New Dinghy
Well, gang, I have not posted in a while due to an accident.
Here's the short of it: Early January, Searched and found a great 2005 Jeep Wrangler to use as a dinghy behind our new Class C. It's the TJ model -- so lighter, with a hardtop, auto and only 46k miles. It was in SLC Utah. I live near Peoria IL. Tried to get it shipped to me...but Barrett Jackson and other winter auctions (where half million dollar cars get sold) made the cost and timing of getting the Jeep to me an issue.
So I bought plane ticket -- one way -- and flight was cancelled 3 different times due to weather.
Finally, On Jan 23, after the last cancellation, I rented a car one way and drove to SLC. Got there late Jan 24. Roads somewhat sketchy, but driveable. Picked up the Jeep, headed home.
On Jan 26, near Newton, IA, about 250 miles from home, I hit a patch of black ice and WHAM! Rolled the little Jeep 3 times. Hardtop shattered. Jeep landed on it's side and I used my pocket knife to cut myself out. Lost the knife!!! I must have dropped it after getting fee. Same day -- after the ER released me with 1 (not 2) just 1 advil for all of $7k, I got a taxi and went back to Des Moines, rented another car, and made it HOME at 11pm that same day I rolled the Jeep.
Insurance is always fun. I'm out a bunch of cash no matter how you put it. The Jeep had already been titled to me, and I had full coverage. BUt still, I lost several grand between deductables, items that were lost in the wreck, and the agreed upon payout claim.
Finally, we conclude with a new 2019 Toyota Corolla for a toad. WHAT? Yeah, I know. But it's light, cheap, safe. And, while I will be using a tow dolly (not my 1st choice), it will all work out fine. Plus, we handed down a car to my oldest daughter in January who is now driving (hence, me buying the Jeep). So, in 5 years, when my youngest is driving, the Toyota can be hers.
I've put 400 miles on the Toy and it is a fun little car. More room inside than one would think. It won't take us offroad on the forest trails in Colorado this summer, or allow me the opportunity to get it stuck on the trails, but it will do.
Here's the short of it: Early January, Searched and found a great 2005 Jeep Wrangler to use as a dinghy behind our new Class C. It's the TJ model -- so lighter, with a hardtop, auto and only 46k miles. It was in SLC Utah. I live near Peoria IL. Tried to get it shipped to me...but Barrett Jackson and other winter auctions (where half million dollar cars get sold) made the cost and timing of getting the Jeep to me an issue.
So I bought plane ticket -- one way -- and flight was cancelled 3 different times due to weather.
Finally, On Jan 23, after the last cancellation, I rented a car one way and drove to SLC. Got there late Jan 24. Roads somewhat sketchy, but driveable. Picked up the Jeep, headed home.
On Jan 26, near Newton, IA, about 250 miles from home, I hit a patch of black ice and WHAM! Rolled the little Jeep 3 times. Hardtop shattered. Jeep landed on it's side and I used my pocket knife to cut myself out. Lost the knife!!! I must have dropped it after getting fee. Same day -- after the ER released me with 1 (not 2) just 1 advil for all of $7k, I got a taxi and went back to Des Moines, rented another car, and made it HOME at 11pm that same day I rolled the Jeep.
Insurance is always fun. I'm out a bunch of cash no matter how you put it. The Jeep had already been titled to me, and I had full coverage. BUt still, I lost several grand between deductables, items that were lost in the wreck, and the agreed upon payout claim.
Finally, we conclude with a new 2019 Toyota Corolla for a toad. WHAT? Yeah, I know. But it's light, cheap, safe. And, while I will be using a tow dolly (not my 1st choice), it will all work out fine. Plus, we handed down a car to my oldest daughter in January who is now driving (hence, me buying the Jeep). So, in 5 years, when my youngest is driving, the Toyota can be hers.
I've put 400 miles on the Toy and it is a fun little car. More room inside than one would think. It won't take us offroad on the forest trails in Colorado this summer, or allow me the opportunity to get it stuck on the trails, but it will do.
