Honestly, you are towing full-time with a lifted HD truck and suspension problems are inevitable. Be prepared for ball joints, shocks, sway bar end links, front cv axles, etc in the VERY near future. The trucks are made to tow in their stock suspension set-up and they definitely last longer/tow better/achieve better fuel economy. I hate to say it but you should really try towing with a stock suspension GM HD truck and you will see how much BETTER it drives/tows.
@@MatthewK88x Agreed. Most anything that gets an aftermarket lift significantly decreases load capacity. Lifting and then throwing a fifth wheel in the back is a recipe for complications. Suspensions are built by the manufacturer to work correctly with that vehicle. Then the manufacturer sets towing weight and load capacity at stock. Never mess with the suspension.
@@donaldbailey5576 Smart suggestion. When you start messing with the engineered parts you introduce forces not intended on the parts. I supsect aftermarket companies don't do extensive testing on their products in the manner in which the Hanks are using them. Keep it stock to get the best outcome when putting the truck to work like full time RV towing.
When you do a lift kit and big tires you're putting more stress on the front-end parts, especially if there's interference/rubbing from the wrong offset. It gives you more ground clearance for off road, but for extended highway towing of a fifth wheel you'll have better reliability and stability with a stock suspension. At some point be prepared for new ball joints, too.
As a mechanic I would just say it really wasn’t “out of nowhere”. Now that you’re experienced the next time you see tire wear that is abnormal you’ll guess that there may be worn steering or suspension parts. I really love the way you guys show the whole experience. Love the channel.
I totally agree with you. I would add for people that tow a lot, it’s best practice to just have a look around your truck and be familiar with your vehicle just in case you see anything out of place. Also, I know fluid had nothing to do with this repair but it’s a good habit to have a consistent schedule of changing most of your fluids especially for heavy towing vehicles. Good bless!!
Big tires and lift kits accelerate front end parts wearing out. It's due to the increased unsprung weight of the tires and wheels and the increased angle on the steering geometry.
Lift kits are among the most costly modifications you can make to your truck, and the expenses don’t stop after installation. They alter the steering geometry, which, combined with a heavy pin weight, makes achieving proper wheel alignment nearly impossible. Since most of your driving involves towing, it’s crucial to get the alignment done with a load in the bed to simulate the pin weight of your trailer. Without this, you’ll continue facing expensive suspension repairs. Additionally, they’ve just replaced your front tires, but it’s important to check whether the wear on the rear tires is within 30% of the front. If the wear difference is too great, it can cause your differentials to fail due to the imbalance in gear ratios if this truck is a 4X4. You should also address the rim offset if you plan to keep the lift kit. The rubbing issue could lead to further damage if left unresolved.
I still like that you show the good, bad and ugly side of full-time RVing. It gives people like me that are considering that lifestyle something to think about.
Your lifted truck and oversized tires probably have a great deal to do with all sorts of suspension troubles…it’s expensive to be so cool at times. Keep on it, check those items for wear often. Be safe out there you two!
I had a quote to replace my Idler arm, pitman Arm arm bracket, and tie rods (inner and outer) for my Silverado for $2800. I bought the parts for $450 and did it myself.
1st question: what’s your background? 2nd: Would you track-and-balance my helicopter? - STOP being the A$$hole. They aren’t mechanics. Love their style. So loveable/likeable.
Either way, the dealership is the last place to get repairs. They are usually the most expensive and always replace parts that might be repairable. There are many good, honest mechanics out there, just ask the locals and they'll tell you who they use for vehicle repairs. The dealership only gets my money once.
These types of things are unavoidable. You’re really smart to have funds set aside. $2200 repair after seven years? It could be worse. That’s what we say in Minnesota anyway. Love you guys!
Thanks for the love! We almost regretted buying the truck from the lot with everything already upgraded, brand new. The dealership we bought it from in Illinois one of the only dealers in the country that will do all the upgrades and keep it under warranty.
@@HappilyEverHanks All of those suspension pieces should be replaced periodically because they are wear items, this holds true as well for shocks and struts. Whether it is lifted or not. You should notice a huge improvement in the road manners of your Jimmy. Drive it like you stole it but please be safe out there.
When ever I get a quote from the dealer I go straight to Rock Auto, they seem to have always the best price and price out the parts. I didn’t have the exact year and model of your truck but a 2019 HD 2500 Diesel is what I used. Sit down for this, tie rods inner, $12 each. Idler arm $25. You van go on their site and put in the proper model and year. BTW, any lifted truck with raised suspension and oversized tires will eat up suspension and steering parts at an alarming rate.
@@lancewulfers2502I use 1 A Auto. I bought extended folding mirrors from them in 2018. When you buy their parts, you get a lifetime warranty. Just replaced the $350 driver mirror, and cost us nothing, other than shipping the original mirror back to them for $30. Excellent service.
@@slalomkingthey usually have a full range of parts, including GM OEM parts. I quoted the most expensive OEM parts in my first comment. Was still very reasonable. Problem is that some dealerships and some repair shops will take that price and mark it up a lot.
I feel your pain. Our truck is 18 years old. We had to have our suspension and front brakes replaced this month, $1500. We have 250000 miles on it and after looking at newer trucks it is still cheaper to keep it.
$1500 for a 17 year old truck is acceptable. $2200 for a late model Denali is insanity. A lotof that $2200 is self inflicted. Everybody I know that has installed a lift kit or a leveling kit has had suspension problems. These things upset the steering geometry of the fig. These kits are merely for aesthetics. The oversize tires rubbing the fender well splash guards is unacceptable. Again, the tires are for aesthetics. I'd be willing to bet this truck will be back in the shop in the next 20K miles.
Until I turned 70 I always "modified" my trucks with various lift kits and bolt-ons (winches, bumpers, etc.). This resulted in two costs, first the initial $$$ of the modification then the $$$$ of the additional maintenance caused by the modification. I then purchased a truck just for pulling the camper (which happens to be identical to your Denali - same color, year, etc.) and have kept it factory throughout. To date I haven't had any failures, only costs have been the normal fuel, service, and tires. I commend you on your preventative maintenance, your $2K preventative cost is nothing compared to breaking down on the road with severe damage caused by a minor failure (I.E. tie-rods and idler arm). My wife and I experienced a $29K repair on a Ford F350 due to the failure of a cheap part I should have replaced 2,000 miles earlier. Towing, motel rooms, rental cars, expedited freight, storage for the camper, and labor can run up the bill in a hurry. Even though $2K hurts, it can get really bad when things go south. God Bless you two and stay safe.
This is the type of video I love the best from you guys. Love the local flavor when you go places and the interaction you have with others. Makes me want to visit every place you go. Please do more local flavor videos like this.
I full time in a motorhome. My tow car has oversized tires and offset. Your rubbing is just about the same as I had. The inner fender rear of the tire is very easy to fix. All you need to do is remove the wheel and tire, go to Harbor Freight and get a 3 pound hand sledgehammer and bash the inner fender out of the way. I know that sounds a little crazy but it's only a welded seam that needs to be moved about a quarter inch. And it's fun.
I paid around $250 each for Pirellis for my (much smaller) F150. I wonder if it would have been safe to drive on the old tires for another week or so while you shopped around.
I always ask to see any parts that were replaced just for my own curiosity. That generally helps to give me some peace of mind about such an expensive repair, especially when the say "it was the worst worn part that they've seen".
Great point and it is something that we should start doing ourselves! Thank you for taking the time to watch. We truly appreciate all your support, Shirley ❤️
Given the use of the truck, and the fact that it is lifted (I think you mentioned that) a full suspension inspection every 6 months would be a good idea. Lifts put all the connecting bits in the suspension under different stresses vs. stock, as the angles are more severe. Ditto on the larger tires.
