Installing a Blue Ox True Center?

[FLgatorgirl]

Has anyone installed one themselves and if so, how hard was it? The dealer says 4 hours labor at $110/hour and DH figures if he can rebuild axles and suspensions on off-road rock racers, he can put in the Blue Ox. Any thoughts?

The Blue Ox seems to be the better choice, but if we have to pay that labor rate, we may go with the Safe T-Plus instead to keep the budget within reason. I think I read that the Safe T-Plus was also a more simple install.

[Gordon66]

He can install it. Not a big job. The biggest issue is making sure the wheels are pointing straight ahead. Directions are good. The only difference in the installation between the True Center and any other device is the electrical hook up.

[waco kid]

The hardest part for me was running the wire to the inside of the coach. I wound up punching a hole in the steering columm boot to run the wire in to the switch.....Bruce

[Rex]

Yes he can install it. For the electrical wiring, punch into the front run bay. From there he can go up into the driver's side panel area. There is already wiring going up but it is sealed with foam. Use a long shank Phillips screwdriver and gently make a hole through the foam, then reseal with foam when finished.

He can use a laser taped to the outside of the front tire with the laser pointing at the rear tire. Mark the spot and do the same on the other side. Adjust the front steering until the laser hits the same spot on each tire making sure the front tires are pointed straight ahead before clamping the True Center to the drag link.

[FLgatorgirl]

Thanks so much, sounds like it's doable. He never enjoys the wiring of switches or anything electrical, but this does not sound too complex.

[hardy1000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLgatorgirl Thanks so much, sounds like it's doable. He never enjoys the wiring of switches or anything electrical, but this does not sound too complex.

Here is an install video. Looks like its not to hard.

Blue Ox Steering Controls

[FLgatorgirl]

Hardy1000---you're awesome, thanks!

[RVThere]

I put mine on in April with very little problems. Just make sure he powers the unit using a wire that is only hot when the ignition is on.

Beware that the solenoids have been troublesome on these units. I just recieved a new solenoid from Blue Ox and hopefully will replace this weekend.

[RickO]

I haven't done it myself but researched it a bit and, like all have said, it's very doable... especially with his experience.

If I understand the two products though, unless you compare the Safe T Plus WITH the trim kit, it's not an apples to apples comparison of the installation. This feature allowing on the move adjustments is key. I have the Safe T Plus and the trim kit is on my project list. I think the Tru Center comes with this functionality but the basic Safe T Steer does not.

Good Luck...

Rick

[JDT]

RickO, just a note. I called Safe-T-Plus to get some information on adjusting mine. I mentioned I was thinking about the trim kit and lady helping me kindly informed me in a rather agitated tone that the trim kit was not their product, was not authorized for use by them and would void the warranty. I said okay, sorry I mentioned it. Since I now have mine adjusted just right I kind of forgot about it. It would be nice to have though. I had a Blue Ox Trucenter on a gas motorhome we had before this one and it did work as advertised.

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDT RickO, just a note. I called Safe-T-Plus to get some information on adjusting mine. I mentioned I was thinking about the trim kit and lady helping me kindly informed me in a rather agitated tone that the trim kit was not their product, was not authorized for use by them and would void the warranty. I said okay, sorry I mentioned it. Since I now have mine adjusted just right I kind of forgot about it. It would be nice to have though. I had a Blue Ox Trucenter on a gas motorhome we had before this one and it did work as advertised.

Wow, thanks Jim. This is the second time I've heard this and it is a little surprising. The trim kit I believe comes out of Henderson's Line Up and I'm surprised those guys would have this kind of conflict. I think I'll send an email their way just to see what response they have.

All of that is probably going to be for the sake of curiosity in my case because my STP is already >3 yrs old and I think the trim kit is a gadget I'm just gonna have to have...

Rick

[wa8yxm]

The job is not all that complex but you do need one big wrench (and one common size one) I have not done a full install but I did replace mine.

There are two brackets.. ONE of these mounts with existing bolts on the frame/suspension and these are fairly big, you will want a good size impact wrench, at least 1/2 inch possibly bigger and if there is much age on the rig new bolts as well.. That is the hard part.. I have not done this part.

The other one uses like a 9/16 and you can do it with a 3/8 drive hand powered wrench if you wish,,,, though I'd recommend an air-impact.

Other than those big bolts on the "Fixed" end.. it is all more or less straight forward

The instructions that come with it, or the video on teh Blue-Ox web page. shows how to do it, it is a very good video.

Took me about 2 hours to bolt my new one in.. But

1: I took my time (Most of that was re-doing the wiring,,,, Long story there)

2: I kept looking back at the instructions

The dealer's 4 hour estimate... WAY TOO LONG in my book.

NOTE: the parts bag had two switches,, A push button and a toggle

YOU DO NOT NEED THE TOGGLE.. Why it was there.. I don't know. (I will find a use for it later though)


The story: Back on 2006 they told me one of the problems was people sitting on the push button for 2 or 3 minutes at a time and burning out the solenoid.. They said they were trying to re-design so that would not happen.

As it happens I'm a certified electronics technician, and Ham radio operator.. I suggested "Why not just put a time out timer in the line"

Guess what I spent about an hour doing.

Re-routing the wires to include the time out timer.

[FLgatorgirl]

Thanks for all of the firsthand info, I know it will be helpful. Now, just the wait to get the rig back from the collision shop. It's kind of an odd feeling, we had it for long enough to get it home from the dealer and then straight into the shop. We wrote a big check, but it doesn't feel like we have a coach. Our stuff is not even in it yet.

The Blue Ox will be the first thing we do when it comes home. I am also going to talk with Cummins about re-flashing the ECM for "Latch Mode" so the engine brake functions with the cruise on.

[nodine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLgatorgirl Thanks for all of the firsthand info, I know it will be helpful. Now, just the wait to get the rig back from the collision shop. It's kind of an odd feeling, we had it for long enough to get it home from the dealer and then straight into the shop. We wrote a big check, but it doesn't feel like we have a coach. Our stuff is not even in it yet. The Blue Ox will be the first thing we do when it comes home. I am also going to talk with Cummins about re-flashing the ECM for "Latch Mode" so the engine brake functions with the cruise on.

It is not difficult and here is a link to some photos of the one I installed on our 2006 Diplomat.
Picasa Web Albums - Robert Nodine - TruCenter Ins...#
These photos may give your husband some ideas on how to wire the TruCenter. We love our TruCenter and it makes driving the coach relaxing. The main reason we installed the TruCenter was to help control the coach in the event of a front tire failure. We did not expect how much better it would handle.

Good Luck,

Bob