Hey all, I'm new to this forum. I'm down here in San Diego with a 1978 rig I got 6 or 7 months ago that was in fair shape.
I use it every 2 weeks but the one thing I can't deal is the way it handles. In other words: I can't drive this thing with one hand on the wheel or observe look at anything around me other than the road in front of me, even checking the mirrors throw me off course. I keep he at 55 pissing off the world behind me and it seems she is best manuevered at that speed.
I have the air bags inflated to 45 psi, shocks all seem to be good, power steering is just so sensitive it seems, I mean it's really good.
Just wondering if it maybe just that she is top heavy, it's a 21" bunkhouse, or she is just old & worn or just the way things were back in 1978.
Luckily for me I only use her locally in the mountains.
Thanks!
Find someone that knows front end alignment. I mean a real mechanic not some technician. You can look yourself at the idler arm and all the tie rods and drag links. Most people complain the steering is too loose not too sensitive. On flat level ground does it go straight? Is the steering wheel centered?
Hey there POP
You have another Clipper down your way!!!!
Ex Navy, But we wont hold that aginst him he cool people!! :)
His name is Jim" hook up with him.. he is in your area
John Out :)
I agree with Pop. When I got my 78 it drove like what you describe except that the sensitivity was from a worn steering box, when I corrected the wheel it seemed like it was always too much and I would start going in the other direction. After I had the steering box rebuilt and replaced the upper ball ball joints (they thread in) for good measure (a little wear) it was a joy to drive. I now have a worn drag link and it is starting to be a chore to drive. The other thing that I noticed driving my old Dodges is that you SAIL them with the steering wheel where as a modern car with rack and pinion steering you POINT them with the steering wheel. Sometimes after a long trip in an old Dodge I"ll jump into a modern car and start SAILING it down the road until my wife stops me because she is starting to get sea sick :D Too much toe out will cause a rig to not want to go straight also. You can check for worn parts in the driveway for free, if you find no worn parts do like Pops said and get a F.E.A..
JerryT
I love getting in an old car again. You can steer with one finger if you want. I had a 77 Chrysler Newport in high school and the clipper drives just like that. It sails! Mine wanders a bit too tho. Everything seems tight but im shure the steering box is loose. It leaks a little fluid too.
My problem was it needed a front end alignment and new shocks. That took care of most of the problem. Also my guy told me to take the air bags to 65 pounds and that made a difference as well in the handling and the ride. Hope that helps. :)
Just to let you know, if" you park the rig straight as an arrow!!!!
you can rebuild the front end on a Saturday!!! Very easy"!!!
Plus you will save your self $1,800 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for all that info, I'm going to local moutains in the morning since business is slow. I'll pump up them airbags first & see if that helps a little. Once I get back I guess I'll take a stab at trying to rebuild the fron end myself. I'm a retired Navy Boatswainsmate, I'm not really supposed to get mechanical.
Thanks again!
Gary MacKay
San Diego, Ca.
Mac
Have a great trip, take some pics for us trapped back at home.
JerryT
Boats!!!! I am a radio operator former CG "Puddle Pirate"
Yea the front end is real simple.. Even a Boats can handle that....LOL
No, really it is real simple, just make sure you Park that trhing straight.. Have fun in the snow!! John :)
Sounds like an old sailors reunion as I was a USN Signalman. I just got back from a 2 and a half month vacation so I'm backed up in the shop with engine work. I'm supposed to be retired but the work just keeps coming in. My wife says it is a good thing I'm not a female because I would be pregnant my entire life because I don't know how to say NO.
Mac, Look at all the joints on the front end. If you feel anything that you can move with your hands or even a pry bar it should be changed. Look at the control arm bushings to make sure they are not worn out. Have someone show you how to take the tapered tie rod ends off if you don't know how. You do not try and drive them out by hitting on the end of the taper. If you have a pickle fork, use it. Otherwise you hit the side of the tapered hole hard with a large hammer.
Good luck,
this is an obvious one - but just in case - be sure your tire pressure is up enough - low tires cause "mushy" handling poor tracking - dangerous too.
If your front coil springs and front shocks are weak - that will also cause crap handling.
BUT - even if you get everything fixed to spec - the Clipper ain't no Subaru - never will be.
Drive 55mph, enjoy the view, relax, save money, feel safer.
:) I just got back and can't tell you how much I appreciate all the info! before I rolled out of town I checked my air bags and my port side bag was empty. Filled them puppies to 65 psi as was recommended & I have to say that she handled like a new machine! Thanks!
I rounded those 15-30 mph winding mountain turns like a new man. This time I didn't get anyone passing me up flipping the bird.
