Bumper Caps

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Jim Redelfs - 16 Jan 2006 03:54 GMT

So what's the SOLUTION these days for replacement caps for the square bumpers
that also contain the sewer dump hose?

The factory caps are solid jokes. I bought a pair of replacement caps that
you press in, the concave geometry ostensibly placing additional HOLDING
tension around its perimeter. After several years, they have dried out and
now one blew off and is gone. Is there any thing better?

Signature

:)
JR

2000 Skamper Ultra 249 TT
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Vortec 8100 - Allison 1000

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Leanne - 16 Jan 2006 04:09 GMT

.21541415012006@news.central.cox.net...

> So what's the SOLUTION these days for replacement caps for the square bumpers
> that also contain the sewer dump hose?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> tension around its perimeter. After several years, they have dried out and
> now one blew off and is gone. Is there any thing better?

Back in our trailering days, we had the same problem. I took a drill and
drilled a 1/4" hole in the top and bottom of the bumper through the cap.
Then we inserted a 6" bolt down through the holes. We first started using a
wingnut, but found that it wasn't really needed.

Leanne

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Will Sill - 16 Jan 2006 12:18 GMT

I see where "Leanne" <leanne@islc.net> replied to a question about the
. . .

>> So what's the SOLUTION these days for replacement caps for the square
>bumpers . . . .
>> now one blew off and is gone. Is there any thing better?

>Back in our trailering days, we had the same problem. I took a drill and
>drilled a 1/4" hole in the top and bottom of the bumper through the cap.
>Then we inserted a 6" bolt down through the holes. We first started using a
>wingnut, but found that it wasn't really needed.

Excellent answer but a piece of stiff wire will do. I think we used
pieces of a stainless steel antenna whip (available on any street
corner but a junkyard would be a more legal source). Caution: take
care to be SURE the holes you drill are exactly centered. If you are
a bit careless you'll have to futz around orienting each cap to the
only way the holes will line up. Don't ask how I know.

Will Sill
The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill

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RAM^3 - 16 Jan 2006 05:04 GMT

> So what's the SOLUTION these days for replacement caps for the square
> bumpers
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> and
> now one blew off and is gone. Is there any thing better?

Drop by your local welding shop and have them cut you a pair of metal plates
to cover the ends and weld/braze a hinge on 1 edge and a hasp on the
opposite edge of each plate.

Attach the hinge to the bumper's underside and the other portion of the hasp
to the top using either screws or pop-rivets.

Use either harness snaps or padlocks to secure the hasps.

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William Boyd - 16 Jan 2006 06:26 GMT

This is your friendly troll with advice you ask for. I drill the holes
in the end of the bumper but use large nails and relatively smaller
nails, also tape the holes in the ends up so wasps cannot get in. I
store my sewer hose in a light duty 4" piece of PVC with caps at each
end, attached under the 5er.

Signature

BILL P.
Just Dog
&
ME

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Jim Redelfs - 16 Jan 2006 12:38 GMT

> I drill the holes in the end of the bumper but use large nails

Instead of bolts, as suggested by the OP?

> and relatively smaller nails

What are these used for?

> also tape the holes in the ends up so wasps cannot get in.

Was this precaution proactive or reactive?

After I discovered the missing bumper cap, I cut a short length of rope and
knotted it on both ends. Using a large ty-rap, I attached the rope across the
opening of the bumper, presumably providing the same function as a nail or
bolt across the opening. Of course, in order to remove this rope, the ty-rap
must be CUT off and is therefore, a temporary fix just to get home. It's been
there since our final outing of 2005, at least a couple of months.

Now I'm wondering if any critters will take-up residence in my StinkySlinky
compartment over the winter until I cap the ends "properly". So far, it
appears they have NOT.

Then I wonder if there really IS a "bug issue" in my case as I've never
bug-proofed anything and never had anything build a nest. Maybe I'm lucky.

Besides, with the vent HOLE in a factory and replacement cap, wouldn't bugs
have built a home in there already by now if they were going to? Would a
LARGER opening (albeit, with a nail across) be THAT much more attractive to
critters?

