Take 2: more room = more adventures!
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I hate my van.
Occasionally riding in it as a passenger the past couple weeks has alerted me to just how hard it shakes from side to side when driving. Most notably when sitting in the back, where at slow forward speeds a person is thrown side to side quite jarringly. Took it in to get a wheel alignment today, the mechanics confirmed "excessive movement" and - the bad news - various parts require replacement before it will hold an alignment. I was quoted $1260.
I think it's safe to say I've found the reason for my poor mileage.
Previously I was in less of a rush, but now I'm feeling the clock ticking to get rid of this thing ASAP before something else goes wrong on it. I cannot afford the gas, or the repairs, on this beast. It's like an iron ball and chain that holds me to a spot because I just can't afford to traipse around wherever.
UghARGh. Bad day. *combs craigslist*
Occasionally riding in it as a passenger the past couple weeks has alerted me to just how hard it shakes from side to side when driving. Most notably when sitting in the back, where at slow forward speeds a person is thrown side to side quite jarringly. Took it in to get a wheel alignment today, the mechanics confirmed "excessive movement" and - the bad news - various parts require replacement before it will hold an alignment. I was quoted $1260.
I think it's safe to say I've found the reason for my poor mileage.
Previously I was in less of a rush, but now I'm feeling the clock ticking to get rid of this thing ASAP before something else goes wrong on it. I cannot afford the gas, or the repairs, on this beast. It's like an iron ball and chain that holds me to a spot because I just can't afford to traipse around wherever.
UghARGh. Bad day. *combs craigslist*
karl
Well-known member
When I reach the point where I "hate my van", it really doesn't matter what is right about it- all I can see is the "wrong", It is then time for a change- either my thinking, or the van, or both.
Changing vehicles without a checklist formed with some consideration of what I want, and calm, direct inspection with an experienced mechanic has sometimes left me in another situation where I soon "hated" the replacement.
Take your time, have a plan, ask for and consider advice, be willing to change the plan and your thoughts.
Bitty- I really like your writing and courage. Wishing you a HOW (Home on Wheels) that fits your life.
Changing vehicles without a checklist formed with some consideration of what I want, and calm, direct inspection with an experienced mechanic has sometimes left me in another situation where I soon "hated" the replacement.
Take your time, have a plan, ask for and consider advice, be willing to change the plan and your thoughts.
Bitty- I really like your writing and courage. Wishing you a HOW (Home on Wheels) that fits your life.
karl said:
Thanks, Karl. I've been feeling the need for a different van since about a month after getting mine, it's only become a viable option a few weeks ago, which is when I started this thread to seriously hunt for another one. I've had my eye on craigslist for the past several months already to keep apprised of what's out there.
My first van was never intended to be the ideal solution - it was a stop-gap measure to get out of a bad situation ASAP and it's worked wonderfully for that. I've had to make do with it until now, but with upgrading on the horizon this new development has me experiencing the luxury of feeling completely done with it.
Apartment hunting and van hunting at the same time inbetween various medical emergencies is taking its toll. I forewent half a night's sleep and several meals in order to see about wheel alignment, and only yesterday managed to clean out my fridge which by now was full of rotted food and I knew it. I haven't done laundry in over 3 months and I own less than 3 changes of clothes total. Being able to visit friends' apartments and eat hot food at their place has been a godsend - having a van I can afford to drive around and can eat hot food in could make a really massive difference.
Honestly, I'd be okay with another stop gap van. If it's a step up from this, I'll take it. That's how the survival approach works. The van I'm considering is 2001, so far less likely to experience a series of serious mechanical issues like my '86 has had. And heat and cooking could make a really huge difference.
Up since 3am with a pretty severe anxiety attack. Further dental issues that are going to worsen in a hurry if I don't do something about them, eating soft foods when I can't cook is a joke and I don't see how I'm going to make it to the food bank during the times they're open this week. I've got 2 liters of drinking water left and haven't yet sorted a reliable plan for getting more this time, my usual locations are all temporarily unavailable for one reason or another.
For the moment, though, I'm sitting in a cafe, sipping hot tea and sponging off their electricity. The sun has just come up, a friend is calling in a couple hours to chat, and while I don't know how I'm going to spend the day without panicking, let alone productively, I have great confidence in the passage of time to occur regardless, and something somewhere will have to work out.
Had another blowout on the freeway at 1 a.m. Note that these are tires that every single freakin' person who actually looks at them says "Wow, great, tires, they should last you a while!" Cue three tires going out within a few months. Various people I know are guessing it's the severe alignment issues causing the tires to wear out prematurely in select spots. But with the quote of over 1.5k to fix it there's no way I can afford that.
