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05-31-2011, 07:55 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1991 35' Airstream 350
Laurel
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 222
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1st trip in my 1991 350 LE
Went to a bluegrass festival and got the MHO stuck in mud on level ground. It not a bluegrass festival if it isnt raining. It appears that there really isnt a good safe way to hook a chain to this motorhome and yank it out of the mud. A chain in the front hooked to the frame is not good because of the chin spoiler under the bumper. The back of the motorhome has a hitch that is rated for one ton so that will not work. I ended up hooking a cain to the frame at a point just in front of the hitch and used a 4x4 block of wood to keep the chain from fouling on the body work.
I go to a lot of bluegrass festivals every year. Is there something I can rig up to be ready when this happens again?
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05-31-2011, 09:02 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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06-02-2011, 01:41 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
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Having been not -quite-THERE, but-there...ya' gotta impress(STRONGLY) that the bonnet will crack, the expense is high, and failure to heed will be on them...ahem...having berated the wrecker, towing a short(1/4-1/2 mile) distance should use lowest tow-bar clearance...any longer distance requires a tilt-flatbed with a smart operator...GS ERS gave us that...dropped AAA after 22 yrs...m
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
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06-02-2011, 04:54 AM
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#4
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Liberator
1972 Argosy 24
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Heart of Dixie
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,659
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Install a posi rear end... $$$ but you get out on your own next time.
__________________
Your opinion is valued, please not your opinion of someones else's opinion.
Click To See Me Wet
1989 Airstream 345 Liberator...
1972 Argosy 24'...
1954 Feathercraft Vagabond
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06-02-2011, 06:44 AM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
1989 25' Excella
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Hobe Sound
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 294
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On my 89 345, the PO installed a hook attached to the frame in the front. Have never had to use it, but it's probably what you need. In the next few days, will take a pix from under the hook and post it for you.
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06-02-2011, 12:45 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1991 35' Airstream 350
Laurel
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 222
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Chains for the tires?
I have been looking underneath for a place to weld a hook. If I buy chains for the drive wheels would that get me unstuck? Mind you, I was on level flat wet grass/mud. Lucky for me the festival had a brand new Pettibone that could keep the boom very low so the chain did not foul any bodywork.
This was my first trip in this moho and I never considered that I needed to be aware of the surface I was on. I learned a lot on this first trip. My favorite lesson was don't set your beer on the steps and close the door unless you want the beer can crushed and sprayed across the front of your pants.
Steve G
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06-02-2011, 12:45 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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If your tires are needing replacement, I would also look at a "Drive-Axle" specific tire. They have a more blocky tread than the circumferencial style tire and give far better traction in mud/snow.
Like these...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes
They are on my list for drive axle.
I experienced this problem on my new BMW a few years back... I got stuck on a flat street with barely 1" of fresh snow... the 1000 mile old Z rated tires had no sipes, or blocks, and all they did was spin!
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06-02-2011, 02:10 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2000 31' Land Yacht
Central
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,489
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I did the same years ago in a Coachhouse, park employee said it was ok, later admitted that others had to be pulled out with a tractor. It was also at a bluegrass festival being held nearby. a quarter inch of mud was enough to eliminate traction, it didn't even get the tire side walls messed up.
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06-03-2011, 01:32 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1982 28' Airstream 280
Port Angeles
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,942
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I'm not sure of the front configuration of your moho but I had mine towed about 120 miles with no problem. A competent driver with good equipment can do it. The PO also had it towed but the guy turned too sharp parking it and crunched the end of the bumper.
Snow chains will get you out but they are really a pain to put on in the mud.
The Goodyear RS647 is an all position tire that is actually mud and snow rated. It's not only the thread but the composition of the rubber too. On winter tires the rubber doesn't get hard when it gets cold.
On flat ground a chain on the hitch receiver will be fine. Towing is a lot different then rolling a vehicle a short distance on flat ground. I have an old Greyhound bus that weighs 21,000lbs. It has a standard transmission and three guys can push start it on level pavement.
Cheers, Dan
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06-04-2011, 06:40 AM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
1989 25' Excella
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Hobe Sound
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 294
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tow hook
As promised, the hook is attached to heavy angle that is attached to the frame struts. The hook is attached to a piece of flat bar. The flat bar has a cut out in the under bumper cowling. Hope this helps!
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