We Almost Called It Quits

 

It's hard to believe it was only a week ago: Jan 15, 2022 -- the longest day of our RV career. And a day I hope never to repeat.

The weather forecast called for spotty showers with significant wind: sustained wind speeds of 25-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. The overly cautious one thought we should stay another night at the current camp spot and head out the next day. The more confident one thought we should get on down the road. If wind proved too difficult, we could always pull over.

At 9:30am we broke down camp. The engine started right up but quit suddenly. Odd... but not concerning. We started Toto up again and headed toward I-45 and Dallas.

As we accelerated onto the highway, Toto started chugging and sputtering. Perhaps we needed some gas to mix with the additive. Fortunately, there was a Love's truck stop five minutes away.

We filled it up - no problem. Toto started - no problem. We drove to the access road and attempted to make a left turn. BIG PROBLEM. Toto stalled in the middle of the two-lane road with a pick-up truck headed our way 😳

Just the Beginning...

The confident one kept his cool. The overly cautious one retreated to the back of the rig and set up a prayer corner. Little did she know this would be her perch for the next two hours.

Toto eventually started and we made it onto the highway again.

More chugging. More sputtering. 

Every time we came to a slight incline, Toto would rumble and threaten to stall.

And I would immediately go into prayer mode: Please don't stop. Please don't stop. Please don't stop.

Once we crested the incline and Toto's sounds returned to normal, I would pray: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Now you must understand, I despise driving -- or riding -- in urban traffic. I was anxious about traveling through Dallas before we started this trip. I was particularly anxious about traveling through Dallas in high wind. I never anticipated driving through the city with a broken rig.

The first time I realized we were in serious trouble - and this was not just my overly anxious spirit - was when we pulled off the highway in some Dallas barrio. Hero accompanied Geoff outside as Geoff added a different additive to the tank. 

As we pulled out of the dilapidated parking lot to head back to the highway, Toto stalled twice. My prayers intensified.

The Next Goal...

All along we had planned to stop in Corsicana, Texas ... home of the Collins Street Bakery and their famous Texas Pecan fruitcake. When I was little, Dad received one every year from one of his suppliers, and I have fond memories of savoring each decadent slice.

We managed to limp along until we reached the parking lot. Fortunately, it was large enough to accommodate Toto and our tow. We went inside and purchased a fruitcake and a baked potato for lunch. We headed back to the rig to contemplate our next move.

We tried calling three different diesel mechanics in town. One never returned the phone call. One did not work on RVs. One closed at noon. After all, it was Saturday afternoon of MLK Jr., weekend. 

We tried securing a site at a highly rated campground, but they had no room for large rigs.

What choice did we have?

We continued on down the road. Toto kept chugging and sputtering. Anytime we came to a stop, he would stall.

I continued to pray.

Buffalo, Texas

Fortunately, we have two good friends who are former diesel truck drivers. They answered Geoff's calls and tried to help us diagnose the problem. They concluded it might be a faulty fuel filter.

At this point, we could not travel over 55 mph and the chugging was constant. We needed to find a place to stop.

I used my arsenal of RV apps and found a Pilot Truck Stop in Buffalo, TX that had the name and number of a local mobile mechanic. We managed to make it to the exit and into the Pilot parking lot.

We contacted Clayton who met us at Pilot within thirty minutes. He concurred with our initial diagnosis. However, the fuel filter we needed was located about an hour away. 

Now Clayton charged $125 for the initial visit. He would then charge $125/hour to pick up the part (a two-hour round trip) and then install it for another $125. What choice did we have?

But this dear sweet man called the Auto Supply store and reserved the part for us. He gave us directions to the shop. And he taught Geoff how to replace the fuel filter himself. Clayton could have gouged us ... after all, we were at his mercy. But instead, his honesty, kindness, and integrity shined.

To our utter amazement, Clayton was not the only angel in Buffalo.

I used another app to find a campground nearby. One was booked for the weekend. The other, Buffalo RV Park, not only had space - but was a mere 12 miles down the road. We did not have to get back on I-45!

We barely made it... poor Toto could hardly climb the smallest incline. But we have NEVER been so happy to see a campground.

I am ashamed to admit that prior to this incident - I would never consider stopping at a roadside place. The house was old and in desperate need of a paint job. The RV sites were bare ground, the grass worn away. I should know better than to judge based solely on appearances.

Dave welcomed us and led us to our site. Level ground - full hookups - and only $25/night.

Once we set up, Geoff and I fell into each other's arms and cried tears of joy. We made it! It took 4.5 hours to travel 147 miles, but we did it!

Counting Our Blessings

It would be natural to replay the events of the day over and over in our minds. Why did this happen? What could we have done differently?

But instead, we chose to sit down with a glass of wine and count our blessings -- of which there were many!

• The winds we thought would be an issue ... were not a blip on the radar!
• While wind chill was an issue when working on the rig ... we had no precipitation.
• Not once did Toto stall on the highway.
• God protected us when Toto stalled on the access road.
• God protected us when we had to pull off in Dallas.
• God protected. PERIOD.
• Hero was SO good. He sensed our anxiety and did not add to it.
• We passed through Dallas on a Saturday morning rather than a weekday. The traffic was manageable.
• We have two good friends who were willing to talk with us anytime we called.
• Even though nerves were raw... we did not snap at one another. We found ways to support one another instead.
• We will always have a soft spot in our hearts for the good people of Buffalo, Texas.

In the end, Geoff drove to pick up the part the next day. We followed Clayton's instructions and in thirty minutes the new fuel filter was attached. We took it for a test drive and Toto ran perfectly!

We left Buffalo around 3:30 on Sunday afternoon. Dave did not charge us for a second day's stay. We drove the remaining 240 miles to our final destination and arrived at Sargent Beach RV Park around 8:30 that night. 

Was it worth the trouble of getting here? I'll let you know next week 😊