Recovering from last week end's activities.
Loaded the new trailer with 10,000 Lbs of 1" clean limestone gravel and headed to Hippie Ridge. Our Ozark Ranchette.
The trip down I-44 went well with no problems. Until I got to the gravel road. The Dodge performed well and made the first steep 7% grade with ease. But it was a short hill. The next one was a 1/4 mile narrow gravel piece with about a 3% grade until the very end. About 7%. The Truck just stalled spinning it's wheels in the loose creek gravel.
So I backed all the way down and made a faster run for it. Backing was tedious and slow as braking in the loose gravel was dangerously heading my loaded trailer to the distiches on either side.
On the second try I got about 30 feet farther up the grade but the results were, again, failure.
As I backed all the way down again, a neighbor offered to put his 1500 GMC in front of me with 4 wheel drive. He got set as I backed once again 1/4mile to make a good run. I put the truck in 2nd ( automatic) and stepped on the brake. Torque'd the truck up to 2,000 PM's, released the brake and let fly. Wheels spinning, rocks flying,,,10 MPH,,, then 15MPH,,,,, then 20 MPH. The Cummins was roaring near red line.
25MPH, 27 MPH,30 MPH the narrow spot coming soon , 32 MPH, 33MPH , 35 MPH ,,,passed the narrow spot ,then the washboard, then the 7% grade then...then 25MPH,,, then20 Then ,,,,,, full stop.
On the third attempt I came within 60 feet of the summit. Set my brakes and got out to attach chains. His GMC attached, we easily reached the top. He unhooked chains, shook my hand as he refused any offerings for his help.
One more hill, not as bad. 20 MPH , 25MPH, 30, 33, this one we will make for sure.
Except just as I came within reach of the summit., a JEPP came over the hill, MY JEEP, with MY WIFE IN IT!!!!
AWGHH!
"Where have you been," she asked?
"Where have you been?" I retorted.
She had gone on ahead instead of staying close as we planned. She was frustrated. , I was pissed!
"You could have helped. The JEEP is four wheel drive!" I said.
"Really?" I doubt it" She sneered
The rest of the way to Hippie ridge was level and uneventful.
That is until.....;
...the driveway. Where the trailer became stuck in the mud. With not one but two flat tires.
"Back the JEEP up and tow me out." I said.
She scoffed, "It won't pull that big rig"
I looked a Joe, he shrugged and headed for the JEEP.
My son got in and backed it up. Chains connected to both, the truck and the JEEP moved forward, and,,,, connected, it pulled right out.
Easily!
Later, Standing by the loaded trailer with two flats, "we don't have a jack to lift that." she said.
I thought for a moment, she's right. How do we do this?
Then I thought of something kinda Micgiverish.
"YES we do!' I shouted.
I opened the locker doors and put the dump bed in tilt. as I raised it, the tailboard hit the ground and lifted the whole unit.
Awesome! Now all we have to do is remove the wheels and get the tires fixed or replaced.
"Piece of cake" I said.
WRONG!
Both wheels had cross threaded lug nuts!
Brand new trailer so those nuts were cross threaded at the factory.
After considerable effort , I had removed all but two of them. All I had was a standard "X" wrench which didn't have the leverage.
So,,,,; It now sits, one spare on and one wheel still hung up with two bad lug nuts.
Next weekend I'll be there with anti seize spray and a 4' breaker bar.
I opened a cold Sam Adams and took it down in one gulp.
After that things looked a bit better.
Other than this little annoyance, it was a great day!
Met a new neighbor
Got the gravel load on the property.
Sunset was awesome.....
