Big tow vehicles are better
03-20-2007, 10:31 AM
#1
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Big tow vehicles are better
Say what you like about my ultra-large Ford F-350 Powerstroke Diesel Dually (makes me feel manly just typing that phrase):
Last Wednesday I am towing the 20' enclosed CargoPro with my beloved 993 and lots of stuff in it. On I84 East of the Taconic Parkway heading to VIR. 4 lane highway.
Nobody on the road except the semi on my left; no one in front of me, no one behind. Idiot (you see where this is going) entering highway from my right; I slow up, he slows up, starts to ease into my lane. I toot the horn, he keeps easing over, I drop back.
He pulls in front of me and JAMBS ON THE F*CKING BRAKES. I am all over his bumper, tires are chirping, truck is slowing rapidly, trailer stays straight.
IDIOT MODULATES HIS BRAKING SO THAT I AM STILL ALL OVER HIS BUMPER until finally I am down to whatever speed (feels like 20, probably 40). He speeds off.
I am glad I didn't tap his bumper like I wanted; would have sent his stupid little toaster of a car spinning like a top, with me laughing maniacally.
But I didn't (and I am glad I didn't).
Moral of the story? A nice big tow vehicle, well-balanced trailer, and properly set up brake controller can save your day.
I can feel my anger building up again, so time to sign off.
PS: had a great time at Zone 2 despite the cold rain on Friday and the cold cold on Saturday and Sunday.
Last Wednesday I am towing the 20' enclosed CargoPro with my beloved 993 and lots of stuff in it. On I84 East of the Taconic Parkway heading to VIR. 4 lane highway.
Nobody on the road except the semi on my left; no one in front of me, no one behind. Idiot (you see where this is going) entering highway from my right; I slow up, he slows up, starts to ease into my lane. I toot the horn, he keeps easing over, I drop back.
He pulls in front of me and JAMBS ON THE F*CKING BRAKES. I am all over his bumper, tires are chirping, truck is slowing rapidly, trailer stays straight.
IDIOT MODULATES HIS BRAKING SO THAT I AM STILL ALL OVER HIS BUMPER until finally I am down to whatever speed (feels like 20, probably 40). He speeds off.
I am glad I didn't tap his bumper like I wanted; would have sent his stupid little toaster of a car spinning like a top, with me laughing maniacally.
But I didn't (and I am glad I didn't).
Moral of the story? A nice big tow vehicle, well-balanced trailer, and properly set up brake controller can save your day.
I can feel my anger building up again, so time to sign off.
PS: had a great time at Zone 2 despite the cold rain on Friday and the cold cold on Saturday and Sunday.
03-20-2007, 03:19 PM
#3
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After towing with an Expedition and Dodge Ram 1500, I can honestly say I'd rather not do it again. I towed with a GMC 2500 Extended cab a couple weeks ago and never realized how much better it could be. Now I am spoiled. BTW, looking at a 3500 four door diesel dually right now. Towing with a marginal vehicle just isn't any fun.
03-20-2007, 03:34 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by RickBetterley
Say what you like about my ultra-large Ford F-350 Powerstroke Diesel Dually (makes me feel manly just typing that phrase):
Last Wednesday I am towing the 20' enclosed CargoPro with my beloved 993 and lots of stuff in it. On I84 East of the Taconic Parkway heading to VIR. 4 lane highway.
Nobody on the road except the semi on my left; no one in front of me, no one behind. Idiot (you see where this is going) entering highway from my right; I slow up, he slows up, starts to ease into my lane. I toot the horn, he keeps easing over, I drop back.
He pulls in front of me and JAMBS ON THE F*CKING BRAKES. I am all over his bumper, tires are chirping, truck is slowing rapidly, trailer stays straight.
IDIOT MODULATES HIS BRAKING SO THAT I AM STILL ALL OVER HIS BUMPER until finally I am down to whatever speed (feels like 20, probably 40). He speeds off.
I am glad I didn't tap his bumper like I wanted; would have sent his stupid little toaster of a car spinning like a top, with me laughing maniacally.
But I didn't (and I am glad I didn't).
Moral of the story? A nice big tow vehicle, well-balanced trailer, and properly set up brake controller can save your day.
I can feel my anger building up again, so time to sign off.
PS: had a great time at Zone 2 despite the cold rain on Friday and the cold cold on Saturday and Sunday.
Last Wednesday I am towing the 20' enclosed CargoPro with my beloved 993 and lots of stuff in it. On I84 East of the Taconic Parkway heading to VIR. 4 lane highway.
Nobody on the road except the semi on my left; no one in front of me, no one behind. Idiot (you see where this is going) entering highway from my right; I slow up, he slows up, starts to ease into my lane. I toot the horn, he keeps easing over, I drop back.
He pulls in front of me and JAMBS ON THE F*CKING BRAKES. I am all over his bumper, tires are chirping, truck is slowing rapidly, trailer stays straight.
IDIOT MODULATES HIS BRAKING SO THAT I AM STILL ALL OVER HIS BUMPER until finally I am down to whatever speed (feels like 20, probably 40). He speeds off.
