Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Breakdown on the road, big PITA

[OTRPU]

Hi all, any luck at all I'll have OTRPU back on the road today. . . Finally. It broke 07/26, 1800, I-15S x86. That's in the Mojave Desert, 110*F, and I'm too dam old to be walking round a desert cause my cell phone had no signal. Four hours later a big truck picked me up, took me to Las Vegas, NV where I called for a tow. Very expensive ordeal, lots of players. . . some sent from God, I call them Road Angels, some sent from Hell. . . the Road Devils. They tell me the transmission took out the Flex Plate which wadded and took out the Thrust Bearing which took out the Crank. But all the parts have been repaired or replaced, inspected and fixed, and the beast should roll outta Lakewood, CO this late afternoon haulin my personal 5er back to Angola, IN. Drop my camper there and pick a 5er up going to Livermore, CA. God willin and the creek don't rise I can start to spend the rest of my life trying to dig my way outta this hole. This chapter of my life could make a whole book, maybe I'll write it and post it in the don't fit nothing else thread. See ya. . . On the road. I'll be running I-80 E&W for the next week or so if anybody wants to get together for a cup. I'll check my mail affore I pull out, prolly be off the net till I get back since I'm sending the Dell back for fixin when I leave today. Everything I've got is broke. . . Truck was broke, Laptop's broke, Digital Camera's broke, and I'm broke. Life's a beach, Time to get stuff fixed.

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Cheers,

OTRPU

 

[Todd T]

Well come on with it. . what happened.



man Indy and back to Cally... i sure hope they got you fixed well.



if you need a hand coming through the St Louis/Metro area look me up.

 

[Sageair]

Don't have much time for coffee but if you get in a storm near Winnemucca call me. Cell phone is 775 427-8773. It's with me 24-7. Steve

 

[OTRPU]

What an optimist, truck ran great, my personal 5er in tow, made it back to Bristol, IN. Dropped my previous load papers and picked up packet for another load going to Livermore, CA. Was gonna drop my 5er at Dave's Diesel in Angola, IN and return to Bristol to hook my load. Lucky I wasn't going only the speed limit, 25mph round a 90 degree turn. . . right rear duallys and axle just pulled out and left the truck, course now the ass end is a draggin on the ground and I'm trying to decide where to land. Another hauler took my undamaged 5er to safety, I'm back on a hook headin back to Dave's diesel. Truck's been outta the shop 1,131 miles. I don't believe this crap. Anybody wanna rent me a ton truck to deliver my load?



Cheers,

OTRPU

 

[OTRPU]

Hey, know what? Axle DOC in Angola, IN, (mobile axle fixer guy), welded up a new axle tube stub, Dave's Diesel throwed in a new axle and wheel bearings and I'm on the road. It was bad enough, not as bad as I thought it was going to be, and all things considered lucky it happened at 25 MPH. Could have wrecked the 5er or even died I guess. Reason it gave out was it had been repaired once before before I got the truck. . . but not very well. If I get it painted it would be an all new truck.



Cheers,

OTRPU

 

[rholcom2]

Good luck!!! Sorry you have had so many break-downs in the past couple thousand miles. How many miles are on your truck?? I saw you last summer going through Dallas (almost positive it was you, as you have a very unique rig). Keep on truckin'!!! How much longer untill you and all your trucker friends pull over (Due to the cost of Diesel) to prove to this country who is in charge???

 

[RustyJC]

OTRPU,



I'm sure this will stir up a hornet's nest, but with your recent history with your truck and considering how you use it, are you sure you aren't asking a boy to do a man's job? Have you ever considered moving up to a business class truck - or larger?



Rusty

 

[rholcom2]

Do you think that he would get the fuel economy with a "business class truck". Just a question, the only "business class" truck (or what I would consider a business class truck) that I am accustomed to are Internationals with the DT466, and I know they dont do great on mielage. Course if you look at Mr. OTRPU's truck with that sleeper, there may not be great fuel economy anyways. Just throwing out a thought.

 

[RustyJC]

Business class trucks also include the Freightliner FL-60 and FL-70, the Peterbilt 330, the Kenworth 300... ...



Fuel economy doesn't matter much if you're losing money sitting on the side of the road, I wouldn't think. My point is, if one is losing engines, axles, etc. , etc. , running over the road at 25K-35K GCW (i. e. , substantially in excess of the truck's ratings), then shouldn't one realistically consider a larger truck?



It's not my money or my business - I'm just wondering why OTRPU keeps fighting this situation.



Rusty

 

[NIsaacs]

Business Class just refers to Freightliner medium dutys, the other manufatures just call them medium dutys. They are a big jump in size, vs, a pickup. Maybe move to a Midrange size, Ford 450-550, Chevy 4500-5500, or some of the imports. It sounds like OTRPU may be hauling for a travel trailer transport company. If so, most of them wont hire anything over a 1 -ton size for Dot and insurance reasons. They stay under the 26,000 GVW limits.





