First camping trip with new teardrop, almost the last

[ken and nettie]

This saga goes back to Sept of 2009 and was our first trip in the new teardrop and it was almost the last.

I had electrical trouble with our 99 Durango and had spent $700 or so before leaving trying to track down an intermittent stalling problem along with other issues that needed to be addressed. We left Central Wi for a two week trip that was going to take us down thru St Louis , Louisville , Blue ridge mountains of NC, back up thru WV, Ohio, along the Great Lakes and back down to Wi via the UP.

The truck did fine until Madison Slept the first night south of St Louis. After leaving St Louis on I64 East bound somewhere in IL disaster struck. I had a blowout of the left rear tire that sent me into the medium, did a 180 and ended up facing west bound. I thought the rear end came out of the Durango! Bent the frame of the new trailer, along with both spindles , took out the rear bumper along with other things. I had the truck pulled off and bought a new set of four tires and worked on the camper the best we could. We made it to Louisville and the stalling problem became much worse. I could only make it a few miles on the Interstate and it would stall as if the key was turned off! I ended up trading the Durango off in Shelbyville Ky for a 2001 Jeep on a Saturday a few hours before the dealership closed. I then had to spend the next 3 hours taking my hand controls and re-installing them in the Jeep.

After all this, the rains started! The only campground I had reserved before leaving was in NC in the blue ridge mountains. They had a mass evacuation cause of high water. That night was the only night out of 14 that we spent in a motel, the rest was in my wounded teardrop. The rest of the trip was in bad weather, rain, storms etc.

But you want to know what? After we got home, Nettie and both looked at each other and said, "wow, that time flew, were are we going next!

The reason I did not post sooner was I was depressed about the new trailer being torn up. In the past two weeks I have it rebuilt better than before and now feel a whole lot better about it. We cant wait until our first trip this summer and this fall will be taking an extended trip to South Dakota and then south before heading back. Thanks for reading along!

[BKinGA]

Wow, that sounds traumatic. Thank goodness you and your wife were alright. How great that the two of you can't wait to get back out there! You have the fever! Happy travels this summer. Enjoy.
Becky

[Oasis Maker]

Now that's a helluva story! Best part is the ending though.

Oh and by the way... great shots. What kind of camera do you use?

Scott G.

[ken and nettie]

I actually truncated the story a bit but I have to add this. If you notice the left fender is missing on the teardrop. It survived the tire blowout but coming though a tunnel I hit a pothole at Interstate speeds and popped it off clean as a whistle.(I had questioned my builder if the fenders had enough clearance when I picked it up) The fender did not hit anyone but I started to pull over just in case. As I did a couple in a Viper! drove by and from the hand signal they gave me I could tell I was number One! Needless to say , the fenders are larger and way more secure!

I have a Pentax K100d slr that I use.

[Miriam C.]

I love the Blue Ridge mountains and have done I 64 a few times. Can't imagine how you must have felt doing a 180 on the highway while towing...... Depending on where the trailer is bent you may find that popping back in place. The wood should pull it in line.....

[bobhenry]

It does happen don't it !

1st outing with "The Barn"

Do I look happy ?


Maybe this is why ?


We finally arrived and had a good time with our camping friends


and the real reason for the trip so we could get into the city's parade

[Shadow Catcher]

Ken, I see you replaced all tires, do you have a reason the one failed?

I had a tire fail on one of our Subaru's at 80mph on a Detroit freeway and all the Michelin rep would say was that it was six years old (eight is the magic number after which tires should be replaced)

[ken and nettie]

Ken, I see you replaced all tires, do you have a reason the one failed?

I had a tire fail on one of our Subaru's at 80mph on a Detroit freeway and all the Michelin rep would say was that it was six years old (eight is the magic number after which tires should be replaced)

Yep , the tire blowout was my fault. I had a set of heavy six ply tires that had been sitting in my shed for at least 8 years when I put on the Durango. Never again will I make that mistake. I did put four brand new tires on the Durango and less than a day later traded it for the Jeep! Of course the new tires went with the Durango

Bobhenery,

Love your barn! Thanks for sharing.

[caseydog]

I wondered what caused that tread separation on the blowout tire. Old tires can do that, as will under-inflated, overloaded or defective tires.

I'm obsessive about my tires. I spend hours researching tires before I buy, and keep the pressures right where the car manufacturer says to. They are the only connection between the car and the road, so I'd rather be too safe than very sorry.

I'm glad your SUV stayed upright, and nobody got hurt.

CD

[ken and nettie]

I'm glad your SUV stayed upright, and nobody got hurt.

CD

My biggest concern was as I was sideways in the grassy medium that the right side tires would hook and send up into a barrel roll. At times I wonder if having the trailer anchored the Durango and kept it from happening. After not rolling, my biggest fear was still having enough momentum to carry us into opposing head-on traffic. As it was there was about 1000 yard break in traffic and when we came to a stop the front right hand tire was about 6 inches on the fast lane payment with the rest of the truck on the fast lane shoulder. The trailer was jackknifed tight against the back of the Durango. To say the least it was an exciting 5 or so seconds!



You can see my tracks left in the medium. The tire you can that is laying in the medium was not connected to us. You can see how tall the grass was. I am glad it was as wide as it was. Also if there had been a cable I am sure the truck would have been much worse along with the camper.

[digimark]

What a story! That's one to remember -- I can tell my wife, no matter what misfortune falls, "Well, at least I'm not that guy." Glad you were all safe and the TD was fixable.

I like how one picture shows the red Durango with the blown tire and the next shows the trailer hitched to a grey Jeep... looks like you traded up there.