Trip To Alaska Page 4.1
Day 6 Idaho Falls ID
Dick's RV Park Idaho Falls
Tire Story
Well the pictures tell today's story. Yesterday I was muttering about worn tires after only 2500 miles. All so true, but it would appear the issue was caused by severely worn spring links between the two axels. First things first.
Wildlife report: Saw a couple of chipmunks or squirrels crossing the road in a crosswalk. No dummies, these Montana animals
Five new tires set me back another half a k. Why five? Because I went to much bigger tires 225/75/R15. Went to a place called Tire-Rama here in Great Falls. Great people and they replaced my first two loose tires in no time. But here is the amazing bit. I explained that I would be back with the other 3 tires in an hour or so. Ok they said, no problem and they didn't even charge me for the first two tires. They said they will do all the money stuff when I get back. Can you imagine that at home? I was slightly flabbergasted and decided to pay in advance anyway. Brought the tires back to the RV Park, mounted them on the trailer and loaded the next three into the truck. Back to Tire-Rama and they did the next three even faster. None of this extra money for mounting, tire disposal fee, balance and the usual song and dance that costs $15 extra per tire. The quoted price was the price period. How refreshing. Anyway very helpful folks if you need tires in Great Falls.
After getting all the tires back on the trailer I decided to take a look at the axels and springs. Tires just don't wear out in 2500 miles. So I jacked up the trailer (again, because I did it once to change the tires) and figured the spring links must be worn. Spent a few wasted hours chasing suspected parts when I was finally directed to Swain's Spring Service. A very helpful chap who really knew his stuff said my Prowler could have one of two types of links. I didn't know so get this, he gave me both sets of parts for the entire repair and told me to come back tomorrow with the set I didn't use and then he would charge me then! I walked out of the store paying nothing. He said this is normal in Montana! They trust folks.
Back to the trailer again and armed with spare parts I tore into the links. I was very unsettled by what I saw after getting the parts out. The links were totally worn out, bushings worn through and steel bolts worn with deep groves. Ah, this was the cause of my worn tires. Good job I tackled this now, I had though about waiting until arriving in Alaska. Back to Swain's. Told the chap just give me new everything. He did and then apologized because it cost $75. I though $75 was a gift. Interesting how living in one corner of the country warps your sense of money.
Ok, so bottom line is this. I have new axel links, bushings, bolts and stuff on the trailer. All I need to do is give up a weeks worth of Grande vanilla lattes and the links are paid for. :-) As for the tires, about three cases of Clos du Bois should cover the cost. Gonna be a dry summer. :-)
Very nice snowbirds parked beside me this evening, they are headed home to Edmonton, eh? :-) Spent the winter in Arizona, no dummies these Canadians... They know where to spend their winters.
These two pictures are the new links in place.
These two pictures show how badly the links were worn. They should be smooth round holes not oval shaped.
Although somewhat hard to see, you can see how loose the bolts are in the links.