I may try another set of the expanding rubber caps. Only this time, remove or
cover them during storage so they will last even longer than they did (3-4
years?). Thanks for the advice.

Signature

:)
JR

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William Boyd - 16 Jan 2006 15:29 GMT

<snip>

> What are these used for?

This was caused by the knee jerk episode I was undergoing after your
post about what I supposedly said about Hunter.

Signature

The actual design I was trying to describe was to drill holes in the
bumper, then smaller ones in the rubber and insert smaller still nails,
this would prevent the nails from comming out.

>
>>also tape the holes in the ends up so wasps cannot get in.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> compartment over the winter until I cap the ends "properly". So far, it
> appears they have NOT.

We in mid Mississippi have as much problems with wasps as we do with
fire ants. You don't just walk up to the water heater and open the
compartment with out being in a starting position, likewise with the
bumper caps. Of course it must be in the wormer part of the year, but
they are subject to be in any small opening.
I also put a stainless steel scratch pad in the shore power hole around
the cord. Stainless only due to the lack of a large plastic one.
- - - - - - - - - -

I feel you totally mis represented or failed to understand what I had
said about Hunter when you commented:

"That the lady stays (mostly) quiet under such "assault" says "volumes".

I think she has me filtered and I think the only part of my post about
her use of 4wd was that part that you reposted above and with out seeing
the complete post for her self she lashed out. But as in your words that
also speaks "volumes" of her as well.

Signature

BILL P.
Just Dog
&
ME

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Jim Redelfs - 17 Jan 2006 01:14 GMT

> that also speaks "volumes" of her as well.

As you like.

But, I'll tell ya what... I'm here, and not in RORT, because the noise:signal
ratio was better. Notice PAST tense. :(

RANT
A *LOT* of really GOOD people over the years have given up on usenet and gone
on the web. Or at least to some form of well-run, MODERATED forum. They are
put off by what they find on usenet: WAAAAY too many off-topics, flames,
obscenities and general hate and discontent.

And the truly SAD thing is that it doesn't require religion or even POLITICS
to get it going. The best Rule of Thumb<tm> about usenet was written before
ANY of us had a computer: Take it to email.

There is *NO* reason this can't be better. (Rest assured: These comments are
directed at more than one on this newsgroup.)
/RANT

JR

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William Boyd - 17 Jan 2006 03:14 GMT

>>that also speaks "volumes" of her as well.
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> JR

It appears to me that you produce your share of animosity, example was
your comment "(That the lady stays (mostly) quiet under such "assault"
says "volumes".)
Totally unfounded, quite evident you failed to review the complete
thread, before you blurted out your accusation.

Signature

--
BILL P.
Just Dog
&
ME

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Jim Redelfs - 18 Jan 2006 02:11 GMT

> It appears to me that you produce your share of animosity

You are right.

But it's because you chose the word "animosity".

I have never gotten mad enough, here or anywhere else on usenet, to stoop to
posting hate and obscenities. I always cringe when I see a topic descend to
that level. I am no prude and I've "heard it all" but my lament is that it's
like that. It really doesn't have to be.

JR

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Joe G - 19 Jan 2006 00:06 GMT

>> It appears to me that you produce your share of animosity
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> JR

AMEN!!!!!!!!!

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Rich256 - 16 Jan 2006 15:01 GMT

> > So what's the SOLUTION these days for replacement caps for the square bumpers
> > that also contain the sewer dump hose?
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> store my sewer hose in a light duty 4" piece of PVC with caps at each
> end, attached under the 5er.

I did about the same thing except I used a duplex nail (two headed nail)
that I had laying around.

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Chris Hill - 16 Jan 2006 14:13 GMT

>So what's the SOLUTION these days for replacement caps for the square bumpers
>that also contain the sewer dump hose?

They don't need caps. I got a couple of really long eye bolts and
used a long drill bit to drill a hole through the top and bottom of
the bumper on each side. The side I don't use much has a nut and a
wingnut on it, the driver's side has just a wingnut. I don't think
these will fall off any time soon.

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