But......... the winds were blowing and now I know what some of you meant by sailing. I guess I naturally sailed her & when I hit a hill that stopped the wind I knew what was happening. The ocassional Monaco bus RV & casino buses that passed me up were wake up calls but it handled 100% better. I crawled up underneath while camped out & everything is tight on the front end. Goint to keep an eye on the possible air bag leak, get new tires because these are in new shape but 8 years old and get new shocks all around.
I'm checking out the search function for other small issues but all in all the American Clipper Experience is enjoyable. My accountant felt sorry for me while we were camped out in our rig over Thanksgiving & he ran into me in his 2006 something 35 ft Monaco slide out and queen size bed. He felt so bad he led me to an investment opportunity that would make me a few million and I could leave my carpet cleaning business and white trash rv behind. No offence but camping to me is all about breaking out the coleman stove if you can't start up a fire and watering trees. We hung out with them in their big rig and had a 5 course meal, watched direct tv on a leather couch and were warmed by electric heat. We could do all that home! As far as working goes, I'd have it no other way as long as I'm able. I still made the investment - LOL!
Thanks again! I'm sure I'll tap you for more info & tips.
Hi there, Yes, Anyone can go in debt and buy a home on wheels with the leather couch.. But, it shows a real Camper to hook up
An AMERICAN CLIPPER!!! What I really get a chuckle is when
"These guys with their 35 and 50 ft Rigs pull into a stall
and BREAK out their RUBBER GLOVES" like they are going to give a rectal exam to an Elephant"
GET REAL!! Standing there in their Blue jump suit and rubber gloves.... What made me fall off my chair was hen the "Blond wife handed him his -------Safety Glassesssssssssssss.....OOh god "please stop hehhehehhehebhehbeheghehgehehehehehehehheh by now I am on the ground and holding my ribs...I have lost the fire on my cigar
and my Old Milwaukee is draining on the ground....My wife runs too my aid thinking I have just had a heart attack.... It was at that time I pointed out the man in the "Blue dress coveralls with the rubber gloves.....This guy must have had the right intentions
of getting a rig and I take my hat off to him.. But he should have
started off with a smaller rig . After an hour of not figuring out how to dump the tank. I wandered over and talked to him.
Pointed out the hand valves to him and watched the discusted look
on his wife's face when the power started flowing.
You had to be there. I think she was going to take a plane after that experience.. She even wiped the bottom of the dogs feet before it could come inside the rig....LOL
I hear ya John, A couple years ago I followed a big 5th wheel camper into the park. There were only 2 spots left. ( I know that cause I sent someone a head to save one.) It turned out to be an older couple. Late 60s early 70s I suppose. Anyway, I shit you not it took this guy 15 to 20 minutes to get it backed into his spot which was right next to the one I had "saved". His wife and I tried to help but he didn't want it. Hes one of those guys that think they know everything. He was getting mad. His wife was really mad and all I wanted to do was park and crack a bud light after a hard day on the farm so I was frustrated too.
I pull a little s-10 pickup box trailer for wood kids bikes ect. Its so narrow I cant see that thing in my mirrors or out he back window, but I backed in my spot perfect the first time. Honestly it usually takes 3 or 4 shots to do it but for some reason I nailed it the first time. His wife yelled over to us "How did you do that?" I just smiled and said "My daddy told me if you cant drive backwards you aint got no business driving forward."
The next morning they were gone. I don't know if they were just passing through or if he was still mad he got showed up by some kid wearing cut off wranglers and cowboy hat and boots.
Just for the record I have never since then been able to back in that spot on one try again. Last labor day I think it took 5 times before I got it straight. I need to put a flag on that trailer or something so I can see it. any suggestions?
LOL John.
On my small utility trailer that I can't see to back up I don't even try. I just un-hook it and roll it in first, that way people think I know what I am doing 8)
JerryT
HoooRaaaa!!!
Everything cool you doing fine!!!
It's not what you do, it's how you do it!
JerryT
Two 1/2 inch pvc (white sprinkler type) sections of pipe - I'm guessing 4 ft long - maybe longer - with bright yellow or orange tennis balls on the end (punch hole in tennis ball).
You have them (figure out your own rigging to quickly attach them) sticking out at 45 degree angles from the front corners of the trailer - so that they stick out about a foot wider than the Clipper on each side.
Then, start straight, hand at 6 o'clock, watch the tennis balls, and back in like a pro.
Damn!!! Bet we can see that at WallMart real soon
John :)
Right after the 2 for 1 infomercial on late night TV :D
Jerryt
Youre all right Jerry!!!!!!!!!
So are you John!
JerryT
:) ")
I guess I have an air leak in one of my air bags which is why it handles terrible at times. Before I went camping I checked it & it had just a few lbs so I filled it & 10 days later when it was time to come home it was empty again. I broke out the bike pump & was able to get 45 lbs in it & adjusted the other one the same & it handled great for the trip home. I just can't belive that one air bag can throw the whole thong off like that.
