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08-18-2020, 11:12 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1
SUN #12167
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New 1985 T1350 Sunline Owner
Hello!
My sister recently found a very sweet 1985 T1350 Sunline camper for me in Ohio...and now it just has o make the trip to Arizona
We grew up camping in a camper an tents, and have enjoyed doing the same into my adult life. This will be my first camper on my own. There are already a couple of items that we had some questions around. Where does the hitch pin go? The location of the hole is in a very odd place. Am attaching pictures.
All the posts have already been helpful when looking for some answers. Will have to dig in around the A/C too. It is blowing good...but not cold. Hoping just Freon.
Thanks for having this group and looking forward to digging into the site as I learn more about my new camper.
Happy camping...Kate
IMG_0959.jpg
IMG_0961.jpg
IMG_0883006.jpg
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08-19-2020, 10:22 PM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
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Welcome Kate!
On the ball coupler, on that older style it "appears" you place a pin into this hole as place to start. The ring on the outside is then locked from sliding back which would prevent the the ball from unlatching and the the top lever. Assuming the ring slides back to "unlock"
Two questions,
1. Is the pic above when the ball coupler is locked or unlocked? There is a Lock wording stamped into the couple with an arrow cut off my the pic.
2. You did not post a pic of the other side, is there a hole in the same place there too? It makes sense to have it that way ( but maybe not,) as the locking pin would then prevents both the left and right side of the outer locking ring to slide backwards and unlock the latch. Try placing a long pin or Phillips screw driver as a test (only) and see if the latch on top then no longer is able to move and the ball is latched on. If it does, then you need a long enough pin with a safety clip on it to go through that hole to create the lock.
I am not 100% certain on this, but it does look like that. Maybe one of our other members with the older campers can confirm that.
On the AC unit, the fan motor is separate from the compressor. While the fan runs, do you hear the compressor turning on? The sound can be faint, but listening close, it can be heard go on and off by moving the T stat up or down. If there is no compressor running, then it may be a simple control issue OR that the compressor is bad. If it is a control issues, that is many times cost effective to repair.
These RV AC units when it comes to the gas system, if the compressor is in deep trouble, motor/compressor is dead or the gas leaked out, it is most times more cost effective to replace the roof unit with a new one than hire out at shop rate to try and save it with no guarantee it will not die again in short order. That is, unless you have a HVAC person with all the right gas gauges and knows refrigeration for free.
If and when you get into trouble shooting the AC unit, we need a make and model of the roof unit and the ceiling mounted controls. Pictures go a long way in this case helping us know what you have. A prior owner may have changed something along the way.
Hope this helps
John
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Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC
Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
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08-20-2020, 08:05 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 186
SUN #8473
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This hitch doesn't take a safety pin. The top part of the latch has two protrusions that drop into the top of the hitch that keeps the latch from sliding up and back. It's legal like it is. Well at least in Pa
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08-21-2020, 09:36 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 186
SUN #8473
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I've taken some pictures of my hitch on a different non-sunline frame that should show a little more details of how the latch mechanism works. The release that you lift up is spring loaded.
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08-21-2020, 09:50 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 186
SUN #8473
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I found reference to the hitch "coupler" technical term for it online. From what I found this is an Atwood design.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://pictures.dealer.com/trailblazerrvtc/06b4826b0a0d02b700381a5308518029.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwio g8O30azrAhWCd98KHSswCh0QFjAYegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw0CV 85qV6a-g_n5WjZjX3df
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08-22-2020, 09:20 AM
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#6
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
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Hi Roger,
Thanks for joining in on this and your pics that style coupler. This topic comes up every now and then, and don't know if we totally figured it out. We are learning something new.
With your help that it is an Atwood coupler, and a part number 70085, that really helped. From your link https://pictures.dealer.com/trailbla...5308518029.pdf
Atwood sadly, went out of business a few years back. The whole company was sold to Dometic to get the water heaters, furnaces and stoves. Dometic did not want the power jacks and other mechanical items. Lippert (LCI) then picked up the power jacks, ball couplers etc.
