FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: turbohunter on July 25, 2021, 01:54:09 PM
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It’s been a hell of a last month but the move to Tennessee from Calif. is complete.
First the reason to move. It has become unsafe for my wife in the area we lived in the San Fernando valley. It used to be a wonderful place but no more. You all know the reasons. Tennessee is half the cost of living of Calif. as well as a better tax situation. And we have family here.
It just makes sense for a retired couple to live here.
Please don’t start with the political stuff, we all know.
For the move itself I looked at different ways to do it from big company movers to PODS. They all are rip offs (my opinion). So since I am a car guy I bought a no frills enclosed 24 foot 10k gvw trailer that could handle the weight of a move. A couple of 6k axles and good construction but bare bones. This way I could stuff it with a household then when done I can install car specific stuff. It worked great. The trailer took the torture of our nations highways and held together beautifully.
Some of you may remember that a 1995 Dodge Ram Cummins dually that fell into my lap a few months ago. This is the lynch pin that got me thinking about a trailer to do the move with. The truck performed beautifully. It’s a beast.
Did have one oh shit moment. When I got the truck I went over it and checked all the running gear. I replaced the tie rods and reinforced the steering gear box to avoid any cracking of the frame in case of death wobble. Everything ran wonderfully.
Except. I missed one thing. The steering gear had been replaced. Good, I thought to myself. However, whoever did it either did not seat the bottom collar set screw and put a jamb nut on it or left it out. I don’t know which. It’s in a spot that is very hard to see unless you rotate the steering column to see it. Anyway, I missed it.
I was driving back on the southern interstate 10 route looking for smoother roads as the Colorado river to Williams Az. Part of Interstate 40 is ridiculously rough and hard on equipment. Arizona Dept. of Trans should be ashamed. Anyway I’m driving back through El Paso at 60 mph and started to veer left with the freeway. The steering wheel just turned in my hands with no input to the steering box. Oh shit moment. I hit the emergency blinkers and started slowing the vehicle and trailer. As I said the road was veering left so I’m now heading towards the right guard rail.
I got the rig slowed down without hitting anyone and lightly hit the rail with the front right wheel/tire. I had just the rear of the trailer hanging out into the first lane a foot or so as I had managed by the grace of God to land in a wide ish area. Traffic easily could get around me. Called 911 to report and they sent the freeway helper guys to block off the lane. I got under the truck front end to see what happened and immediately saw it. The lower part of the column is collapsible and had over the miles worked itself back off the splined shaft of the steering gear because there was no set screw. Don’t know when it came off but it wasn’t there. I told the highway helper guys that I thought I could get my truck off the freeway as the front right tire was shredded a bit but still held air. So I got under the truck and pulled the column back down over the output shaft thus re attaching the steering wheel to the gear. The freeway helper dudes told me there gas a gas station at the next off ramp. I figured that would be my target. So got the truck started back up and backed it off the rail there slowly went up the freeway and pulled onto a side street next to the station. Also for some reason the high pressure steering hose had come loose at this time so I was armstronging it off the freeway and parking it.
Spent the night making friends with a local guy who’s kids wanted ice cream at the station. I bought it for them and my new friend made some runs to the local O’Reilly auto parts store for some bolts and stuff I didn’t have. The next morning I drove over to the O’Reillys and finished my repairs in their parking lot. I asked them for directions to a tire store. Went there and got a new tire and was on my way.
Got home with no more problems.
The upshot is that it could have been disastrous but turned out ok.
The real killer happened on my next trip. My wife was asleep one night and heard Cammer our dog get up and thunk, he fell down. He had had a stroke and could not get up or orient himself. Of course he lost it all on the bedroom floor. Nanc stayed with him and comforted him the best she could all night. The next morning she called me and told me the news. He had been having fainting spells for a while but always woke back up and was fine. This time was different. He wasn’t there anymore. So we had to make the terrible decision and Nanc had to take care of it on her own as I was on a trip to Tennessee. Difficult does not describe it. He was a great friend.
So I made it back home without a road incident on the second trip.
The third trip was without a problem if you consider putting your whole life in a trailer not a problem.
So it’s done. We are living with family until until we find a house.
And I’m thinking that the 427 BBM block I have should become a Cammer in honor of my dog.
