Something catastrophic happened to our bus and we blew all the oil out onto the road. We're sitting on I-55 and a wrecker is working on getting us hooked up and towed. Not sure what's going to happen from here. We may end up scrapping it and renting a U-haul to get us to Arizona where we hopefully can rent a place for a while or find something inexpensive we can buy. We have our five cats on board which is why we are in such a large RV. At this point, we'll downsize or whatever we need to do. Except get rid of cats. That won't happen. They're family.
Broke down in Indiana
- Thread starter Katt
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Sorry to hear that, and good luck in getting this resolved and back on the road.
Question: Why are you headed to Arizona at this time of year? Unless you are heading for northern parts of the state, maybe around Flagstaff, its about to start getting warm, then hot, in southern Arizona in another month or two.
What model year and motor is in your bus? Pictures really help. Where on I55 are you being towed to? HOWA is a good idea. Do you have towing insurance and does it cover trip expenses if you break down? Lots of people willing to help if you need it out here. Keep us updated.
Hello,
Sorry to read this! I am going through some major mechanical issues at the moment Myself. I was driving down I-10 in western Az. and lost my transmission......
For me this is a tough time, the first major issue since hitting the road 7 months ago.
I was able to get towed into Quartzsite which was about 15 miles on a wrecker ($200). I am now sitting in a lot next to a truck repair shop and the owner was very welcoming after I explained that I live in my rig full time.
My advise would be this: Tow to a shop (the closer the better), get an estimate. Ask if you can park at the shop for a few days to give time to decide where to go from there.
Truck rental is expensive as they charge by the mile and you are looking at 2000 miles to Az.
Consider checking the online classifieds for a replacement vehicle if yours is to expensive to fix. (the estimate will give some conclusive answers)
I am from Indiana and there should be a wide selection of vehicles for sale this time of year.
I guess the best advise I could give considering my current situation is try to relax and take your time. After a couple days I am much more clear headed now that the initial shock is over.
After you get an idea of repair cost please check with HOWA as others have suggested. This forum has been very helpful to me as well.
Prayers
Good luck
God bless
Sorry to read this! I am going through some major mechanical issues at the moment Myself. I was driving down I-10 in western Az. and lost my transmission......
For me this is a tough time, the first major issue since hitting the road 7 months ago.
I was able to get towed into Quartzsite which was about 15 miles on a wrecker ($200). I am now sitting in a lot next to a truck repair shop and the owner was very welcoming after I explained that I live in my rig full time.
My advise would be this: Tow to a shop (the closer the better), get an estimate. Ask if you can park at the shop for a few days to give time to decide where to go from there.
Truck rental is expensive as they charge by the mile and you are looking at 2000 miles to Az.
Consider checking the online classifieds for a replacement vehicle if yours is to expensive to fix. (the estimate will give some conclusive answers)
I am from Indiana and there should be a wide selection of vehicles for sale this time of year.
I guess the best advise I could give considering my current situation is try to relax and take your time. After a couple days I am much more clear headed now that the initial shock is over.
After you get an idea of repair cost please check with HOWA as others have suggested. This forum has been very helpful to me as well.
Prayers
Good luck
God bless
Howa links:
Emergency Fund for Nomads – Homes on Wheels Alliance
Email: [email protected]
Please consider emailing today. The sooner you get started the better as they will require you to gather/send some info about your rig/situation.
After sending the initial inquiry you will get a reply back from Bobbi, the emergency fund coordinator who has helped so many people in these types situations.
Emergency Fund for Nomads – Homes on Wheels Alliance
Email: [email protected]
Please consider emailing today. The sooner you get started the better as they will require you to gather/send some info about your rig/situation.
After sending the initial inquiry you will get a reply back from Bobbi, the emergency fund coordinator who has helped so many people in these types situations.
Katt didn’t say they needed money, so maybe drawing on HOWA funds isn’t necessary.
I don’t think I 55 runs thru Indiana, does it?
They may be in Illinois.
I don’t think I 55 runs thru Indiana, does it?
They may be in Illinois.
flying kurbmaster
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This could be as simple as a loose oil filter or could also be a blown engine by your description. If you have no schedule then relax follow your home into closest shop try to get a good nights sleep find out what really happened and what options you have moving forward. As someone suggested give it a few days to asssess the situation. Everything is repairable. Don’t panic
I wondered if "55" was a typo and they are really in I-65 which runs north/south from Indianapolis?
I always hope the Emergency fund at HOWA is not needed by anyone but it never hurts to make the info available. The more who know the better, both for emergency repairs and those who would like to donate.
I always hope the Emergency fund at HOWA is not needed by anyone but it never hurts to make the info available. The more who know the better, both for emergency repairs and those who would like to donate.
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They posted the travel route as leaving Buffalo to a stop in Chicago and on to "Route 66" and Quartzsite
Cammalu
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Katt, there is an RV park in quartzsite that rents out a few trailers. It’s Shady Lane RV park. You can’t find a couple videos of the place by looking up Finius the Skinniest on FB. I think he may own the place and he is a cat lover.
https://www.facebook.com/theadventuresoffiniustheskinniest/
https://www.facebook.com/theadventuresoffiniustheskinniest/
Bus is still waiting to be looked at, but all indications point to needing a rebuild. We'll know more tomorrow, but for now we're trying to figure out how to deal with this. We're in a hotel for now, with the cats. And yes, I was wrong on the state. We are in Pontiac IL.
Camper said:
Oh, I knew it would be big bucks to fix an engine or transmission problem, but this bus was older but low miles and the engines are supposed to be good for a half million miles before needing major work. We already gave the majority of our stuff away in Buffalo. After all of this, I'm more than willing to give up more. I just want room for our cats to spread out because I feel it's cruel to stuff them into a really small space. We have an emergency fund, it's just not THAT big. We had budgeted $15k to deal with any major failure, because that was what research showed us we would need. I guess research was wrong. Prices keep going up.
We're now looking at some Class C's that fit our budget. There are a few here in IL, but we are thinking of renting a moving truck to haul our trailer and our little Smart car to Arizona, because there seems to be a lot more for sale there.
highdesertranger
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What did they say was exactly wrong with the engine? What failed and why? What type of engine? Year? I would be hesitant to take one person word on it. Did they offer to take it off your hands? LOL Highdesertranger
