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LMTV as an RV in California
- Thread starter tacosauce
- Start date
- 1,507
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- 113
- Location
- TN
Going all that way, WOW. Good luck! You are certifiable, just like the rest of us ! lol
Thanks
Changed a tire which took 3 hours. I think it could have been an hour, but the hydraulics were puking fluid all over the place. Probably used 3 quarts just raising the cab and tire. Took me a couple tries to get the tire hoist right besides the fluid leak.
Hub temperatures are running 70 degrees
Forward and rear u-joint running 80-90 degrees
Second u joint running 110
Third u-joint running 135
Need to change oil and belts
- 1,507
- 1,175
- 113
- Location
- TN
What happened to the tire.Thanks
Changed a tire which took 3 hours. I think it could have been an hour, but the hydraulics were puking fluid all over the place. Probably used 3 quarts just raising the cab and tire. Took me a couple tries to get the tire hoist right besides the fluid leak.
Hub temperatures are running 70 degrees
Forward and rear u-joint running 80-90 degrees
Second u joint running 110
Third u-joint running 135
Need to change oil and belts
Officer: "Sir you have 5 cases of beer in the back, any reason for that?"
Third From Texas
Well-known member
- 2,766
- 6,498
- 113
- Location
- Corpus Christi Texas
Trial by fire, good for you. Being sure that I could get the spare off in the dark by myself was the first thing I did when I got my first truck. And a couple hours isn't bad for a swap. Pulling a tire off the truck and replacing it is one of those things best not rushed, IMO.
Looking forward to your build !
Looking forward to your build !
I haven't picked up the beer yetWhat happened to the tire.
Officer: "Sir you have 5 cases of beer in the back, any reason for that?"
Anyone up for an oil change and belt swap? That would be a good reason for beer
Leaving Richmond and heading toward Atlanta on the 85.The tire had sidewall checking, so moved it to the spare position as a precaution. Easier to plan for it than to try and do an emergency change at the roadside. I also wanted to practice it for the first time. We have a system: remove hydro fill, paper funnel, keep a couple inches of fluid in the funnel while operating hydro to minimize air intrusion (PITA). Hold mouth just right while changing tire (not bad).
Isn't that how we learn to swim and ride bikes? Jump in the deep end (or get thrown, up to you), and find a steep hill?
dxhend2
Active member
- 111
- 52
- 28
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
@tacosauce Welcome to the club and good luck! I jumped in the deep end last year for the first time - did an auction FMTV recovery from Minnesota to San Diego. Made the trip with my wife and son (great crew!), had some breakdowns along the way, and a TON of help from many kind souls here on SS! Well worth it - was a great experience. Please keep us posted as you make your way west.
Where in SoCal are you based? There are a few of us doing (or have done) RV conversions around; definitely would like to connect.
Where in SoCal are you based? There are a few of us doing (or have done) RV conversions around; definitely would like to connect.
Thanks! Would love to connect. I'm in Orange County.
- 1,507
- 1,175
- 113
- Location
- TN
You have been baptized !
dxhend2
Active member
- 111
- 52
- 28
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
@tacosauce You underway again on four round wheels? When you get to CA, will you be coming in via I-8/I-5, or across by I-10? If you're taking the southern route, would be glad to meet you along the way in SD county.
Yes, back underway, thanks!
Planning on going through Phoenix and taking the 10, but as we know, plans change. I'd love to meet up. We can discuss it through PMs
This truck is kicking my butt. The most fun I've had in a long time. Today we changed a bad tire and I sliced my fingers on the beadlock while twisting it to get it into the new tire. I had my nitrile gloves on and should have changed out to the leather ones for this part.
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When they say baptism by fire, they mean baptism by fire and blood...Yes, back underway, thanks!
Planning on going through Phoenix and taking the 10, but as we know, plans change. I'd love to meet up. We can discuss it through PMs
This truck is kicking my butt. The most fun I've had in a long time. Today we changed a bad tire and I sliced my fingers on the beadlock while twisting it to get it into the new tire. I had my nitrile gloves on and should have changed out to the leather ones for this part.
Also, there is no shallow end to this pool.