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Wow! Crazy story. I’m terribly sorry about the puppy. Animals can really become part of the family. I certainly don’t blame you for moving. Hopefully you don’t have to pay an exit tax. That takes some real dedication to make 3 trips. You’re a Trooper. Good luck to you sir.
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Glad everything on the truck worked out in the end. Sorry about the dog I’ve had to do that twice and I agree it’s not easy. I have three dogs now and my wife would get rid of me before the dogs. I hope the move works out and make sure you get a nice garage for your toys.
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Thanks guys.
A real shop is mandatory.
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Glad you made it in one piece, really sorry about your dog. I'm hoping I go before mine. What part of TN did you move to? I'm just east of Nashville
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So sorry bout ya pup :-(
Ricky.
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Wow, that is one scary road incident Marc, with a trailer especially! Glad you came through it unscathed. I lost a rag joint once in my old 69 F-250, and was total petrified for a half turn of the steering wheel, until if finally hit the positive stop. Can't imagine totally losing it.
I remember your dog from my visit, he was awesome. Sorry to hear that he's gone now; they really do become part of the family.
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Sorry to hear about the dog.
I lost a cat in 2018. He was 18 years old and I had him before I met my wife.
I came home one day and he got up to greet me then fell over. I rushed him to the animal hospital (after hours, had to go to animal ER) and after an exam, they told me he had an enlarged heart. Any treatment they did would not be permanent but just temporary and he would still be uncomfortable.
I hated it so bad but knew what I had to do so that he wouldn't suffer. I did get some time with him and got to hold him while he fell asleep. It was very peaceful and he was purring.
It hit me pretty hard. He had seen me finish college, get married, saw the birth of our daughter, etc.
I knew he was really uncomfortable/hurting on the way to the vet. He normally hated being in a car, to the point where he would drool, meow, etc., but this time he just laid in the seat.
They are family and losing them is hard to deal with.
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Yeah it’s the worst.
He would have had a tough time with the trip also but we would have managed it happily.
Here’s a shot of him in happier times when we were on a desert trip in my old 4x.
Big ole happy boy.
(https://i.postimg.cc/1tf5SRNd/E0-D5-C109-2774-416-A-A56-A-40-DBED236851.jpg)
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Aw man! I'm so sorry Marc. We had such a nice dog conversation over that lunch in Santa Monica...
A few weeks ago I had to run up to my buddy Rodger's place because his golden retriever Logan had had a massive stroke. The vet was coming out to put him to sleep. Logan was a super fantastic dog - the star of the hospital therapy program at UCLA Medical Center. I had known him since he was a puppy.
I got to give him one last biscuit, then it was time. That was a real gut punch. I feel for ya! I'm also glad you managed to wrestle that rig over to the side of the road without major incident! Glad you got the move complete :)
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Losing a pet sucks. No other way to put it. I'm sorry for your loss :'(
I saw your mention in an earlier thread about moving across the country. Smart move, I think, just getting out of that state. I've seriously considered moving to Tennessee myself. My wifes sister and brother-in-law recently moved there from Michigan City, Indiana. Too close to the violence in Chicago, and it was creeping in, in a very bad way.
There's nothing scarier than losing steering or braking with a trailer hooked up. I lost trailer brakes on my first trip to the FE Reunion, with my then new, and fully loaded, enclosed car hauler...running on wet roads no less. Only the grace of God got me through that without a major catastrophe! I suppose the "funny part" is that, the day before leaving, my rag joint disintegrated in my '70 F-350. I had to have some parts over-nighted, and didn't know if I could get it done in time. Like Jay said, having a steering wheel that makes a half turn before 'engaging' is not a fun matter.
Anyway, glad you got stuff moved and are okay. Best of luck in your new home search.
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Sorry for your dog.
Two of my former work mates had the same oh shit moment.
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Marc sorry about the Dog! What part of Tennessee did you move to?
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Thanks
South of Nashville in the Columbia area.
Haven’t found a house yet.
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So very sorry for the loss of your pet. They are true members of the family and when gone are missed terribly. Glad you made that haul safely, after some things. As a wish-i-could-retire guy, you did the right thing IMHO. We'll have to make choices here too.
