Readying for the KW

My buffer and a partial compound block


Fender frame plates, 1/4” material

Will spend a little more time on center regions, get them presentable. Other two wheels DO have Road oil blobs on them, will get those off next.

That was a inside wheel at one time, you can see where the hub flange was in contact.

Was a inner a long time was like epoxy coated

That coating is brake dust and salt/de-icing fluid that the brake drum cooked to the rim, one good winter
that and it becomes layers. These were 5 year old insides, looked the same, a lot of work it is.
Your getting them looking good.

Will continue to work on them make em shine!!

Picked up my steel order, drilled and set fender weldment plates





Figure to Tack Weld the fender mounts in a trial fit up, then remove fenders and full weld mounts, paint mounts with frame.

Got all four buffed, redid and got more of the pits out of fourth. Mounted tires. More fun tomorrow.


Soon as fender brackets in place and frame painted last four tires go on

Yesterday wife decided time to get looking, for rolling shathouse.
Dropped southeast to Pacific MO
Several dealers along I-44, moved north from there to OFallon MO to head west back towards home. She has not seen many so we did view several models and styles as well makes. All ranges of pricing on new ones, few to any used on the lots, found are wholesaling 90% of trade ins as ‘23 model year units are due to start arriving. 22s may end up wholesaled to clear lots.

Wife liked a couple different ones, she loses track of what looked at gets more confused at every stop so I made notes.
Byerly RV had a nice Rogue, Travers RV had one I preferred was a Torque. Both new both expensive but Travers started discounted pretty quick. Both of those we liked were under 38’. Went to Camping World RV associated to Gander Outdoors(RV company owns Gander), only had XLR series as a toy hauler, not very well appointed for the money asked. Had a flopped sale Fuel unit again right at 38’, wife thought she could like as again price reduction almost immediate as all these were ‘22 models and excess inventory.

She mainly was looking at layouts, materials grades, double duty of garage spaces and associated functions: Generators, many have Solar battery tender systems on inverters for the trailer, most have stopped using the old LP/12v fridges and water heaters opting to demand flow water heat and almost residential appliances.
As got home with model numbers and names started searches for used, not much currently but can see numbers increases as to new ads over the last months.

https://youtube.com/c/AZExpert I follow him he points out the flaws and as far as I know isn’t affiliated with any manufacturer he’s also does quite a few videos on trouble areas to look for on used units

Fenders(both sides) sitting on the truck, air deflated. Tacked fronts in place but not happy with position, those will get dropped another 1/2 -3/4”

Rears have to make up a new pipe section, rough measure is 20” where will have to
Gas axe the several feet of welds off the old mounts to replace that too short piece. May sound dumb but I am going to saber saw that entire red line region OFF, in the way and is not a strength necessity, curve along top to Side is the strength region. Backside red line is a strength zone, will remain.

So, roughly how long until the test-drive?

At least couple weeks prep paint rear frame, repair prep paint fenders and reinstall. Minor repairs to finish inside cab. Working to get past T-day, Deer season, Xmas shopping. Still need a grill and walk plates.

it is close

Fender fit up, mounts welding done
Now to strip the fenders BACK off to address body work.

Rear mounts were a bit TOO Wiggly for myself, the Ground Electrode Clamp seen above is hanging on a 1" sq piece of tube between the lower ends of the rear mounts, there are two pieces of 1x1x 1/4" blocks that keep it oriented to the bracing steel for the rear hitch plate so will no longer wiggle. Tomorrow the fenders come off the mounts and frame prep can continue where hope to spray frame on Friday. Frame gets done, the fenders will be alone on the shop space to be repaired and prepped, and the rear tires/wheels will be fully installed.

I got nothing as impressive as yours.
Mrs. B shopped at GREAT length for a 6000 LB trailer to tow with what we have. Every turn, she found a "perfect" trailer 10,000 LB or more. I assured her the Topkick could easily tow her choice, even bigger, with a Jeep on the deck. I've been following your journey. Hope next phase is as fun.

Looks great DMiller.

Fenders are off brackets, cleaned as much as care to for paint and began the mask up. Will have to pull truck forward until sleeper clears shop door and close it almost to frame, block steering tires, remove drives, set on stands under hubs. Then can prime fender brackets effectively as well the fresh welds at the rear and access to paint pumpkins/banjo housings/drive shafts/axle flanges, suspension mechanisms as can shoot to and tail plate. Soon as dry will get all eight rear tires, then will unmask to go fully OUTSIDE.

In my opinion on picking a rolling schithouse I would look to one with aluminum wall framing, they seem to be more well built and hold value longer. So when the roof goes to leaking (in the next 10 years) and you finally find it you still have a structure that isn't rotting and filling up with mold.

Many of the later units are a odd named FRP side wall for strength as used on seni trailers long ago, delamination is a big concern.
Today started early, duals off more mask and on stands. That was 6am, and results as of now. 10 am




Paint gear cleaned up, awaiting last of mixed atuff to congeal then can load trash bags