Kansas City, MOMay 24, 2009
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Harold and Karen
Right after the accident
Where we were parked
We saw Harold and Karen away from the Chanute RV park. Later that afternoon my truck was ready so Susan and I drove down to Tahlequah and got the truck and came back to the trailer in Chanute. The next morning (yesterday) we left Chanute. We got about 100 miles and the engine quit again. I was just able to coast off the freeway to a road, 4 lanes, 2 lanes each direction. We were blocking 1 lane. I got all my triangle and cones placed while Susan called AAA.
Here is what I posted on the HitchHiker forum:
This morning we left Chanute. We nearly got to Kansas City, MO and guess what. The truck died. I barley got off the freeway. Four lane road, and we were blocking the far right lane. Called AAA. While waiting for AAA, a car tried to turn right in front of my truck, it slowed for the turn, and then the car behind ran right into the rear of the car at full speed (about 35 mph). The driver of the car that did the hitting, grabbed their baby, ran out of the car, and ran down the street as fast as she could until we couldn't see her anymore. Within 5 minutes 5 tow trucks showed up (none were ours). They listed to the police scanner and come hoping they can tow the wreck. Now we have both right lanes blocke. Tow truck shows up 2 hours later. Big truck. Hooks onto the truck and Susan takes a cab to the nearest Ford dealer (only room for one passenger in tow truck). Tow truck drives with me about 1/4 mile when he hits his brakes and my truck comes forward off his thingy and my truck hits his truck. My truck now has a dented bumper and the member behind the bumper. We then proceed to drive 5 miles to the Ford dealer at 5 MPH. We get to the dealer, Susan is already there. Dealer refused to service truck..... one million excuses, no room for trailer, no electricity, better dealer down the road, and so on and so on. Tow truck then drive 25 miles at 45 mph on the freeway, and 5 mph on local streets. Susan and I are sitting in the tow truck sharing one seat. Pure agony for about an hour until we get to the Ford dealer in KC, MO. Big place. Across the street is Freightliner, Volvo, and International. They are very nice here and check us in right away. Will look at the truck tomorrow. Starting Monday they work 24 hours a day. They have like 30 bays and they work on all Fords including the big trucks (the kind that make my F350 look small). I remove the generators from the truck. Trailer is parked about 1/4 mile from service. During the two, tow truck operator tried to start the engine and it actually started for him, firing on about 3 cylinders. This is either something simple or the engine is trashed. We shall see. Thank God we have the generators. I probably will be using them about 15 hrs a day here. Dealer gave us a loaner car. Now we are informing people.
If we have a major miracle we will be on the road tomorrow. But we are now in real danger of not even making the Escapade.
I keep telling myself "it is not the designation, it is the journey". I am just so happy I managed to keep my cool through the whole day, when I felt like shouting curse words. Aren't the engines in an International the same as in our trucks? If so, I rule out even looking at an International. This time we drove 300 miles before it broke. At one point Susan broke down in tears. That was when the first Ford place told us to go on down the road, and Susan couldn't get up into the tow truck. I got out and pushed her up, and then we both sat on one seat. You should have seen the driver shifting with the shifter between her legs.
I am posting all the pictures I took.