>The trailer took the torture of our nations highways and held together beautifully.
This is no bullshit. We moved our daughter/grandkids to Albuquerque last week from here in Merkel (west of Abilene Tx). Dammit. We put 3760 lbs of house in the 34' trailer. On the scales we were 20,760 total - truck, trailer, grandma, grandpa and two chihuahuas. I-20 was mostly OK with some crap spots. I-84 north of Lubbock was spotty and worse north of Muleshoe. Clovis to Santa Rosa was a bitch, bumpy as hell. But it'll be OK once we hit I-40 I'm sure. NOT. Hit places that bounced the entire rig into another lane. That's running 65~68 tops. Holes, strips of missing roadway, etc. Coming back east was just as bad and I caught a tire about to fail in Santa Rosa, lucky us. The tires are all beat up so will put fresh tires on the trailer this Friday ($1100!!). Trailer is 3 years old. So - yea. You going on a road trip, check your tires, spare(s) and running gear because it a rough sonofagun out there in the real world.
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Sorry to hear about Cammer. It's really tough to lose an animal that's part of the family.
Having a steering wheel that spins in your hand should be left to an arcade game. I would have needed a clean pair of shorts after that. Great idea on a car hauler to move with. It's amazing how many family treasures and worldly possessions we can accumulate!!
As long as you keep the station wagon, you will never be homeless ;D
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I feel your pain Marc. we lost one of the wiener dogs last Thursday. Same thing, had a stroke early in the day, seemed to recover only to have another later. Was taking her to the ER when she died in my wife's arms. No suffering just went to sleep. Buried her Friday only to dig her back up on Sat. because my wife decided she wanted her cremated and a necklace made with some of her ashes. Other than the grand kids, The dogs are her life. As for the loss of steering, you will relive that nightmare in your dreams and wake up in a sweat. Best of luck in Tenn.
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Yeah Chris, I did 3 loads of around 18,500 -18,750 total. I ended up cutting out the section of the 40 from the Colorado river to Flagstaff. It is a complete bitch so I added 2 hrs to the trip just to get around it. As you said the potholes can throw you into another lane in the air. The rear window of my Fairlane was shattered. I only had it taped in with duct tape. Didn’t work. It’s like a wagon trail out there in some spots.
I ended up checking that damn set screw at every fill up until the last trip. Then every other. After the beating it took I’m pretty sure it’s in forever.
Thanks guys for your sentiments over Cam. I appreciate it.
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Good luck in Tennessee, I plan to escape California in about a year or two. I just made some scouting trips to Prescott AZ. that's one of our considerations. Next scouting trips are planned for Minden NV area.
I drove the I-40 to flagstaff about 7 or 8 years ago and it about shook the cabinets out of my motorhome. They still haven't fixed it in all those years? Sorry to hear about your dog, they truly are part of the family.
I guess we all have a truck story so I'll throw mine in. My F250 was a stick and the clutch pedal was flexing the firewall and bracket and needed some reinforcement. I didn't have time for it so I dropped it off at the local dealer and they took care of it. They called me to pick it up and the clutch was good so I paid the bill and left the dealer on a 6 lane wide major street. I get a few blocks away and making a turn the entire steering column falls from the dash in my lap. Someone only finger tightened a bolt or two from the column to the bottom of the dash. I could still steer but the play was massive and the column wasn't bolted to anything except at the bottom of the shaft.
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did you call the shop you had the work done at or were you not going there again .
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Again, good luck in Tenn.
So sorry to hear about your puppy. Our little one is almost 14, blind and deaf however still hanging in there. Lots of extra work for us but worth it. As long as she does not seem to be struggling with it or in pain...
Funny, but like Mike we have been to Minden, NV and Prescott, AZ is on our radar to visit next. Most of you will get this; hard to leave our 5 acres w/ oversize garage and detached shop. Maybe CA is worth it...NOT!
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Sorry about your pooch too Eric. It’s a rough deal. I know how you two feel.
I have no idea where the work was done before gdaddy. I bought this truck from a friend who’s brother owned it. The brother passed away and she sold me his truck. It was my fault for not finding the problem before hand. I don’t remember if I saw that it was there and then it came out or if it was missing the whole time. The last two months of my life have been a whirlwind so I may have just missed it when I checked the truck over.
