BRAKE

Towing our Jeep flat, that is with all four wheels down, means that we would need a braking system for it.

We decided that Brake buddy made just the thing that we needed. Here is a look at our setup.

This morning we pulled the toad behind the Kawabunga truck to try it out since we never had a system like it before.

 

The system comes with a remote that mounts on the dashboard so you can monitor it’s functions.

The remote is wireless and can be released from the velcro that holds it to the dash, for system checking.

With the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in park, we leave the ignition switch in the accessory position, which allows the Jeep’s ABs system to be functional !

DIODE’s

Last year we were at a campground where as managers, we had full hookups. This year we have a new assignment and that campground has water and sewer but no electricity. To be ready for that, we are converting many of our incandescent light bulbs to Light Emitting Diode’s. Here is what  the majority of our bulbs look like.

We are replacing them with this bulb.

This LED bulb uses only 1/10th of the power and gives off more light. We bought 10 of these for $19.90, delivered to the house,  on eBay. Here is the link.

T10 194 168 501 921 W5W 28 LED 3020 SMD Car Side Wedge Light Bulb Lamp White 12V

Here is how they look when installed.

The light fixtures look like this when closed back up.

With the factory equipped bulbs in the fixture the clear lens was very hot to the touch. The new LED bulb uses so little power that the lens is cool to the touch !

Our dining table light looks like this, when converted.

Here is a look at the bulb by it’s self.

Our cost for each bulb on eBay was $4.29 each. Here is a link to the eBay listing.

63 LED BA15S 1156 WHITE BULB CARAVAN BOAT LIGHT 12 Volt

At this point over half of our fifthwheel’s lights are converted to LED’s, for under $25.00 !

OX

We’ve never had a Blue Ox tow bar before. However we plan to tow our Jeep Wrangler flat, with all wheels on the ground. So, we needed a tow bar that is rated to pull the fairly heavy Jeep. The Blue Ox Alpha series is rated at 6500 pounds. Today I hooked it up for the first time. Here is a look.

We are impressed with the fit, finish and robustness of the Blue Ox tow bar. Here is a look at the connection to the Jeep’s base plate.

Our first time to hook it up went very smooth and quick, it was a simple, straight forward process.

The jeep’s tail light’s are  being used and a series of diode’s prevent feedback into the jeep’s electrical system.  A  simple, standard trailer plug makes the connection and gets the job done.

Though we haven’t had a chance to get it out on the highway yet, we think that it will do just fine.

PROP

Surprisingly, our boat’s propeller made it in good shape for a couple of years. We are up in the shallows quite a bit, setting bait traps out, scouting for bait fish, and recovering fishing jugs.

On the left is our original prop after being rebuilt by the Perfect pitch prop shop. On the right is a stainless steel prop that will go back on the motor.

The rebuilt prop will be carried in the boat, along with a new prop nut and spider washer, as an emergency replacement, in the event of loosing the prop or some other damage type emergency that could put a end to our annual fishing trip.

Here is a look at the assembled emergency prop kit. It is all held together with ty wraps.

Here is the kit, bagged up and ready to stow in the boat until needed.

Now for a look at the end result.

The stainless steel prop is much tougher, but that can be a danger to the motor’s lower unit. A hard hit can twist a output shaft.

For us the stainless prop is a calculated risk that we take because we are nearly always at idle speed when in shallows.

Our stainless prop on our dive boat was there for 11 years and was in the prop shop once in that time.

JEEPIN’

Our Nissan 4x4 was a good pickup for us, we had it for over 12 years. It just wasn’t a Jeep and when we took the Nissan pickup  out on the road with us, it got twenty plus miles per gallon. Soon we discovered that the off road stuff that we like to do was a bit much for it. It was time for us to get back in the Jeepin’ business !

Here is a look.

As usual, we put step bars on it for convenience, and added the mill spec ruck sack cover for a spare tire cover.

On the front we added a Blue Ox base plate for the tow bar. Here is the photo.

Side view.

Even before we started towing it, we got our first rock damage to the windshield at 123 miles ! Luckily the our Arkansas Farm Bureau waived the deductible and the Glass Shop, Custom Stripes and Tint, made the repair at no cost to us ! Now that’s sweet !

DOLLY

We have traded our Nissan 4x4 and now have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler that we will tow flat, with a blue ox towbar. Our one year old Stehl tow dolly is for sale. Here is a look at it.

Wheel hold down straps and wrench for adjusting the strap winches.

Front view of the Tow Dolly.

Safety chains, emergency break away cable, tail light plug, Hydraulic Surge brake control and 2" hitch.

Manufacture data plate with the VIN number and build date.

Vehicle loading tilt latch and safety pin.

Tire, wheel and EZ Lube hub.

Disc brake cylinder and rotor.

Wheel hold down winch strap.
As you can see this is a fully equipped tow dolly that is ready to hit the road, and the first $1,200.00 takes it home with them !
We have put very low miles on this dolly and it will give many years of service.
Call 479.243.5450 if you would like to talk about it.

FISH

Over the years we have been fortunate enough to have caught some nice catfish at the lake during our Spring time fishing trips. As time for us to go to the lake nears again, we have been looking at some old photos and reminiscing. Here is a look at a few photos. Click on the photo for a larger look.

Betty and I show a couple from the mornings catch.

The business end of Mr. Flathead.

One morning’s catch .

Betty shows the underside of a good flathead.

One morning’s catch just before the cleaning began.

Betty and Fran show a couple of good ones.

I don’t remember the fish’s weight, but it filled up a 35 gallon live well.

Dillon looking over the catch.

These two good ones had pulled the jugs several miles up the lake to Arrowhead point.