No CDL...NO PROBLEM!......What a trip!
I hit the buy it now button on ebay, and was the proud owner of a M35A2, and M105 trailer. The plan was: Build a tow bar for my dodge wrecker, lift the trailer with my wrecker boom into the bed of the deuce, and tow my lil wrecker with the deuce. Ive owned these before, and dont see any major problem.....
The new deuce was in Middle Illinois, and I'm in SC. We talk to our trucker buddies who provide a weigh station map. We know we've got it licked now!
Next item: Law enforcement has seen fit to remove my driving privileges for a while....so, I call up my ex Army best friend Darren. He's got vacation days to burn, would love to be my wheel man so he's ALL IN!
After a good transaction with the seller, we loaded the trailer in the deuce. next,, check all the fluids, tires, etc on the deuce and roll out....and we did. We were headed toward Chicago, then south to dodge the 24 hr Louisville KY scale. The seat foam I had shoved in my ears wouldn't quite do the job, so we stopped for grub and ear plugs....The deuce was loud and proud, and rolling well just according to plan. Darren woke me hollering " we got a knock" and we did. It sounded like a kid trapped in the engine trying to get out with a 2 lb shop hammer. We unhooked the dodge, and towed the deuce 4 miles to the nearest truck stop.
We were in middle Kentucky, and had no choice but go back home, and get a flat bed. Well, at that time all I could access was a short flat deck dozer trailer with triple dual axles. It was exactly as long as the deuce wheel base. We freshened up some of the 12 tires and headed out. My dodge cummins has a jake brake, but a blown diaphragm....very little trailer brakes, and only a 1 TON DODGE to bring it all home with. I've moved mobile homes most of my life, so LETS TRY IT !! Never mind the fact that Darren hasnt really pulled anything except an empty trailer so far.....ever.
No matter which way you load the deuce, 48 mph was max controllable speed. Darren was tired. SC to Illinois and back, now SC to Kentucky with maybe 2 hrs sleep. Totally beat, he was about to pull the load of his life through the Nantahala gorge, and the Saluda grade. An incline I dont know the specs on, but it is long and steep, with many, many sandtraps to catch run away trucks.
As we approached the Ashville NC scale, we missed our detour, and just knew we were in trouble. Luckily the sign said "scale closed" and we cheered! yes! No scale! As we drove by in the lil dodge with a deuce on a flat deck, with a trailer up in it, (as tall as most transfer trucks) the NC lights lit up. "They got us".......and we waited for the officer. "Yall didnt stop"...."sign said closed!" The officer grinned and laughed " We were till my boss SAW YALL! Haaaa" He told us he would follow us down and back to weigh in.......We knew my 10k tag wasnt gonna cover even the wrecker...... We weighed in at 34, 000 lb and some change. Wow....I'm not gonna own these trucks anymore, they'll be impounded for sure. My head math said the fines would run $15,000 or better. The officers at the scale said we were lucky Darren DIDNT HAVE A CDL. What? This way we can fine him $511 for not having a license to cover the load.......and we crept away SO thankful they let us leave at all.
Then we were headed down the saluda grade for the scariest experience in a wheeled vehicle EVER. Rev 3rd till the cummins was about to sling rods, smoke the brakes until they nearly catch fire. Repeating this just got faster as the brakes on the trailer faded.........WE MADE IT! Yes! I cant believe how well Darren held it together.......and another hour and we were home.....I'll get pics up soon.