Finding The Cross Members

[dbj216]

Why didn't someone tell me? I struggle installing the new belly pan aluminum sheets. Finding the cross members can be a bear laying on your back on a creeper. I finally found the secret. A magnet! A cow magnet at that.

The cylindrical cow magnet tends to self center right in the middle of the 1/2" wide cross member flange. It is very helpful in finding the cross member and locating the drill point. Like a stud finder for Airstreams.

I wanted to share the secret. I'm sure everyone knew except me!

David

[Argosy Heir]

That is great ! Have to remember that one.

[dbj216]

It sure has helped me on this belly pan project. I've tried straight edges, chalk lines and hammer blows. But the magnet has worked the best for me.

David

[Wingeezer]

As I started to read I though right away of using a magnet - but what the H is a cow magnet? I never even knew cows were magnetic.

Is it something for finding barbed wire they have ingested??!

Brian. (city dweller!)

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

As I started to read I though right away of using a magnet - but what the H is a cow magnet? I never even knew cows were magnetic.

Is it something for finding barbed wire they have ingested??!

Brian. (city dweller!)

How do you get the cow under the trailer?

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by lumatic

how do you get the cow under the trailer?

😂😂😂

[dbj216]

"Cow magnets" are found in farm supply stores. I think it works like a magnetic oil drain plug in a car. Maybe it helps keep the cows bearings lasting longer. But I have never stuffed one down a cow.

They are cylindrical shaped, and pretty powerful. I had one laying around and since it is round, it tends to self center on the 1/2" wide cross member, perfect for locating the drill point.

You can get a magnetic cow under your Airstream if you jack the trailer up high enough. Five feet ought to do it.

Put too many magnets down a cow, and it will stick to the side of your pick up (unless it as an aluminum bodied Ford).

David

[rmkrum]

Cow magnets are fed to the cow and stay in their first stomach. Cows are subject to 'hardware disease' from ingesting bits of metal when they crop grass. If the metal gets into their bowels it can kill them with abscesses and infections. The cow magnet traps the metal bits and keeps them from causing trouble.

(Reference: My son the large and small animal veterinarian).


Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

[A W Warn]

I thought you guys were just BSing us.
Learned something new!
http://www.angusbeefbulletin.com/ext...e-disease.html

[rmkrum]

Nope. The only BS here is the one in Computer Science😄.

And a vast interest in all kinds of trivia...mostly harmless.


Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

[dbj216]

Not only do cow magnets keep the cow healthy, they help the cow find true north, and thus find her way to the barn.

But on the downside, if two cows have there magnetic poles aligned, they will repel each other, and contrary if the two poles are not aligned, the cows will attract. This can drive a dairy farmer nuts.

David

[rmkrum]

Add a bull into the mix, and it really gets weird.


Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums