doesn't make a torsion axle, as far as I can tell. |
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We use maps, on our Android phone.? You can select no tolls, no freeways.? We ALWAYS look at the route selected prior to heading off.? Many times, it does not show an alternate for selection, but will meet your selected criteria.? This has taken us on roads, we do not want to be tow on.? Street "L" comes to mind in Lansing, Virginis.? LOL
We generally have to add an additional stop to redirect us to the route we want.? Also, if headed into questionable cell service areas, download the "off line" maps for your area.? The phone knows where it is, and you can use them regardless of signal strength.
My car has satellite based gps, but I really hate the interface.? But it would get me to the next spot.? I just watched a video where the camper was in a remote area and was able to get a cell signal in an emergency with this booster.? I have no direct knowledge of its' abilities, but it is interesting.
--
Don DeRyke
Sunrise, Florida
2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.?
Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 ltr EcoBoost engine.
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Lol. We get truckers stuck in our development all the time because of bad gps directions.
On Tue, Jun 27, 2023, 10:50 PM Hubert Paulson Jr < hubertp@...> wrote: Hello all:
They may cost a bit more, but check on apps designed for truckers. Some
of the filters, or, restrictions, they are designed to observe may be
the factors you are concerned with.
Hubert Paulson
Nebraska
2014 Grand Caravan SX
2004 Sportliner - "Escape Pod"
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Re: Air Conditioner Cover
Thank you for the information, I do appreciate it.
D. Soldressen
Ambridge, PA
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Typically you would buy a new 3500 pound axle direct from Dexter which will fit most Aliner campers. I bought mine from New Era Parts. A hint : buy your new axle with 10" electric brakes and hub-drums attached - it's much cheaper than buying the brakes separately.?
Here is a DIY article that explains in detail how to spec a Dexter axle for your camper :
https://alinerownersclub.org/diy/wiki-torsional-axles/
Dave
..............
I need to replace the axle on my 2006 Aliner classic. I want to upgrade from a 2000 pound axle to a 3500 pound axle. I am seeking recommendations on a good retailer that I can purchase the axle from. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you! |
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Aliners typically have torsion axles. Dexter doesn't make a torsion axle, as far as I can tell.? If you want to convert over to leaf springs, a shop will have to weld on the axle hangers.
You can get a torsion axle that supports 3500 lbs, if you want to stick with what you've got.
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Hello all:
They may cost a bit more, but check on apps designed for truckers. Some of the filters, or, restrictions, they are designed to observe may be the factors you are concerned with.
Hubert Paulson
Nebraska
2014 Grand Caravan SX
2004 Sportliner - "Escape Pod"
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I think you have to buy them direct from Dexter.
On Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 12:47 PM, richard roberts <richard@...> wrote: I need to replace the axle on my 2006 Aliner classic. I want to upgrade from a 2000 pound axle to a 3500 pound axle. I am seeking recommendations on a good retailer that I can purchase the axle from. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
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I don't like tying up my phone for navigation, so I got a Garmin RV model gps. Works great and no cell service needed - works offline.
It's nice because you can program your RV specs into the unit and route accordingly.? Or you can customize your own route.
But if you don't mind using your phone copilot has an RV option.? It's good too - I bought it when it was a one time purchase, so I am grandfathered in for life, but I think now it's a monthly or annual fee based subscription service .? But it also works well and is offline capable .
On Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 12:24 PM, Don DeRyke via groups.io <DERYKED@...> wrote: We use maps, on our Android phone.? You can select no tolls, no freeways.? We ALWAYS look at the route selected prior to heading off.? Many times, it does not show an alternate for selection, but will meet your selected criteria.? This has taken us on roads, we do not want to be tow on.? Street "L" comes to mind in Lansing, Virginis.? LOL
We generally have to add an additional stop to redirect us to the route we want.? Also, if headed into questionable cell service areas, download the "off line" maps for your area.? The phone knows where it is, and you can use them regardless of signal strength.
My car has satellite based gps, but I really hate the interface.? But it would get me to the next spot.? I just watched a video where the camper was in a remote area and was able to get a cell signal in an emergency with this booster.? I have no direct knowledge of its' abilities, but it is interesting.
-- Don DeRyke Sunrise, Florida 2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.? Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 ltr EcoBoost engine.
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I need to replace the axle on my 2006 Aliner classic. I want to upgrade from a 2000 pound axle to a 3500 pound axle. I am seeking recommendations on a good retailer that I can purchase the axle from. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
|
We use maps, on our Android phone.? You can select no tolls, no freeways.? We ALWAYS look at the route selected prior to heading off.? Many times, it does not show an alternate for selection, but will meet your selected criteria.? This has taken us on roads, we do not want to be tow on.? Street "L" comes to mind in Lansing, Virginis.? LOL
We generally have to add an additional stop to redirect us to the route we want.? Also, if headed into questionable cell service areas, download the "off line" maps for your area.? The phone knows where it is, and you can use them regardless of signal strength.
My car has satellite based gps, but I really hate the interface.? But it would get me to the next spot.? I just watched a video where the camper was in a remote area and was able to get a cell signal in an emergency with this booster.? I have no direct knowledge of its' abilities, but it is interesting.
-- Don DeRyke Sunrise, Florida 2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.? Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 ltr EcoBoost engine.
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Kathryn?
I have used a variety of navigation apps. I like the Maps app that comes with the iPhone when I am home and have good cellular service. You can set it to avoid highways but I am not sure what that really does.?
There is an app that we used when we were in Europe that Saves your rout so you can use it when you have no service. It is called Here we go. We have used it for camping and it worked well to keep us on the right forest service road
when we were in a no cell service area. It also lets you avoid certain roads. I have attached an image.?
Hope this helps.?
Don
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Does anyone use a good GPS app that keeps you off parkways or other non tow friendly roads?
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Our Garmin Nuvi allows us to choose routes.? Also and App called Waze!
On Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 1:16?PM KATHRYN BAXTER < kmb442@...> wrote: Does anyone use a good GPS app that keeps you off parkways or other non tow friendly roads?
-- Lois-Ann Holmes
PO Box 187
Old Town ME 04468
(207) 825-3688 (mobile)
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Brian Hovander
Don DeRyke
Don Mackay
