Moved several post to keep the continuity of that post, and this thread, going.

At one time a Towed was a Barth Trailer or Car being pulled behind a Barth. Now...

quote:

Originally posted by Marvin+Doris:
And the saga continues. We like dry camping at the tow yard so much we signed up for another night. All went smooth, we treated the Barth to a new alternator, 4 fresh belts, filter and u joints. That would have only taken $700 and 5 hrs, but now we got a vibration.

quote:

Originally posted by Marvin+Doris:
We are joining the Barth tow away chapter....

Got any pictures? You can't be a member of the tow away chapter (Mary Ray Prez - Nick VP) unless you've got proof.

I've got a quote from a member that goes well here...

quote:

Originally posted by Marvin+Doris:
Mmmmh, we always pictured a "Barthmobiler" sitting in a chair in FRONT of his coach, parked under a shade tree, enjoying a cold drink.

Glad to see you finally made it home! It was my pleasure meeting you.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill N.Y.:
Got any pictures? You can't be a member of the tow away chapter (Mary Ray Prez - Nick VP) unless you've got proof.

Hmmmmm....I guess we should be added as an associate member?
This wasn't on the Milford trip, it was in the middle of Montana on our maiden journey bringing her home from Seattle.

I'm a member, but have no photos. Towed from the junction of I-18/I-287N to Springfield, NJ with a busted P/S pump.

quote:

"Got any pictures? You can't be a member of the tow away chapter (Mary Ray Prez - Nick VP) unless you've got proof."

This was when we broke down coming home from DC last October. We limped into the school parking lot then limped to the truck stop just down the road then I held a flash light for 4 hours while mr Wyatt took apart our carb after replacing 4 fuel filters in the school parking lot.

No not a tow but the breakdown should qualify for something in the club. We could have a little pin that you hang a little wrench on it every time you break down. Then we could "brag" about that since it's a part of owning a Barth. And I have proof I broke down; pictures, witnesses & the bill to prove it:-(
Tere

I've been parked a couiple of times. In APR '06 (shortly after I got the coach), I was headed home from a MS star party, and the A/C compressor locked and crapped the belt. An hour later, I was on the road.

Later that year, after a long steep grade enroute to Carl Flack (when he lived in Crossville, TN), the system blew coolant out, and I had to refill.

On my way to PA in '08, the master cylinder got squirelly, but I limped into Baltimore.

Later that year, the starter went South in GA, but it was at a star party, and a friend took me to a store to get a replacement.

Two years later, the M/C crapped again; this time I got a tow into the same Baltimore shop.

This year, after replacing the aftermarket P/S pump, it failed, and got a tow to Springfield Truck Center (NJ) for replacement.

This is why I always carry at least 30 gal water, LPG, and plenty of food; one never knows where one might crap out!

Not to steal the thread, but add us to the "towed" contingent. Water pump went Thursday night on the way to Ocean City, Md. car show weekend. I had our trailer and my Z-28 on the back so I had to scramble to figure out how we were going to handle that issue also. Thank goodness there were friends with us. I do not think Kathleen took photos, as it was 3:00AM when our Barth was pulled away. Not a good feeling, so I now know how you all felt....

Rusty,
That's 4 little wrenches for you & according to the towed pres & vp you still aren't in the club until there are pictures.
Tere
How about a receipt for the tow?

I know..... pictures are just more dramatic.

I got an excuse, my memory card in the camera was full due to overusage in Milford. But I sure wish I had a picture, it was a sharp looking tow truck, a Kenworth with all the chrome, lights and fancy paint job. I sure agree with Rusty, we always keep some water in the tank and had plenty food and LP gas. Marvin could have fixed the alternator IF it would not have been after hours (all autoparts closed already) and the big toolbox was left at home. Plus we were 4 miles from town with no bike or tow car. Then we figured at the parts house they probably do not have it in stock and we would have to wait another day. So the Coachnet people came to the rescue. Actually I just wanted a nearby service place and limp in (after the belts started smelling funny we scrapped that idea) and they insisted on a tow. I think the roadside mechanic could have fixed it. But we also wanted all four belts replaced (we got one of this smog pumps too) and to get to the front one he had to take off the wheel on the drivers side. What complicated things is the tow truck driver dropped the u-joint and 101 little pins scattered across the dark parking lot. Since it was not "greaseable" Marvin wanted to change them all to have grease fittings. That lead to the mechanic replacing the alternator and belts goofing up. He cranked it to check his works and that driveshaft started banging around like crazy. It got it out of round and we had a terrible vibration on the test drive. Back at the garage the owner apologized and took the driveshaft to a shop in Somerset KY where they got it back in shape (they do a lot of racecar work including Roush Team). Now we are twice as fast! She runs good now. The dry camping was ok, but we were right along a busy street in town. I would have traded for that train noise.
Seems like we need a tow away chapter reading all those stories! Keep Barthmobiling!
PS Where is Casey's Barth shirt?

