The day started out great. We had our route planned and we were securing everything in the RV and attached the pick up to the hitch for our second leg of the trip. We had even planned out where we were going to stop for Diesel fuel.
The first surprise of the day came when we were filling up. Let me back up just a little. When we were looking at Road Hazard to buy, the owner was telling us all about her. One of the things he told us was the gas tank held 80 gallons. OK, sounded good. Fast-forward…we are standing at the pump filling up. Now, when we pulled up we had 3/8 of a tank, so I figured we would put in about 55 gallons. We put in 98 gallons for a grand total of…drum roll please and get the paddle’s ready to restart the heart…$322.55. Guess what? The tank is bigger than 80 gallons! We figure it must be 120 because some of our friends have tanks that big. That means two things. 1) we can go about 1,200 miles to a tank full and 2) prepare yourself when you finally do hit the pump.
Second surprise of the day… We wanted to put some more air in the tires so while at the gas station we saw an air hose. Hey, lets put some air in the tires! Put in the 75 cents and start pumping. It started at 100 psi and we wanted to get to 115. Reta, my wife, kept filling it up and checking the gauge when she finally checked it again and it read 90. Those little pumps aren’t intended for big rigs. We lost air! This wasn’t good because at this point my lovely wife started to freak out. I mean, out there. I tried to reassure her and said (this is where I set myself up) “The tire is fine, something else will give before the tire.” So we are heading out to the interstate to find a real place for air when the third, and last, surprise of the day happened. And this was a big one!
Have you ever been hauling something in your car, a roll of carpet, lumber, a Christmas tree and it is sticking out of the back end of the car? You know how you are constantly checking the mirrors because your worst fear is that you are going to see said item doing cartwheels down the road behind you? Well, my worst fear came true. As we were pulling into the on ramp of the Interstate we heard a loud crack. We looked at each other then…I looked in the mirror and there was the pick up. I could see the whole truck in my mirror. IT WAS TRYING TO PASS ME! ! !
Yes the big surprise is that the Pick up broke free somehow and was in the grass next to me. HOLY CRAP! We got out to inspect it, along with a couple of other cars and truck, and it seems that the brackets that attach to the Pick Up just completely sheered off.
The good news of all this is that there was just a little scratch on the pick up and ONE more scratch on the RV but other than that both vehicles were fine. Reta drove the pick up and I took the RV and we continued on our destination to Charlotte.
Now remember, we still had low air in the front tire. All we need is a blow out. So, I pulled out the CB radio and in my best southern trucker accent I said “Ah, breaker, breaker, this here is chewing tobacco does anyone copy?” That’s the first thing that came to my mind for a name. I wanted to blend in. Long story short (might be too late for that) I got 5 different truckers that helped me out and told me which exit to take for air.
I didn’t think of this until now…ROAD HAZARD. What a great name because yesterday we were just that!
Submitted by Elton Cerda of Greensboro, NC as a part of the RV Centennial Celebration “Share Your Favorite RV Memory” contest.
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