Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-19-2018, 04:04 PM   #1
Site Team
 
Hans627's Avatar

 
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,676
Propride Install/Propane Tray?

After a few years of research I finally purchased a Propride hitch. I am in the install process and have a question that perhaps can be answered by those who have installed this hitch.

The frame bracket "U" bolts (second picture) are to be mounted 22" from the center of the ball (the first white mark from the front). That puts them under the propane tray. The only thing I can see to do is raise the tray. Is that what you have done? If so, how was this done?

Thanks so much! Any suggestions appreciated!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2197.jpg
Views:	166
Size:	317.2 KB
ID:	323041   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2198.jpg
Views:	108
Size:	192.2 KB
ID:	323042  

Hans627 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 04:24 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
pjshier's Avatar

 
2017 27' International
Wasilla , Alaska
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 539
I drilled a hole(s) in the tray. Had to remove one of the tray attachment bolts each side, because the u-bolts passed over the frame right where one of the tray attachment bolts was located, each side. I sprayed some Corrosion X in the holes and then plugged them. The u-bolts on each side are plenty in terms of replacing the attachment bolts' function of holding the propane bottle tray in place. For mine, the steel ring welded to the bottom of the tanks did not interfere with the u-bolts, and provided adequate clearance between the bottom of the tanks and the top of the u-bolt. So, the u-bolt is essentially hidden under each tank.

Mine ended up far enough forward of where your line is, such that the inboard side of each u-bolt dropped right through a slot already cut in the tank tray. Your set-up looks slightly different, so you will have to drill two hole each side, I think.

Your mileage may vary, don't try this at home, etc.
__________________
2017 Int'l Serenity 27FB
2020 F250 powered by converted solar
pjshier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 05:01 PM   #3
Rivet Master

 
2007 22' International CCD
Corona , California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
I removed the tank cover and the tank holder base and installed the U-bolts and the bases of the WD jacks on my A-frame per the instructions. The tank tray sits on the U-bolts and the front ends of the curved round bars that keep the lift straps (for want of a better word) off the side of the A-frame.

I used much bigger and longer self-tapping bolts to re-install the tank holder into the same hole locations, as nothing interfered. The ProPride parts acted as the spacer.

In a pinch, longer bolts and a stack of washers between the A-frame and the tank holder base could also space things up nicely...

I did notice that the fasteners Airstream used to install the tank holder base looked quite wimpy for the amount of weight they are holding. I replaced them with much bigger ones--at least 3/8" outside thread diameter as I recall. I had to drill bigger clearance holes in the tank base and appropriate pilot holes in the A-frame...

Had to do the same thing for the battery box--added 1/4-20 Stainless Steel bolts and locking nuts--just 4 short #8 self-drilling screws were in it to hold down over 150 pounds of batteries--what were they thinking???

My battery box is plastic, so there is a nice sturdy nylon strap and locking buckle wrapped twice around the box and under the two support rails to hold it all together now.

Another tip, be darn sure that frame bracket is centered under the A-frame accurately. It is critical to the hitch working properly when you are towing.

You are gonna love the ProPride--best thing I ever installed on my AS.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
rmkrum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 05:16 PM   #4
Retired.
 
Currently Looking...
. , At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
I shimmed the LP tank tray with 1/2" steel machine nuts, with the mounting screws going through them into the A-frame. Every one I've performed this on has worked well, no looseness, no wobbling, and the U-bolts act as additional support points.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
overlander63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 05:55 PM   #5
Lost in America
 
mojo's Avatar
 
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
Move the tank tray forward and it all fits.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison

2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017
Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel

mojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 06:05 PM   #6
Retired.
 
Currently Looking...
. , At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo View Post
Move the tank tray forward and it all fits.
The tank cover already hits the jack post, you can't move it forward.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
overlander63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 06:14 PM   #7
Lost in America
 
mojo's Avatar
 
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
Worked for me. You can also turn the jack head sideways.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison

2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017
Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel

mojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 03:21 PM   #8
Site Team
 
Hans627's Avatar

 
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,676
Thanks for the tips guys. Very helpful!

Another question, I'm about to install the towers and the rubber propane line is attached via clamps riveted under one of the frame rails. Obviously the "u" clamp needs to go under the propane line or it will be crushed. How was this handled? Any concern with the rubber hose rubbing against the "u" bolt?

Thanks!
Hans627 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 03:28 PM   #9
Rivet Master

 
2007 22' International CCD
Corona , California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
On mine, the rubber line connects to a copper line that dives under the trailer. I carefully loosened and bent the copper tubing in an "S" curve just enough to clear the U-bolts for the jacks. That keeps the rubber line out of trouble as well.

If you are concerned with keeping it from rubbing, get some "corrugated split loom" from an auto supply or big box home improvement store and slip it over the gas piping. That also helps prevent flying rock damage to the tubing.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
rmkrum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 03:58 PM   #10
1 Rivet Member
 
2018 30' International
Bristol , Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
I second rmkrum’s install he detailed above. Exactly what I did and it works great.
dbwilson4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 05:23 PM   #11
Retired.
 