Idler arm mirrors on the passenger side what the steering box pitman arm does on the driver's side. They swing in the same arc, one on each side and support the center link, which both the left and right tie rods attach to. Don't worry its a normal wear item, especially with a lift and big tires. Dan
Definitely like this style of video. It's like your older videos that we fell in love with. The change you did about a year ago we didn't enjoy as much.
Holy Donuts!!!! We traveled from WA to ME 3 years ago. While in Portand (recommendation from Finding Our Someday in one of their episodes) went to Holy Donuts. I am allergic to gluten, so it's hard to find delicious gluten-free donuts. OMG...Holy Donuts were heavenly! And definitely worth another trip to ME (along with the lobster rolls). Very thankful your truck issues were caught & fixed before anything worse happened. Thanks, Hanks, for sharing all your adventures! We look forward to your episodes every week. Keep staying safe 🤗
According to their website you're not getting gluten free donuts..... "Our donuts may contain dairy, egg, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, sesame and positive vibes. All non-gluten free donuts are made on shared equipment and fried in the same oil. Our gluten free donuts are produced in a dedicated gluten free room with dedicated equipment within our commissary facility. Although appropriate measures are taken to prevent any cross contamination; cross contamination is still a risk at all levels of our operation." This word salad statement basically states eat at your own risk, if you have Celiac Disease this clearly is not a safe place.
great show guys…love how you spread the love and involve the community…and all the interesting places you go…and foods you eat…almost if it is an evolution of your 50 state goal…all a progressive accumulation of ideas and places to take your mind stacked like a bunch of anchors off a dock…
I'm sure your fellow camperites enjoy the lessons but I watch your show for the scenic touristy stuff. You're both very entertaining to watch together and I enjoy your opinions of things. And the sites. So "personal," it is for me.😁
Carl, we just put 8 new tires on our HDT. Total cost mounted and balanced. $2200.00 Hdt are six times the truck you have. The key is that ours is made to do major miles. The motors in them go for over a million miles.
I've been a mechanic for 40 years, and owned GM trucks for over 30 years. The #1 worn suspension part on a GM truck of all years is the Idler arm. Keeping it greased helps. I've had good luck with Moog brand suspension parts over OEM, they last longer and usually less expensive also. Keep those ball joints greased regularly (if they have grease fittings) also, you will not like that replacement bill. 😁😁
Just need to be sure it is a USA Moog part. I bought a set of ball joints for my Ford Excursion. Moog made in China and after installing you could not drive it they were so stiff. Took them out and returned them. Went to a different store and bought US made Moog ball joints and drove like a dream.
Years ago I had a friend that was was a retired engineer from GM and went to work as an engeneer for Ford. I bought a new truck and imediatly talked to him about mods for my new truck. He sugessted to NOT do anything to modify the engeneering of the truck. The truck is designed to work with range of tire sizes and rims. He said everything is engeneer to work together. Bigger tires put more weight and stress on the rest of the suspension over effecting turning radious. This will also impact your alignment. All of these issues in this video are as a reult of the improper rims and tires. Unfortunatly, as a result of the tires, you will see these bills again. I'd recomend replacing the rims and tires to GMC recomended products. The outside wear on the front tires is a bit normal but enjanced because of the wrong rims and tires. As you turn the outer edge of the tires grind. Use a GMC dealership or a national tire chain and get a lifetime allignment. Rotating the tires will spread the wear acoos the tires evenly. When you get the tires rotated, have the allignment checked. With the lifetime allignment, the allignment check should not cost you anything.
The repairs might seem expensive when paid all at once, but if you track it by the dollar per mile/month, it's not that bad over the life of the truck. But, I would look at taking your truck back to stock and getting rid of the lift...it should be a smoother ride, cheaper tires, etc...Another great video with lots of great information for us. Thanks for sharing with us.
We have been following you since the beginning. Just want to say your recent videos are great. Keep that going. I grew up in Maine so your current voyage is extra special.
I had a tie rod break. Thankfully, I was just pulling out of a parking lot. But the night before, we were going 50mph around curvy roads. Scary what could of happened
Hi again Hanks.. just a thought... and before I say this, let me say Firestone is capable of almost nothing and I don't recommend them for much more than an oil change... but they have this lifetime alignment deal. Less than 200 bucks you can get the lifetime of your vehicle.. and do it whenever you want. I've done mine every 5-10 k miles with rotation.. they give the print out of how much it was out and the correction.. if you pass a shop you could say, hey it's been a few months.. let's just do a quick alignment.. and Rotate your tires... I think that is huge!
That rubbing is normal after doing the lift and wheels. I did suspension work for 30+ years the rubbing in the rear I know a lot of shops would have hammered it just enough to prevent the rubbing. Your next big expense will be the ball joints. When I worked at the dealership Discount Tires was a lot cheaper on tires than our shop.
NeNe, you are so wrong! I am 62 so I am definitely an adult and not a kid. I look forward to your videos and TH-cam is what I watch most of the time. Besides being dazzled by NeNe's beauty, I get a kick out of Carl/Kyle's, whatever his name is' humor. I always love seeing videos like this to either learn new places to go now that we are retired or see places we've been to and look for places we recognize. Thanks Hanks for all the entertainment! Luv you guys!
I have been married with my first (only) wife for 34 years. No fk way a wife is always right. Women are wired to be emotional, not logical. With a few exceptions. Maybe apply to your situation. Or maybe you are using sarcasm.
They are often right… almost never about vehicle maintenance. I know so many women that freak out about needing only a battery “I should just get a new car…” 🤦🏻♂️
Any chance your tire place would work out replacement wheels with correct offset? If not, I’d suggest grinding a relief notch where the back metal is touching the tires in a hard turn.
I can tell you front experience I bought a brand new 2022 …1 ton paid $5800 for a 5yr/150k bumper to bumper warranty. The factory warranty was over at 60k… no joke the motor blew at 60,700 towing our 5th wheel in July in the middle of nowhere… two and a half months later and 10k the warranty covers it and they also paid for 2.5 months of truck payments for the inconvenience so yes it some ways it doesn’t pay but in this case a major life savor.
One thing to consider is that dealerships have alot of overhead. Consider an independent shop, and you can save a lot on parts mark up, as well as lower labor rates. Worked at a dealership...
First of all, still SUPER EXCITED that you are in New England!!!! I hope you are enjoying your time here!!! I LOVE this new format and how you take us along with you. Wish I could reach through the screen and grab a doughnut!
Good to have a dealer take care of the repairs. Someone you can trust. Most likely Discout tire would have prorated the replacement tires and saved you several hundred dollars. Just a suggestion for anyone who has purchased tires from Discount tire to save some $. The dealer may say they need to replace to align but the alignment is done off the rims not the tires.
If tie rods and an idler arm are all that’s wrong with your front end with all the towing you do with that lift kit, I think you’re doing pretty well. And that is consistent with the outer tire tread wear. Unfortunately, those wheels will continue to chew up those parts because of the increased forces from the wider wheels. I know because I’ve done all those things myself and was changing out front end parts with oil changes.
The lifted truck tire rub seems to be a common issue. Also not an RVer but loyal viewer. I do enjoy seeing the first person views from your travels. It adds to the experience that a viewer may not get to. Keep up the good content! Appreciate your efforts and willingness to share your experiences with so many! You both are doing great!