"NICK"

 

[NVR FNSH]

I was thinking the same things Rusty.



As far as mileage goes I get 12mpg towing my 36ft 5th wheel - granted it's a barn door above the cab of my truck. I suspect a medium duty truck wouldn't be much different on the MPG while towing and it would give me a lot more margin on load ratings.



Brian

 

[AKAMAC]

OTRPU,

When is your ETA to Livermore? I'll buy you that cup-o-joe.

Mike

 

[OTRPU]

Tell you the truth fellas, if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't be doin it in a pickup. But I've got so much invested now only way I can get it outta it is drive it to death. But before it dies, I need a year runnin without brakin. Anybody asks me bout this racket now I tell um, ! wouldn't advise using a ton pickup. They're more economical if they don't break, but they just ain't made for all day every day. Good trucks but. . .

I'm half way to Livermore, stopped off in Lakewood, CO to pat wifey on the ass and kiss the baby. I'm old, but not that old.



AKAMAC, hey Mike, really hard to say for certain about my schedule. Reason is breakdowns, and DOT stops, I can make pretty good time everywhere cept CA, 55 mph trailer limit really slows me down. I can't deliver till Monday morning early, plan on layover at this Flying J.



FJ, CA, SR-99, xJack Tone Rd. [1501 N Jack Tone Rd, Ripon, CA 95366],



If you wouldn't mind I'd prefer to make phone contact, would rather firm up when I'll be landing when I get closer in. I should have Internet access when I stop overnight at the Wells, NV Flying J if you wouldn't mind emailing your cell # I can call and give a much better idea when I'll be at the CA stop. Reason is I made plans to meet with a guy once, he was there and I wasn't. Was broke down and no cell or any other phone contact. He was unhappy and I was sorry, but from that I figured I wouldn't let it happen again. I guess I've had so much stuff just happen that I'm thoroughly shell shocked anymore. But would like to meet if we get it set up.



Cheers,

OTRPU

 

[AKAMAC]

OTRPU, email sent. Just finished installing my Catcher ECM. This is a fun toy!

 

[OTRPU]

Thanks Mike, I'll give you a call when I'm closer in. Real reason I stopped in CO was the truck was in the shop so long the registration expired. Tried to get a temporary in Indiana, gal wouldn't take my money, what kind of Revenuer is that? Anyway it amounts to I've been running round the country with expired registration. I didn't notice till I got to Indiana, took a chance by loading a 5er, (has GA Transporter plate), and running after dark. Can't get into Colorado on an Interstate without crossing a scale, crossed at Ft Morgan, CO, got called in to check paperwork. They were busy, and I was a really talkin fast. She didn't notice the expired registration. Got the emission test and renewal registration today. Cops have been around the Fiver I dropped, pin locked, and left on the street while getting legal again. Someone must have called and complained bout the trailer being there. Supposed to have 24 hours, but some neighbors are real P*icks.



To answer an earlier post bout the fuel, it's a major issue with the big trucks. I can average 13 or so loaded in the pickup, most big trucks are doing good to see 7. Before it's over there's gonna be lots of big trucks for sale cheap. They got diesel fuel higher than premium gasoline now, that ain't fair, don't have to do near the refineing for diesel, just plain greed's all it is. Some crazy driver upset with prices shot a couple clerks in a Pilot in Colorado the other day. That ain't the answer, gotta go shoot the CEO of the refinery. Everybody else is justa workin, tryin to get along. Things ain't as good as they used to be. . . maybe it's time for a change. That's as political as I gets.



Cheers,

OTRPU

 

[master1578]

You need one of these baby's... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... :--)





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[OTRPU]

Well, you might just be right. Just pulled into the Lake Point Flying J, Tooele, UT, Had to slow down to 55 MPH, so didn't make it to my planned layover at the J in Wells, NV. My ATS transmission is falling apart again. Seems OD has gone out and it's making noises. So far I haven't got one to stay together very long. Who's the ATS expert in or close to Salt Lake City, UT? Would have stopped in Salt Lake if I'd known it was gonna die. I just can't get a break. 1,810 Mi before it broke this time. I need a TDR member that's close to ATS in Wheat Ridge, CO to go to the shop this morning and see if anybody is around there. Sometimes they are in on the weekend even though not officially open for business. I need them to tell me where to have it towed. I'm afraid to drop the trailer and drive it, can't afford to blow another engine. If anyone knows an ATS dealer in or around Salt Lake City, UT please call me at (303)478-9716 with information about the dealer. I'm really upa creek.

Cheers,

OTRPU



Edit: Wifey drove to ATS Wheat Ridge, all buttoned up. . . natch.