[John]

Oy. If it wasn’t for the ATV I would say to rent a car when you get there.

Hey, what about renting a trailer to pull the ATV and rent a car if necessary?

[Archived]

I’m not necessarily an expert on trailers … but the story you’re being told about trailers doesn’t make sense to me. I presum you’re looking for an open trailer. You should be able to find an open trailer that is rated for the pickup and the ATV. I’d call around.

How were you going to haul the toad that go wrecked? Flat tow, four wheels down? If you already have the tow bar, all you need to the bracket that fastens to the truck and hook up the lights. That is the direction I would go rather than trying figure out a trailer deal.

[Dale]

Karl’s idea is looking like the best option, though we have short stops planned in several locations, and the logistics of multiple retals is tough… maybe all we can do.

Dick, the F250 was set up for towing four down and hauling the ATV in the bed. It was a great and unique setup.

[Archived]

The car carrying trailers such as the U-haul have length and weight capacity limits and that appears to be what you are up against.

Perhaps someone has a stacker trailer they can let you rent or borrow because one of those likely has the capacity.

Anyone with a trailer just sitting around?

[Darcy]

John,

This is a long shot, but rent a trailer for the ATV only to pull with the bus and then rent a car like Karl suggested. If I still had my P/U you could have used it.

[Larry & Diane]

Just a thought but you can go to U Ship on the internet and someone will haul it up there for not a ton of money.

I assume you are staying at Tiger Run in Breck. Have them deliver it there on your arrival date. Sounds like you won’t need it anywhere else.

We did that once with a big golf cart and it worked out great.

We are actually headed to Garden of the Gods on Saturday for a week. We ussually go to Breck every summer but hitting the whitewater this year at Royal Gorge.

Safe travels.

[Archived]

John, this sounds like a matter to be taken up with the insurance company. If the other vehicle ran the red light, then their insurance company needs to make you whole. That is figure out accomodations that would meet your needs on the vacation. If they don’t feel friendly, get a friendly attorney to speak with them.

I was rear ended at a traffic signal so no question of fault on that one. Went to Allstate, who had insured the 83 year old man that hit me. I got bounced around to four separate claims agents in the same office just working to arrange for a rental car. They reluctantly agreed for a rental but only for two weeks and they would call if they wanted it back sooner.

I got home and called a lawyer friend of mine since I no longer had a need to speak with Allstate. The following Tuesday I went to the H-D dealer to discuss repairs. Allstate had beaten me to the punch. Well as I asked was this included or that included the answers coming back from the H-D dealer were all no. I directed him to go back to Allstate and request a supplimental claim adjustment. I was advised he had never heard of any insurance company doing a supplimental after they had written the check – at least on motorcycles. That did not surprise me since my treatment by Allstate was very condescending after they were told I was operating a motorcycle. I told him if he was told no that he should advise them they would be hearing from my attorney next.

Long story short, the H-D dealer did what I asked, Allstate said no initially, the dealer told them who to expect a call from, and then Allstate reconsidered and wrote a supplimental check for the amount requested. The dealer was stunned they agreed. I told the dealer they may have discovered I am a Registered Professional Engineer in NC, as part of my job responsibilities I perform crash investigations and am occasionally placed under summons to testify at a court hearing.

So approach the insurance company – theirs not yours – go on your vacation making the arrangements necessary for the vacation to be as nearly identical as planned, keep all of your receipts along the way since they could be useful in any pending litigation. For example, original plan no expenses for the towed nor the ATV; modified plan resulting from loss of the pick up truck would include at a minimum the cost for renting a trailer (for either the ATV or the pick up) AND a rental car at every stop along your route.

We did wind up suing Allstate and one week before scheduled for trial, Allstate caved in with a nice settlement offer. We took it and I was all too happy to give my friend 30% of the settlement.

Good luck getting a favorable resolution.

[Gerard]

A possible solution is to purchase/rent/borrow a
flatbed equipment trailer. DCT and
others make nice heavy-duty trailers that can carry a replacement or rental
truck with your ATV in the bed of the truck.
These are not car trailers as they will have GVWR of 12-14K. It may look a bit redneck, but it will
work.

[Archived]

We have a plan. I have rented a 5×9 open U-haul open trailer for the ATV, and we are hitching it to the bus and heading out in the AM. We are going straight to Breck, where supposedly a 2015 Yukon should be waiting for us ( a rental provided by GEICO, the insurance of the woman who hit me).

So, the trip is not exactly as planned, but it’s better than nothing.

Thank you everyone for the input.

[Glenn]

John,

Did you make it? I pulled into Prevost Nashville late Sunday night. I saw a Uhaul trailer with an ATV and my heart sank. I hope that is not you.

Davy

[Archived]

The challenges of this trip never cease… We pulled out Friday, ATV in tow, made it to Ft Campbell, KY and started seeing white smoke from the exhaust off throttle. All systems normal, no codes. Called PAS and talked to Mike at Prevost in Nashville. All suspected an EGR cooler. Felt we could limp back to Nashville as long as coolant level was OK.

We headed back east at 55 mph. All was well, although we were blowing a ggod deal of smoke (?steam) on the down grades. 16 mile out of Nashville a not-so-friendly THP pulled me over and said go no farther as I was a “road hazard”. 2 hours later and $450 lighter we were eased into a spot at Prevost compliments of Tow Pro (great service recommended by Prevost Nashville).

We have been here 3 nights and there is no word on when they will get us in. I was told this morning they were booked 2 week out. Hopefully someone no shows!

[Archived]

John I saw you Friday when you were stopped by the THP thought it was you could not stop was north bound sorry you are having so many problems, hope they get u fixed up

[Archived]

Good grief what a nightmare. I thought most signs on the interstate had a 45or 55 mph minimum? Hang in there John…

[Glenn]

John,

I just logged in and saw your post. I walked outside to see if I could find you and they were backing your bus in. That’s a good sign. Do you need the use of a car? Mine is right here today. Email me or call me if I can help.

Davy

316-992-4658

[Chas]

Thanks for all the support and interest.

Update: It’s a bad turbo. This seems odd to me. This bus has less than 40,000 miles on it and was meticulously maintained, I have the records. More than that, it was no building boost at the time of purchase, and the previous owner replaced the turbo while I waited in California. And yes, the CAC tests out within spec. I guess I have to assume it was a faulty DD rebuilt replacement…

New turbo will be here at 10:30 in the morning… I hope!