So what is more fun, recovering a 5 ton or two 2.5 tons?

[quarkz]

So myself and ChevyCrew (Steve as I know him now) both won (??) GSA auctions for Rural Fire Dept. equipment in Northern Central Washington State. I got a mostly there M325A2 used as a fire tanker and Steve picked up what was supposed to be a M35A2
Rolling chassis. This happened in mid-December with pickup by Jan 09, 2008. And both were bought with out inspection, only via pictures. So we knew we were taking a chance.

Well with the holidays in between and the fact that our contacts were attached to RFDs, we weren’t able to coordinate a pickup until this weekend.

So we met in Omak, WA on Saturday morning. I was driving my 66’ Deuce (with Medium Tow Bar and light bar, thanx Sermis) and Steve, along with his good friend Jeff, in his Ford Super Duty hauling a tilt deck trailer.

Well my rig was supposed to be just east of Oroville in Molson. They said Molson so it couldn’t be all bad. Well following my contact out to the derelict deuce, we passed Molson and continued to the other side of the county. The roads were ice and packed snow with some steep winding grades. But we got there.

She looked pretty good, much like the auction pictures. They had pulled the front drivers tire off of the bead. So we swapped in the driver’s outer rear. I didn’t bring a spare for this rig because the contact said all the tires were fine. We hooked up the tow equipment and with the help of fire chief’s JD tractor we got her unfroze from where she was parked.

Stupid me, no pix at this point. Probably wouldn't have worked with the snow-camo anyway.

We checked tire pressures and added chains to the front rear outers of my tow rig and headed off. Slow and arduous to say the least.

Made it to a large trucking yard with easy access to drop my win (?) and head up another snowy road to recover Steve’s rolling chassis.

(continued)

 

[quarkz]

Well it looks like the GSA folks are as good at taking used car pictures as GL is. Steve’s rolling chassis was not well attached. The plate that holds the rear suspension components together had the rivets torched out on one side and the majority of the u-bolts had been disassembled. Later after clearing the 2 feet of snow out of the cab, the majority of the hardware was found. But our idea of easily pulling the chassis out of the snow and down to a hard road for loading onto the trailer was quickly smashed. After ratchet straps digging and using the super duty to free the carcass and my deuce from the snow the deuce managed to drag it down to the trailer. Using the incline, a come-along, some ramps and the deuce as an anchor the chassis was secured on the trailer. And we went to re-hook up my derelict and head home.

(continued)

 

[quarkz]

Well I has a couple inner tires on my tow deuce low on air, so they were topped off by Jeff with the glad-hand are chuck. But the drivers rear inner would not hold air. (It is always the inners) so we swapped it with the spare I had on the tow deuce and we were finally on the way. By the time we made Omak again it was close to 7PM and we were hungry and needed fuel. So we stopped, ate, fueled and…..

Wait I forgot to tell you a precursor to the meeting this morning at 8 am in Omak.

To pay for the trip Steve and Jeff found a vanagon to haul to Seattle from Boise.
We they left late in the afternoon on Friday and hauled the vanagon to Seattle after working that day and then drove to Omak arriving at 5:30 AM on Saturday and catchin' a few winks in the parking lot of the hotel I stayed at.

So back to the story, they and I were bushed, the roads were getting icy, so it was agreed that we would spend the night in Omak and hit the road early on Sunday.

(continued)

 

[quarkz]

Well roads were still slick and the route I chose (highway 17) was hilly but less traveled.
So we met many icy patches and freezing fog. Oh, it was also all 1 lane each direction.

Well we were 2 hours into the trip, nearing Coulee City, with me in the lead, when I hit a patch of ice. I tried to correct but I was bouncing in along in the right hand snow bank. Not wanting to reappear on the road and tag Steve’s rig, I steered toward the right and after a couple of bounces I was stopped. It took Steve’s rig about a mile to stop.

When I got out my deuce was still up right in the drainage ditch, but the rear deuce had flipped on the driver side, thank GOD for snow and the pintle hitch being able to rotate as it did.

So now it is 8:30 and AAA says we are on our own. (It was worth a try). So I put on the hazards and we go a couple miles down the hill to Tri-Junction and get a number of someone with a Semi Wrecker. Well the nearest wrecker the company’s dispatcher tries won’t answer and they were an hour away in Euphrata. Then they tried Wenatchee with no luck also hour away. The final one they call and get a hold of is back almost where we started the morning in Okanogan.

(continued)

 

[quarkz]

So since it is going to be a while, we drop Steve’s trailer and go looking for road flares or safety triangle so that we can warn others.

(Neither of us had any, I would suggest everyone get a dozen, seal them in a Ziploc with duct tape, Just in Case)

http://www.boingboing.net/2005/08/02/batterypowered-led-r.html

But it is a small town and none are to be found. But we do come across some reflective cones buried in the snow near an old warehouse, so we gather up the 4 we can dig out and head back to the wreck to see if can lessen my tow bill by getting the lead deuce out of the snow bank.

When we arrive state patrol has arrived and set up flare at the top of the hill.
Ice is melting but there was still a bunch of fog. And people aren’t slowing down even with the patrol cars lights flashing.

He takes my license and we explain what we are going to attempt. He says OK and goes back to check out my info. Un-hooking the deuce on its side and using Steve’s super duty and digging some snow the deuce is easily unstuck and un-scathed.

(continued)

 

[quarkz]

So as long as they are on a winning streak Steve and Jeff suggest that we try and flip the 2nd deuce. After all Steve and Jeff do this all the time when they are 4 wheelin’, just not as much snow and the rigs are a bit smaller.