I think when it squats in the back on one side it unloads the opposite corner in the front, and it would make the front left side have different alignment than the front right side. I think it would be like driving two different trucks at once. Anybody else have any ideas?
JerryT
Check the Air line , Might have a slow leak.............
John :)
installing an aftermarket sway bar made a huge difference in handling as well.
;)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/Rodney1/Clipper/swaybar.jpg)
along with a complete front end rebuild.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/Rodney1/Clipper/Mvc-002s.jpg)
I like the anti sway bar! What brand, how much and where did you get it? Was it bolt on or did you have to adjust it ;)
JerryT
OH YES<, Please let Us know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
If it is as simple as it looks I'll buy that myself!!!!!!!!!!
John :)
Hey Boats! Sparks here, retired Chief Radioman.... I have a lot of respect for Boatswainsmates!!! I tried taking the BM 3 & 2 course and ended up turning it back in not completed. That bugger was difficult! You darn near have to know how to build, maintain and replace everything that keeps a ship floating.
I'm up in Oceanside and just finished replacing my old fridge with a newer used/rebuilt RM2500. About the only other things I've done is replace the valve on the propane tank, new ignition module and condenser. Previous owner had tannie rebuilt, carb rebuilt and new tires mounted early last year. So I'm good to go for a few miles. I do have a termite problem, but have about resigned myself to having to tent the darn thing and then when I get into replacing and modifying the cabinet work repairing the termite damage.
Been camping up at San Onofre onboard Camp Pendleton, Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station and out on the Oceanside Harbor. Maybe you could meet up with us at the Oceanside Harbor for an overnighter! We could swap some lies and make the coasties roll up their trousers! heheheheh (Sorry John, couldn't resist it!) I ran into a retired Coast Guard Mustang Lieutenant out there the last time we spent a week out at the harbor.
Oh, I forgot, he's a First Lieutenant too! ;D
Hey Now"
Let's try Puddle Pirate"
Every first Lt I ever ran into while in the Guard.....
I still shiver just thinking of them being incharge of guys....
I really think that A BM should have had more authority that an Lt.
Dang Jim! I was playing around in my generator space & found a termite! Yeah, maybe we can share a termite tent. I need to find where they are at so maybe I can locally treat them.
I'm all for trying out some beach areas after our cold trip last week. Been meaning to find the area at camp P. but couldn't find it last time I was on base. I was going to do another short adventure next Thrusday after sucking rugs for 11 days straight to relax & do paper work. I'll reply to your e-mail.
As far as mold goes, that's for lawyers & rapists. The feds propbably are involved in it too, big, big money.
I hear you about the termite tent. I have no idea how much they charge to tent an RV. I did buy some stuff from Lowes that is supposed to be death on termites, but have my doubts - but being who I am, I'm going to give it a shot and procrastinate on the tenting. Sure hope nothin' falls off!! Maybe those critters will eat something that makes them migrate to one of those $300,000.00 rigs!! Better wood over there!
I sent you an email with a lot of information about Camp Pendleton camping and a website that shows all the military camp grounds. I spent 3 days up at Seal Beach Weapons Station... they have a really nice campground, but it's way far away from the beach. The price did include Cable TV hookup. hheheheheheheheheeh....
Hey John, I don't know about the Coast Guard, but most of the 1st Lt's I met in the Navy were Mustang Officers who had been BMC's or BM1's ... So I guess you could say we did have BM's in that position. :-) But that's okay, I haven't stood a QD Watch since 1986! Hell, I haven't stood any watches since 1986!!
I trained many a young LT on all my frequent trips to the middle east and my C.O. thought they were getting a thrashing but they wre always good guys willing to learn.
One of my best Lt's was a mustang that was an ex-QM thrust into naval Special Warfare as a naval officer. Guy was good, impotent due to naval politics went which is why we got along, I said & did the things he couldn't which is why I never made E-8. He kept me out of trouble with the brass & I made it possible for him to make LTCDR & get a fat job in Chille. Ain't that the way it works!
Quote from: John Eversoll on January 04, 2011, 09:22:37 PM
OH YES<, Please let Us know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
If it is as simple as it looks I'll buy that myself!!!!!!!!!!
John :)
I'm Sorry for not replying sooner "re" sway bar better late that never I guess
The first of the year I had a knee replaced and wasn't taking care of the computer. Had more important things to do :-\
the front sway bar I installed was an AFCO brand purchased at the local parts store.
for the rear I am planning on installing
a HellWig brand click here (http://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/rv-suspension/rv-sway-bars/)
they supply an 1 1/8 rear the front I installed was 1"
The front wasn't that big a deal to install.
The rear on the other hand I am not sure and before I order one I am going to contact Hellwig and ask them if it will work with the clipper due to the fuel tank being so close to the rear axle.