stream crossing

On the bearing issue...I am sure you know the old adage about boat trailer bearings....if they are highway speeds hot and you back into lovely cool lake water the moisture is "sucked" in by the temperature difference as the hub grease suddenly contracts and water is brought in through the seal.

I try to keep my hubs out of being submerged but then I have never be a "wheeler".

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do......but only sometimes.

When I lived in Florida we spent much time driving my Jeep through 2-3' of water, sometimes for hundreds of yards. It is a good idea to extend the breather tubes for your axles, transmission and transfer case up high. You can also remove the fill plugs for your differentials and transfer case and if a frothy milky fluid comes pouring out you know you have water contamination.

For my RAM I will be ordering the ARB kit below. The manifold will accept four tubes although the kit only comes with two. Extra tubes and fittings are available for purchase.

Thanks for both  of the above suggestions. I have wondered about what method would make sense and perhaps go with a pre-masde tube breather. The hot bearings is an issue that probably can only be solved by waiting for them to cool off before diving in. 

Again thanks for the tips.

Here's a tame version.... of suddenly seeing a logging truck coming (btw one should have the latest version of CB ...the new type $$$ that the drivers use... one is expected to announce where you are) 

 

https://youtu.be/HWP6za61yXE

What exactly are you referring to with the "New" CB? I was up in Northwoods last year and REALLY want to go back. I have and had CB but never heard any trucks... maybe that's why?

They are called Micromobile  as well as GMRS    https://midlandusa.c...lo-micromobile/

The North Maine Woods is unique ... a privately owned area of a State that at one point was nearly 1/2 the land area. Now it is down to 25% or so. Development is always circling like carrion seekers... along the borders. Lake front is the thing.... A few conservationists, like the owner of Burt's Bee products have tried to out bid these developers and buy large swaths that become available. Trying to keep it wild and not filled with McMansions. Win some and lose some. As it has gotten more discovered... well you know the story.

Know these rules      https://www.northmai...mation.htmlhard copy mat

Also ... offline maps essential (best we have found is Maps.me) 

Never go in without a hardcopy map Delorme is the best Maine Atlas. Log roads come and go yearly.

Be sure to have a way to get yourself out of a pickle.... there is no road rescue service.

Bring extra fuel. Log roads look like 30 miles on a map might be 60 miles due to many things.... like having to backtrack.

As to be expected the southern boundary  (the Golden Road area)  is highly used. 

Don't forget Mt Katadin     https://baxterstatepark.org

They have very strict rules there too (no dogs... not even keep in camper)

I have been roaming around up there since 1975 and feel lucky that I had the chance.

Edited by buckland, 22 April 2021 - 01:13 PM.

even with good venting, water seems to find a way in. Best bet is to drain and refile after deep water crossing when done with the trip.

They are called Micromobile  as well as GMRS    https://midlandusa.c...lo-micromobile/

 

The North Maine Woods is unique ... a privately owned area of a State that at one point was nearly 1/2 the land area. Now it is down to 25% or so. Development is always circling like carrion seekers... along the borders. Lake front is the thing.... A few conservationists, like the owner of Burt's Bee products have tried to out bid these developers and buy large swaths that become available. Trying to keep it wild and not filled with McMansions. Win some and lose some. As it has gotten more discovered... well you know the story.

 

Know these rules      https://www.northmai...mation.htmlhard copy mat

 

Also ... offline maps essential (best we have found is Maps.me) 

 

Never go in without a hardcopy map Delorme is the best Maine Atlas. Log roads come and go yearly.

 

Be sure to have a way to get yourself out of a pickle.... there is no road rescue service.

 

Bring extra fuel. Log roads look like 30 miles on a map might be 60 miles due to many things.... like having to backtrack.

 

As to be expected the southern boundary  (the Golden Road area)  is highly used. 

 

Don't forget Mt Katadin     https://baxterstatepark.org

They have very strict rules there too (no dogs... not even keep in camper)

 

I have been roaming around up there since 1975 and feel lucky that I had the chance.

Are truckers going to GMRS there? 

Merely moving the vent up may not always be enough. Think about how long that new vent hose is compared to it's ID. Even in a fluid as viscous as air that long, small hose will be a flow restriction . I think if deep water crossings are a regular feature of your driving that the vent hose size should be increased to as large as is practical.

I don't know if the newer trans' are the same or not, but how Toyota vents their 80's era manual trans doesn't lend it self to easily extending the vent. Some domestics are no better, others have something similar to the part below.

Some Toyota vent fittings have a check valve in them. Debatable whether or not this is a good thing.

I recently stumbled onto this fitting for extended breather/vent hoses: https://www.amazon.c...t/dp/B06XHBY38X

Edited by ntsqd, 23 April 2021 - 02:08 PM.