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03-31-2008, 12:53 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Oakhurst, N.J.
Posts: 1,481
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Prior to going on my winter trip this year I purchased a steering wheel knob (aka Suicide Knob) and installed it to see how it would feel on long drives. Well I was impressed on the ease of control and comfort it provides. Needless to say it is an advantage when backing into sites. I purchased it in Lowes.
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03-31-2008, 12:53 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Oakhurst, N.J.
Posts: 1,481
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Prior to going on my winter trip this year I purchased a steering wheel knob (aka Suicide Knob) and installed it to see how it would feel on long drives. Well I was impressed on the ease of control and comfort it provides. Needless to say it is an advantage when backing into sites. I purchased it in Lowes.
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03-31-2008, 02:39 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Stone Mountain, GA
Posts: 959
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I am surprised to hear they still make those things...and equally surprised to hear you found one at Lowes. Last one I saw was 40-50 years ago when a friend lost an arm in a horse jumping accident. He had a front box motorscooter with a steering wheel, so it came in handy for him. I haven't thought about him in years.
__________________
Ken, Judy, and the Angels--2005 Fleetwood Southwind--2008 Cargo Trailer--2003 EZGO Golf Cart
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03-31-2008, 02:49 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Oakhurst, N.J.
Posts: 1,481
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They are still manufactured and are used on Garden Tractors, they are located in the mower/tractor parts area. The construction is very sturdy, with ball bearings and is much better than the ones made way back when.
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03-31-2008, 03:29 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Box Elder, SD
Posts: 459
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Not sure if you are aware that a Suicide Knob is illegal in most states, and highly dangerous. You don't see them anymore because powersteering has negated the need for them, and people have caused lots of accidents and personal injury with them. Oversteer at a high speed with a big vehicle can be a pretty scary thing.
Just a thought...
John
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03-31-2008, 04:42 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 8,854
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Neckers' knobs - hadn't thought about them in years. Darned bucket seats, anyway....
Rusty
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03-31-2008, 05:22 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Oakhurst, N.J.
Posts: 1,481
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Yes John (Moder2), I am fully aware of the legality of such a device attached to my steering wheel and the reasons that they were outlawed. I also investigated the way that the new type were clamped and I feel that the security of the device is safe. You are assuming that I am driving with one hand and doing whatever with my other, well, to alleviate your concerns I maintain both hands in a driving position except that my right hand is holding the knob. I felt safer driving with this technique than ever before. I personally feel that I have better control in an emergency situation with the knob than without. IMHO BTW If you consider high speed my 55 to 62 mph, then I am guilty....I would also like to state that more deaths and injuries occur from people doing things other than driving their cars and RVs, i.e. on the cell phone/CB, changing radio stations, eating, using the GPS,putting on makeup etc. etc. etc.
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03-31-2008, 05:33 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Appalachian Campers Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA
Posts: 4,671
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If I recall correctly, these knobs are illegal in Pennsylvania.
-Tom
__________________
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA · FMCA 335149 · W3TLN 2005 Suncruiser 38R · W24, no chassis mods needed · 2013 Honda Accord EX-L · 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
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03-31-2008, 03:49 PM
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#9
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Administrator in Memoriam
Newmar Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 25,898
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I've heard that suicide knobs were "illegal" too, but I can't find anything to verify that.
Could be another urban legend.
__________________
Adios, Dirk - '84 Real Lite Truck Camper, '86 Wilderness Cimarron TT, previously 4 years as a fulltimer in a '07 DSDP
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03-31-2008, 06:50 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Little Valley, NY (Snow Country)
Posts: 161
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom N:
If I recall correctly, these knobs are illegal in Pennsylvania. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>and New York State too. Love the one on my Cub Cadet diesel! It's the only way I can get it to go straight.
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04-02-2008, 10:37 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Grayson, GA
Posts: 905
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Just a side light on these --- they were also called "necker knobs" one hand on the wheel and the other around the "babe of your choice" that was ridding with you. That might explain the reason for all of the accidents --- not due to speed -- due to something else. Had to chuckle when I saw the subject.
__________________
Dave and Karen -- '02 Ultimate Advantage 36 C, 350 HP Cummins, Allison 3060 Tranny, 2013 Ford Edge, InvisiBrake
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04-02-2008, 04:16 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,063
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by David K:
Just a side light on these --- they were also called "necker knobs" one hand on the wheel and the other around the "babe of your choice" that was ridding with you. That might explain the reason for all of the accidents --- not due to speed -- due to something else. Had to chuckle when I saw the subject. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
OSHA regs only allow for them on low speed vehicles that are not subject to steering wheel kickback, they must be contained inside the perifery of the wheel and must not protrude out towards the operator. Some insurance companies may deny coverage for injuries caused by the spinners of necker knobs also. I usually take them off as they are a pain when the hook and tear your shirt or coat sleeves
__________________
Neil V
2001 Winnebago Adventurer WFG35U
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04-02-2008, 04:42 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Appalachian Campers Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA
Posts: 4,671
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I have a handicapped friend that has a handicapped equipped van with a knob on the steering wheel. In PA it's legal if handicapped.
-Tom
__________________
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA · FMCA 335149 · W3TLN 2005 Suncruiser 38R · W24, no chassis mods needed · 2013 Honda Accord EX-L · 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
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