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I don't want to start cutting holes in the new outrigger if adding a few new parts will solve the problem. Apparently the lever-arm has been completely redesigned but I don't see those offered for sale. So I may need to fabricate? Maybe Dan at ODM will read this and respond.
I would think in you can modify the new to look like the old you will be fine. Give Dan a call... he may have a better idea.
Yesterday I decided not to let that brand new gallon of Napier RemovALL 220 sit there doing nothing. So I waited until it was about 95 degrees instead of 99 degrees outside and I began applying the stripper with a paint brush by hand. I let it sit just long enough to apply a single coating all the way around the trailer. Probably about 1 hour. Then working in the same direction around the trailer I used water and a large car wash brush to brush off the stripper and old coating. This stuff works great and now I have close to a mirror shine at least on the lower 3/4 of the skins. The coating was definitely gone on the end caps, upper skins and top and oxidation is evident there. Still it's amazing the beauty that can be found after 32 years hidden below the worn layers in these trailers!
__________________
Todd
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails, explore, dream, discover, and change habits.”
WOW, Todd! That looks great! I was going to suggest that you call Dan, but I see that's been taken care of. Keep a close eye on that small spring, it can cause all sorts of issues if you have problems with it (ask me how I know ).
Jim
__________________ Any significantly advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Arthur C. Clarke, C.B.E. (1918-2008)
Dan as mentioned I have those outriggers. The trouble is apparently they don't match the model of steps on my trailer. Question is how does the lever arm work on the newer model steps and is that lever available as a part for purchase? If so I can probably upgrade the lever arm on my existing steps rather than fabricating the new outriggers to fit the old lever-arm. I was hoping somebody might also have some photos depicting how the newer lever arms work.
__________________
Todd
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails, explore, dream, discover, and change habits.”
- Mark Twain
Last edited by monocoque : 05-11-2008 at 07:28 PM.
Looking carefully at the newer model of stairs versus the older model on my trailer Dan and I decided that the the old steps can be upgraded to fit the newer outriggers. Thanks Dan! Karma to ya!
The significant difference between the older steps and the new steps is the step release mechanism. Rather than modify the new outriggers to fit the old step release mechanism I decided to upgrade my steps with a new step release mechanism. Looks like it's going to cost about $45 in parts to do the upgrade.
Dan was very kind to provide photos of the new step release mechanism for comparison and agreed to let me post them here. So I'm going to order the parts for the upgrade and avoid modifying the outriggers. Occasionally I like to solve problems the easier way!
I should also mention that it looks like it would also be possible to adapt the new outriggers to fit the older release mechanism. However, there is a plastic bushing that would be necessary and I'm not sure those parts are still available. Occasionally I prefer to solve problems the easier way!
__________________
Todd
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails, explore, dream, discover, and change habits.”
- Mark Twain
Last edited by monocoque : 05-14-2008 at 04:13 PM.
Keep a close eye on that small spring, it can cause all sorts of issues if you have problems with it (ask me how I know ).
Jim
Jim, okay I simply can't resist asking any longer. I've had my eye on that small spring for awhile now and it has yet to reveal it's secrets. Do tell us about these small spring issues. Perhaps your experience will also lend some insight into why the release mechanism has been changed? The old style spring has actually been eliminated in the new model. If you look closely at the middle photo in post 244 you can see the new style spring attached to point where the release mechanism is bolted to the outrigger.
__________________
Todd
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails, explore, dream, discover, and change habits.”
That spring is there to keep tension on the release handle so that it stays in the "up" position. I screwed up by accidentally POR-ing it while POR-ing the frame. I was able to get most of it off before it dried, but it would have surely "frozen" the spring in position if it had stayed on there.
Jim
On edit: I think the new setup looks much studier, BTW. I would change mine out if I had the chance. I didn't know there was an alternative when I had the belly pan off.
__________________ Any significantly advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Arthur C. Clarke, C.B.E. (1918-2008)
That spring is there to keep tension on the release handle so that it stays in the "up" position. I screwed up by accidentally POR-ing it while POR-ing the frame. I was able to get most of it off before it dried, but it would have surely "frozen" the spring in position if it had stayed on there.
Jim
On edit: I think the new setup looks much studier, BTW. I would change mine out if I had the chance. I didn't know there was an alternative when I had the belly pan off.
There might need to be a slight modification to the wrap in that area to accomodate the new release mechanism. I'll let you know how the upgrade works when the parts arrive.
Instead, how about POR-ing the spring in the extended position, let it dry, then release the tension. Actually it seems like a good idea to POR the spring given the amount of rust I discovered on mine. See the above photos in post #236.
__________________
Todd
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails, explore, dream, discover, and change habits.”
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