Blue~Go wrote:Good ol' offset driveline. Cool idea keeping your kayak there! Do you keep it in something protective? Ever worry about a strap getting into the driveshaft? (I guess what I'm really wanting to ask is just how you strap it in - knowing you, I'm sure you have it secured well.) Does it get hot at all?
Four straps lash it to the crossmembers. Two in a criss-cross pattern, two longitudinally. It ain't movin'. It's protected by a nylon sack, and surprisingly it doesn't even really get dirty. Not worried about the tails of the straps cuz I tie them back. Nothing is flapping. There's a good bit of clearance between the drive shaft and cargo (more than the picture depicts). Don't get me wrong; this is a pain in the neck in terms of storage, but it's storage. The kayak is only here when I KNOW it's going to be dry for a couple months
That's a great idea though. I mean sure, like you say, you wouldn't put it there in prime kayaking time; but then on the way home, or at times you aren't using it (but may, later).... it's right out of the way.
Plus, I like the "rabbit out of a hat" mental image of you crawling under -- as if you were checking on something chassis related -- and popping out with a boat!
Hey Blue - took a look at the Aluminess website and would be happy just to get the spare tire up higher and be able to swing it out of way when accessing the storage locker but I don't know if the one they sell for Ford vans would work with the Chinook bumper. They are also not giving them away ($675!!) but it could be an option.
I have to admit that my concerns about mounting the spare on the front are partially about cooling - most of our driving is across Central California and its really hot in the summer, but I also wanted to shorten the rig overall. Part of my obsession is that I want to take a trip to Montana next year and would love to drive the rig up the "Road Going to the Sun" at Glacier National Park but I hear that they strictly enforce a 21 foot maximum length for all vehicles. Of course I could just park the rig at the entrance to the road and take the park's shuttle over the road - but that would be too easy. Thought about ditching my power steps as well for the same reason - they extend out just as far as the spare tire even when closed. On the other hand its really nice not to have to lean down and flip out a step that's covered in road grime.
One questions somewhat off topic; I seem to recall from someplace on the forum that the rear bumper is fiberglas; is that correct?
pdemarest wrote:Part of my obsession is that I want to take a trip to Montana next year and would love to drive the rig up the "Road Going to the Sun" at Glacier National Park but I hear that they strictly enforce a 21 foot maximum length for all vehicles.
Edited to add clarification:
Mine is 20 feet, 6 inches measured from the Ford steel front bumper (Premier) to the rear steel bumper. The vertical flanges at the manual rear step extend another 9.5 inches. I wonder if the Concourse fiberglass front bumper cover adds length?
We've done that drive and didn't run into any problems. Maybe we were just lucky. I recommend going East to West if you can. Those cliffs can be pretty unnerving . Glacier Park is stunning!
pdemarest wrote:One questions somewhat off topic; I seem to recall from someplace on the forum that the rear bumper is fiberglas; is that correct?
I think the later ones might have been fiberglass? I know mine is all steel. Just give her a knock and you should be able to tell from the sound. Or check with a magnet.
Last edited by Scott on April 25th, 2018, 2:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I think the later rear bumpers that look more "car like" are probably fiberglass. Mine is chrome-plated steel (but you can easily tell that by looking at it). My same era Premier bumpers I think are painted steel.
I spoke with Aluminess once at Expo West, because I was considering getting one of their storage boxes. They said they could make one to work with my bumper (or more likely with the frame end, I'd think). I didn't follow up because of a combination of inertia, price, and just liking the open space back there.
If it's just for one road, you *could* remove the tire and put it inside. Kind of a pain, but unless you commute to work on that road (don't we all wish!) maybe doable?
I haven't had any problem with cooling and I am typically in the Mojave desert much later in spring than I intend to be (something always comes up...). I can't tell you how many 100+º F days I have not only driven my Chinook, but driven it up passes/long hills, even towing. I watch my temps like a hawk with a Scan Gauge.
Actually, the one thing I noticed that changed my temp behavior slightly was when I put on a BIG transmission cooler. The waste heat of course goes right toward the engine radiator. I still don't run hot, but on those really hot climbs my engine cooling fan will come on. Typically as soon as the temp gets to about 200º it will come on for about ten seconds or so and then I'll be back at my typical 197º or so. I figured that is a fair trade-off for my cool-as-a-cucumber transmission, since it doesn't have the choice of turning on a fan to cool itself. Probably a slightly smaller trans cooler would be a happy medium.
A buddy with an 2003 E-450 V-10 RV (4R100 trans like mine) found pretty much the exact same thing. He weighs at 14,400# and tows a 4,000# car. He liked my setup and put the spare in the front (it was buried in an inconvenient storage locker) and got the same transmission cooler. Had the same results (too bad he didn't try it without the cooler just for experimentation purposes). After a couple of years he did get some creeping heat. But it turned out his cooling system was kind of gunked up (I think he may have mixed coolants or something). New radiator, hoses, and cooling sensor (that had also gone wonky) and he was back in business.
Not saying you should do it, and I also had "heard" about cooling (well really it was supposed "warranty") issues and really thought hard about it before trying mine. I read posts by a fellow who had cruised Central America with front mounted spare on Ford Class C and also ran a Scan Gauge. That is what convinced me to try it. I figured if I didn't end up liking it I'd find some other use for the front hitch. I did keep my rear tire holder and the continental cover, in case I want to change it some day. So far, so good.
One of the reasons we choose the Chinook was because I wanted to have the option of driving on the Going to the Sun. We went there last summer, and the park ranger at the entrance told us the Chinook was too long for the 21 ft. It was a bit disappointing for us, but we took the shuttle instead. I think the ranger measured it to the rear spare tire. We had good time there, but I would appreciate the flexibility of having our transportation.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
Hmm, so either the Chinook is already over 21' even with the spare on the rear, or the measurer was wrong. Would be interesting to measure (I haven't). If it were just the tire you *could* put it inside, but obviously you'd want to be sure ahead of time. Now I'm curious!
I was measured for Washington State Ferries but I don't remember what the total was (I wasn't close to a cutoff so it wasn't as key to remember).
Blue~Go wrote:Hmm, so either the Chinook is already over 21' even with the spare on the rear, or the measurer was wrong.
The measurer was wrong. Our Concourse is 20' 10" including spare, which barely sticks out past the rear step actually. We drove the Going to the Sun highway last summer. The lady said our bicycles exceeded the 21', so I took them down and put them inside for the ride. (Our bikes are mounted on the rear outside wall above the spare tire.) In reality, the bikes were probably no issue. We did bump mirrors on a curve with a big pickup, however, but no harm done.
The park ranger insisted that it is over 21 feet, and being not wanting to make a scene (there were 2 other folks behind us), I decided to park and take the shuttle.
Now that I want to measure the length myself. Never had, since I never have issue with the length anywhere else.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
I hear you on the being in line and not wanting to make a scene. I would have felt the same. Also like you, I'd now measure carefully, with vertical sticks, etc. and then maybe make a label for the dash or something (length and height). Then you'd be able to say confidently that, nope.... I suppose you could even photograph yourself with the measuring device, then print a copy.
That's pretty sad that they mis-measured you and made you miss the trip. Boo!
Thought about ditching my power steps as well for the same reason - they extend out just as far as the spare tire even when closed. On the other hand its really nice not to have to lean down and flip out a step that's covered in road grime. 
. Glacier Park is stunning! 