rsbilledwards

Sure, What year are the VWs to be towed, ie early or late. I have several 90s and early 2000s that I have flat towed no problems. I was not making an assumption that it was a late production car. The age of the VW could make a difference. Asking if something can be towed without all the info is like asking what kind of antifreeze I should use with out giving the type of engine, gas or diesel and its relative age. Or requesting the price of a set of tires with out telling the sales guy what they fit. I hope that helps Carl. My apologies for the ambiguous question. It made complete sense to me when I wrote it...too many G&Ts? I read it again and if I were to have added "they" before would, it probably would have made more sense. I will pay more attention in the future...Glad to see you are reading it all... B

I Tried that at Wagner CAT in Denver and did not have much luck as it may be the coach builder that specs the dryer to fit the pump since technically they are not actually a CAT parts even though the pump is often CAT yellow. That said our resident CAT guru may have some perspective on how to do that.

This is supposed to work: Take a picture and send to chris@ssterlingco.com The numbers on the lenses are not part numbers but relate to the DOT and other stuff. Many places show them in the catalogues and are of Triplex manufacture but they are long gone. I do not know for sure if S. Sterling has them but supposedly are of HELLA manufacture a German supplier...we will see as you are not the only one looking. They do not last long in salvage yards Bill E

This topic and a hands on would make for a good seminar by somebody that knew what they were talking about, including the headaches isolators present when they go bad...been there! Bill E

I/we get it too and can hardly wait till we get this house is finished, so we can sell it and do what you are trying to do in earnest. Having, working on, upgrading an old one, driving, setting up, sitting around, fixing the coach all still appeal to me now while still younger than Herman, but I will catch up and write the checks later. It is about what appeals each of us that makes us chase the dream. Thanks to all for the friendships and those that support the lifestyle. Bill Edwards

An even better question is the shift pad lit? I just went thru all of this, this summer. I know there are a variety of scenarios. This is one and if not, check the fuse in the VIM box if equipt with an Allison. There are two fuses in it. Check the with a volt meter. This is my $100 fuse story, I did not and the tech did. It cost me for the lesson and a .20 cent fuse. Bill Edwards

No one has asked the year model would like to tow vehicles...So what year are they...all important? I am a VW guy and Brett you cut your teeth on these. Bill

WildBill, I went to Sears site you posted and subsequently I do not believe it will do the job on our wheels, my dinosaur type at 450, as the Sears tool multiplier is only 1.58 to 1. I only weigh 170 pounds and don't believe I could pull a (normal) torque wrench to 200 much less what that would require to get 450 and Kay's at 800 would be a pipe dream...no pun intended. Bill

It is not necessary to go to Monaco/Allied for the line. Remove it and take to Napa or your friendly CAT dealer and they can make it for you often on the spot. I say CAT only because they are an example. I suspect the local Cummins folks can do the same and for less than you know who. Blake, what manufacturer is you air pump? What size is the dryer and who made it? My coach does not have a drier and I want to install one. Bill

Oh boy this great, I have some questions too, directly related. On my Panther the pump is a Bendix 550 and the governor is mounted on the outside front corner. From Cat the governor is not 65 bucks but more. Is the pump you are working on a Bendix, is it the same series? Yes mine is adjustable yet it only runs at 90 psi but apparently I'm drivin a dinosaur compared to some...tongue in cheek... but it is Porsche fast compared to some. ha. In the middle of no where there is usually a NAPA store and most make hoses, easy if you have one to copy. I too have a bunch of leaks to chase down, several I have found directly on top of the air bag mounts. Thanks Bill

You aught to see the top of my head based on hard knocks...it is almost healed up again after crawling around under the Panther before writing the check. B

Good point, must concur. Yes many good posts here. 800 lbs better get a bigger multiplier than I need for my coach...holy Cow had no idea. I'm drivin a dinosaur... There you are it all depends on size... Nice Kay, I did not know they made such an animal, still the points apply. That wrench was a pricy piece I'm sure. I Know full well what Snap On sells for as I still have all of it I bought over the years. When I began coaching it was nice to draw on the inventory. Bill