I found things like bad tie rods so I went over it pretty well. Stuff happens I guess.
Yeah Mike it was just time for me. Everyone has their own alarm/timing bells. Where we lived it was getting bad.
machyoung I like both Minden and Prescott. I had to get out just so I COULD have a detached shop. No room where I was.
Cam was 14 also. Deaf and losing his sight but still getting around and not in pain. Until the stroke. It was the only call to make.
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>I had to get out just so I COULD have a detached shop. No room where I was.
This is a huge factor for me. With all the grandkids in NM now, gran-mama ain't happy. So...there may come a time in the next few years where I won't need that zero turn mower. Can't mow rocks and sand. ;D
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Sorry for your loss Marc. We buried our 16yo house dog a few years ago and it was rough. You definitely had someone looking over you on that steering incident. Glad to have you on this side of the country.
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did you call the shop you had the work done at or were you not going there again .
Never went back, hand tightened them enough to get me home. (me or Marc ;D)
Machyoung, I'm on 5 acres also but California is just getting too expensive for a soon to be retired 65yr old. The grandkids are here so about as far as I can go with my wife is half a day drive or so.
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My F250 was a stick and the clutch pedal was flexing the firewall and bracket and needed some reinforcement. I didn't have time for it so I dropped it off at the local dealer and they took care of it. They called me to pick it up and the clutch was good so I paid the bill and left the dealer on a 6 lane wide major street. I get a few blocks away and making a turn the entire steering column falls from the dash in my lap. Someone only finger tightened a bolt or two from the column to the bottom of the dash. I could still steer but the play was massive and the column wasn't bolted to anything except at the bottom of the shaft.
NOT trying to make light of this, as it was a serious situation, but as I got to the end of it, I pictured a Laurel and Hardy scene in some old beat up Model T. Steering column flying around as they tried to control the car. I probably would have given them a call at the least. Mistakes like that should be called out, and whoever did the work should be made aware of the severity of their mistake.
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It’s funny you bring up Laurel and Hardy Doug. As I was out on the road doing repairs I was cursing myself for being in a situation like the Laurel and Hardy of car culture, Freiburger and Finnegan.
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Sorry for the loss of your dog.
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Marc, so no more Wheel and Jeopardy! Big congrats on your move to Tenn. The state has a lot to offer as I'm sure you're finding out. 4 seasons, lush greenery, rolling hills, and friendly folks!
Don't beat yourself up about the truck problem, it happens to all of us. Your mechanical ability and sense of humor got you through it. I'm a SoCal native too. The family and I left there for good in '89 when my petroleum industry employer relocated from Irvine to Houston. Give yourselves time to adjust and in finding a new place. Looking forward to hearing about your new shop! :)
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Thanks Bruce
I can’t wait to get into a real shop.
I’m not beating myself up over the incident. Shit happens.
After the oh shit moment it was actually fun to figure out how to get it all done. An adventure if you will.
Tennessee is great.
Miss my dogs face asking me if I’m gonna finish that piece of toast or not. ;D
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My wife and I talk quite a bit about getting out of Colorado, only thing holding us back at this point is family. It's a situation here where you have one large centralized population of people that make the rules for the whole entire state. Tennessee is on my mind quite a bit. I went and visited Blair while he was working on my engine and reallllly liked that area. We're also huge fans of Montana, but not sure if I could stand the extra long winters (I get crabby enough as it is).
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I hear you.
Same for Calif. Two cities control the entire state. I feel for the farmers and ranchers.
I have family and a lot of friends in Tennessee so I’m very comfortable here.
Not to mention there is a drag strip pretty darn close to where I’m going to live. Heaven.
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It's a drag about your dog, Marc, and when the time comes to put them down it's really hard.
Mrs.-T and myself have been looking for a place to escape California as well. It's tough to leave here because as far as geography goes, no state can match it or even come close. From a thousand miles of coastline, to vast deserts (my favorite), to the central valley, and the mighty Sierra Nevada mountains, it has it all.
My clan moved to Los Angeles in the '50's from the coast of North Carolina because they were tired of being poor and all did very well here. Like the Beverly Hillbillys we loaded up the truck with all the uncles and aunts, granny, and great gramma, and made the great exit.
