I’ve been asked by a few people how I got from the side of that road yesterday to not just the towing yard, but a towing yard that is also a shop that can do the work on my rig. So I thought I’d share the steps I took yesterday to get here.
Soon as I knew there was a problem, I pulled over. I was unable to put the rig into park, so I settled for neutral and cut the engine. I carefully exited the rig and walked around, noticing there was a burnt smell, but not sure where it was coming from. I was in a bad location and this was not the time to sit and wait and hope that things would fix themselves. I needed a tow.
The last time I tried to have Miranda towed, my roadside assistance program at the time tried to screw me over. I had paid them several hundred dollars through my insurance company so that I would be covered to have the motorhome towed in case of an emergency. But when I called them for a tow, they said that their nearest affiliate was far enough away that I would have to pay a $150 out of pocket surcharge to have the rig towed. I wound up paying $125 to a wrecker located just a few minutes away.
All that to say that I do not have roadside assistance. So last night I was sitting in the middle of nowhere with no real idea where I was. I asked my GPS to tell me where the nearest automotive services were and called the first company that had towing in the name. I knew that if they couldn’t help me, they would know who locally could. I did the same thing that night after I lost the brakes. Whoever thought to put phone numbers as well as addresses into the GPS database is a genius.
While I waited for the first company to pick up, I fiddled with my GPS until I got the screen that told me where I was. This was brilliant. I had a street and city, nearest house address, nearest intersection, and GPS coordinates. I was able to precisely tell the tow companies where I was, which helped to narrow down the choices of who could get to me.
Now, the other consideration was finding a wrecker that could handle a motorhome. When you say ‘motorhome’ to a tow company, they assume a giant 40′ diesel pusher. I am quick to say that I have a small motorhome that is a class C on a Ford-E450 chassis, basically a 32′ Econoline van.
The third tower I spoke to is also a mechanic who could fix the problem. This was just dumb luck!
I told him I thought I lost my transmission. He made me do a few tests and determined over the phone that my rear axle had gone. So he knew Miranda would have to be towed from the rear. This is more complicated because you have to tow with the full weight of the rig on the front end. He asked me how much stuff I had inside and I replied with more useful information, her approximate weight, which was just under 14,000 lbs at last weigh-in. He said that if this was right, then his wrecker would just be able to lift and take her the 15 miles to his shop.
When he arrived, he spent some time under the rig and confirmed his over-the-phone diagnosis. He asked me again how much stuff I had inside and almost blanched when I said everything I own. I know he didn’t believe the weight amount that I told him. He had me sit in the RV cab while he got Miranda up onto the lift. I had my dinner during that time, amusingly enough. Once she was loaded, he had me sit in his truck and told me he was cautiously optimistic, but he’d know in a few minutes if she was going to tow okay.
Miranda ended up doing great and he had no trouble getting her to the yard although it was sloooow going and some of the longest 15 miles of my life!
Once at the shop, he dropped her on as level a spot as he could find, which was really not level and twisting the chassis. I told him I had levelers so he had me put some in front of the front wheels and he rolled Miranda over it. Then, he lifted the back end while I placed levelers under the passenger rear wheels. The leveling isn’t perfect, but it’s liveable.
After all that, he left me to my own devices, saying to come see him today once I’d spoken to the adjuster.
So to recap, a GPS and a cell phone are really useful to have in an emergency. I am very, very grateful that I upgraded my Verizon phone to include use to and in Canada.
Oh, and it took less than two hours to go from, oh no, there’s a problem, to leveled in a safe spot for the night.
Rae, I once did a really dumb thing. I put about $12 worth of regular gas in my diesel truck. I have Premier AAA. I called them and they arranged for 2 flat bed trucks to come get me. One for the trailer and one for the truck. They put my daughter, me and my pup in one of the tow trucks. We drove about 20-25 miles. The drained the tank, put diesel in and I was on my way in less than an hour. Does Canada have AAA?
I can save my coordinates in my GPS which gives the exact spot on the road I’m at. You were lucky to be near landmarks. I forget to look at mile markers, so learning to save to coordinates makes it easier for them to locate you. I’m sure your GPS has the capability, as well.
We have CAA, which is like your AAA. The annual cost is more than what I’m going to be paying out of pocket to tow. I have yet to be in a situation where it would make sense to pay for membership.
(I remember reading somewhere that it’s terrible to put diesel in a gas car, but it can actually be good for a diesel engine to get some gas, but don’t quote me on that!)
I never remember how to get to that function on my GPS screen, but fiddling around gets me to a screen that says exactly where I am and even sometimes lists the nearest police, fire, and hospital.
I also heard after my mishap that the engine will survive gas in a diesel, but not the other way around. All say to drain the tank and replace with diesel, if possible. Since I had no way to drain the tank and I hadn’t turned the engine over after putting the gas in, I felt it best to find the tow. This one incident made up for the AAA premium for the year. At one time they made all diesel pump handles green and gas black to avoid mishaps; no longer. The sign at the pump was confusing and I debated which one to use, then went in and asked and the guy told me the wrong handle. So waiting at his pump, blocking customers didn’t bother me a bit. I was determined not to start the truck.
The AAA premium covers a motorhome or trailer and a car for much more than just towing, including trip continuance. I believe it would cover me in Canada, as well–just glanced quickly. I pay $150 per year and, to me, it’s worth the peace of mine. It also covers you if you are a passenger in any other vehicle.
I give a subscription each year to each of my children and grandchildren (those who drive) so I know they don’t have to get out of their cars for help or accept help from a stranger. They have all used it at one time or another. Each added person is at a discounted price. First year of the grandchildren driving they give coverage free for each.
Not trying to convince you about insurance because I hate paying the bill, too, but I sure was glad to have it that day.
I hope all goes well for you and you don’t have to pay anything out of your pocket. Bummer for a vacation. Enjoy yourself anyway.