someotherplace

I read that one before but looks like someone changed "old watch" to "old car" : ) Reminds me of something I told a friend (another driver) a while back - "If people don't value you, don't let it change how you value you. Change how you value them." Richard

Well you know, it's only supposed to go on a carrier, right? 😃 And Mercedes/BMW owners would NEVER park where they're not supposed to and get PPI'd... LOL By the way, notice how the new generation BMW X1 is available as FWD or AWD (the first ones were RWD).. Don't be mistaken thinking the FWD version can be towed rear wheels on the ground. The electric assist steering loses its mind on this one, too. It boggles the mind that systems completely not needed while the vehicle is not running are somehow still 'active'... Richard

I wouldn't tow a newer one with front wheels on the ground even with the wheel tied. There have been a couple of instances of the electric-assist power steering no longer working after being towed. Don't understand the reasons why, but it seems related to the higher-end German car phenomenon of "dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree after being towed with wheels on the ground"...you know, the ABS lights and others. The new symptom includes no steering assist, which is a little more difficult to overcome by having the customer drive the car until the warning lights go away on their own. Not so easy when the steering isn't working. Richard

For whatever reason, those ball joint failures seem to always happen during low speed maneuvers, regardless of vehicle make. I've noticed a lot of older GM trucks lose that lower ball joint trying to turn into driveways. They're good for about 300K miles or so on those units and they give lots of warning before they let go...if one pays attention to all that negative camber pointing out the issue! Richard

Around here they're ripping the dispensers right off the wall. As someone that has to fuel the tow truck every morning at end of shift, it sure pisses me off. I've got a bottle I keep in the door pocket but it's running low and as most know there isn't any in the stores. Richard

WOW...wonder if NC regulates non-consent tow rates? As much as I'd hate to invite government in where they're not needed, I doubt there's any case study that supports that kind of a rate for booting a semi!! As I've said many times, your actions today affect regulations tomorrow! Richard

Hah! Yes!! LOL.. mostly was just looking for your input as it's obvious your on-scene experience is far greater than mine; I only worked wrecks for a relatively short while before going full-time PPI. It seems my concern may be disproportionate to real-world statistics but if the chance for it to happen exists, that's enough for me. Richard

By the way, this is probably the best part of your post. Regardless of how vigilant we are of the dangers of our various roles in this industry, don't lose sight of your personal interactions with loved ones. We often come and go with the weight of the world on our shoulders. I try extremely hard to not come home in a crummy mood regardless of how trying the night has been. My leaving every night includes hugging and kissing my wife, telling her that I love her, and that I'll see her in a little bit (instead of "good-bye".) When I come home in the morning my rescue cat (from the impound lot) usually greets me, then I proceed in to kiss my wife good morning and then we sit down and visit over breakfast. It's a routine, but an important one to us. She's been in the truck with me quite a bit in the past and is very aware of how things can go. Richard

Mr. Resch, I was hoping to hear your thoughts on my previous response. Any? Richard

I bet you've seen plenty! In this case I don't believe the pivot was seized, but I can try to find out. I know the man that does the repairs and maintenance on this fleet. The units get greased at every oil change, and he greases the hell out of them. With that in mind though wear is wear, that unit is old, and has seen lots of work. At time of failure it had a midsized FWD car on the hook. I don't doubt it has been used prior to load things heavier than it should have from time to time, as that company has to haul whatever they're called upon to haul - commercial accounts, you remove the vehicle or they'll find someone else. They do have heavier duty trucks that get sent for those jobs, in general. Richard

With bars, clubs, and restaurants (dine-in service, anyway), schools, and many other businesses closed now - most people are home, and not many seem to be visiting others, which is a good thing at least health-wise. On the other hand, it's made my job doing PPI a bit sketchier. Definitely an increase in late-night activity on property. People are restless, bored, angry...fighting/arguing in parking lots, random gunfire, etc. Then there are just people hanging around by their apartments killing time, then I show up and they become the snitch network, banging on doors and alerting everyone to my presence. Some management has put their properties "on hold" which is expected and totally understandable. Others still need enforcement but doing so has become more difficult, and dangerous. Richard

Not good. I see these guys around town but don't know them personally. Had not heard of this incident until now. People can make all kinds of claims but I presume there will be a police report indicating whether the driver was at fault and if he had a license or not. Richard

I can definitely imagine it on a JD unit if it's got the "greaseless" pins. Terrible idea. I've seen Miller units with greaseable pins get neglected to the point that they sheared off the keeper bolt before seizing up in the bore. Not fun to remove either one of those messes. One thing I will say about that old unit is that I know it gets greased regularly; the owner has a full time mechanic in-house. Richard

I know this truck...it's a 22 year old light duty selfloader; I'm not faulting Miller, not even implying the unit has been abused - it's just seen 22 years and a LOT of use. Very surprising though to say the least. I haven't noticed any signs of impending failure, and the break looks clean although the pic quality isn't the greatest. Here it is: Richard

The area is suffering from flash flooding. It's a Ford...he may have broke down on dry land and then the flood caught him. Richard