LCI has discontinued some of the Atwood products like the tongue jacks. I have a feeling the ball couplers or at least this older system with the wrap around strap may be part of no longer available items. I cannot find them for sale on the LCI site, but did find this on some documentation.
https://support.lci1.com/atwood-couplers
The latch rebuild kit
https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...ment_guide.pdf
Following the Atwood part number trail, I found Etrailer.com use to handle the Atwood coupler line. They have great reviews and pictures of many of the products they sell. But, I can no longer find any of the Atwood ball coupler products listed for sale. Another pointer that LCI may have dropped the product line.
But, the Etrailer pics are still out on the web. The design looks to be upgraded a little. Notice the hole in the flip lever
These new parts pics of a rebuild kit are linked to Etrailer server, they just may not be for sale.
Bottom view
There also appears to be a next design upgrade. The outer band is different.
Now to the locking. Your older one and Kate's does not have a hole in the lift latch, but there is this hole in Kate's side frame with the stamped letters
"ock" and an arrow pointing to the hole. The L may be cut off in the pic.
Something put in that hole would prevent the latch from sliding back, but if the hole does not go through to the other side, then it begs the question if it is a towing lock. This lock hole may be for an anti theft lock when the camper is stored for a pad lock? A pad lock while towing would get hit in that location. But if the hole goes clear through, then a pin can be installed.
What does yours have on the lock hole? The ability to have pin go all the way to the other side or only on one side?
This older design may/most likely may be grandfathered in being allowed for use as far as meeting current day standards. Current day, I have not seen a new ball coupler that cannot be locked for towing.
Thanks
John
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC
Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
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08-22-2020, 05:23 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 186
SUN #8473
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I didn't even notice at first but mine has that hole as well. We are camping near the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon currently but I will have to check out the hole a little closer when we get back home.
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08-23-2020, 10:48 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Virginia
Posts: 814
SUN #8893
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I have the exact same coupler and there was no hole on the street side, just the one on the curb side. I never saw the "Lock" letters. I will have to take a look. I had the trailer shop drill a hole on the curb side so that I can use a regular pin when driving and a locking pin when parked and unhitched. I have had no issues so far.
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08-27-2020, 11:38 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11
SUN #4799
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I have the same hitch on my '84 T-1450. there is no holes in the side and no place to put a pad lock. The hitch is held in place by the spring loaded lever on top that slides back for attaching over the 2" ball then moving it forward and flat which locks it on the ball. I've never had any issues attaching or towing..
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08-27-2020, 01:10 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 779
SUN #4050
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Kate,
Congratulations on aa real cute 1350! Like to see more pixs of it. Happy camping!
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Matthew and Lisa
TT: '02 T-2363;
TV: 2012 Ford F-150, 4x4/Off-road, 5.0L V8, "Big Gray"
Reese Straitline w/ dual cam
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08-27-2020, 03:51 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 360
SUN #6257
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I also had a 1985 T1350. We loved it but we had to sell. Could not hold wife and I and the grandkids. Please enjoy your T1350 as much as we did
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Jerry & Debbie
Ford Explorer 4.6 Triton V8, AWD, 4x4
1985 Sunline Saturn T-1350
Ham radio VE3JCJ, VHF, UHF and HF
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08-29-2020, 11:46 AM
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
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I don't believe that hole is suitable for a towing lock pin. The two trailers I've had with it I've only used the hole for a storage lock.
If you have a shaft style lock that turns on into position, it MAY work as a towing lock, but I think there's a good chance it could bind up if it rattles into the wrong spot. The bottom lip on the coupler will want to force the outer part of the shaft lock up, kicking the inner part down. Which the inner part could bind with the hitch.
IMO, not worth trying to lock it while driving, and I'm always one who recommends that otherwise. If you are concerned about theft while on the road, put a padlock there when you're parked at a truck stop, restaurant, etc.
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2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
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