Here is my unexplained event a few years ago while traveling from the badlands to a CG. I noticed when looking out my side mirrors, the trailer looked as though is was "dog tracking". We arrived at the CG and when I sarted leveling the trailer, I noticed the passenger side tandem axle's almost touching tire to tire. Crawling under the rig I found that the rear spring shackle bolt holding the front axle had broken off and was almost out causing the trailer to pull sideways. Asking at the CG, I found no body knew of a trailer repair place that comes on site. I called him and explained the problem and he thought that perhaps i could make it to the shop by going slowly. Off I went, but got about 1 mile and the tire started to leave real bad black marks, so I found an old building off the road and pulled in behind it. When I looked under it, the bolt was gone, and the shackle had wedged into the frame.While I was wondering what to do, I hear a truck pull in and a gentleman came over and asked if i needed help. I showed him the problem and he goes to his truck, which, by the way is full of family and pulling a 5th wheel, and comes back with a hyd. jack and we proceed to get the shackle lined up with the spring hole. When it is aligned, he tell me to put the bolt in. I told him the bolt is missing.After I said that, I happened to turn around and in the weeds behind the building was a complete spring shackle and axle assy. We measured the bolt and it was the same fit that I needed With some WD-40 we got the bolt out and put it on and we were ready to go. The odd thing is that we were way back behind a building and could not be seen from the highway, and this gentleman pulls in and has the equipment, and that axle was just laying there. We offered him money and he wouldn't take it. He said that he had a strange feeling while on the road and decided to pull off and rest. Gave money to his wife and told them their next meal and camp was on us.

yes, things do happen like you said. many times I have been in the hills hunting and have come across a hunter who was lost or in need of the tow or push. have driven guys 30 miles to get something repaired. all well worth the effort.

Not quite as good as that.But several years ago we pulled into a rest area west of Santa Rosa, NM on a day when temps were 105+ along the highway. Noticed the asphalt was a little soft but did not think much about it. After 15-20 minutes got back in the truck to leave. Truck/5er would not move. Tried reverse. Would not move. Actually truck would move very slightly but 5er would not. About 6 PM and pretty much in the middle of nowhere.First guess, 5er brakes locked. Checked breakaway. OK. Turned battery disconnect switch and unhooked cord from truck. Still would not move. Brakes must be stuck.Called no-name ERS I had that was part of extended warranty. Absolutely no help. Called local sheriff dept. No help. Called Santa Rosa police. They only said there were RV repairs places in town but would all be closed. No help.A Mexican worker doing cleanup at the rest area came by. I asked if he knew of anyone to work on an RV. He did not speak great English but got on his cell phone and spoke in Spanish a few minutes. I began to get a little concerned. He handed me his phone and the guy on the other end also had a Mexican accent. I described the problem. "Break away cable" he said. No, already tried that as well as disconnecting battery and truck cord. "Are you by any chance parked on the right side where the big trucks park?" "Yes" I said. "Your tires are stuck to the pavement." "WHAT" I said. He repeated and said to get in the truck, put it in gear, and gun it. I told him I had tried. He said it was downhill going backward (and it was), put it is reverse and try again. Reluctantly I did and guess what, it hesitated a moment and broke loose and rolled backward.Thanked him several times. He said he could not count the number of $100-$200 calls to that rest area he had made over the years for the same reason. I asked how much I owed him. He said to give his friend a little tip and to have a good trip. I made it worth his friend's time, thanked him, and hit the road.What are the chances that one worker would happen by who knew an RV repairman who was that familiar with that rest area and gave free advice rather than make a profitable repair call?So if you ever stop at the Santa Rosa west rest area in the heat of summer, don't park on the right side where the big trucks park.

Both of those are crazy! Great post!!!

Both are crazy, all right......I'd say there were a couple of guardian angels looking after you both!!!

There are a lot of good people out there. More good folks then bad. We always focus on the bad, but think about it, most of us have a story similar to one of these. It is good to be cautious but how many of us would stop and help someone? I suspect most would.

Unexplained but true happenings | Good Sam Community

Jayco23FB
Explorer
Dec 04, 2013
I had a simular situation. I stopped to help a family with a pop up camper with a shifted axle as the U bolt came loose. Every since I check and retorque spring bolts twice a year. They usually need re-tightening for the first two years then they stay tight. I believe it has saved me problems. Goes around comes around.
Chock_Full_o__N
Explorer
Dec 07, 2013
When I was about 13my dad converted a school bus to a 7 bed RV, complete with two dinettes, two additional seats, a food prep area and room for our Saint Bernard. :B No A/C and no bathroom.

