Readying for Rescue

[Artliner]

Hello, Forums! First post ever as I ready for my rescue mission this weekend. A 1963 Overlander International has been stationary, waiting in the puckerbush since 1989 and I'll soon rescue her. I have temporary towing lights, transfer plates, and 4 new tires mounted on her old rims, and a friend at the ready with a powerful truck and experience towing. We are moving her a total of 3 miles.

Question 1) can anyone help me make sense of the attached photo and those stirrup shaped metal pieces? They are currently rusted in place. Are they necessary for my 3 mile rescue journey?

Question 2) Should I attempt repacking the 1963 bearings before towing the 3 miles? I will assume there is no grease in there now. It would be the first of thousands of tasks I would like to do myself, armed only with a dozen YouTube videos and healthy confidence.

Looking forward to future dialogue here,
Kate

[Artliner]

Mysterious towing hardware.

[mimiandrews]

The stirrup things are for a Reese Dual Cam anti-sway system. I have that system on my hitch and really like it. Shouldn't be necessary for a 3 mile tow, unless you're trying for a speed record.

Thanks for rescuing another fine old Airstream.

[markdoane]

The stirrups might be needed if you have a lightly sprung SUV, but if your friend has a real truck they won't be needed for a short trip.

My Tahoe squats so much without the weight distributing hitch that it would get hung up on a walnut in the road.

[Shacksman]

#2 there is no reason that the grease has left. It will be as good as it was when parked and certainly good enough for 3 miles.

[joshjack]

The grease works out with motion not just sitting. Probably fine for the 3 miles taking it easy

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Take it slow and be aware that the trailer brakes are not what they should be. I would avoid major highways if that helps to keep the speed down, even if the distance is a bit longer.

Work out where it will "rest" before you start the move. You want to get it into the right location while you have all the help and the big truck.

Bob