More improvements to Monty February 01, 2017, 04:05:45 pm Since returning from our LD Alaska trip last summer I haven't had much time to join in, but I have been busy doing more things to our LD, "Monty". Before leaving last Spring, I got with a sheet metal fabricator and had aluminum replacements of the escape hatch plastic cover and the refrigerator chimney plastic cover. I had previously been caught in hail storms and were lucky those covers survived then. I painted the exterior of the escape hatch cover with a white Rustoleum primer/paint and covered the interior with self adhering cork shelf liner for insulation. I replaced the rubber seals then used all the original mounting hardware to re-attach. All went well and I had no problems on the 12K mile summer trip. Photos attached. 2 Likes
Re: More improvements to Monty Reply #1 – February 01, 2017, 04:53:39 pm I read here recently that someone was wondering how to use the safety cables that came with the Roadmaster Sterling tow bar.The issue was the ball ends of the cable and the retaining brackets they fit into. I had the same dilemma but found a great way to solve the problem. Instead of mounting the retaining brackets somewhere safe on the front of my '05 Honda which already had the Blue Ox base plate with rings for cable hooks, I decided to install the Sterling brackets on the hitch plate of the LD. The bracket had an up-turned lip on the mounting surface which i fitted into the edge of opening where a cable hook would normally attach. The brackets were left & right configuration that worked well on both sides. There was already two bolt holes on the bracket that I marked on the LD base plate and drilled matching holes. I used grade 8 bolts/nuts/lock washers with locktite red on the threads. Tightened them with an air impact. Since there was no reason for detaching the cables from the coach, I placed bolts and flat washers it the cable install tracks to keep them from bouncing out. The safety hooks at the opposite end of the cables mount into the standard Blue Ox mounts. Note: Roadmaster offers mounting brackets on the end of the two arms that match the Blue Ox base plate mounting pins. Side topic: I am considering buying either a Protect-A-Tow or a Tow Defender for Blue Ox. I was wondering if other members have experience with these as to how well they protect the front of a toad. Early on I had installed a solid rubber flap across the back of the LD which caused more loose gravel hitting the front of the toad than without it. We do a lot of boondocking and any good (convenient to use) protection would help.
Re: More improvements to Monty Reply #2 – February 01, 2017, 05:47:20 pm Nice stuff LD Coachman! (your first name is LD?) The idea of replacing those hard to source plastic items on top is great- I worry about hail too. I was looking for a price you paid for those fabrications, but I have to be honest- the lack of paragraphs made it too hard for my weak brain to process the whole post 😂
Re: More improvements to Monty Reply #3 – February 01, 2017, 09:12:09 pm Way to go, CoachmanI commend you for thinking outside the box. However, a pic of the toad attachment would have also been instructive.
Re: More improvements to Monty Reply #4 – February 02, 2017, 11:13:10 am Quote from: paul banbury - February 01, 2017, 05:47:20 pmNice stuff LD Coachman! (your first name is LD?) The idea of replacing those hard to source plastic items on top is great- I worry about hail too. I was looking for a price you paid for those fabrications, but I have to be honest- the lack of paragraphs made it too hard for my weak brain to process the whole post 😂Mr. Coachman's first name, Mike, is at the bottom of his post, Paul.Chris
Re: More improvements to Monty Reply #5 – February 02, 2017, 11:16:35 am Quote from: LD Coachman - February 01, 2017, 04:53:39 pmI read here recently that someone was wondering how to use the safety cables that came with the Roadmaster Sterling tow bar.The issue was the ball ends of the cable and the retaining brackets they fit into. I had the same dilemma but found a great way to solve the problem. Instead of mounting the retaining brackets somewhere safe on the front of my '05 Honda which already had the Blue Ox base plate with rings for cable hooks, I decided to install the Sterling brackets on the hitch plate of the LD. The bracket had an up-turned lip on the mounting surface which i fitted into the edge of opening where a cable hook would normally attach. The brackets were left & right configuration that worked well on both sides. There was already two bolt holes on the bracket that I marked on the LD base plate and drilled matching holes. I used grade 8 bolts/nuts/lock washers with locktite red on the threads. Tightened them with an air impact. Since there was no reason for detaching the cables from the coach, I placed bolts and flat washers it the cable install tracks to keep them from bouncing out. The safety hooks at the opposite end of the cables mount into the standard Blue Ox mounts. Note: Roadmaster offers mounting brackets on the end of the two arms that match the Blue Ox base plate mounting pins. Side topic: I am considering buying either a Protect-A-Tow or a Tow Defender for Blue Ox. I was wondering if other members have experience with these as to how well they protect the front of a toad. Early on I had installed a solid rubber flap across the back of the LD which caused more loose gravel hitting the front of the toad than without it. We do a lot of boondocking and any good (convenient to use) protection would help.Mike, I have used the Protect-A-Tow for 14 years and am pleased with its protection. It's not perfect, but it helps. My windshield is pitted on the 2010 CR-V I tow, partially from detritus that still swirls around behind the LD, but mostly from the sandy mix that is put down during the snowy months here in Denver.Chris
Re: More improvements to Monty Reply #6 – February 02, 2017, 11:52:20 am Appologies to Mike!!I looked twice last night and missed a name. Then today I looked again. No name visible on my iPhone. But still, I am sorry...FWIW I see your name Chris, but not my own, which I know is in my signature line. Paul
Re: More improvements to Monty Reply #7 – February 02, 2017, 12:51:50 pm Quote from: paul banbury - February 02, 2017, 11:52:20 amAppologies to Mike!!I looked twice last night and missed a name. Then today I looked again. No name visible on my iPhone. But still, I am sorry...FWIW I see your name Chris, but not my own, which I know is in my signature line. PaulI sign my name below each post but it's not below in the description or signature line. Perhaps it's a phone thing.Chris
Re: More improvements to Monty Reply #8 – February 02, 2017, 12:58:46 pm When viewing the forum on a smart phone, the information displayed is reduced, the author's name and/or model, located on the bottom of the page, are removed.There is only so much real estate available on the small screen.Larry
Re: More improvements to Monty Reply #9 – February 03, 2017, 01:57:08 am Nice job on the escape hatch. That's been exactly my plan when mine needs replacing.Lori Y2011 24FL
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Topic: More improvements to Monty (Read 372 times)
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