IT'S ME AGAIN! LOL so when my customers come to me every 5k miles I always look for the signs of wear. I also know what to expect on a vehicle like yours. This is one of the issues with "do it yourselfers". Problem is the average person has no idea what to look for safety wise! Anyone can change oil, that's the easy part. It's the experience of a good mechanic that can save your life. I agree, NO extended warranty! Those are a joke. But I recommend you just start having a trusted mechanic handle your maintenance from now on. You live on the road...don't risk it! Love ya, Dan from San Ramon Auto Repair
We really enjoyed the new content. But anytime we take weekly with you is always looked forward to. Be safe and here's to looking and enjoying the time you guys share with us !!!
We visited Portland this past month. Had Holy Donut and it was pretty good. Love seeing you all visit the north east. We don’t live there any more but that’s where we used to call home. 😊
@@michaelcanto6175 I'm often on the other end and love showing people the issue I found and repaired. Usually explaining the who what when where why and hows. 7 out of 10 don't care one bit and are just happy to have the vehicle back. But I always encourage people to atleast see the items.
I would’ve had them show me what was loose and how loose is it I work at a dealership and I had a customer come in and told her what she needed she needed a bunch of work done I brought her out to her car pointed out everything issue I found coolant leaks to overdue maintenance she looked at me and said she has never had someone show her what she needed done on her car after that she done 2 hours to come see me even for just a oil change u find someone u can trust
@@HappilyEverHanks my husband thought the same thing...show us the bad parts. Unfortunately some places “sell up”. Doesn’t mean you need to keep the old parts though~ :o)
Been watching a lot of your videos lately. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Regarding your tires rubbing . Cant tell if the wheel house is metal or plastic so if its metal ,see where the tire rubs then turn the wheels so the tire clears that spot and hit it with a hammer to bend it out of the way. If its plastic you can cut a small piece out to give you the needed clearance. Been there,done that over the years . Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Actually pretty easy and better than having to pay someone. Near future RVers. Preparing for life on the road. Hopevto see you guys out there one day
Carl and Ney Ney, yes aftermarket warranties are a scam. You could have gotten cheaper tires at a tire shop. The total cost wasn’t too bad for everything. For the kind of work you got done, stick to the dealership. Local shops can be hit and miss. Nothing you could have done to stop the issues you had. It’s common with GM trucks that are lifted. The rub is nothing, i wouldn’t sweat it.
Even worse than the cost, it probably would have broken someplace in the middle of nowhere, like the time I took out both driver's side brake calipers and rotors by hitting a rock...in the middle of Death Valley National Park. On a weekend.
recently went down in tire size by just 0.3” and it doesn’t rub at all, zero change in visual and no noticeable change in clearance. recommend considering it when it’s time to change it again. although a blow hammer might be just the trick to bang that pinch weld
Tie rods and idler arm...... welcome to the Chevy life! I replace pitman and idler arms every 50k-60k with the way my truck is set up! It's a Chevy thing!
@@russellriggan2088 older trucks, yes. Stock ball joints on both 2018 Ram duallies I have, on at 158k and one at 56k miles. 2nd & 3rd gen trucks it seemed once a year. 4th gens been great.
Wow! An entire store dedicated to olive oil. We are putting that on our to do list when we make it up to Maine. Thanks Hanks for another great episode!
Yeah, I like you guys 👊 I'm a 69-year-old black man and I enjoy your videos. You two make me want to RV, big time ❣️ You're very informative and kind-hearted, keep up the great job 😎
I appreciate the honest vulnerability of your channel. It’s not all sunshine and roses but that’s real life. There’s no doubt that lifting a truck and reversing the wheels can look cool, but it’s an expensive look. It’s expensive to do and expensive to maintain since it multiplies the wear and tear on critical components not designed for that added stress. I’m quite a bit older than you guys and have pulled 5th wheels for many years. I’m more of a “get a big enough truck and leave it stock” guy to maximize the life of these important, expensive components. I’m glad you caught the issues before something bad happened. You’re living and learning with the rest of us but you’ve chosen to do so for everyone to see. God bless you “kids”. I appreciate that you “tell it like it is”.
Hubby and I love your videos. We never miss one. We are excited you are in New England. We are in Vermont and are looking forward to your visit. One must have here is a maple creemie. Or as you would say, soft serve.
@@rustystrong6816 you have a ways to go - but my high pressure turbo went out at 80,000 - but probably my fault someone told me I should put in a additive to clean out the egr - 40 minutes into my trip is when I got the check engine light - never run that shit 🍻
Ironic. I pointed out a couple weeks ago that your lifted truck is pointless, especially when towing. All I got was a snarky remark about how much you "loved" the lift. This video says more than I ever could. 🙃
@@Itsa_Mea Kick rocks. These trucks will go through engines before tie - rods if you leave them alone. These stupid lift kits increase forces on rod ends, bushings, hubs exponentially. Not to mention the PS system. Good thing they had big ass tires and a little more clearance for that one time they almost drove through some dirt.
Never go to the stealership for anything you're paying for. You're getting ripped off. Go find a small locally owned garage that won't rip you off. And you're right on extended warranties, they are rip-offs, too.
@@sarahann530 Great question! There are a few ways. I'll often just check Google Maps and see if there is a local mechanic with great reviews. Reddit is also a great resource. Find the local subreddit, every area has a local one, for example r/phoenix. Often there's already a previous post about this that has been answered by locals, so just search for a post in that subreddit that have asked about local mechanic recommendations. If not, just post and ask. You can also just ask locals that you meet. Often the campground host will know of someone, and might even have a shade-tree mechanic staying at the park as I've found sometimes. It's worth it because it will cost you between a third to half of what the stealerships will charge you.
I agree but as a fulltimer it’s better to stick with dealers. I am in a strange city not knowing anyone hard to get a good recommendation. If a ford dealer in Maine screwed up, I can get it fixed at another ford dealer in Iowa as part of their guarantee. At least that has been my experience.
@DannyNomad When you are broken down in your rig in a place you are not familiar with ,how long do you spend trying to find a mechanic ? How do you know the locals give you trustworthy information ? If 2 locals tell you one mechanic and 2 tell you another who do you go with ?
Take a pair of channel locks and bend the steel tab away from the tires until the tires no longer rub; also do the zip tie on the fender liner to prevent damage to the new tires.
Not necessarily, tire shops mainly install tires UNLESS you ask for more. But then again when they raised the truck up they should have notice the drop,wobble and other issues and said something
That's a quite common repair with these trucks. Especially with all the road conditions you encounter. You really don't need an alignment every year if your steering components remain tight. I would recommend checking your front-end steering components for any loose joints. There are plenty of videos on how to do that. Good job noticing the uneven tire wear. Tire rubbing; I recommend getting a hammer in there to see if you can make some clearance on the metal portion.
You bought a truck that was lifted. Lifting a truck ruins the suspension. Then you’re shocked when it costs so much to fix and needs unscheduled repairs. Nothing to see here.
Jeep owner has entered the chat….lifting a vehicle does not ruin suspension. My wrangler is at 57000 miles and I’m running 37” tires. Just finished another cross country trip. That being said, lifting a vehicle or adding bigger tires and wheels requires research, including gear ratios, wheel backspacing, etc. AND the realization that decent mileage will be a thing of the past.
I’m not completely disagreeing with you. But a Jeep and a pickup truck are two different animals. I have seen so many lifted pickups towing a small to medium sized trailer totally squatted in the rear and the nose pointing at the sky. Lifting a pickup will quickly decrease load capacity. It also puts undo strain on steering components.(Think Idler arms). Not to mention the decreased stability and handling - Raising the center of gravity of the vehicle can make it more prone to body roll, decreased traction, and less stable handling, especially at higher speeds or during sharp turns.