We were driving from Mississippi to Virginia when something happened to the bus(I have no idea what it was, but something relatively serious.) This was in 1969, when interstates weren't as common. We had gotten off at the AL/GA state line and were driving through all the little towns in west GA until we found a gas station with room to park the bus in LaGrange. It was about 5pm and 90+ degrees. My dad went in and talked with the gas station manager. It was almost time to roll up the sidewalk. He agreed to let us park it overnight. He even let the water hose out and the bathrooms unlocked (LaGrange was a very, very small town back then.) We kids changed into our bathing suits and played with the water hose until mom had some dinner ready.
After a good nights rest, Dad was able to get the bus going again and we were on our way.

I've never forgotten the kindness of that gas station manager. And now I live in Georgia, about 1-1/2 hours from LaGrange. The interstate bypasses downtown now, but there are several really great campgrounds at nearby West Point Lake.
robsouth
Explorer II
Dec 08, 2013
One very dark night long ago, I was traveling through unfamiliar backroads when, of all things, Oh wait..That wasn't me. :S
down_home
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2013
I've told this before but maybe not here.
In 05, possibly, we were headed north on I69. Rear tire on Fifth Wheel blew.
I couldn't get cell signal, I think.
Anyway a semi car hauler stopped on shoulder of the Interstate, in the opposite lanes.
There was no room at all to work on the wheel. It was right on thewhite line. We couldn't make the exit ramp right before.
He got his hand tools and my truck hydraulic jack and changed the tire from under the Fifth Wheel. I must admit i was taken aback. I seldom saw acts of kindness like that and wasn't sure of the protocols. I offered him 20 which I'm sure was an insult. He said put it in the collection plate and pass it, the kindness, alone. I never pass up anyone in need...however with my arms, hands, knees, messed up my help might be limited to offering to call someone or standing guard to keep traffic away.
I really relish the ability or chance to help people. That is what Christianity is. That is what being neighborly is. It is better t give than receive.
down_home
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2013
sorry double post
tankgod82
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
Awesome stories. I just hope that if I ever need help that somebody like that stops to help. Happy to see good people in this world. Gives me hope.
senior-cit
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
tankgod82 wrote:
Awesome stories. I just hope that if I ever need help that somebody like that stops to help. Happy to see good people in this world. Gives me hope.

Stories such as these prove that kindness, friendship, and hope are in our lives. In todays world, these things are dwindling. The friendship, kindness are like a dam keeping water back. There are a lot more needing water at the bottom than is provided at the top.
Falcon35
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
Back in the early 60s when I was just a kid two other fellows and I left Ontario in my car with a tent and a gas stove. We followed rt66 to the west coast. Some where in TX or NM in the middle of nowhere our car overheated. We could not see anything in any direction except something square in the field way back from the fence. It turned out to be a water trough with water in it. We got water from it put in the radiator and were good to go. We had not seen any buildings or even cattle in the parched fields. I think someone was looking after those kids. We made it to west coast then followed the coast to Seattle for the world's fair. We went on over to Vancouver Island then back across Canada to our home. Do you think that trip caused my itchy feet.
B_s_Bunch
Explorer
Dec 12, 2013
4x4ord wrote:
Many years ago I left the bar drunk and tried driving home at the start of a terrible snow storm. (Likely the most severe blizzard that has occurred in this area in the last 50 years) I lived out in the country and figured that even though I couldn't see a thing I would be able to feel the edge of the road when the front tire would go off the road. I drove slow, keeping the speedometer below about 15 mph and after what seemed forever I figured I have got to be close to home. I stopped and put the truck into park. I could not open the truck door due to snow. Here I had only traveled about a mile out of town and was stuck in the road spinning my wheels with the wind rocking the truck. I left the truck run and went to sleep. By 6 oclock in the morning my truck was still running and almost entirely drifted over with snow. A man came walking on the snow drifts and found me sleeping. He woke me up, got me out of the truck and helped me walk to a nearby farm house. What is a person doing walking down a deserted road that is totally filled in with snow at 6 in the morning with a 50 mile/hour wind still blowing? Anyway, I have wondered whether I would have ever woke up had he not come along.
What is that saying OH YEA Don't Drink And DRIVE:B
4x4ord
Explorer III
Dec 12, 2013
It seams rather obvious, yet I was very thick skulled back then and it took many many more experiences before I ever learned that lesson.

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