First, I apologize to my faithful readers for the recent lack of posting.
“You pays your money and you takes your chances” is an old saying that’s been around a long time. I’ve always taken it to mean that there are no guarantees in this world … unless you want to consider our inevitable demise. Joy and Phil paid for their wonderful 1991 Pace Arrow motorhome proclaiming they found a great deal in June 2004 and in spite of some recent high dollar expenditures, they continue to feel the same way. They knew she wasn’t new; they knew she had more miles than they would have preferred but they believed them to be gentle miles; they knew she had been loved and well cared for and they were willing to take their chances. Consequently, for four and a half months, they have had an interesting ride. Their latest adventure follows …
Nearly three weeks ago, on our northbound trek back to Washington State, at 50 mph on Interstate 5 just north of Albany, OR … the rear suspension on the driver’s side of the Pace collapsed. Many reasons have been chewed over but no clear cut cause stood out from the others. It might have been caused by age and metal fatigue; or being overweight (a slide was added aftermarket about 5 years ago); or the beating her under-carriage, tires and shocks took on the terrible roads we’ve traveled that are masquerading as our nations super highways; or possibly a combination of all of the above. The mechanics couldn’t tell us so we’ll never know for sure. Phil had rehearsed this type of scenario many times in his mind so with incredible self-control, he kept us straight, slowed down enough to get all 50’ of us (that length includes our toad) off the road before gently applying the brakes. The noise was terrifying to me but within seconds we were stopped and safe. Our guardian angels were on duty because just when we needed it, a long, wide open shoulder opened up in the midst of miles of jersey barriers positioned right on the fog line. As bumper-to-bumper traffic roared by at top speed, he cautiously crawled underneath to take a look. When he came back out he was green around the gills … he truly believed our beloved home on wheels was irreversibly broken. But, because of incredibly good fortune, I'll tell you now, she wasn’t!
Thank goodness for AAA! To make a long story short, we were immediately in contact with them by cell phone and tow trucks arrived in less than an hour (the first driver determined we couldn’t be towed and we had to be trailered by a second truck). In our Ranger pickup, we followed the truck carrying our rig to McKay Truck and RV Service located about two miles away from where we broke down. According to AAA, they just happened to be one of the best RV repair facilities in the state of Oregon … more good fortune!
To be continued ………
“You pays your money and you takes your chances” is an old saying that’s been around a long time. I’ve always taken it to mean that there are no guarantees in this world … unless you want to consider our inevitable demise. Joy and Phil paid for their wonderful 1991 Pace Arrow motorhome proclaiming they found a great deal in June 2004 and in spite of some recent high dollar expenditures, they continue to feel the same way. They knew she wasn’t new; they knew she had more miles than they would have preferred but they believed them to be gentle miles; they knew she had been loved and well cared for and they were willing to take their chances. Consequently, for four and a half months, they have had an interesting ride. Their latest adventure follows …
Nearly three weeks ago, on our northbound trek back to Washington State, at 50 mph on Interstate 5 just north of Albany, OR … the rear suspension on the driver’s side of the Pace collapsed. Many reasons have been chewed over but no clear cut cause stood out from the others. It might have been caused by age and metal fatigue; or being overweight (a slide was added aftermarket about 5 years ago); or the beating her under-carriage, tires and shocks took on the terrible roads we’ve traveled that are masquerading as our nations super highways; or possibly a combination of all of the above. The mechanics couldn’t tell us so we’ll never know for sure. Phil had rehearsed this type of scenario many times in his mind so with incredible self-control, he kept us straight, slowed down enough to get all 50’ of us (that length includes our toad) off the road before gently applying the brakes. The noise was terrifying to me but within seconds we were stopped and safe. Our guardian angels were on duty because just when we needed it, a long, wide open shoulder opened up in the midst of miles of jersey barriers positioned right on the fog line. As bumper-to-bumper traffic roared by at top speed, he cautiously crawled underneath to take a look. When he came back out he was green around the gills … he truly believed our beloved home on wheels was irreversibly broken. But, because of incredibly good fortune, I'll tell you now, she wasn’t!
Thank goodness for AAA! To make a long story short, we were immediately in contact with them by cell phone and tow trucks arrived in less than an hour (the first driver determined we couldn’t be towed and we had to be trailered by a second truck). In our Ranger pickup, we followed the truck carrying our rig to McKay Truck and RV Service located about two miles away from where we broke down. According to AAA, they just happened to be one of the best RV repair facilities in the state of Oregon … more good fortune!
To be continued ………
Wow! Those photos of your motorhome on the trailer were shocking! I don't believe I've ever seen a motorhome up on a trailer like that. I'm so glad you both survived that experience!
ReplyDeleteMargie in TN