Well this Topic should prove to be very interesting. I am not poking at any one here but think about removing a wheel torqued to 450 lbs. I certainly can not do it without a group of tools specific to this task. A torque wrench will not cut it for removal or replacement as the handle is far to short. Certainly if it is a front wheel, easier but if a rear wheel, much more difficult. Here is a pretty relevant solution. Since leverage is a necessary requirement, a 4 X 4 block of wood measured ahead of time and and an extension for a breaker bar of 3/4 inch size to fit your BUD socket and the depth of the rear wheel are must have items. The last necessary item is a pipe at least 4 feet long minimum. Now the breaker bar is not to be of the 1/2 inch variety with a pivot on the end purchased at Harbor Freight, Lowes or HD. They will not make the muster and WILL break. Buy a breaker bar where the socket fixture slides on a solid 3/4 inch or inch bar, this in turn allows enough handle to place in the acquired 4 or 5 foot 2 inch diameter pipe. This bar is not expensive. When the BUD socket is placed on the lug nut it can fall off the nut very easily--even more so on the rear wheel. None of us like having divots in our aluminum wheels. Use the 4 X 4 as a support for the extension-- close to the end where you have placed the breaker bar. This works pretty well on the farm. However, better yet, buy a torque multiplier in place of the breaker bar and pipe. It is small and easily stored, and can be used with that shiny torque wrench with no additional leverage. The multiplier needs to be one that multiplies by 4 at a minimum any thing greater is pure fluff and makes the job very easy. The last item for this project is a 3 foot handled pry bar for moving the wheel from it's working position and returning it to same. An additional aid would be an 18 inch piece of 1 X 4 After reading the whole thread Herman actually has one of the most unique proto type tools he discussed in a previous series of posts. It is the very special "Recuperating Saw" Apparently quite the unit, still in preliminary development... How's it coming Herman? Bill

Bob if you Google Hurricane heaters you will find a series of You Tube videos by ITR the manufacturer aimed at you for trouble shooting purposes. I have the same problem... I have not had time to revisit the site. In my coach I have hot water there but no fans running hence no heat into the coach. ITR folks are very helpful as well and there is a US number 360 993 4877

No this should not be too big a deal as the attaching screws are accessible when the slide is extended. Use something to lube it as it is compressed into place. Apologies for not getting back to this sooner. Bill

Outa my pay grade!!! If I went in one I would have to have one I am sure, and luckily I am more than satisfied with this 455 Hp C12 in the Panther and the ultra leather. My pay grade only allows for Windex and Turkish towels... B

I have not seen a coach yet with real leather in it. I have seen many, many coaches with "ultra leather" which is a high grade soft vinyl. Cleaning is piece of cake with a terry towel and Windex. If it is really dirty, a simple soft scrub brush will pull the grime right up and then wipe it off. Make a second pass and then put any vinyl preservative finish on it and away you go. If you do not do this step it will be fine, it just gets dirty quicker. This Windex cleaning method works miracles on synthetic fabrics used in automotive applications as well, just dry well with a terry or Turkish towel and the dirt will transfer like magic. Bill

CAPKELLY I recently replaced my Freedom modified sine wave with a Magnum Pure sine wave and the best price I found was with RV Solar Electric (.com) from Doug. The price includes the control unit which in my case was pure plug and play. The communication cable ends were the same and the holes for the control unit inside matched up perfectly. Bill

It can be towed on the dolly for sure if it is front wheel drive ONLY. If it is all wheel drive, most likely neither will work. Bill

Tongue weight aside and that is not to sat it is not a valid question, it is important. I just visited that issue. I just returned from Oregon with my December purchase of an 11,781 mile 1998/99 Safari Panther supported by an Goodyear 8 air bag suspension towing a trailer and hauling an Audi S4. Approximate weight was 6,200 lbs and it was not an issue of the air system picking up the tongue. I was attentive to the car position on the trailer and made sure there was minimal drop at the hitch. I have a race car corner scale and will see where I ended up. Bill

The seal he is referencing is the top and sidewall seal. The coach manufacturer, SMC is no longer functioning and became part of Monaco before bankruptcy. The brand is currently owned by Allied Recreation Group. I have two similar coaches with the same seals. I suggest you call/Google "Allied Recreation" for the phone nr. I apologize for not having it here for you, but my phone is in my car at my shop. They have two locations one in the East and one in Oregon. I will post it here later today. The silicone idea will not work in this application as it will adhere to the slide and the seal channel. As for a temporary fix, just stuff something in the hole to prevent water and air intrusion. You will likely have to do this each time you move the slide in or out. I will go out and check but I think replacing the seal will be a real project. Bill

It can be soldered as well, and as Herman pointed out Tig would be best. Mig second. JB will hold indefinitely if prepped correctly, surface roughed up for mechanical grip. Bill E.

Apologies B

I do not think there is a kit per se it might be a change of hubs as the bath type have a lot more face on the hub than a typical greased brg hub...I could be wrong would not be the first time. Carl, I agree with you on the earlier coaches versus much later way to much "Bling". It amounts to conspicuous consumption in economic terms. Woods were solid on the early coaches and were real, not stained to look richer than they are. Bill Edwards

Hey Rex, Some guys are just slower to getting into it...A little Super High Intensity Training. Both of the Safari coaches I have are oil bath with drain plugs on the side of the hub cover, easy to drain, wait a little while replace plug and refill. Bill