Keep a log of your trip too. So much is going to happen you will soon forget. Who did you sucker in to going with you?
My college son is with me. It's been the best time with him. I wouldn't want to do it alone. He's such a huge help.
We're near Houston now and getting ready to head out. My friends from high school hosted us for a couple days (it was only supposed to be one day). Things are looking up!
I'll try to post more often, but there's a lot going on.
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AllenF
Member
- 56
- 38
- 18
- Location
- Riverside, Ca
Where abouts in SoCal do you live? I'm in Riverside. I have a M 1083. If you want to talk and or gawk let me know
- 34
- 27
- 18
- Location
- Coronado, CA
Welcome to the community!
I went through this process a few years ago (only had to road march from Barstow to San Diego, though). My vehicle has its VIN tag intact and readable and I received a Florida title from Gov Liquidation when they had the DLA contract for vehicles. I went to a local DMV registration service and let her work her magic. Basically, find a service agent that is willing to do the work and knows the local CADMV bureaucrats. It took maybe a month and a half to get a final registration as a motor coach. Insurance the first year was painful since I didn't yet have the finished registration as a motorhome and insured it as a commercial truck (abut $1300/yr) since then I've used Progressive RV insurance at about 250/yr liability only and annual DMV fee is $197.
So far campervan has made about 14000 miles of trips around SOCAL as far North as Mono lake and East to Yuma area...mostly Anza Borrego Desert trails.
Recommended service items: (1. Change the fuel filter and the fuel/water separator. (2. If tires have any checking, pay the $$$ and get a NOS set from GovPlanet (likely they will be on MRAP rims which require demount and removal of the run-flat inserts). I took mine to a commercial tire shop and let them tackle it. (3. Check drive shaft "hinging" (tolerance is essentially .000) and pay the money to have them rebuilt (<$2k) there are many tales of woe regarding vibration of engine accessories (especially the alternator) which I firmly believe is primarily due to drive-line issues. (4. Check the hubs for oil level and fluid condition. (5. Cab air shocks - check if they're leaking, you'll know instantly if the valve is on. Another pricey parts set, but available. (6. Inspect the PDP for CB condition, if any are not holding just buy a set of blade type fuses to keep on hand. Also doesn't hurt to have a couple of spare relays also (12v and 24v) given the likely age of most of them. These are only a few of many potential items, paranoia is not a bad trait.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about build-out or operation, also have an older posting regarding the build.
I went through this process a few years ago (only had to road march from Barstow to San Diego, though). My vehicle has its VIN tag intact and readable and I received a Florida title from Gov Liquidation when they had the DLA contract for vehicles. I went to a local DMV registration service and let her work her magic. Basically, find a service agent that is willing to do the work and knows the local CADMV bureaucrats. It took maybe a month and a half to get a final registration as a motor coach. Insurance the first year was painful since I didn't yet have the finished registration as a motorhome and insured it as a commercial truck (abut $1300/yr) since then I've used Progressive RV insurance at about 250/yr liability only and annual DMV fee is $197.
So far campervan has made about 14000 miles of trips around SOCAL as far North as Mono lake and East to Yuma area...mostly Anza Borrego Desert trails.
Recommended service items: (1. Change the fuel filter and the fuel/water separator. (2. If tires have any checking, pay the $$$ and get a NOS set from GovPlanet (likely they will be on MRAP rims which require demount and removal of the run-flat inserts). I took mine to a commercial tire shop and let them tackle it. (3. Check drive shaft "hinging" (tolerance is essentially .000) and pay the money to have them rebuilt (<$2k) there are many tales of woe regarding vibration of engine accessories (especially the alternator) which I firmly believe is primarily due to drive-line issues. (4. Check the hubs for oil level and fluid condition. (5. Cab air shocks - check if they're leaking, you'll know instantly if the valve is on. Another pricey parts set, but available. (6. Inspect the PDP for CB condition, if any are not holding just buy a set of blade type fuses to keep on hand. Also doesn't hurt to have a couple of spare relays also (12v and 24v) given the likely age of most of them. These are only a few of many potential items, paranoia is not a bad trait.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about build-out or operation, also have an older posting regarding the build.