quote:

Originally posted by Jim and Tere:
I know..... pictures are just more dramatic.

Exactly my point...

I did overstep my bounds a little. Seeing that I am not in charge of that dept, maybe Nick and Mary Ray will allow you to join without photo proof.

But, as you pointed out... "pictures are just more dramatic."

~~~ Carl Feren ~~~~~~~ Carl Feren ~~~~~~ Nick Cagle ~~~~~~~ Mary Ray ~~~~~~ TJ ~~~


I was almost tempted to place this entire thing in the Post: What does it take to be a Barthmobiler?

I think this is one chapter I prefer not to join.

I've never been towed-Thank the Lord!, but I've had to replace a broken fan belt on the shoulder of the road after Hurricane Rita. I changed that belt in record time-always keep a spare. The wind was still blowing about 50 mph, but it just felt like a cool breeze after surviving winds of 110 mph over 100 miles inland.

What I find so amazing is that others who have been towed, or has broken down, has shared their story with us trying to help our fellow Barth Owners not fall into the same scenario as they did.

I had my mechanics come out (no pictures) to the Fridays Restaurant on the day that I left for the Milford GTG because my brakes were dragging. We stripped down the front wheel positions and lubed up the sticking calipers. For me, no biggie, but for others it could be a game stopper.

Anyone can break down. Anyone can be towed. I would not be immune from having to call a tow truck, but I believe that my mechanical ability will keep that scenario down to a minimum.

Since I've owned my coach I have had 1 close call with a failing fuel pump that could have easily translated into a tow on my way to the WDC GTG.



I've had the E brake burn up on my initial trip from the dealership to my house. I've had the alternator fail on my way to the Pennsylvania 500 race one year too. In that case I started up my generator and let my house charger get my down the road.

My father would tell me that these things build character. Of course, no one wants to build character while on a vacation.

I feel blessed to have the mechanical ability to overcome these difficulties and I try my best to keep other people on our site up and running. I have been on the phone helping members salvage a vacation or direct them to a proper repair.

Being towed is not a badge of shame. For me I would feel embarrassed, but sometimes stuff like this happens. If it did happen to me, I would tell you that I was towed, what happened and how to prevent this in the future if it pertains to your coach. Yes, I would get a photo...

My best read was when BarthBluesmobile left his post on his cross country trip. I was happy to read how he overcame each issue along the way.

Our coaches aren't getting any younger, you will spend money on them. You may very well break down one day. Sorry, but those are the facts of owning any 20+/- yr old coach...

Keep Barthing!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Jim and Tere:

No not a tow but the breakdown should qualify for something in the club. We could have a little pin that you hang a little wrench on it every time you break down. Then we could "brag" about that since it's a part of owning a Barth. And I have proof I broke down; pictures, witnesses & the bill to prove it:-(
Tere

I'll drink to that! I would have to think a little, but we have done a number of roadside repairs or bodges to keep going. Tonight, over wine at sunset, Susan and I will try to remember some of them, just in case a breakdown club forms.

Knock on wood.....

One roadside stranding with the Barth in 7 years, zero strandings in 3 other SOB's since 1973...
A combination of good preflights & dumb luck I'm sure.......

With Barth, a planetary flywheel-to-torque converter bolt (3/8" X 1") backed out, bounced around and locked up in starter Bendix....Got stopped to look-see, but couldn't restart.....

BIG Kudos to Coach-Net & their responder....back on the road inside of three hours.....