@@donaldbailey5576 I get it. I also tow a trailer (Expedition 2.0). Like anything else, it requires adjustments. I made sure I added appropriate springs to take into account the added weight. To say that lifting a vehicle ruins it is overly broad; it will, certainly, unless you think it through and add what you need.
Our truck is 2023 Chev High Country is in the shop. Its a 3month nationwide back order on the part. Its the "valve body". So they can replace that or transmission, but both are on backorder. The truck goes into "limp mode". We are leaving it here, we have someone coming fromTexas to get us, and tow the trailer back. WHAT A MESS...but with the issues for the people devasted in the flood zones, we still have a roof over our head, and a bed to sleep in, so we are not complaining.
We pull our fifth wheel with a 2004 F350 We have replaced so much But her motor is tip top It pulls well and she’s paid for Fix your tire situation that worries me but keep the truck cuz you love it
Your tire rubbing can fix with block of wood (so you don't mess up the paint) and hammer bend inner fender in a little to clear, it's in a spot you'll never notice. Love your videos hope you got to try Federal Jack's great place to eat.
I’ve said this before, for me personally you are not just entertainment for me, you both bring joy to my heart, because I get to live through you. I am old and disabled, and you both bring Joy to me, If I am having a bad day, watching your videos, calms me, the beautiful scenery, I see AWWWW. So, you are always in my prayers, and truly loved. 😊❤🙏 Love from AZ-US ❤
Was in Kennebunk 2 years ago just before Halloween with my family. My parents who are in their mid 70s have a Class A, so my wife, I, my sister/husband/2 kids all took a road trip from the Chicago area to NY, VT, NH, ME and thoroughly enjoyed it. Batson River Brewing & Distillery was decked out for Halloween!
Love all your videos, but love seeing your travel experiences as well! You both do such a great job sharing, helping your viewers feel they are truly along for the ride!
Yessah enjoyed myself a double-dose of Hanks today! What a pleasure to meet you tonight in Freeport, and very much enjoyed the conversations with the folks I was sitting with! I look forward to the photograph, and because it's so late now, I'll send Diana the pics tomorrow. Parking in downtown Kennebunkport--there is free parking just outside the area. I'm suprised you weren't directed there. It does involve maybe a quarter mile walk into town, but it's not bad. OMG Rene with the steamed clams. I love steamers, but I gasped because I said "do NOT eat the neck skin!" and you peeled if off, thank goodness. Yes, they are kind of an acquired chew. I prefer the fried whole-belly clams, but steamers will do. Sorry about the sticker shock on your repairs for D. I just had to have a brake caliper replaced on the Mustang and that was over $600. Vehicle maintenance is a painful must! The donut eating scenes....oh-my-goodness......you made it look hilarious and delicious! See you next Thursday.
Echo the comments about accelerated suspension wear with the lifted truck, not to mention handling compromises. Tire/wheel combination is also a problem. Should never have rubbing in that situation, especially on metal. Glad you will be addressing, hopefully very soon.
We parked by the lot by the firehouse. It said no Rv’s but since I’m 21’ long and can fit in a spot, I parked. Right by the dulley trucks so they can see I do fit. No ticket so 🤷🏼♂️🤣. That lot was free just had a 10 minute walk. I agree with the crowds statement 👍🏼
I have been driving and towing with my F350, it was purchased new in 2006 and I have had to rebuild the front end suspension and steering twice in 18 years.
None of these repairs would have been covered by an extended warranty as they are wear items. The costs, though not out of line, were a bit marked up for the tires, otherwise seems fair. But maintenance is always a good investment. Next up will be outer tie rod ends and ball joints. Just part of the cost of ownership on a lifted towing truck. This is a bummer expense, but way cheaper than a new truck. You guys rock. We love your channel.
I haven't had any issue with any extended warranty. Used one several times. You just have to make sure it is a reputable company. Usually what happens is people pay for the warranty and then do a modification that wasn't disclosed at the time of purchase. That can void any warranty. I just purchased a 2021 2500 silverado. I put my plow on it. It had to have the prep package and I had to check off snowplow on the warranty paperwork.
Honestly, you are towing full-time with a lifted HD truck and suspension problems are inevitable. Be prepared for ball joints, shocks, sway bar end links, front cv axles, etc in the VERY near future. The trucks are made to tow in their stock suspension set-up and they definitely last longer/tow better/achieve better fuel economy. I hate to say it but you should really try towing with a stock suspension GM HD truck and you will see how much BETTER it drives/tows.
I've been thinking this too.
Lifted or not 4x4's are hard on front end parts. I have replaced plenty over the years on stock trucks.
@@MatthewK88x Agreed. Most anything that gets an aftermarket lift significantly decreases load capacity. Lifting and then throwing a fifth wheel in the back is a recipe for complications. Suspensions are built by the manufacturer to work correctly with that vehicle. Then the manufacturer sets towing weight and load capacity at stock. Never mess with the suspension.
Agreed !
@@donaldbailey5576 Smart suggestion. When you start messing with the engineered parts you introduce forces not intended on the parts. I supsect aftermarket companies don't do extensive testing on their products in the manner in which the Hanks are using them. Keep it stock to get the best outcome when putting the truck to work like full time RV towing.
When you do a lift kit and big tires you're putting more stress on the front-end parts, especially if there's interference/rubbing from the wrong offset. It gives you more ground clearance for off road, but for extended highway towing of a fifth wheel you'll have better reliability and stability with a stock suspension. At some point be prepared for new ball joints, too.
@@AcmeRacing 100% true
Cost a lot to look good.
You are correct on that..
Yeah. A lifted truck, used as these kids are using theirs is not a good idea.
Absolutely 100% correct. Years ago I lifted my new 1979 Chevy Blazer, all I did afterwards was replace U joints and tires but damn it did look good!
As a mechanic I would just say it really wasn’t “out of nowhere”. Now that you’re experienced the next time you see tire wear that is abnormal you’ll guess that there may be worn steering or suspension parts. I really love the way you guys show the whole experience. Love the channel.
I totally agree with you. I would add for people that tow a lot, it’s best practice to just have a look around your truck and be familiar with your vehicle just in case you see anything out of place. Also, I know fluid had nothing to do with this repair but it’s a good habit to have a consistent schedule of changing most of your fluids especially for heavy towing vehicles. Good bless!!
Big tires and lift kits accelerate front end parts wearing out. It's due to the increased unsprung weight of the tires and wheels and the increased angle on the steering geometry.
Lift kits are among the most costly modifications you can make to your truck, and the expenses don’t stop after installation. They alter the steering geometry, which, combined with a heavy pin weight, makes achieving proper wheel alignment nearly impossible. Since most of your driving involves towing, it’s crucial to get the alignment done with a load in the bed to simulate the pin weight of your trailer. Without this, you’ll continue facing expensive suspension repairs.
Additionally, they’ve just replaced your front tires, but it’s important to check whether the wear on the rear tires is within 30% of the front. If the wear difference is too great, it can cause your differentials to fail due to the imbalance in gear ratios if this truck is a 4X4. You should also address the rim offset if you plan to keep the lift kit. The rubbing issue could lead to further damage if left unresolved.
I still like that you show the good, bad and ugly side of full-time RVing. It gives people like me that are considering that lifestyle something to think about.
Don't dry steer tires, guaranteed to distress ball joints
Ie, only turn as you move
So painful to watch that part with brand new front end parts and tires.
