I helped an RVer in need, just a little

[amxpress]

I was cruising down I-20 heading home from Columbia when I came across an older fiver sitting along side the road with its flashers on and a blown left front tire on the trailer. Being a nice guy, I thought I'd stop and offer moral support, or whatever.
Found a young couple that had borrowed his Father's fiver & TV and was heading to Myrtle Beach for the weekend. He'd never changed a trailer tire before and seemed a little concerned.
He found a 6T jack in the bed's toolbox and found a lug wrench under the hood. The lug wrench is mounted on top of the radiator so when he removed it, he realized that it was very very hot. After I cooled it off with a water bottle, he went to work. He didn't know exactly where to place the jack so I grabbed a piece of 2X6 out of the TV's bed and guided the jack's placement. After removing the spare tire from the trailer's bumper, he broke the lug nuts loose and proceeded to remove the blown tire. Piece of case, now. It was going to start raining soon so I bid the couple farewell and hit the road.
I made it 10 miles down the road and the sky opened up. I hope he was able to finish before the rain made it to them. I also hope they have a good weekend in Myrtle Beach.

[Water-Bug]

Back in the '70s, there use to be a guy driving a Ford Ranchero, with RoadRanger printed on the door, who cruised California Hiway 17 between San Jose and Santa Cruz all weekend. It was his hobby to assist motorists. At first he had several run-ins with the law, until they realized that his services were free of charge. The bed of his truck was loaded with gas cans, water cans and a tool box. His story is here: http://snowchains.tripod.com/missionstatement/id1.html

EDIT: The San Diego Highwayman is another. Google him.

[ependydad]

I'll tip my hat into this ring.. I'm worthless on the side of the road. I'd be a burden if I stopped. But, this past Christmas, we were down in Orlando when the wife, mother-in-law and daughter when up to the laundromat. My daughter came back breathless telling my father-in-law and I that we needed to come quick. Turns out there was an older couple in a motorhome and he needed to be helped to his truck so the wife could drive him to the hospital. We got to the motorhome and started talking to the folks - what happened, what do they need, where are they going, all that jazz (my first aid courses came in handy!). I strongly urged them to call 911, but understood when she was against the idea due to which hospital they would take him to (my mother passing the year before and driving her an hour to a better hospital than where she lived rang in my head). We helped get him dress, them out the door and even offered to drive because she was still pretty shaken up about the whole ordeal. She was very thankful for the help. We kept an eye on their motorhome for the next few days until it disappeared (she said her son or daughter could come get it). Don't know how their story ended, but felt good helping...

[SuperDutyMan]

I just have to remember to get your cell number before I head for Myrtle,Great job!

[homefor2]

I was travelling through BC, Canada with my wife and 2 young daughters to visit relatives about a days drive from our home. My car stopped along a deserted area of the highway far from any town and before cell phones. I am a mechanic and quickly realized my electric fuel pump had failed. I always travel with tools so removed the frame mounted pump. It was a blistering hot day and I decided to hitch hike back to the nearest town while the wife and kids stayed with the car. The very first car stopped and picked me up. I was so glad they had air conditioning as many cars did not back then. I told the friendly couple I needed to find an auto parts store and they said "no problem, we lived in Hope" (yes the towns real name) and we know where one is. We arrived in Hope at the auto parts store and when I walked in the door, the parts guy had an after market electric fuel pump in his hand. I said "I want that" and headed back outside after paying for it. The couple was waiting for me and drove me another half hour back to my car. I managed to get their name and address and about a week later, sent them a gift certificate for a high end restaurant in Vancouver where they now lived. Instead of being a disaster for me it was just an inconvenience. I've stopped to help many people before and after that incident.

[Grady23]

In 1980, I had a son of less then 1 yr and a wife that decided to stay home and raise him. On the way home from work, late for dinner as usual, I stopped on the side of I-270 with very heavy traffic. This guy and his wife had been on thier way out to dinner for thier anniverary and had a flat. This old guy was 85, her 83. He was trying to lift a 15" tire and wheel out of the trunk of a big Lincoln. I introduced myself, Long hair and all and asked if I could help. I changed the blown tire and put everything back in the trunk. He said that they could still make dinner since I helped. We shook hands and he offered me what I thought was a $5 bill and I refused. I Told him "That's not how I was raised". He says "I'm an old man with plenty of money" and shoved the bill in my shirt pocket. When I got home the wife was really ticked off until I told her what I had done. She said "Sounds like something you would do". As I was washing up, she goes and checks my pocket and says "$5 dollars Huh! You'd better look at this". She held out a nice new $50 bill and was very pleased. That money helped us thru the week because things were TIGHT! I still remember the old guy's face when he told me "I've got PLENTY of Money". He also said I was the first car including the local cops to stop to help in over 90 minutes. YES --- Pay it forward!
I've got an even better story, but I'll save it!

[Chuck_Gail]

Good for you!!!!! Nice job.

[rattleNsmoke]

Great stories...

[dennisgt60]

Very kind!

[RollandB]

WTG, when I introduced my wife to the RV lifestyle years ago she said you meet some really nice people you never knew before.

[lakeside013104]

Helping one another IS the right thing to do.
We were at a C/G in northern Maine one weekend. An older couple came along and asked if we might have seen their missing pooch, a 12 pound mixed breed. We searched off and on for three hours and finally located her down over a bank beside a stream. When pooch was returned to the anxious owners, they tried to pay a reward, to which we refused, bid good day and returned to our campsite, thinking nothing more of the event. One week later when we arrived home, our local ATV dealer called us and asked if we could come by his store. When we arrived at the dealership there was a brand new 4x4 ATV waiting for us with a note on the windshield saying, “Thank you again for finding our pooch”. Talk about being speechless! We have used this ATV for many happy years, all because we did the “right” thing and tried to help our camping neighbors. People surely can be amazing.
Lakeside

[RoyB]

That was the code I grew up with... I would help some one, they would help someone, and maybe in the future one of those someones, will help me...

In Texas driving down those ever so straight roads for miles and miles you right away notice that every one you meet always raises their hand up off the steering wheel and gives you a wave. And you of course responds back with a wave. This is usually only when two pickup trucks meets going down the road.

I suppose if you didnt return a wave then guess who will be the first one to drive by when you are off to the side of the bar ditch fixing a flat. Yup... you guessed right...

Roy Ken

[Dave_H_M]

I drove a Ford for 13 years that had the lug wrench mounted on top of the radiator.

But that thing was way to big to fit the lug nutz on the camper.

The new ford is the same way.

He was lucky.

[bucky]

A Coastie recognized by his piers. That's beautiful man.:)

[deleted-2]

We lost a trailer tire coming out of the Feather river canyon last September.

Could have got it ourselves, yet a very nice couple from Oroville pulled off to give help and support.
These folks took the time to stand by and help at the cost of being late to an engagement with their son and daughter in law.

We sure appreciated their help.
I think of these folks every once in a while and hope to give them a howdy again.