Odd things that Happen when on the Road
Last Fall we were heading south on I295 through Portland Maine. Moderate traffic moving along at 60 mph or so. Out of the corner of my eye I see a Sea Gull carrying what looked like a good size Quahog...
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Crossed Texas panhandle heading to Santa Fe one very hot summer. Truck showing temps high as 108. Pulled into small rest area west of Santa Rosa. Use restroom. Walked dog. Back in truck after 15 minutes. Put in drive, hit throttle, and truck didn’t move. More throttle, no movement. Put in reverse. No movement. Back in drive and same.
Transmission? No, truck trying to move but not trailer. Trailer brakes stuck? Checked breakaway switch. OK. Brake controller? Disconnected trailer cord and still nothing. Threw battery disconnect switch. Still nothing. 5 o’clock Friday evening.
Tried ERS than came free with trailer purchase. Less than worthless. Google local sheriff office, called, and no answer! Google Santa Rosa police, called, asked about RV repair facility, told nothing open that late, and no further suggestions.
Looking at spending night in remote rest area, temps still 100+, and no genny to run A/C. Saw older Mexican man picking up trash and other work. Hoping he spoke English I asked if he knew anyone who worked on RVs. He said yes and called someone on his phone and began speaking in Spanish. A little concerned since I had no idea what he was saying. He handed me his phone and another Mexican accented guy on phone. I explained my problem. He said brakes stuck. I told him what troubleshooting I had done.
Him-Are you parked along the side where the semis park?
Me-Yes.
Him-Your trailer tires are stuck to the pavement.
Me-What????!!!
Him-Stuck to the pavement. That asphalt is soft and sticky. Get in the truck and hit the throttle hard to pull away.
Me-Already tried fairly hard throttle.
Him-Trust me. I have made a lot of $250-300 trips out there for that very problem. It is downhill going backward. Put your truck in reverse and hit the throttle hard.
Me-OK.
Reverse and hard throttle and , after slight hesitation, started rolling backward. Got back on phone and told him I would like to pay for his help. Said no, just give my friend a little tip. Gave him $40. He was happy. I was happy. And we were back on the road.
What are the odds of getting stuck to the hot pavement, that maintenance worker in remote rest area coming by at that time, one who just happens to have a friend who is RV repairman, and a repairman who just happens to be very familiar with that rest area? Someone was watching out for us.
Signed up with Coach-net as soon as we got home.
Transmission? No, truck trying to move but not trailer. Trailer brakes stuck? Checked breakaway switch. OK. Brake controller? Disconnected trailer cord and still nothing. Threw battery disconnect switch. Still nothing. 5 o’clock Friday evening.
Tried ERS than came free with trailer purchase. Less than worthless. Google local sheriff office, called, and no answer! Google Santa Rosa police, called, asked about RV repair facility, told nothing open that late, and no further suggestions.
Looking at spending night in remote rest area, temps still 100+, and no genny to run A/C. Saw older Mexican man picking up trash and other work. Hoping he spoke English I asked if he knew anyone who worked on RVs. He said yes and called someone on his phone and began speaking in Spanish. A little concerned since I had no idea what he was saying. He handed me his phone and another Mexican accented guy on phone. I explained my problem. He said brakes stuck. I told him what troubleshooting I had done.
Him-Are you parked along the side where the semis park?
Me-Yes.
Him-Your trailer tires are stuck to the pavement.
Me-What????!!!
Him-Stuck to the pavement. That asphalt is soft and sticky. Get in the truck and hit the throttle hard to pull away.
Me-Already tried fairly hard throttle.
Him-Trust me. I have made a lot of $250-300 trips out there for that very problem. It is downhill going backward. Put your truck in reverse and hit the throttle hard.
Me-OK.
Reverse and hard throttle and , after slight hesitation, started rolling backward. Got back on phone and told him I would like to pay for his help. Said no, just give my friend a little tip. Gave him $40. He was happy. I was happy. And we were back on the road.
What are the odds of getting stuck to the hot pavement, that maintenance worker in remote rest area coming by at that time, one who just happens to have a friend who is RV repairman, and a repairman who just happens to be very familiar with that rest area? Someone was watching out for us.
Signed up with Coach-net as soon as we got home.