Now they are all gone except for my 90 year old mother who has dementia and is in a facility near me. I'm not moving her or leaving her here so I'm here for now.
We've made many road trips around this great country to see where we might go. We drove around the entire state of Texas (it's big!). Thought the Livingston area was nice. Have quite a few friends that have moved to Idaho. A cousin in Tennessee. Looked at Prescott Arizona too. Florida as well. My brother moved back to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
I don't have a truck 'n trailer horror story to tell, but glad yours worked out ok.
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It’s a beautiful state for sure Tommy (when it’s not on fire ::) ).
Just to give an idea about retired folks and Calif cost of living. We spent $1600 and change every six months for car insurance in Cali.
In Tennessee the very same cars and same coverage are costing us $400 and change. Set, match, win.
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It’s funny you bring up Laurel and Hardy Doug. As I was out on the road doing repairs I was cursing myself for being in a situation like the Laurel and Hardy of car culture, Freiburger and Finnegan.
I should tell you about the time the removable steering wheel came off on my super-gas car as soon as the trans brake button was released! I wasn't driving at the time (had a partner)
It was a butt pucker moment, lucky he didn't hit anything.
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It’s a beautiful state for sure Tommy (when it’s not on fire ::) ).
Just to give an idea about retired folks and Calif cost of living. We spent $1600 and change every six months for car insurance in Cali.
In Tennessee the very same cars and same coverage are costing us $400 and change. Set, match, win.
Yeah.
My brother has a nice home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He says they lock your property taxes at $650 a year after you turn 65 there. Mine are 5 times that much for a similar size house. Oh, I paid $4.45 a gallon for regular gas this morning as well.
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So sorry to hear about the dog. I grew up with LOTS of animals, cats, dogs, bunnies, turtle, fish, gerbils, etc. Always sad to loose one. I've had my Amazon blue front parrot for just over 30 yrs. He can be a PITA, but cool too. I call him my eternal 2 yr old: Always have to feed him, always have to clean up after him and he'll never move out!
I lost steering on my '70 F100 about 30 yrs ago. Backed into the driveway and just as I got it straightened out...whoosh...the wheel just went round and round! The cab mounts were bad, it sagged and just twisted that rag joint til it gave up. Luckily I was in the driveway.
Last time I moved was 2004. I made many a trip using my Mack and 40ft Haulmark trailer. Just back up and pack it up and make a trip every night. Luckily I was only going 30 minutes away! I couldn't imagine 2500 miles!
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Marc, im in Cookeville if ever out for a ride hollar at me. Thanks Lance
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Will do Lance.
Once I get the mustang here (it’s in a friends garage for now) I have to get it out on the road for tuning.
LA was horrible for that.
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It’s funny you bring up Laurel and Hardy Doug. As I was out on the road doing repairs I was cursing myself for being in a situation like the Laurel and Hardy of car culture, Freiburger and Finnegan.
I should tell you about the time the removable steering wheel came off on my super-gas car as soon as the trans brake button was released! I wasn't driving at the time (had a partner)
It was a butt pucker moment, lucky he didn't hit anything.
I double dog dare any racer to say they've never done that LOL. You do it once, after that it's the push-n-pull to make sure that thing is on there!
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So sorry about your pup, Marc. As others have said, it sucks losing a beloved pet--they are truly family members.
Brent, my condolences to you too regarding your kitty. I lost one of mine in November of 2019. He was truly a special guy. He was only 6 and passed in my arms. I was devastated. I've lost so many over my lifetime, and it never gets any easier.
Marc, that not being able to steer deal had to be one of the most helpless, scary, eerie feelings ever! :o
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It’s funny you bring up Laurel and Hardy Doug. As I was out on the road doing repairs I was cursing myself for being in a situation like the Laurel and Hardy of car culture, Freiburger and Finnegan.
I should tell you about the time the removable steering wheel came off on my super-gas car as soon as the trans brake button was released! I wasn't driving at the time (had a partner)
It was a butt pucker moment, lucky he didn't hit anything.
Here is one of those magic moments caught on video!: https://youtu.be/ilaBdBCUaOo?t=28