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doc · 04-09-2004, 02:25 PM

Returned wednesday from trip to deep south Georgia near the Florida line. We toaded up and was out of the SP around noon or so. Checked the toad as we left and again before turning on main highway- each time having driven several hundred yards to a few miles basically straight ahead. After about a hundred miles or so we pulled into a picnic area near Baxley and the nuclear plant owned by Georgia Power for lunch. Now we had made several 90 turns in the towns we passed through, but this is the only place we did a 180 (pulled in and made a U-turn headed back out. I noticed the front tires on the toad had a strange look to them and when I checked the steering lock, I found I had put the key in place but failed to turn it to the first notch. The steering had been locked for about a hundred miles or so.
It does not appear to be damaged and I can't find anything bent. Still drives and steers OK.
Felt like a real dummy!!

Please make sure your steering is not locked when you start out.

doc · 04-09-2004, 02:25 PM

Returned wednesday from trip to deep south Georgia near the Florida line. We toaded up and was out of the SP around noon or so. Checked the toad as we left and again before turning on main highway- each time having driven several hundred yards to a few miles basically straight ahead. After about a hundred miles or so we pulled into a picnic area near Baxley and the nuclear plant owned by Georgia Power for lunch. Now we had made several 90 turns in the towns we passed through, but this is the only place we did a 180 (pulled in and made a U-turn headed back out. I noticed the front tires on the toad had a strange look to them and when I checked the steering lock, I found I had put the key in place but failed to turn it to the first notch. The steering had been locked for about a hundred miles or so.
It does not appear to be damaged and I can't find anything bent. Still drives and steers OK.
Felt like a real dummy!!

Please make sure your steering is not locked when you start out.

Fred B. · 04-09-2004, 03:43 PM

Always said "I'd rather be lucky than good.

Nick Russell · 04-09-2004, 03:57 PM

We did the same thing several years ago when we were starting out. Our toad was/is a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 pickup. Apparently we did no serious damage, since we have been at it 5 years now with the same truck, though we have changed motorhomes.

Gary RVRoamer · 04-11-2004, 08:06 AM

We put a white dot next to the ignition switch to indicate the unlocked position. That way we can easily check the key position from outside the car, looking from the passenger side window. It won't help you remember, but it makes it easy for you and your spouse to make a quick check and we have made a habit of doing that.

chasfm11 · 04-13-2004, 05:00 AM

I've been paranoid about exactly this problem, Doc. My wife gets concerned with me when I want to stop a couple of times within 30 minutes of starting out, just to check.

When I turn the key to the accessory position, the clock on the radio comes on so I've be using that to make sure that the key is turned enough. Of course, then I became concerned about towing long distances with the clock on and draining the battery (our Saturn owner's manual said nothing about pulling fuses to tow.) I just came back from 12 hour per day driving stints this past weekend and the toad battery still had good voltage at the end of the trip (I measured it before I started the toad when I got home).

Perhaps there is some visual indicator on your toad, too, when the key is in the correct position.

doc · 04-13-2004, 06:25 AM

Chasfm, you are right, there is an indicator. Whne it hits the first notch the radio/clock comes on. Guess I was in too big a hurry, but more likely my routine was interrupted. Lessons learned like this are not forgotten easily. Just lucky I only wore off some tire rubber

Wayne R · 04-13-2004, 08:10 AM

I have considered disabling the locking mechanism on my Toyota Tundra. My steering wheel does not lock as long as the Key is in the ignition. But............... I am still nervous.

DriVer · 04-13-2004, 08:38 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by George Miklas:
This is a good place to plug the Chevy Malibu--no steering wheel lock anymore. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>The TrailBlazder is the same way; simply relocate 2 fuses in adjacent empty sockets, the the steering wheel remains unlocked.

ParTheCourse · 04-13-2004, 10:13 AM

Doc,
George and DriVer:

Ya gotta

things. Put the toad in front like we do.

TXiceman · 04-13-2004, 05:01 PM

Par4the course, I have to agree with you. With the dinghy out front, I never have any problems like they do.

Ken

Tom N · 04-17-2004, 08:15 PM

I know exactly where you parked at the power plant picnic area. I just drove up that route from FL. US 1 I think.

Anyway, my wife always asked be if I turned the key on. Her memory is better than mine and together we should not forget the toad procedure.

5erfool · 04-18-2004, 01:57 AM

One trick is to put a white dot on the front of the steering wheel at the top when wheels are centered... then when you turn and look at the backup camara, you will see the wheel turning,,, maybe you will notice the spot not moving if the wheel is locked...
my 2cents
John

waterboy · 04-18-2004, 02:20 AM

Ben there done that, pulled my Jeep 250 miles with the wheels locked didn't find out until we stopped to eat and were pulling out of the resturant and had the window open and heard this terrible sound coming from the Jeep as I pull the tires in a direction it didn't want to go. The worst problem was I couldn't get the key to turn as the tires had put pressure on the steering wheel thought I had screwed up my vacation trip 1:30 am couldn't get any wreacker to come all busy finally grabbed the steering wheel and turned as hard as possible and wife turned the key, Jeep was fine what a releif. Now I check 5 or 6 times before leaving and usually stop after 1 mile and recheck just don't trust this old mind anymore.
Jim