Long Story; Abbreviated Version

[Thudman]

Son (40 something) had accident; broken bones in back; hosp 4 days. Mucho pain. Unable to drive so I was driver/gofer. Now progressing well.

His wife called me w/that news about 3 wks ago, so I hustled my rig from FL to PA (I-10 to I-95); 3 day drive. In MD, I-95N about Havre de Grace, fan belt went bink, bonk, bang. Strg reverted to manual mode, Batt lite came On, Temp climbed immediately to near Max. Pulled off side, flashers On, Red Cones deployed behind Toad. Was hot, so cranked up Gen & AC On.

Called Winnie to ask about Svc Ctrs & confirm it was a Workhorse issue. Yup. Called Workhorse to ask about avail svc ctrs nearby. Gave me six svc ctrs in MD, DE, NJ. Called all. Earliest "Emergency" appointment was Oct 17 (Date of mishap was Oct 5); 12 days to wait on side of I-95. Finally spoke w/svc mgr at a MD scv ctr who called around (MANY calls) & finally got me in at a non-Workhorse shop in DE, across from the ILG airport (Wilmington) where I worked for 8 yrs. Shop was a LARGE Chevy dlr, also had trucks. NuCar Chevrolet. I was MOST appreciative.

Now I called for towing svc, since I knew where I was going. Called Workhorse, but warranty expired for that svc. However, they DID provide emergency guidance, called police (never showed up), & moral support.

Called my road svc, USAA, for the first time, and they were ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. They have manual call-back policy as well an automated call-back system to keep you updated on the tow truck dispatch & ETA. I rcd 3 "person" and 5 automated call-backs.
USAA waived the normal tow distance (I think about 5 miles) & approved 48 miles, no charge. Actual distance was 28 mi.

Big Tow arrived & was very familiar w/RV's. Disconnected drive shaft; towed rig to NuCar Chev & I followed in my toad. About croaked when he kept up w/I-95 evening rush traffic speeds at 70-75 mph. Glad I had 90 psi in duals.

All the above took about 6 hours.

NuCar had a belt & put it on next afternoon. $273. I was greatful. Finished Fri nite, so's I could do a windy, nite, rain, hookup w/toad & experience the wonders of Fri rush on I-95 in rain, wind, dark to Son's house.

Lessons Learned:
-Have PATIENCE but be persistent!!
-Get names; write stuff down
-While awaiting tow: make CG/Motel res; disconnect toad; as applicable, rmv tow hitch assy from rig; rmv rig mud/stone flap (when tow truck lifts front end, all this stuff will strike the ground).
-Have patience (again)
-Have Martini when done (double)

Thudman

[Thudman]

Son (40 something) had accident; broken bones in back; hosp 4 days. Mucho pain. Unable to drive so I was driver/gofer. Now progressing well.

His wife called me w/that news about 3 wks ago, so I hustled my rig from FL to PA (I-10 to I-95); 3 day drive. In MD, I-95N about Havre de Grace, fan belt went bink, bonk, bang. Strg reverted to manual mode, Batt lite came On, Temp climbed immediately to near Max. Pulled off side, flashers On, Red Cones deployed behind Toad. Was hot, so cranked up Gen & AC On.

Called Winnie to ask about Svc Ctrs & confirm it was a Workhorse issue. Yup. Called Workhorse to ask about avail svc ctrs nearby. Gave me six svc ctrs in MD, DE, NJ. Called all. Earliest "Emergency" appointment was Oct 17 (Date of mishap was Oct 5); 12 days to wait on side of I-95. Finally spoke w/svc mgr at a MD scv ctr who called around (MANY calls) & finally got me in at a non-Workhorse shop in DE, across from the ILG airport (Wilmington) where I worked for 8 yrs. Shop was a LARGE Chevy dlr, also had trucks. NuCar Chevrolet. I was MOST appreciative.

Now I called for towing svc, since I knew where I was going. Called Workhorse, but warranty expired for that svc. However, they DID provide emergency guidance, called police (never showed up), & moral support.

Called my road svc, USAA, for the first time, and they were ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. They have manual call-back policy as well an automated call-back system to keep you updated on the tow truck dispatch & ETA. I rcd 3 "person" and 5 automated call-backs.
USAA waived the normal tow distance (I think about 5 miles) & approved 48 miles, no charge. Actual distance was 28 mi.

Big Tow arrived & was very familiar w/RV's. Disconnected drive shaft; towed rig to NuCar Chev & I followed in my toad. About croaked when he kept up w/I-95 evening rush traffic speeds at 70-75 mph. Glad I had 90 psi in duals.

All the above took about 6 hours.

NuCar had a belt & put it on next afternoon. $273. I was greatful. Finished Fri nite, so's I could do a windy, nite, rain, hookup w/toad & experience the wonders of Fri rush on I-95 in rain, wind, dark to Son's house.

Lessons Learned:
-Have PATIENCE but be persistent!!
-Get names; write stuff down
-While awaiting tow: make CG/Motel res; disconnect toad; as applicable, rmv tow hitch assy from rig; rmv rig mud/stone flap (when tow truck lifts front end, all this stuff will strike the ground).
-Have patience (again)
-Have Martini when done (double)

Thudman

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Thudman:
Lessons Learned:
-Have PATIENCE but be persistent!!
-Get names; write stuff down
-While awaiting tow: make CG/Motel res; disconnect toad; as applicable, rmv tow hitch assy from rig; rmv rig mud/stone flap (when tow truck lifts front end, all this stuff will strike the ground).
-Have patience (again)
- ---&gt; Check Six &lt;---
-Have Martini when done (double)
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>Thanks for sharing!

["007"]

Have lived the experience a few times your words are so true. Hope your son is doing well.