Your lifted truck and oversized tires probably have a great deal to do with all sorts of suspension troubles…it’s expensive to be so cool at times. Keep on it, check those items for wear often.
Be safe out there you two!
I was going to tell him that having the lift will cause those things to go bad faster.
@@CampingChuckIndeed they will.
Curious. Can you un-lift a lifted truck? Make it regular again?
@@hollynauss6359 yup.
@@hollynauss6359 Sure.
I had a quote to replace my Idler arm, pitman Arm arm bracket, and tie rods (inner and outer) for my Silverado for $2800. I bought the parts for $450 and did it myself.
1st question: what’s your background?
2nd: Would you track-and-balance my helicopter? - STOP being the A$$hole. They aren’t mechanics.
Love their style. So loveable/likeable.
Totally agree on the clam thing! Lobster and shrimp are awesome and so was the Holy Donuts!
They're at the mercy, and lack thereof, of the stealership. But, you know, keep calling someone what you're actually being. @Social-Outlaw
Either way, the dealership is the last place to get repairs. They are usually the most expensive and always replace parts that might be repairable. There are many good, honest mechanics out there, just ask the locals and they'll tell you who they use for vehicle repairs. The dealership only gets my money once.
These types of things are unavoidable. You’re really smart to have funds set aside. $2200 repair after seven years? It could be worse. That’s what we say in Minnesota anyway. Love you guys!
Yes it is unavoidable if they would have left it stock. The only reason they modified it was for looks!
Thanks for the love! We almost regretted buying the truck from the lot with everything already upgraded, brand new. The dealership we bought it from in Illinois one of the only dealers in the country that will do all the upgrades and keep it under warranty.
@@HappilyEverHanks All of those suspension pieces should be replaced periodically because they are wear items, this holds true as well for shocks and struts. Whether it is lifted or not. You should notice a huge improvement in the road manners of your Jimmy. Drive it like you stole it but please be safe out there.
When ever I get a quote from the dealer I go straight to Rock Auto, they seem to have always the best price and price out the parts. I didn’t have the exact year and model of your truck but a 2019 HD 2500 Diesel is what I used. Sit down for this, tie rods inner, $12 each. Idler arm $25. You van go on their site and put in the proper model and year. BTW, any lifted truck with raised suspension and oversized tires will eat up suspension and steering parts at an alarming rate.
I also looked at rock auto but used prices for GM OEM parts and it was under $200 for all the parts.
@@lancewulfers2502I use 1 A Auto. I bought extended folding mirrors from them in 2018. When you buy their parts, you get a lifetime warranty. Just replaced the $350 driver mirror, and cost us nothing, other than shipping the original mirror back to them for $30. Excellent service.
Isn’t Rock Auto a cheaper quality part, not as good as stock?
@@slalomkingthey usually have a full range of parts, including GM OEM parts. I quoted the most expensive OEM parts in my first comment. Was still very reasonable. Problem is that some dealerships and some repair shops will take that price and mark it up a lot.
@@slalomking not at all, they sell from jobber to OM to OEM.
I feel your pain. Our truck is 18 years old. We had to have our suspension and front brakes replaced this month, $1500. We have 250000 miles on it and after looking at newer trucks it is still cheaper to keep it.
So very true. New prices are out of this world!
$1500 for a 17 year old truck is acceptable. $2200 for a late model Denali is insanity. A lotof that $2200 is self inflicted. Everybody I know that has installed a lift kit or a leveling kit has had suspension problems. These things upset the steering geometry of the fig. These kits are merely for aesthetics. The oversize tires rubbing the fender well splash guards is unacceptable. Again, the tires are for aesthetics. I'd be willing to bet this truck will be back in the shop in the next 20K miles.
Until I turned 70 I always "modified" my trucks with various lift kits and bolt-ons (winches, bumpers, etc.). This resulted in two costs, first the initial $$$ of the modification then the $$$$ of the additional maintenance caused by the modification. I then purchased a truck just for pulling the camper (which happens to be identical to your Denali - same color, year, etc.) and have kept it factory throughout. To date I haven't had any failures, only costs have been the normal fuel, service, and tires.
I commend you on your preventative maintenance, your $2K preventative cost is nothing compared to breaking down on the road with severe damage caused by a minor failure (I.E. tie-rods and idler arm). My wife and I experienced a $29K repair on a Ford F350 due to the failure of a cheap part I should have replaced 2,000 miles earlier. Towing, motel rooms, rental cars, expedited freight, storage for the camper, and labor can run up the bill in a hurry. Even though $2K hurts, it can get really bad when things go south.
God Bless you two and stay safe.
This is the type of video I love the best from you guys. Love the local flavor when you go places and the interaction you have with others. Makes me want to visit every place you go. Please do more local flavor videos like this.
I full time in a motorhome. My tow car has oversized tires and offset. Your rubbing is just about the same as I had. The inner fender rear of the tire is very easy to fix. All you need to do is remove the wheel and tire, go to Harbor Freight and get a 3 pound hand sledgehammer and bash the inner fender out of the way. I know that sounds a little crazy but it's only a welded seam that needs to be moved about a quarter inch. And it's fun.
@@davidekorenrud7762 Theirs is caused by misalignment due to the worn aftermarket suspension parts. Not by rubbing the fender.
@@donaldbailey5576well it was rubbing after the worn parts were fixed so the sledge is a good suggestion as long as they don’t get carried away.
$518 per tire, WHAT??? The front suspension cost didn't seem bad, but the tires are something else!
I really thought the tire price was way out of line.
I paid around $250 each for Pirellis for my (much smaller) F150.
I wonder if it would have been safe to drive on the old tires for another week or so while you shopped around.
Tire price...hope you got a kiss with this screwing.
Definitely overcharged for the tires!
Probably 35” x20” and BFGs are pretty pricey anyway
Try wacking the metal with a heavy hammer, if you can push it back by a 1/16 of an inch it should give you room
I see you also have done "sketchy" things... we can be friends!
I would try that as well, but checking what is on the back side if that metal first.
This is what I was going to say for them to do I have done it to several trucks so my tire would not rub.
This is typically just a pinch weld so it shouldn’t cause any issue to clearance it with a hammer/mallet *FOR FREE* 😁
Pay for paint or parts. Did they say how many miles on the parts? I missed it if they did. Getting closer to my neck of the world in this one 👍
My husband and I watch you every week. Haven’t missed an episode yet. Just love you guys.
I always ask to see any parts that were replaced just for my own curiosity. That generally helps to give me some peace of mind about such an expensive repair, especially when the say "it was the worst worn part that they've seen".
Great point and it is something that we should start doing ourselves! Thank you for taking the time to watch. We truly appreciate all your support, Shirley ❤️
Given the use of the truck, and the fact that it is lifted (I think you mentioned that) a full suspension inspection every 6 months would be a good idea. Lifts put all the connecting bits in the suspension under different stresses vs. stock, as the angles are more severe. Ditto on the larger tires.
Idler arm mirrors on the passenger side what the steering box pitman arm does on the driver's side.
They swing in the same arc, one on each side and support the center link, which both the left and right tie rods attach to.
Don't worry its a normal wear item, especially with a lift and big tires. Dan
Keep on doing what you do and we will keep watching. At least 1 shot of Dexter please. 🎉
Definitely like this style of video. It's like your older videos that we fell in love with. The change you did about a year ago we didn't enjoy as much.
Holy Donuts!!!! We traveled from WA to ME 3 years ago. While in Portand (recommendation from Finding Our Someday in one of their episodes) went to Holy Donuts. I am allergic to gluten, so it's hard to find delicious gluten-free donuts. OMG...Holy Donuts were heavenly! And definitely worth another trip to ME (along with the lobster rolls).
