TheSamba.com :: View topic - Sambanista Vanagoneers At Their Best = Rescued

Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:36 pm

Following 3 extremely hot days at West River Westies, I broke down on Hwy I-81 northbound mile marker 117 about 330 on Sunday afternoon. I was going to make a stop over at Wally in Watertown as I did the trip down in 13 hours. Too too much driving in hot hot weather. I believed it to be the pedal rod disconnected but I wasn't about to drop my spare and fix it on the side of the hwy so called my Emergency Road Service and the flat bed towed me to a shop on the outskirts of Pulaski, NY. Symptom sudden lack of any forward power, pedal useless.

Dropped the spare, have an egg on the base of my right thumb to prove it. Took the housing off the pedal rod, nope it was fine. So unloaded the back carrier and the back inside, opened the engine compartment praying that it was going to be exactly what I found, snapped cable at accelerator end. Sunday so shop not open, had an idea that it could be fixed fairly easily but was not confident that my idea was worthy.

Called BillM and Edonline just to talk. Ed volunteered to look up any rescue squad listings in the area and then because I was running out of time on my trackfone, he made the calls to two fairly local fellows.

Scot called me at midnight and we made arrangements to meet in the am. He called at 0800 and was there by 0930 just about the time the mechanic was going to take a look. Scott sounded real confident and I decided to stick with him. Sorry Scot can't remember your Samba username so will give no additional info. Beautiful caramel with white top Westy. Scot had it figured out in no time and left me with 3 pieces of wire in the event of failure. Yep the fix was the same as I thought but now I know the details. Scot full of karma refused any payment.

Apparently the week before when I was heading east on I 90 he saw me but I missed seeing him going westbound but I did see another dark blue Westy heading west on I 90 or was it northbound on I 81?. When I was waiting for the tow truck I saw a familiar looking green CampMobile going south bound.

HUMONGOUS thanks and Karma to all involved. Yes I am going to print out several lists for future trips. This kind of rescuing is one of the main things that make Samba and another site so GREAT.

Mon Jul 16, 2012 7:01 pm

Great story 8) Glad you made it back on the road.

Mon Jul 16, 2012 7:07 pm

Yes, glad you made it and had a tiny bit of excitement :wink:
Our community rocks :!:

Mon Jul 16, 2012 7:57 pm

If it's not already there, don't forget to add your name to any rescue lists that you might use yourself. You don't have to be a mechanic- some people offer internet access, space in the driveway, access to tools, a cold drink to passersby, etc.

Ed

Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:05 pm

Besides putting your name on the rescue squad you can also put it on the post"members to overnight at"

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516716

Glad your on the road again.

Jeff

Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:32 pm

Glad to hear that you made it home Z. This is my samba user name. Did you get to take your ferry ride to Kingston or did you drive? It was nice to meet you and scooby blue.

Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:38 pm

Glad you made it to help her Scott,

I didn't get my messages till later, when I'd called you had already rode in to the rescue. Kudos..

if I'd known she had any hints of troubles I'd have looked/assessed it at West River westies.. I carry a custom DIY emergency makeup throttle cable in each of our Stevens' VWs
as I've had more than my unwelcomed share of cable failures in past adventures.

take care and travel well.

Dan in Syracuse.

Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:43 pm

:lol: I remembered the 59! I read the map wrong. I thought it said 125 but almost at the bridge I discovered it was really 12 E. :roll: :oops: If I'm ever that way again I will definitely try it (ferry) as it cuts off a substantial triangle. I'll look the site up online, I stopped and got a brochure at a tourist place.