mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Oct 26, 2014 11:13:44 GMT -8
First off In all my research my 1961 Compact should have a 2" ball. I just wanted to make sure that is correct? I know a lot of people on here have one so if you could please confirm that for me please  On to the coupler, oh my dearly rusted coupler, sign... I guess that is what I get for buying a camper that sat in a yard for 25 years. So the coupler will not stand up, it moves a little but not into the unlock position, its just rusted, really rusted. Has anyone else had this problem? if so how did you fix it? Thought about buying sometime like this www.theoempartsstore.com/product.php?productid=18870&cat=1101&page=1 but they don't seem to sell it in the correct size.   Here is as much as it moves  This is what it need to do.. this photo I stole off there internet, it is not my camper  |
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 26, 2014 12:54:39 GMT -8
Soak daily in a 50/50 solution of 1/2 automatic transmission fluid and 1/2 kerosene. (or brand name "Kroil", INHO better than PB Blaster for deep rust) Keep trying to work it daily also. Sometime in the future it will break loose. After it does, keep soaking and working it a week longer while working it daily until it moves freely. Then grease liberally.
Yes 2" ball usually but sometimes 1 7/8" on lighter weight campers like pop ups. Bigger if heavier. |
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Post by bigbill on Oct 26, 2014 17:39:22 GMT -8
The secret to rust is spray and wait, spray it every day and as Soup said try moving it then spray it again and after a while (maybe days) it will loosen up. Don't break it. If you do break it the best option is a completely new coupler.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Oct 27, 2014 8:38:26 GMT -8
Ditto all those smart guys!
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 27, 2014 12:02:31 GMT -8
Top side, in side, under side, be-sides! All over it. Not just a little baby puddle at the low spot. Really hose it down EVERYWHERE ALL OVER IT. Put an old baking sheet or bucket under it to catch the run off. It could take a day/week/month, but do it daily.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 27, 2014 13:52:19 GMT -8
A small hammer works wonders, along with the oil.
I have a brass hammer, and "lots of small taps" to loosen the rust, while soaking in the penetrating oil. You want to "break up" the rust, but NOT force the frozen part.
As a kid that grew up working in a bicycle shop during the 1950's, this is how we removed the frozen gooseneck lugs inside of a fork. Never found one that did not come out with oil, and taping.
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Oct 27, 2014 14:57:40 GMT -8
Thanks everyone, I will just keep at it daily then.
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Post by vikx on Oct 27, 2014 22:15:06 GMT -8
LOL! That's MY stolen photo...
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on May 1, 2015 13:43:23 GMT -8
So I sprayed the crap out of it last fall when I wrote the post and nothing came loose, I did what everyone suggested and nothing is budging, does anyone else have any ideas? I REALLY don't want to have to get a new hitch  |
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on May 1, 2015 14:32:56 GMT -8
Know anyone good with a torch? Soak it and heat it...tap it some and repeat. Gently of course....but don't give up on the "soak" part...
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Post by danrhodes on May 1, 2015 15:20:05 GMT -8
Soak daily in a 50/50 solution of 1/2 automatic transmission fluid and 1/2 kerosene. (or brand name "Kroil", INHO better than PB Blaster for deep rust) Keep trying to work it daily also. Sometime in the future it will break loose. After it does, keep soaking and working it a week longer while working it daily until it moves freely. Then grease liberally.
Yes 2" ball usually but sometimes 1 7/8" on lighter weight campers like pop ups. Bigger if heavier. Mine has 1-7/8" |
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Post by vintagebruce on May 1, 2015 15:23:19 GMT -8
My '61 Compact hitch requires a 1 7/8" Ball. I spent the last 13 years of my professional life working with cutters. fabricators and welders keeping a rust bucket Floating Oil Terminal Operational. A skilled torch person can do amazing things, soak and heat and tap. One other idea. rent or borrow a small portable sandblaster and blast up inside the ball cover between a good soak and tap cycle.
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on May 2, 2015 3:39:27 GMT -8
That's interesting, Bruce, that your '61 Compact takes a 1 7/8" ball. The person I got my '62 from told me it took a 1 7/8" and that's what I pulled it home with. He even swapped my 2" out for 1 7/8" for me. What a nice guy. Then I cleaned up the coupler and it's clearly stamped 2". Haven't heard from mel in a long time. Wonder how the restore is progressing? I was so tempted to go for this one when I found it listed on CL. It was a charmer. |
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on May 2, 2015 5:03:55 GMT -8
Soak daily in a 50/50 solution of 1/2 automatic transmission fluid and 1/2 kerosene. (or brand name "Kroil", INHO better than PB Blaster for deep rust) Keep trying to work it daily also. Sometime in the future it will break loose. After it does, keep soaking and working it a week longer while working it daily until it moves freely. Then grease liberally.
Yes 2" ball usually but sometimes 1 7/8" on lighter weight campers like pop ups. Bigger if heavier. Mine has 1-7/8" We actually just tried to torch it yesterday and it didnt seem to do anything were going to try again today |
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on May 2, 2015 5:07:52 GMT -8
That's interesting, Bruce, that your '61 Compact takes a 1 7/8" ball. The person I got my '62 from told me it took a 1 7/8" and that's what I pulled it home with. He even swapped my 2" out for 1 7/8" for me. What a nice guy. Then I cleaned up the coupler and it's clearly stamped 2". Haven't heard from mel in a long time. Wonder how the restore is progressing? I was so tempted to go for this one when I found it listed on CL. It was a charmer. Yes! I think I was hibernating all winter haha the snow is too much for me.. I have not done any restoring this winter like I planned. I just don't want to put any money into it before I have a title in hand. And I cannot get a title until I get the hitch fixed so that I can tow it to get it weighed. So now that spring is here I'm back on it |
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