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06-04-2012, 08:13 PM
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#1
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Aptos, CA
Posts: 31
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How hard is it to remove side mirrors?
We are heading to Alaska next week. 4 months to look forward to amazing scenery and great fishing. We are taking the Alaskan Marine Highway ferry from Prince Rupert up to Haines. The maximum width they allow before adding serious overcharges (25% more!!) is 102". My 04 Itasca Sunrise is 102", without the mirrors. The mirrors add another 18" even when folded.
So the question is, how hard is it to remove the side mirrors? We will be getting on and off the ferry 3 times, so we'd need to remove and reinstall them 3 times.
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Jim and Sandy
'04 Itasca Sunrise 32V, '07 CRV toad
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06-04-2012, 08:34 PM
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#2
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 68
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You mean they won't cut you a break on the mirrors
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Mark Anderson - Nebo NC - western NC - RV Restoration tech - 9 Doggies - Outdoors person
1990 33ft Wilderness Cimarron 33X
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06-04-2012, 08:54 PM
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#3
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 1,037
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2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C Handicap Equipped
F53/V10
1999 Jeep Cherokee & 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade
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06-04-2012, 09:00 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
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The mirrors should not be included in the 102" Max width.
Its a safety device.
Id do some more research on that.
I wouldn't want to be along side you when you change lanes either.
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2005 chevy silverado 2500hd 6.0L
2011 palomino sabre 32 bhok-6
Ron and Amy Benhart
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06-04-2012, 09:01 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Zigzag, OR
Posts: 151
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i don't mean to question you, but are you sure they count the mirrors, maybe it's just the body. I'm wondering this because I've done the BC ferries with no problem (and they pack 'em in tight) but it could certainly be different than Alaska. What about 18-wheelers with their mirrors? Why can't they just match you up next to cars, since they can still get close to you because your mirrors are too high to impact them. I'm curious about how this works, as I have a similar rig.... I hope you let us know how this works out.
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'07 Itasca 35L/W22 FULL-TIMING
1000 Trails - VFW - 5 Yrs Army
"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST"
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06-04-2012, 09:18 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 64
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Your mirrors should just fold in towards the body. You shouldn't have to remove them to get under the required width. They shouldn't be too much of a problem on the ferry.
Good Luck,
Indiana Journey
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06-05-2012, 02:15 AM
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#7
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Aptos, CA
Posts: 31
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I have assumed that the mirrors are a limiting problem. I'll check with the ferry people tomorrow and let you all know. Ass-u-me. Yeah, I know. Thanks for the brain cell restart. I'll find out for sure.
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Jim and Sandy
'04 Itasca Sunrise 32V, '07 CRV toad
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06-05-2012, 05:32 AM
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#8
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J&SW
I have assumed that the mirrors are a limiting problem. I'll check with the ferry people tomorrow and let you all know. Ass-u-me. Yeah, I know. Thanks for the brain cell restart. I'll find out for sure.
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Very good question.
Post what ya find.
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2005 chevy silverado 2500hd 6.0L
2011 palomino sabre 32 bhok-6
Ron and Amy Benhart
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06-05-2012, 08:00 AM
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#9
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Western Montana
Posts: 41
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Hi J&SW
Not sure about the ferry requirements but do know removing the mirrors is very simple.
I do it twice a year since as you stated the rig is 8.5ft the mirrors add another 18" even when folded in, which makes it about 10.5ft wide. My winter storage is a heated barn with a 10ft door.
Remove the plastic end caps with a sharp pointed tool then unscrew the four lag bolts and unplug the connectors. Becareful of the gaskets.
Strongly suggest if you plan to remove them more times in the future add "threaded Inserts" and stainless bolts to replace the lag bolts that simply go into the fiberglass and were not designed to be removed and installed more than once.
__________________
Please do not toss your defective Converters / Inverters / etc. in the trash
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06-05-2012, 06:42 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Aptos, CA
Posts: 31
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OK, here's the skinny on it all. They DO measure total width. So, mirrors count. I have to remove them so I won't have to pay a 25% surcharge. Called Valvac, but not particularly helpful. Called Winnabego, much more helpful. They suggested I tape the inside wiring connector outside so it doesn't fall down and get lost in the door when disconnected.
