Landracing Forum
Misc Forums => Do before leaving for a race => Topic started by: wolcottjl on July 29, 2008, 07:32:09 PM
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I will get this one started.
While serving in the Army I had the pleasure of being in charge of our Company vehicles. One thing you have to do when checking a vehicle out of the motor pool is do a maintenance check before leaving. I have gotten into the habit of checking our tow vehicle and trailer the same way.
Check all fluids
Check Belts
Check Air Pressure on all tires
Check Brakes
Check all lights
Check the bolts holding the hitch
Check the trailer chains
Check the hold down straps for wear
Make sure you have flares or reflector triangles in the truck
Spare tire or tires full, Once in a while I pull mine and put it on the truck to make sure it holds air under pressure
Lugnuts tight
Jack present
Fire extiguisher full and present
Batteries for anything that needs them
Cell phone fully charged
Chargers present for Cell phone or portable CB
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... and don't do like one FNG who was a know-it-all and tried pouring oil from a GI 5 gallon can into the dipstick hole of one of our unit's duce- and- a- halfs. I kid you not! :roll:
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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It didn't have a 710 cap, hard to train some people.
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:-)
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We all have funny stories but lets try to keep it on subject
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For the afternoon-in-the-sun crowd; air conditioner system checkup and cold drinks.
If you're lucky enough to be out before dawn (Sept/Oct), check the heater and thermos.
Sam
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Things not to bring if your superstitious:
Bananas
peanuts
leave tags on new tires
anything else?
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anything green willie buchta
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anything green willie buchta
I was going to say that but I didn't want to hurt Jnuts feelings :-D
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I'm Irish green is lucky for us. :-D
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I need an explanation on the superstitions so I've started a new thread so we don't corrupt this one.
http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,4324.0.html
Deb
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For the sake of those of you that might pack the trailer while it's still inside the shop -- please view the following and plan accordingly. Sure hope the link works for you.
http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii147/SeldomSeenSlim/509%20Dukes%20Road%20stuff/?action=view¤t=10140407_tow.flv
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Be sure to check wheel bearings on the trailer!
Personal story here, in 2008 we checked the wheel bearings before leaving for Bonneville, and they were not only dry, they were royally shot. When we removed the hub, the bearings just came apart, upon further inspection it had also gone into the race of the hub. Went down to the local trailer place to see if they could get a new hub, nope it was to old! (The trailer is a 1971) They were willing to sell us a new axle for a mere $1,200.00.
We did find a used hub for (150.00) that the race was still in good condition, found some bearings that would work, and replaced them.
Moral of the story. If you don't think the bearings need repacking, because its a pain to do, just imagine your 30 miles from Bonneville, and the bearing lets go.
From my experience a $10.00 tub of grease sure beats a 1,200 dollar axle!
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If you have a few trim lights and one of them is out don't ignore it. Having an older vehicle (fuses) I've had the unpleasant experience with a cheap trim lights with the simple bent metal strap and spring blade for the bulb. The bulb fell out and would rattle around in the plastic housing until it bumped both the screw head that held it on and the hot blade bit of metal. Blown fuse / lights out but stopping and searching for the short that was now gone... insert fuse drive along and then repeat. Crawl around under the trailer following wires checking wires, disassemble the plug... all at night 10F with wet and snow... nothing... inset fuse drive along and then repeat.
I probably had one of the few trailers with safety-wired trim light bulbs.