1st attempt was a drag with the deuce using a tow strap and tow chains attached to the driver’s side of the bumper. This did not work and also snapped the tow chain. I have hear it before, use straps and not chains. I am a first hand experiencer and believer now.

So 2nd attempt was with a tow strap, a high lift jack and some cribbing (flat tire, 4x4s) it is back on all 4 wheels. Some digging and using the tow strap it was drug up to the highway. And with a quick call to the tow truck dispatcher to cancel the semi-wrecker we were ready to hook up the medium duty tow bar for the 4th time.

We cleaned up the area and the office asked us to meet him at the truck turn out at the junction a few miles down the hill. About this time 3 hours after the slide, a couple highway crew showed up, but they as well as the semi-wrecker has been undone by Steve and Jeff’s problem solving, can do attitude.

So I am ready to get inspected for the trooper and who knows what I will be fined for.
Well he wanted my registration, because the dispatcher said the plate he read to her was for a 66’ Plymouth. So after seeing that we weren’t trying to put one over on him, he asked about the hobby, and I corrected him and we spoke of the sickness. But we were free to go.

As we pulled out to leave a semi wrecker had turned to go up toward where we had been, but wasn’t coming from the Okanogan area as per the dispatcher, but from the close Euphrata. Oh well, we had called canceled.

We head back to pick up Steve’s trailer, and got to Kennewick about 6:30 PM (12 hours to do a 6 hour trip, well only 3 hours being stuck). We ate and they headed off for their additional five and a half hour drive back to Boise. And the Icy fog was rolling in as I arrived at the ranch. And they have to still get thru 4 nasty areas, Cabbage hill outside of Pendleton, Ladd canyon outside of LaGrande, a notorious slick grade by Lime and the nicely named Farwell Bend. So good luck, many thanx and best wishes to them on their return trip. I owe Steve and Jeff a great debt.

So which story do you think is better so far? The 5-ton or the double deuce recovery?
Without being in Canada I think these are the furthest North I have heard about a deuces being recovered, at least in the lower 48.

What to do next weekend.

Tony

 

[DanMartin]

Wow Tony! Great story and great pics...you guys are heroes!

I know it was hell for you, but it's something you can look back on with pride that you got it all figured out and completed the journey using your own resourcefulness.

 

[chevycrew]

Well....

We made it home alive, no major issues on the return trip.

But some minor ones.

On the way back, we dicided to stop in Pendleton for a lil gambling since we were running late anyway. We walk in fully expecting to lose the $100 we came in with for gambling. Jeff suggests I hit a coyote penny slot machine, but I walk by. Jeff sits down and proceeds to unknowningly win about $350 off the initial $20 bill into the machine. Well I lost mine, he lost some more, but we left the casino with 2 hours wasted, and an extra $230 in the pocket. (in addition to the original $100)

So off to the gas station to clean windows, and check fluids. We had heard a funny noise, so Jeff checks the lugs on the trailer, all the lugs (32) were about a full turn loose.

And since the truck just got new tires, the lugs on the truck were a 1/2 turn loose as well.


But other than those issues, it was smooth sailing home.


BTW, the trailer has to be returned Monday morning, to avoid a additional charge of $75 per day. So into the driveway the m35 gets dropped, THANK GOD, its a tilt deck. A quick shove and unloaded. We take the trailer, give it a quick rinse and drop it off at my work.


so here I sit at 2:53am when I have to be at work at 8am.


Oh well, plus I either have to get the trailer the 2 blocks to the rental yard before I start working. Unless they will come get it.....



Time for some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's

 

[clinto]

Wow, that is one heck of story. I gotta' give you guys credit, that's a lot of obstacles to overcome. Great pics, thanks for shooting and posting them. Glad you didn't get hurt going into the ditch.

 

[Jimmy]

Great story and pics. Glad you guys made it ok, it sounds like something that would happen to me. Adventures with friends are always fun to look back on.

 

[citizensoldier]

nice story and thanks for sharing it. It sure looks nice out where you live! Glad nobody was hurt and you got them home.. It is a sickness isnt it?

 

[offroaddiesel]

thanks for sharing ,nice pics and glad everyone is ok.my question is why is this something i would enjoy.lol i guess road trips like that are fun with good friends. i have had a few like that. steve

 

[maddawg308]

Great story and pics, glad noone got hurt in that event. Love your snow camo truck!

 

[Armada]

What a recovery!! Thanks for sharing! That is some beautiful country you guys are in. That will be a story told many times when you guys are old and grey. "Remember the time........... What were we thinking?!?!" hahaha

 

[Ferroequinologist]

That's going to be a great story for the grandkids! Got to love the disease, can't cure it, got to feed it. All you can do is treat the symptoms.

Thanks for sharing that incredible story!

 

[steelsoldiers]

Man, what a crazy adventure! I'm going to have to go with two deuces vs. the one 5-ton. I can't believe you guys managed to get that deuce back on all 9 without a heavy wrecker. Congrats on making it home safe and sound guys!!

 

[MilitaryRestoration]

Dont forget i'm not that far from you and always just a call away when in need of help...

 

[chevycrew]

Well I added it all up...


1450 miles total.

I even worked today. Now time to go start tearing this thing apart...


I have a good cab, 1 door, and other odds and ends that are free here in boise.

 

[jeli]

Double deuce for sure. Nothing better than something bad going right and not costing you a fortune. Just good clean, maybe wet, fun.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Its not just a sickness, it's an adventure. Outstanding recap!