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Jim and Sandy
'04 Itasca Sunrise 32V, '07 CRV toad
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06-05-2012, 07:44 PM
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#11
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Zigzag, OR
Posts: 151
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Good info, thanks for the follow-up. By the way, FWIW, I tend to agree with KJINTF's suggestion IF you will be re-screwing them into fiberglass holes very many times.... or maybe some other solution for the wear problem. Catch lots of B-I-G fish! Hope you'll give us a report later....
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'07 Itasca 35L/W22 FULL-TIMING
1000 Trails - VFW - 5 Yrs Army
"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST"
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06-05-2012, 07:56 PM
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#12
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Kamloops BC Canada
Posts: 1
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Hope u don't have to back off the boat. U should take a junket up to Stewart/Hyder on the way to Prine Rupert...enjoy the drive through Northern BC
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06-05-2012, 08:28 PM
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#13
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Motor City, Mich
Posts: 1,004
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Gotta take off your awning, grab handles, and porch light too?
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Tim.
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06-05-2012, 08:43 PM
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#14
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Anacortes, Wa.
Posts: 12
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I went on two different Alaska Ferrys in 2009 and they did not charge extra for mirrors, awnings or tail pipe. They actually took my word for the length. I disconnected the car so I wouldn't have to pay for the tow bar (depends on the group graduations of lengths for increases in price). They were very helpful in manuvering and watching for dragging the tail over hang beyond rear wheels and mirrors next to trucks or side wall. Not cheap though!
John
40+ foot Country Coach
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John
08 Intrigue
2014 Ford Edge
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06-05-2012, 08:49 PM
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#15
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Anacortes, Wa.
Posts: 12
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Forgot to mention...This year I upgraded the mirrors and my Velvac's were bolted on and very difficult to get to the rear side nut & washer, plus I ended up ripping the gasket and taking the small plugs off to get at the bolts it's easy to scratch them up.
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John
08 Intrigue
2014 Ford Edge
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06-06-2012, 12:15 AM
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#16
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Aptos, CA
Posts: 31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tderonne
Gotta take off your awning, grab handles, and porch light too?
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May have to sand the gelcoat a few millimeters too.
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Jim and Sandy
'04 Itasca Sunrise 32V, '07 CRV toad
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06-06-2012, 12:17 AM
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#17
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Aptos, CA
Posts: 31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnFreyja
I went on two different Alaska Ferrys in 2009 and they did not charge extra for mirrors, awnings or tail pipe. They actually took my word for the length. I disconnected the car so I wouldn't have to pay for the tow bar (depends on the group graduations of lengths for increases in price). They were very helpful in manuvering and watching for dragging the tail over hang beyond rear wheels and mirrors next to trucks or side wall. Not cheap though!
John
40+ foot Country Coach
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That would be nice. I may try it, plead American Idiot, and see what happens.
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Jim and Sandy
'04 Itasca Sunrise 32V, '07 CRV toad
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06-06-2012, 12:21 AM
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#18
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Aptos, CA
Posts: 31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steelheadbluesman
Good info, thanks for the follow-up. By the way, FWIW, I tend to agree with KJINTF's suggestion IF you will be re-screwing them into fiberglass holes very many times.... or maybe some other solution for the wear problem. Catch lots of B-I-G fish! Hope you'll give us a report later....
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Yes, BIG fish, and lots of em. We are very much looking forward to the fishing. Have an 8 day float on the Goodnews River, over on the Bering Sea side of the far west of Alaska. Can't wait.
I will also check on a fix for the fiberglass holes.
__________________
Jim and Sandy
'04 Itasca Sunrise 32V, '07 CRV toad
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06-06-2012, 12:24 AM
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#19
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Aptos, CA
Posts: 31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lac
Hope u don't have to back off the boat. U should take a junket up to Stewart/Hyder on the way to Prine Rupert...enjoy the drive through Northern BC
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Yes, Stewart and Hyder are on the list. Bears, and more Bears. Have my new Nikon D5100 with 55-300 lens all set up to capture the wonder of it all.
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Jim and Sandy
'04 Itasca Sunrise 32V, '07 CRV toad
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