I went out this afternoon to run some errands. I pulled into a mall parking lot, parked, cut the engine, and got out only to notice that I really wasn’t parked far enough into the slot. I got back in and happened to notice that the gas pedal felt really loose. I tried to start the truck and it revved really hard like I had given it a ton of gas! I turned it off and tried to turn it on again, but the engine would not turn.
So, in a strange city, it’s getting dark, and it’s about to pour. I used the GPS to get a few repair place numbers and everyone was, “Sorry, we’re closing right about now and we couldn’t get anyone to you till Monday.”
Living out in the middle of nowhere right now, being on foot was not an option! I had a gut feeling that I had only about 45 minutes, to 6PM, to find a tow and get my butt to a rental car company. I was right.
I went into the mall to ask security about just leaving the truck in the lot over the weekend. Only till Monday, but they were concerned about vandalism or theft. So the awesome mall security lady called a tow company and then started calling around the rental car places. Enterprise promised not to close if I could get there by 6:00.
The tow truck came expediently and the driver was amazing. I had no idea where to take the truck of course and he gave me the name of a Ford dealership, saying he would drop it there and have them call me in the morning. But, first, he would drop me off at Enterprise. He got the truck loaded and we tore out of there like a bat out of hell. I’m not kidding. This guy ran every red light he could safely to get me to Enterprise for 5:58.
There, he wrote up my contract while I ran inside to secure a car. Their computers were down, so they got my info and started work on a handwritten contract while I finished up with the tow guy. Tow: $85, plus a $5 tip.
He left and I went back inside to learn that I was being upgraded to a fancy car for the price of their cheapest car. Mine not to question why, but this is an example of why I never rent from anyone but Enterprise.
The more I think about this, the more I think this breakdown occurred in the best way possible. Had it happened tomorrow, who knows where I would have been and my day would have been completely shot. At least, I can still take off and do something if I want to, although I am beginning to feel that tomorrow is going to be a home day as I am exhausted. Plus, I don’t want to spend too much money until I know how much the truck is going to cost me to fix. 🙁
Hey, at least this didn’t happen during the road trip yesterday…
Oh, oh! It might be something simple like a broken spring. I think that is what they use in the throttle linkage to return to idle. Keep our fingers crossed!
That concerns me is that I seem to have flooded my fuel injection vehicle. If I was still in the carb era, I wouldn’t be worried about the non-start after too much gas was given, but with a 2000 vehicle, I am.
Anyway, no use losing any sleep over this tonight. The truck’s safe and I’ve got wheels.
Oh gosh! Rae,
I hope you get your truck fixed soon. Like Croft said it might be as simple as a spring. Don’t fret too much, I know that’s easier said than done. 😐
Great tow driver & Enterprise upgrade!
Wishing you well & a fast & inexpensive resolve to the truck.
Take care.
Bummer, I am with Croft on this one, I bet it is something simple. We will all be waiting to hear on Monday. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.
I hope your truck is ok. Im in NO too. Leaving on a cruise Sunday. Hopefully the rain will stop.
I am hoping for the best and are glad you’re all right.
Aw gee, Rae, just when we were all getting ready to enjoy another wonderful part of your on-going adventure. Sorry about the truck. There’s nothing quite so awful — kind of a momentary sinking feeling — when your transportation stops working. I hate it. I know you’re very resourceful, but have you considered at all joining up with Good Sam for their RV road service (which also will cover your truck or any vehicle you own)? You’re doing a lot of traveling now and our experience with Good Sam has been wonderful with our breakdowns on the road. It’s so worth the peace of mind knowing that help — and a tow — is right there. Especially since we’re driving slightly older vehicles too. Good luck — can hardly wait to hear about NOLA. We haven’t been there yet. Lynn – Kingston NY
Thanks everyone!
I, too, think it will end up being a simple repair, but I’ll still be out the $90 towing fee, at least $70 for a car, and who knows how much for the repair. 🙁
Lynn, I used to have road side assistance, once for my car and once for my RV. I tried to use each service once and both times the assistance program wanted me to pay a surcharge that was more than the cost of paying for the tow out of pocket! I decided that those things must surely be scams and I’ve been roadside assistanceless since.
Roadside Assistance – I really recommend the Allstate Motor Club. They are pricey but they are much better than AAA (AAA has limits on how far they will tow), in my personal opinion and experience.
Allstate has arranged for my vehicles to be towed from where I live to the shop at no additional charge, as well as from elsewhere. Again, no additional charge. AAA charged me an additional $50 from near Wal-Mart to my house.
(Also, check into Verizon’s plan – they used to have Roadside Assistance for around $4 a month added onto your bill)
Thanks for that tip!
OMG: http://support.verizonwireless.com/clc/features/calling_features/roadside_assistance.html $3 a month=$36 a year. That would have covered two tows like I had tonight! And it’s valid in Canada! I’m not convinced I’ll be getting coverage for the RV, but it would be stupid not to get this for the truck.
Suggest you ask for backdating of the plan and then ask how to get reimbursed. What’s the worst they could say? ;D
Wow, you are crazy evil. LOL If you read the fine print, you have to give the plan two days to be active. I know your plan would not fly because a subcontractor is providing the service, not Verizon themselves. So there is not going to be the same kind of leeway.
I honestly wasn’t sure if it could be done or not.
I’m too honest for my own good to even dare to try. 🙂
Oh, I didn’t mean to be dishonest! 🙂
I know you didn’t, and with the luck you have, you’d be deserving of a break like this!
Let’s not get too excited now. ;D
Oh, no. Please be careful in downtwon New Orleans walking around by yourself. We we there two years ago, I felt really uncomfortable, even with hotel warning us stay away from here here and here., and walking with my weight lifting giant of a husband. There are sooo many shifty homeless people, and drunks, it is scary. Having said that, we had a really great time
eating, and eating and eating. Musuems are fun, don’t forget to check out the national park that is located right in the french quarter, they have FREE walking tours and it was fantastic!
http://www.nps.gov/jela/french-quarter-site.htm
Go to cafe dumonde and have a beneight for me. I am imagining the powdered sugar everywhere. ;0
Nothing like new orleans…Beautiful city. Have a great time!!
We did not do the cemetery tour but it might be fun:
http://www.tourneworleans.com/cemetery_set.html
Adding to what Gary said plus I’m crossing everything else for you to have things fall into a not so bad hit on the pocketbook. The universe was being mindful to have you in a mall parking lot and NOT a l0nely stretch of unknown highway for your brief setback.
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