Labor day weekend was both a bust and a boom for us. We got the new Park model rolling downI-44 and all went well. That brute was a heavy load for the one ton Dodge. I gotta say it was the fist load I ever hooked that made the truck look small.
Brakes worked well on the trailer and it mostly followed well. No incidents all the way to the lake. But then
Our spot at the lake RV park was going to be a hard fit at anytime. But , Labor day had the RV park full of campers, cars, boats, and kids. I tried several approaches but one got me pretty jammed up. I had to backup hill in a tight spot. Cooked the clutch.
I let it cool a few minutes but no "I" was in the way. So, I started her up and got out on the main road. That's when all hell broke loose. Going up a hill to a turn around spot, The clutch blew. Engine stalled. I had no brakes with a dead engine but the Park Brake. In a matter of about five seconds the trailer pulled be backwards and headed for the ditch. I managed to free the tranny and start the engine, park brake on hard and now trailer brakes working, I stopped at the edge of the ravine. Just.
First vehicle over the hill was a youngster in a one ton Dodge who promised to go get a two chain and be back. Second vehicle was the park ranger. Then the State police.
And then the wife in the chase car. She went back to town where she had signal and contacted our insurance for a tow road service
45 minutes later some friends of the first kid came by with a 4500 Dodge flatbed that had four wheel drive. He hooked up and was able to pull me out and to a side road not 100 yards from where I had stalled. It was in the State Park.
Later she came back and found a spot in the park for the trailer so we had it towed there and my truck into town.
By nightfall the unit was setup, AC working and the beer Ice Cold.
What a day. No property loss, no one hurt (but my pride) and in the process I met a bunch of really nice people.