Post by bigbrowndog on Apr 25, 2021 17:25:39 GMT -5
What should have been an easy trip to fill feeders and do some stand maintenance, turned into a cluster flub. 1985 Toyota ranch truck has been doing well lately, but I heard a scratching noise coming from the front of the engine and diagnosed the timing chain as needing replacement. Ok no big deal, it’s got 100k plus on the engine, as I decide it’s probably better to turn tail and head for the ranch house. I make it about 1/4 mile down the south road and then the scratching STOPS!!!!, It could be good or it could be very bad. VERY BAD, it is.
Timing Chain breaks, truck stops, and geographically I couldn’t be farther from the house. It is South Texas, so it’s only 90* or so, and a couple miles from where i need to be, also it’s a perimeter road. So neighbors or “undocumented folks” could easily come upon wayward truck and “check it out”. So load everything of value into a day pack, several guns, thermal, Binos, spotting scope, and 3 bottles of water. Start walking in as direct a path and ease of walking as I can find. 4 fences, and 3 gates later I make it to the house and drink some water, eat some lunch, cool off, and drive back to 85 Toyota in my 03 Dodge w/ AC
Unload sacks of corn onto Dodge and proceed to finish the days chores. Back to Toyota and attempt a one man tow job, just to get truck off of perimeter road and safely into property. Anyone ever tried to “aim” tires for the most effective steering while having no one to actually steer??? I got about 150-200 yards when the mild steel link in the chain broke and the truck plowed into some brush narrowly missing the only large tree within 1/4 mile. Mild steel link replaced with clevis ring, now the “road” is fairly straight and a slight downhill slope. So I unhook Dodge and drive well away from disaster area, walk back to Toy and am able to push and steer fairly well. BTW, did I mention all of this is being done with the Toy going backwards, I come to a 50* turn in the road, luckily it’s slightly downhill and easy to push and steer, then a slight uphill, so Dodge comes back to tow uphill.
Suddenly unbeknownst to me a downhill portion arrives that allows Toy to gain ground on the Dodge, FORK ME, I don’t need an unmanned truck to run into my Dodge. Luckily Toy runs straight due to tethered steering wheel and Dodge turns and avoids collision, I am now at a very downhill portion and very close to where I want to leave the Toy for pick up later. Unhook Dodge from Toy, and drive Dodge clear of disaster area, return to Toy and use starter to inch towards precipice of danger. Everything still being done in reverse, so downhill backwards!!!.........Weeeeeeeeeeeee. Reverse Toy into brushy area that allows for forward recovery when I return with help and proper recovery equipment. Still need to cross creek but will do so with extra driver and tow straps attached to Dodge, and waiting trailer for final trip to repair.
So how was y’all’s morning!!!
Timing Chain breaks, truck stops, and geographically I couldn’t be farther from the house. It is South Texas, so it’s only 90* or so, and a couple miles from where i need to be, also it’s a perimeter road. So neighbors or “undocumented folks” could easily come upon wayward truck and “check it out”. So load everything of value into a day pack, several guns, thermal, Binos, spotting scope, and 3 bottles of water. Start walking in as direct a path and ease of walking as I can find. 4 fences, and 3 gates later I make it to the house and drink some water, eat some lunch, cool off, and drive back to 85 Toyota in my 03 Dodge w/ AC
Unload sacks of corn onto Dodge and proceed to finish the days chores. Back to Toyota and attempt a one man tow job, just to get truck off of perimeter road and safely into property. Anyone ever tried to “aim” tires for the most effective steering while having no one to actually steer??? I got about 150-200 yards when the mild steel link in the chain broke and the truck plowed into some brush narrowly missing the only large tree within 1/4 mile. Mild steel link replaced with clevis ring, now the “road” is fairly straight and a slight downhill slope. So I unhook Dodge and drive well away from disaster area, walk back to Toy and am able to push and steer fairly well. BTW, did I mention all of this is being done with the Toy going backwards, I come to a 50* turn in the road, luckily it’s slightly downhill and easy to push and steer, then a slight uphill, so Dodge comes back to tow uphill.
Suddenly unbeknownst to me a downhill portion arrives that allows Toy to gain ground on the Dodge, FORK ME, I don’t need an unmanned truck to run into my Dodge. Luckily Toy runs straight due to tethered steering wheel and Dodge turns and avoids collision, I am now at a very downhill portion and very close to where I want to leave the Toy for pick up later. Unhook Dodge from Toy, and drive Dodge clear of disaster area, return to Toy and use starter to inch towards precipice of danger. Everything still being done in reverse, so downhill backwards!!!.........Weeeeeeeeeeeee. Reverse Toy into brushy area that allows for forward recovery when I return with help and proper recovery equipment. Still need to cross creek but will do so with extra driver and tow straps attached to Dodge, and waiting trailer for final trip to repair.
So how was y’all’s morning!!!