Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong

[IslandTractor]

File this one under "How not to haul a BBQ":

 

[eng1886trk]

 

[GLyford]

Now so much comes from China anyway... so it makes it easier for them.

Like when they put a 1/2" head on a M8-1.25 bolt...then package a stamped steel wrench with it anyway...?

 

[BigBlue1]

The only advantage to the SAE system is that we are already using it and have been for a long time. Meanwhile, buy a Harley or a Ram with a Cummins engine an an Aisin transmission, and you have to figure out which fastener is metric or SAE. Mechanics need both sets now days.

Then, while machining, you have to convert all fractions to decimal inches to be able to use a micrometer. Decimal inches? Really? But not metric? Have you seen the decimal equivalent charts commonly displayed in garages and machine shops so guys can quickly convert fractions to decimal inches? Try measuring out tablespoons per cup, or pints per gallon. How does that go? None of them are base 10 multiples. Now mix your 50-1, 2 stroke oil in a gallon. Quick, how much is 1/50th of a gallon in SAE measurement? Please show your calculations.

"Mechanics need both sets now days."?? We've needed both since I was a boy and first started wrenching in the 70's. I've grown up with both and am used to it.

As for 1/50th of a gallon: Well, 1/50th is 2%, and a gallon has 128oz. So 1/50th of it is 128 * 2 / 100. Or just over 2.5oz. Which is a lot easier to do in my head than it is to write out for you. And actually measuring 2.5 oz is a lot easier than trying to measure the same in centiliters. Who has any type of measuring device graduated in cl?

But the biggest reason not to change to all metric stuff is that I just don't want the US to "be just like the rest of the world". If they all jumped off a cliff would you too? Think independent!

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

View attachment 518501

What is the bad part of that towing? Looks like the boat is strapped at the back and even in the middle. Trailer seems appropriate and has safety chains and wiring. Also seems within towing capacity for a mid-2000's Explorer, which would be able to town 6-7k. Straps could probably be sized up a bit, but they probably technically are rated high enough.

Rob

 

[California]

As for 1/50th of a gallon: Well, 1/50th is 2%, and a gallon has 128oz. So 1/50th of it is 128 * 2 / 100. Or just over 2.5oz. Which is a lot easier to do in my head than it is to write out

I hope you agree that would be simpler to calculate for some odd quantity of gas, easier to remember, and easier to teach to an apprentice, if that gallon were 100 ounces.

Look, you are already doing a conversion of a memorized odd number (that doesn't appear elsewhere in automechanics) to 1/100ths, in your example! Who needs 1/100ths? Well everybody. The example illustrates this.

Who has any type of measuring device graduated in cl?

Everybody in the whole rest of the world.

The early Volvos I owned - back in the era of SU carburetors - were a mix of Metric and SAE. Possibly some Whitworth as well. BSA motorcycles were unique too, mostly Whitworth. On a used motorcycle there were often some rounded-off nuts from someone using whatever wrench they actually owned instead of buying the correct - expensive - Whitworth tool.

Didn't Fords have some odd Ford spec fasteners or wrenches too, up through the 30's?

 

[Raspy]

"Mechanics need both sets now days."?? We've needed both since I was a boy and first started wrenching in the 70's. I've grown up with both and am used to it.

As for 1/50th of a gallon: Well, 1/50th is 2%, and a gallon has 128oz. So 1/50th of it is 128 * 2 / 100. Or just over 2.5oz. Which is a lot easier to do in my head than it is to write out for you. And actually measuring 2.5 oz is a lot easier than trying to measure the same in centiliters. Who has any type of measuring device graduated in cl?

But the biggest reason not to change to all metric stuff is that I just don't want the US to "be just like the rest of the world". If they all jumped off a cliff would you too? Think independent!

Rob

Rob,

You're right. We should abandon the Metric system just because the Europeans use it and we don't want to do anything they do. Oh wait! Hold the phone! They breathe the same air, drink water, wear clothes, share the same math and science, sail in the same ocean with identical boats, have electric lights, shoot guns, have elections, drive cars, buy the same size tires, mine for minerals, cut the grass, build houses with wood, concrete and steel, ad infinitum.

None of this is simply to copy them. But if we are not going to do anything they do, what can we do? And why are you so afraid of doing something similar?

I like how you converted your calculations to metric for the oil example. Percentage is base 10.

Carry on. Nobody is trying to force you to change. I was just looking for a logical reason beyond habit and fear.

Now, where was I? Oh yeah, the exploding barbeque and roof top trampoline. Much more fun!

 

[KennyG]

What is the bad part of that towing? Looks like the boat is strapped at the back and even in the middle. Trailer seems appropriate and has safety chains and wiring. Also seems within towing capacity for a mid-2000's Explorer, which would be able to town 6-7k. Straps could probably be sized up a bit, but they probably technically are rated high enough.

Rob

Biggest problem I see is the safety chains essentially dragging on the pavement. Not that uncommon though.

 

[IslandTractor]

Rob,

You're right. We should abandon the Metric system just because the Europeans use it and we don't want to do anything they do. Oh wait! Hold the phone! They breathe the same air, drink water, wear clothes, share the same math and science, sail in the same ocean with identical boats, have electric lights, shoot guns, have elections, drive cars, buy the same size tires, mine for minerals, cut the grass, build houses with wood, concrete and steel, ad infinitum.

None of this is simply to copy them. But if we are not going to do anything they do, what can we do? And why are you so afraid of doing something similar?

I like how you converted your calculations to metric for the oil example. Percentage is base 10.

Carry on. Nobody is trying to force you to change. I was just looking for a logical reason beyond habit and fear.

Now, where was I? Oh yeah, the exploding barbeque and roof top trampoline. Much more fun!

As I recall the SAE system as well as ounces, gallons, pounds etc etc are all (old) European systems of measurement too but replaced by more logical systems about 200 years ago.

So, we happily copy the Europeans until they get a better idea but then defend the old system as uniquely American. MAGA at its finest.

 

[BigBlue1]

Rob,

You're right. We should abandon the Metric system just because the Europeans use it and we don't want to do anything they do. Oh wait! Hold the phone! They breathe the same air, drink water, wear clothes, share the same math and science, sail in the same ocean with identical boats, have electric lights, shoot guns, have elections, drive cars, buy the same size tires, mine for minerals, cut the grass, build houses with wood, concrete and steel, ad infinitum.

None of this is simply to copy them. But if we are not going to do anything they do, what can we do? And why are you so afraid of doing something similar?

I like how you converted your calculations to metric for the oil example. Percentage is base 10.

Carry on. Nobody is trying to force you to change. I was just looking for a logical reason beyond habit and fear.

Now, where was I? Oh yeah, the exploding barbeque and roof top trampoline. Much more fun!

Wow, kind of a stretch from me saying "why do it just because they do" to thinking we shouldn't do anything someone else does. I guess you don't have the psychic vision into my brain you thought you did. But I guess metric vs. SAE is just like an oil discussion. No agreement. Keep on keeping on! And enjoy SAE!

And yes, I figured people would get a kick out of turning the fraction into a percent, so good job for paying attention and finding my humor/irony.

Rob