Very thankful your truck issues were caught & fixed before anything worse happened. Thanks, Hanks, for sharing all your adventures! We look forward to your episodes every week. Keep staying safe 🤗
According to their website you're not getting gluten free donuts.....
"Our donuts may contain dairy, egg, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, sesame and positive vibes.
All non-gluten free donuts are made on shared equipment and fried in the same oil. Our gluten free donuts are produced in a dedicated gluten free room with dedicated equipment within our commissary facility. Although appropriate measures are taken to prevent any cross contamination; cross contamination is still a risk at all levels of our operation."
This word salad statement basically states eat at your own risk, if you have Celiac Disease this clearly is not a safe place.
great show guys…love how you spread the love and involve the community…and all the interesting places you go…and foods you eat…almost if it is an evolution of your 50 state goal…all a progressive accumulation of ideas and places to take your mind stacked like a bunch of anchors off a dock…
I love the perfect imperfectness of your travels. You’re both real and that’s why I follow you.
I'm sure your fellow camperites enjoy the lessons but I watch your show for the scenic touristy stuff. You're both very entertaining to watch together and I enjoy your opinions of things. And the sites. So "personal," it is for me.😁
Carl, we just put 8 new tires on our HDT. Total cost mounted and balanced. $2200.00
Hdt are six times the truck you have. The key is that ours is made to do major miles. The motors in them go for over a million miles.
Thanks! Adding some to your emergency fund….it sux getting tagged on the unexpected
I've been a mechanic for 40 years, and owned GM trucks for over 30 years. The #1 worn suspension part on a GM truck of all years is the Idler arm. Keeping it greased helps. I've had good luck with Moog brand suspension parts over OEM, they last longer and usually less expensive also. Keep those ball joints greased regularly (if they have grease fittings) also, you will not like that replacement bill. 😁😁
Just need to be sure it is a USA Moog part. I bought a set of ball joints for my Ford Excursion. Moog made in China and after installing you could not drive it they were so stiff. Took them out and returned them. Went to a different store and bought US made Moog ball joints and drove like a dream.
Years ago I had a friend that was was a retired engineer from GM and went to work as an engeneer for Ford. I bought a new truck and imediatly talked to him about mods for my new truck.
He sugessted to NOT do anything to modify the engeneering of the truck. The truck is designed to work with range of tire sizes and rims. He said everything is engeneer to work together. Bigger tires put more weight and stress on the rest of the suspension over effecting turning radious. This will also impact your alignment. All of these issues in this video are as a reult of the improper rims and tires. Unfortunatly, as a result of the tires, you will see these bills again. I'd recomend replacing the rims and tires to GMC recomended products.
The outside wear on the front tires is a bit normal but enjanced because of the wrong rims and tires. As you turn the outer edge of the tires grind. Use a GMC dealership or a national tire chain and get a lifetime allignment. Rotating the tires will spread the wear acoos the tires evenly. When you get the tires rotated, have the allignment checked. With the lifetime allignment, the allignment check should not cost you anything.
The repairs might seem expensive when paid all at once, but if you track it by the dollar per mile/month, it's not that bad over the life of the truck. But, I would look at taking your truck back to stock and getting rid of the lift...it should be a smoother ride, cheaper tires, etc...Another great video with lots of great information for us. Thanks for sharing with us.
We have been following you since the beginning. Just want to say your recent videos are great. Keep that going. I grew up in Maine so your current voyage is extra special.
I had a tie rod break. Thankfully, I was just pulling out of a parking lot. But the night before, we were going 50mph around curvy roads. Scary what could of happened
Hi again Hanks.. just a thought... and before I say this, let me say Firestone is capable of almost nothing and I don't recommend them for much more than an oil change... but they have this lifetime alignment deal. Less than 200 bucks you can get the lifetime of your vehicle.. and do it whenever you want. I've done mine every 5-10 k miles with rotation.. they give the print out of how much it was out and the correction.. if you pass a shop you could say, hey it's been a few months.. let's just do a quick alignment.. and Rotate your tires... I think that is huge!
I agree 100% about extended warranties. I don't do them.
That rubbing is normal after doing the lift and wheels. I did suspension work for 30+ years the rubbing in the rear I know a lot of shops would have hammered it just enough to prevent the rubbing. Your next big expense will be the ball joints. When I worked at the dealership Discount Tires was a lot cheaper on tires than our shop.
Put the back used tires on the front. They are worn down some and shouldn’t rub.
NeNe, you are so wrong! I am 62 so I am definitely an adult and not a kid. I look forward to your videos and TH-cam is what I watch most of the time. Besides being dazzled by NeNe's beauty, I get a kick out of Carl/Kyle's, whatever his name is' humor. I always love seeing videos like this to either learn new places to go now that we are retired or see places we've been to and look for places we recognize. Thanks Hanks for all the entertainment! Luv you guys!
She is right about saving the money instead of purchasing the extended warranty. The wives are always right, i hope my wife doesn't read this.
I have been married with my first (only) wife for 34 years. No fk way a wife is always right. Women are wired to be emotional, not logical. With a few exceptions. Maybe apply to your situation.
Or maybe you are using sarcasm.
They are often right… almost never about vehicle maintenance. I know so many women that freak out about needing only a battery “I should just get a new car…” 🤦🏻♂️
Good one ! "Relish that" i love pickled beets. And love canning them too! Smart girl!
Any chance your tire place would work out replacement wheels with correct offset? If not, I’d suggest grinding a relief notch where the back metal is touching the tires in a hard turn.
Yes this!!
I can tell you front experience I bought a brand new 2022 …1 ton paid $5800 for a 5yr/150k bumper to bumper warranty. The factory warranty was over at 60k… no joke the motor blew at 60,700 towing our 5th wheel in July in the middle of nowhere… two and a half months later and 10k the warranty covers it and they also paid for 2.5 months of truck payments for the inconvenience so yes it some ways it doesn’t pay but in this case a major life savor.
Glad you got the truck fixed. Lifted truck with big tires its not uncommon for those repairs. Glad you got them done!
One thing to consider is that dealerships have alot of overhead. Consider an independent shop, and you can save a lot on parts mark up, as well as lower labor rates. Worked at a dealership...
First of all, still SUPER EXCITED that you are in New England!!!! I hope you are enjoying your time here!!! I LOVE this new format and how you take us along with you. Wish I could reach through the screen and grab a doughnut!
Good to have a dealer take care of the repairs. Someone you can trust. Most likely Discout tire would have prorated the replacement tires and saved you several hundred dollars. Just a suggestion for anyone who has purchased tires from Discount tire to save some $. The dealer may say they need to replace to align but the alignment is done off the rims not the tires.
Steamers!!!! (Steamed Clams)
I haven't had those in years! So good!!!
We often refer to that as the clam's leg. They are a bit chewy, but the best part of the clam.
If tie rods and an idler arm are all that’s wrong with your front end with all the towing you do with that lift kit, I think you’re doing pretty well. And that is consistent with the outer tire tread wear. Unfortunately, those wheels will continue to chew up those parts because of the increased forces from the wider wheels. I know because I’ve done all those things myself and was changing out front end parts with oil changes.
The lifted truck tire rub seems to be a common issue. Also not an RVer but loyal viewer. I do enjoy seeing the first person views from your travels. It adds to the experience that a viewer may not get to. Keep up the good content! Appreciate your efforts and willingness to share your experiences with so many! You both are doing great!