I am glad I didn't tap his bumper like I wanted; would have sent his stupid little toaster of a car spinning like a top, with me laughing maniacally.
But I didn't (and I am glad I didn't).
Moral of the story? A nice big tow vehicle, well-balanced trailer, and properly set up brake controller can save your day.
I can feel my anger building up again, so time to sign off.
PS: had a great time at Zone 2 despite the cold rain on Friday and the cold cold on Saturday and Sunday.
There should be a law put in place where you can simply shoot idiots like this.
My friend came up with an idea -- every driver in the US is given a paintball and an allotment of permanent paint ball bullets -- say 20 a year. If you see an idiot driver out there, like Mr. "I'm-going-to-show-mister-big-truck-and-trailer-whos-the-boss-of-the-road-there" you can 'tag' him. Two things will result:
1. Satisfaction of saying to your friends, "Then I pulled out my gun and shot the miserable SOB."
2. If the guy is truly an idiot driver, in short time, his car will be riddled with paint ball marks. That will alert all other drivers to leave a wide margin.
Hmmm - I wonder if we should do something like this at DEs as well...
Ok, now I'm getting all worked up with the stupid driver thing...
Rant over,
- Z
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03-20-2007, 03:43 PM
#8
I saw that last years Dodge 2500 Mega-Cab's have a $10k discount at one Chicago-land dealer. And these were the Cummins with the tow package. I'm sure you can squeeze them some more. May be good time to buy a tow vehicle.
03-20-2007, 04:00 PM
#9
Race Car
If I could manage it, I'd have one of those 18-wheeler-type conversion carriers for the long hauls.
But since space and finances aren't going to allow that, here's the alternative take: if you drive your race car to the track, you've got world-class stopping power and a nimble sport-tuned suspension at your disposal for any point where some jackass decides to screw up in your path.
But since space and finances aren't going to allow that, here's the alternative take: if you drive your race car to the track, you've got world-class stopping power and a nimble sport-tuned suspension at your disposal for any point where some jackass decides to screw up in your path.
03-20-2007, 04:01 PM
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I love this idea (about paintballs); I have suggested TOW missiles but got no traction on the concept.
My boys love paintball; maybe they can set me up (although at their rate of fire those 20 will be gone fast).
My boys love paintball; maybe they can set me up (although at their rate of fire those 20 will be gone fast).
03-20-2007, 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by JackOlsen
If I could manage it, I'd have one of those 18-wheeler-type conversion carriers for the long hauls.
But since space and finances aren't going to allow that, here's the alternative take: if you drive your race car to the track, you've got world-class stopping power and a nimble sport-tuned suspension at your disposal for any point where some jackass decides to screw up in your path.
But since space and finances aren't going to allow that, here's the alternative take: if you drive your race car to the track, you've got world-class stopping power and a nimble sport-tuned suspension at your disposal for any point where some jackass decides to screw up in your path.
03-20-2007, 05:03 PM
#12
Race Car
Yep. Good eyes.
I was following the GPS and didn't think about the fact that I was on the James Dean route until I saw the intersection where he died. I stopped for lunch by the memorial, and made it the rest of the way to Salinas in one piece.
I was following the GPS and didn't think about the fact that I was on the James Dean route until I saw the intersection where he died. I stopped for lunch by the memorial, and made it the rest of the way to Salinas in one piece.
03-20-2007, 06:38 PM
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I have a friend who has, in my opinion, a better idea than the "Paintball" solution.
He calls it the Sh*tGun5000.
Here's the way it works:
Simply point the Sh*tGun5000 at the offending motorist and fire.
A laser-like beam is fired at the moron.
The motorist not only finds themselves having suddenly and uncontrollably crapped their pants, but they're back at the location from whence they began their journey.
I keep trying to get him to develop this thing, but we just can't get the funding.
He calls it the Sh*tGun5000.
Here's the way it works:
Simply point the Sh*tGun5000 at the offending motorist and fire.
A laser-like beam is fired at the moron.
The motorist not only finds themselves having suddenly and uncontrollably crapped their pants, but they're back at the location from whence they began their journey.
I keep trying to get him to develop this thing, but we just can't get the funding.
03-20-2007, 06:44 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by RickBetterley
I love this idea (about paintballs); I have suggested TOW missiles but got no traction on the concept.
My boys love paintball; maybe they can set me up (although at their rate of fire those 20 will be gone fast).
My boys love paintball; maybe they can set me up (although at their rate of fire those 20 will be gone fast).
Amateurs
03-20-2007, 11:16 PM
#15
Originally Posted by RickBetterley
I love this idea (about paintballs); I have suggested TOW missiles but got no traction on the concept.
My boys love paintball; maybe they can set me up (although at their rate of fire those 20 will be gone fast).
My boys love paintball; maybe they can set me up (although at their rate of fire those 20 will be gone fast).
Oh yes, I've lost count of the number of imaginary sidewinder missles I've fired at similar highway idiots. This is usually accompanied by some (also imaginary) armour-piercing machine gun rounds and mopped-up with 1 or 2 hand grenades just to make sure there are no survivors in the offending vehicle (sadly, any innocent passengers must die too).