Currently Looking...
. , At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo View Post
Worked for me. You can also turn the jack head sideways.
The newer models have an Atwood jack that doesn't turn sideways. That is where the restriction seems to be, the jack is tight against the LP tank cover.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
overlander63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2018, 01:42 PM   #12
Site Team
 
Hans627's Avatar

 
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,676
Tower Installation Question

I'm attempting to mount the towers and where the base fits over the rail, it is really, really tight. If I could force it over the rail (and it would require a big hammer), I don't think I could move it to adjust location or remove it if necessary. And I am using the provided spacer.

Did you encounter this issue when installing the towers? If so how did you deal with it?

Thanks.
Hans627 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2018, 02:09 PM   #13
Rivet Master

 
2007 22' International CCD
Corona , California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
Did not have that issue--Does it fit if you leave the spacer off?

I don't recall using spacers...

Where is the spacer being placed when you have this problem?

Picture would help a lot...or give Sean at ProPride a call...
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
rmkrum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2018, 01:37 PM   #14
Site Team
 
Hans627's Avatar

 
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,676
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmkrum View Post
Did not have that issue--Does it fit if you leave the spacer off?

I don't recall using spacers...

Where is the spacer being placed when you have this problem?

Picture would help a lot...or give Sean at ProPride a call...
Here is a picture of the tower with the spacer (shim plate). The spacer goes on the inside of the frame rail on the AS and is about 3/8 thick (.390 to be more exact).

I hope it helps to understand my issue. The only solution I can come up with is a thinner spacer.

I have not called Sean yet.

Thanks!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2199.jpg
Views:	85
Size:	270.2 KB
ID:	323318   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_2200.jpg
Views:	120
Size:	238.9 KB
ID:	323319  

Hans627 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2018, 01:54 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
TheGreatleys's Avatar
 
1974 27' Overlander
Baltimore , Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,042
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hans627 View Post
Here is a picture of the tower with the spacer (shim plate). The spacer goes on the inside of the frame rail on the AS and is about 3/8 thick (.390 to be more exact).

I hope it helps to understand my issue. The only solution I can come up with is a thinner spacer.

I have not called Sean yet.

Thanks!
Why not omit the spacer?
TheGreatleys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2018, 02:08 PM   #16
Rivet Master
 
SteveSueMac's Avatar

 
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W , New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGreatleys View Post
Why not omit the spacer?


Sloppy fit otherwise.
SteveSueMac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2018, 03:07 PM   #17
Rivet Master
 
2016 28' International
Sioux Falls , SD
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 576
Those should fit tight.
Call Sean to verify.
__________________
2016 Int. Signature 28' w/ ProPride 3P-1400 Hitch
Mich. LTX w/ 16" Sendels, Centramatics
2017 Ram 2500 4x4 Diesel, CG1800 Bed slide, Leer topper
Better to live one day a lion than a lifetime a sheep. Camp hard, camp often
DBinSD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2018, 04:18 PM   #18
Rivet Master
 
Al and Missy's Avatar
 
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island , Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,668
I mounted my jacks as close as I could to the propane tank mount. They were farther from the hitch ball than recommended. The tank cover sits on the protective rub rails. The links are slightly slanted rather than hanging straight down. I have noticed no problems with the hitch operation. On my trailer I would have to cut the mounting frame off and modify it to stand it off of the frame. I'd rather not weld to the frame.


Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
Al and Missy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2018, 04:31 AM   #19
Site Team
 
Hans627's Avatar

 
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,676
Quote:
Originally Posted by DBinSD View Post
Those should fit tight.
Call Sean to verify.
I talked to Sean regarding the spacers being too thick. He said AS must have changed something relative to the frame (made it wider/thicker). He has had many calls from AS owners within the last six months saying they could not mount the towers with the provided spacers.

I asked about the purpose of the spacer. He said it is a to provide added stability to the towers when turning. The weight distribution arms exert a heavy force on the towers and when turning the force is somewhat diagonial as the bars swing out. He said that if the towers are only jacked up less than six inches (to obtain the required weight distribution) the spacer most likely is not needed.

I made new spacers out of aluminum that are about a 1/16" less then those provided.

FWIW!
Hans627 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2018, 08:10 AM   #20
Rivet Master
 
crispyboy's Avatar
 
1994 30' Excella
alexandria , Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,314
Images: 3
Do you have access to a belt sander? Put in an aggressive grit sand paper, clap the spacer in a vice and go to town. Another tool you could try is a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a aggressive flap disk. Either tool could cut quickly the spacer down to the size you need.
__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
crispyboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2017 AS Classic 30 and ProPride P3 Install Sparr 2016 - Current Classic (all lengths) 22 06-11-2019 11:36 AM
Propride Hitch Install (LP Tank Tray) Daquenzer Towing, Tow Vehicles & Hitches 8 11-02-2017 06:18 PM
DIY for Propane Tray Screw RECALL 15V-086 Doc Foster LP Gas, Piping, Tanks & Regulators 15 08-26-2017 03:59 PM
Propride 3 dealer install djpierce Hitches, Couplers & Balls 15 08-21-2013 06:32 PM
battery tray lido&linda 85/345 Mechanics Corner - Engines, Transmission & More... 3 09-16-2003 08:33 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.