IT'S ME AGAIN! LOL so when my customers come to me every 5k miles I always look for the signs of wear. I also know what to expect on a vehicle like yours. This is one of the issues with "do it yourselfers". Problem is the average person has no idea what to look for safety wise! Anyone can change oil, that's the easy part. It's the experience of a good mechanic that can save your life. I agree, NO extended warranty! Those are a joke. But I recommend you just start having a trusted mechanic handle your maintenance from now on. You live on the road...don't risk it! Love ya, Dan from San Ramon Auto Repair
San Ramon… CA? I have a sister who lives right on the border of San Ramon & Dublin. The sign is right next to her driveway 😂
Never do tires at a dealer!!!
True story!!!!
I work in a gourmet olive oil shop and that lady at Mainely Drizzles knows what she is talking about about!!
Anytime I can throw money at a problem and it goes away I’m happy! Some people have problems that no amount of money can fix.
Real life travels, Continued blessings! "Thanks Hanks" !
Enjoying this format where you take us along as you explore new places.
We really enjoyed the new content. But anytime we take weekly with you is always looked forward to. Be safe and here's to looking and enjoying the time you guys share with us !!!
I love to watch you two. It is nice to have time together at such a young age. I always wanted to travel to main but waited too long to go. LOL
It is so much better to be safe than sorry! Glad you got it fixed. Love following your journey.
This the best video I have seen in a while! It had a little repair, some fun times, and some of the beautiful countryside where you are! Thank you😊
We visited Portland this past month. Had Holy Donut and it was pretty good. Love seeing you all visit the north east. We don’t live there any more but that’s where we used to call home. 😊
I always have asked for the old parts and do a personal inspection!
@@michaelcanto6175 I'm often on the other end and love showing people the issue I found and repaired. Usually explaining the who what when where why and hows. 7 out of 10 don't care one bit and are just happy to have the vehicle back. But I always encourage people to atleast see the items.
That’s a great idea! Probably not ideal for full timers that bounce around a lot. Those parts get heavy
I would’ve had them show me what was loose and how loose is it
I work at a dealership and I had a customer come in and told her what she needed she needed a bunch of work done I brought her out to her car pointed out everything issue I found coolant leaks to overdue maintenance she looked at me and said she has never had someone show her what she needed done on her car after that she done 2 hours to come see me even for just a oil change u find someone u can trust
@@HappilyEverHanks my husband thought the same thing...show us the bad parts. Unfortunately some places “sell up”. Doesn’t mean you need to keep the old parts though~ :o)
Been watching a lot of your videos lately. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Regarding your tires rubbing . Cant tell if the wheel house is metal or plastic so if its metal ,see where the tire rubs then turn the wheels so the tire clears that spot and hit it with a hammer to bend it out of the way. If its plastic you can cut a small piece out to give you the needed clearance. Been there,done that over the years . Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Actually pretty easy and better than having to pay someone. Near future RVers. Preparing for life on the road. Hopevto see you guys out there one day
Carl and Ney Ney, yes aftermarket warranties are a scam. You could have gotten cheaper tires at a tire shop. The total cost wasn’t too bad for everything. For the kind of work you got done, stick to the dealership. Local shops can be hit and miss. Nothing you could have done to stop the issues you had. It’s common with GM trucks that are lifted. The rub is nothing, i wouldn’t sweat it.
LOVE this new style of your videos!! And , what a hoot that gal in the oil shop was! Such a treasure!
Even worse than the cost, it probably would have broken someplace in the middle of nowhere, like the time I took out both driver's side brake calipers and rotors by hitting a rock...in the middle of Death Valley National Park. On a weekend.
Ugh 😣
recently went down in tire size by just 0.3” and it doesn’t rub at all, zero change in visual and no noticeable change in clearance. recommend considering it when it’s time to change it again. although a blow hammer might be just the trick to bang that pinch weld
Like a “BOAT”. Bring on another thousand . Every time you get something fixed. 😢😮😅
Bust
Out
Another
Thousand
Yes! Heard that one before!
Great to do your research NeNe ... my hubs runs a shop and has a instant terminate policy for guys adding unnessary repairs
Always great to do more research! Yes, you are absolutely correct ❤️ Thank you for being here
Tie rods and idler arm...... welcome to the Chevy life! I replace pitman and idler arms every 50k-60k with the way my truck is set up! It's a Chevy thing!
Came here to say this! For over 20 yrs inner tie rods have plagued GM
In the RAM world, the suspension part that goes are the ball joints!
Hopefully they put greaseable replacement parts.
@@russellriggan2088 older trucks, yes. Stock ball joints on both 2018 Ram duallies I have, on at 158k and one at 56k miles. 2nd & 3rd gen trucks it seemed once a year. 4th gens been great.
Every manufacturer has their issues.
Wow! An entire store dedicated to olive oil. We are putting that on our to do list when we make it up to Maine. Thanks Hanks for another great episode!
Yeah, I like you guys 👊
I'm a 69-year-old black man and I enjoy your videos. You two make me want to RV, big time ❣️
You're very informative and kind-hearted, keep up the great job 😎
I am with you, they just seem like really good, fun people ❤
Any content you create is awesome. The change ups are great. Keep towing the same line...
We really appreciate your wonderful support 😊 Thank you!
I appreciate the honest vulnerability of your channel. It’s not all sunshine and roses but that’s real life.
There’s no doubt that lifting a truck and reversing the wheels can look cool, but it’s an expensive look. It’s expensive to do and expensive to maintain since it multiplies the wear and tear on critical components not designed for that added stress. I’m quite a bit older than you guys and have pulled 5th wheels for many years. I’m more of a “get a big enough truck and leave it stock” guy to maximize the life of these important, expensive components.
I’m glad you caught the issues before something bad happened. You’re living and learning with the rest of us but you’ve chosen to do so for everyone to see. God bless you “kids”. I appreciate that you “tell it like it is”.
Hubby and I love your videos. We never miss one. We are excited you are in New England. We are in Vermont and are looking forward to your visit. One must have here is a maple creemie. Or as you would say, soft serve.
Thank you Susan!! You both mean so much to us ❤️ Great tip! We can't wait to visit Vermont :)
I just had to have a 6000 dollar turbo replaced 🍻
@@MRHEAT20 on what may I ask and how many miles? I have a ram diesel.
@@rustystrong6816 2017 Nissan Titan XD 138,000 miles and that was only the low pressure turbo 😢
@@MRHEAT20 mine is a 2018, 2500, 40,000
@@rustystrong6816 you have a ways to go - but my high pressure turbo went out at 80,000 - but probably my fault someone told me I should put in a additive to clean out the egr - 40 minutes into my trip is when I got the check engine light - never run that shit 🍻
Yikes
Ok hanks quick fix for rubbing, either trim inner wheel wells with a cut off wheel... or simply buy a set of wheel offset spacers
Ironic. I pointed out a couple weeks ago that your lifted truck is pointless, especially when towing. All I got was a snarky remark about how much you "loved" the lift. This video says more than I ever could. 🙃
@@gregturner8497 it's 7 year old full time towing truck! Parts wear out regardless. They had a good run. Tie rod ends are the GMs weak points to boot.
@@Itsa_Mea Kick rocks. These trucks will go through engines before tie - rods if you leave them alone. These stupid lift kits increase forces on rod ends, bushings, hubs exponentially. Not to mention the PS system. Good thing they had big ass tires and a little more clearance for that one time they almost drove through some dirt.
I commend you guys in keeping your equipment up to date in repairs and safe for the road.
Thank you very much for your kindness and support! You mean a lot to us 😊
Never go to the stealership for anything you're paying for. You're getting ripped off. Go find a small locally owned garage that won't rip you off. And you're right on extended warranties, they are rip-offs, too.
How do you find a local workshop to trust when on the road ?
@@sarahann530 Great question! There are a few ways. I'll often just check Google Maps and see if there is a local mechanic with great reviews. Reddit is also a great resource. Find the local subreddit, every area has a local one, for example r/phoenix. Often there's already a previous post about this that has been answered by locals, so just search for a post in that subreddit that have asked about local mechanic recommendations. If not, just post and ask. You can also just ask locals that you meet. Often the campground host will know of someone, and might even have a shade-tree mechanic staying at the park as I've found sometimes. It's worth it because it will cost you between a third to half of what the stealerships will charge you.
I agree but as a fulltimer it’s better to stick with dealers. I am in a strange city not knowing anyone hard to get a good recommendation. If a ford dealer in Maine screwed up, I can get it fixed at another ford dealer in Iowa as part of their guarantee. At least that has been my experience.
I can't answer that because of the draconian censorship on here. But basically, ask locals.
@DannyNomad When you are broken down in your rig in a place you are not familiar with ,how long do you spend trying to find a mechanic ? How do you know the locals give you trustworthy information ? If 2 locals tell you one mechanic and 2 tell you another who do you go with ?
Take a pair of channel locks and bend the steel tab away from the tires until the tires no longer rub; also do the zip tie on the fender liner to prevent damage to the new tires.
Place that installed tires should have caught this
True
Not necessarily, tire shops mainly install tires UNLESS you ask for more. But then again when they raised the truck up they should have notice the drop,wobble and other issues and said something
That's a quite common repair with these trucks. Especially with all the road conditions you encounter. You really don't need an alignment every year if your steering components remain tight. I would recommend checking your front-end steering components for any loose joints. There are plenty of videos on how to do that. Good job noticing the uneven tire wear. Tire rubbing; I recommend getting a hammer in there to see if you can make some clearance on the metal portion.
You bought a truck that was lifted. Lifting a truck ruins the suspension. Then you’re shocked when it costs so much to fix and needs unscheduled repairs. Nothing to see here.
But there is. I'm sure there are many people who aren't aware and you just educated them. Well done!
I thought that was so reasonable
Jeep owner has entered the chat….lifting a vehicle does not ruin suspension. My wrangler is at 57000 miles and I’m running 37” tires. Just finished another cross country trip. That being said, lifting a vehicle or adding bigger tires and wheels requires research, including gear ratios, wheel backspacing, etc. AND the realization that decent mileage will be a thing of the past.
I’m not completely disagreeing with you. But a Jeep and a pickup truck are two different animals. I have seen so many lifted pickups towing a small to medium sized trailer totally squatted in the rear and the nose pointing at the sky. Lifting a pickup will quickly decrease load capacity. It also puts undo strain on steering components.(Think Idler arms). Not to mention the decreased stability and handling - Raising the center of gravity of the vehicle can make it more prone to body roll, decreased traction, and less stable handling, especially at higher speeds or during sharp turns.
@@donaldbailey5576 I get it. I also tow a trailer (Expedition 2.0). Like anything else, it requires adjustments. I made sure I added appropriate springs to take into account the added weight. To say that lifting a vehicle ruins it is overly broad; it will, certainly, unless you think it through and add what you need.
Our truck is 2023 Chev High Country is in the shop. Its a 3month nationwide back order on the part. Its the "valve body". So they can replace that or transmission, but both are on backorder. The truck goes into "limp mode". We are leaving it here, we have someone coming fromTexas to get us, and tow the trailer back. WHAT A MESS...but with the issues for the people devasted in the flood zones, we still have a roof over our head, and a bed to sleep in, so we are not complaining.
Thanks Hanks 👍
We pull our fifth wheel with a 2004 F350
We have replaced so much
But her motor is tip top
It pulls well and she’s paid for
Fix your tire situation that worries me but keep the truck cuz you love it
Your tire rubbing can fix with block of wood (so you don't mess up the paint) and hammer bend inner fender in a little to clear, it's in a spot you'll never notice. Love your videos hope you got to try Federal Jack's great place to eat.
I’ve said this before, for me personally you are not just entertainment for me, you both bring joy to my heart, because I get to live through you. I am old and disabled, and you both bring
Joy to me, If I am having a bad day, watching your videos, calms me, the beautiful scenery, I see AWWWW. So, you are always in my prayers, and truly loved. 😊❤🙏 Love from AZ-US ❤
Was in Kennebunk 2 years ago just before Halloween with my family. My parents who are in their mid 70s have a Class A, so my wife, I, my sister/husband/2 kids all took a road trip from the Chicago area to NY, VT, NH, ME and thoroughly enjoyed it. Batson River Brewing & Distillery was decked out for Halloween!
Love all your videos, but love seeing your travel experiences as well! You both do such a great job sharing, helping your viewers feel they are truly along for the ride!
Yessah enjoyed myself a double-dose of Hanks today! What a pleasure to meet you tonight in Freeport, and very much enjoyed the conversations with the folks I was sitting with! I look forward to the photograph, and because it's so late now, I'll send Diana the pics tomorrow.
Parking in downtown Kennebunkport--there is free parking just outside the area. I'm suprised you weren't directed there. It does involve maybe a quarter mile walk into town, but it's not bad.
OMG Rene with the steamed clams. I love steamers, but I gasped because I said "do NOT eat the neck skin!" and you peeled if off, thank goodness. Yes, they are kind of an acquired chew. I prefer the fried whole-belly clams, but steamers will do.
Sorry about the sticker shock on your repairs for D. I just had to have a brake caliper replaced on the Mustang and that was over $600. Vehicle maintenance is a painful must!
The donut eating scenes....oh-my-goodness......you made it look hilarious and delicious!
See you next Thursday.
This format is my favorite. Taking us along to see the sites.
We love hearing this feedback, Rhonda! Thank you for sharing ❤️
Echo the comments about accelerated suspension wear with the lifted truck, not to mention handling compromises. Tire/wheel combination is also a problem. Should never have rubbing in that situation, especially on metal. Glad you will be addressing, hopefully very soon.
We parked by the lot by the firehouse. It said no Rv’s but since I’m 21’ long and can fit in a spot, I parked. Right by the dulley trucks so they can see I do fit. No ticket so 🤷🏼♂️🤣. That lot was free just had a 10 minute walk. I agree with the crowds statement 👍🏼
steering does wear...i had a idler arm break once....made the front wheels point two different ways.
good to have them checked periodically.
I have been driving and towing with my F350, it was purchased new in 2006 and I have had to rebuild the front end suspension and steering twice in 18 years.
None of these repairs would have been covered by an extended warranty as they are wear items. The costs, though not out of line, were a bit marked up for the tires, otherwise seems fair. But maintenance is always a good investment. Next up will be outer tie rod ends and ball joints. Just part of the cost of ownership on a lifted towing truck. This is a bummer expense, but way cheaper than a new truck. You guys rock. We love your channel.
I LOVE the Maine coverage, and all your travel vlogs. You guys are the MOST fun, and give me great ideas for my own rv trips! Thanks Hanks!❤
If you like crowds, go to this part of Maine in July and August. After Labor Day, this area is only busy on weekends.
I haven't had any issue with any extended warranty. Used one several times. You just have to make sure it is a reputable company. Usually what happens is people pay for the warranty and then do a modification that wasn't disclosed at the time of purchase. That can void any warranty. I just purchased a 2021 2500 silverado. I put my plow on it. It had to have the prep package and I had to check off snowplow on the warranty paperwork.