I'm driving on borrowed time, avoiding freeways when possible and going even slower on them when I do. Needed an oil change since last month but haven't had the finances. Same story medically...things are going downhill and without the finances to address it I'm just holding my breath and willing my body to keep functioning.
In lighter news, the boyfriend is with me a lot these days, and life through the rose-colored glasses is awesome.
He's Mr. Street Smarts incarnate and it's been lovely to have a companion inbetween working hours, as well as increasing the safety factor. He's become the person to take care of me on days my hands aren't working or some other incapacitating factor is in play.
I'm looking to upgrade my system to include a heater and some sort of camp cookstove soon, I just need to get it a bit more organized first so those things can be operated safely. A few essential pieces of my setup recently broke beyond repair and have proven unfeasible to replace, so everything's been thrown into disorder again.
While house-sitting recently I managed to vacuum out the van, also laid down a piece of thick plastic, the kind used in construction, to make spills easier to clean up. It's on trial run...noisy to walk on and slippery, but living full time on a carpet was really getting old, and I need to work out something to do for the next van.
I'm driving on borrowed time, avoiding freeways when possible and going even slower on them when I do. Needed an oil change since last month but haven't had the finances. Same story medically...things are going downhill and without the finances to address it I'm just holding my breath and willing my body to keep functioning.
In lighter news, the boyfriend is with me a lot these days, and life through the rose-colored glasses is awesome.
He's Mr. Street Smarts incarnate and it's been lovely to have a companion inbetween working hours, as well as increasing the safety factor. He's become the person to take care of me on days my hands aren't working or some other incapacitating factor is in play.I'm looking to upgrade my system to include a heater and some sort of camp cookstove soon, I just need to get it a bit more organized first so those things can be operated safely. A few essential pieces of my setup recently broke beyond repair and have proven unfeasible to replace, so everything's been thrown into disorder again.
While house-sitting recently I managed to vacuum out the van, also laid down a piece of thick plastic, the kind used in construction, to make spills easier to clean up. It's on trial run...noisy to walk on and slippery, but living full time on a carpet was really getting old, and I need to work out something to do for the next van.
cyndi said:
No, apparently various parts need to be replaced before an alignment will actually hold. Pitman arm, idler arm, inner and outer tie rods and tie rod sleeves. And I was remembering incorrectly, the quote was "only" $1257. Still way out of budget. They said they could align the tires for me but literally the slightest bump in the road would cause it all out go out of whack again without the additional work.
Optimistic Paranoid
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Bitty said:
Correct. All the front end parts need to be tight for an alignment to accomplish anything. Loose and sloppy is probably what's causing the tire wear problems in the first place. Plus, unfortunately, that often means they're on the verge of breaking.
Regards
John
simply lesa
Well-known member
I recently had all those things done to my van. It's hard on our budgets. I'm on a low income SSDI, $800 per month.
Hang out there. I don't have advice. I am empathetic!
Your story is familiar and it has encouraged me to read your talented lovely story telling.
Thanks for sharing with me/us.
Hang out there. I don't have advice. I am empathetic!
Your story is familiar and it has encouraged me to read your talented lovely story telling.
Thanks for sharing with me/us.
Thanks, Lesla! I hope you don't mind me borrowing a little inspiration from your note to style the writing of my next update...
There are going to be days like this.
There are going to be days where your trusty urine container leaks all over the place, your van needs a jump to start and before the sun has set you're frantically calling 911 because your rig has died in a spot that's completely blocking all traffic and oh, by the way, there appears to be smoke pouring in through the vents so GET OUT ASAP.
Yes, there will be days like this.
Days like this happen when you do everything right, such as trot your rig around to a variety of mechanics and backyard handymen who, amongst other things, assured me there was absolutely zero evidence of leaks to my coolant system (repeat for issues with tires, repeat for starter, ad nauseum). Days like this will also happen from innocent error, because you'd forgotten how the summer weather would affect the fridge and it ran out your battery, or a new guy in your life distracted you or you didn't get enough sleep, or all of the above.
Whether it occurred despite the best of efforts or due to a momentary failure, these days are going to happen. And there will inevitably be not enough money, not enough time, not enough physical capacity, or emotional strength, some combination of the above, or other things - something that makes it all seem impossible.
People bridge the gap.
So there I was, stuck in a single lane between partitions blocking everyone else behind me, when the drivers of the first two immediately behind me jumped out and came over to let me know they'd try pushing me out of the way. After a scary moment of rolling backwards towards their vehicles (I hit the emergency brake in time), we quickly worked out a plan and whether by them or others I was soon moved clear of traffic.
Not a minute later another good samaritan pulled over and asked if everything was alright, if there was anything they could do.
The firefighters checked out my vehicle and said I was good to go, they said that it wasn't smoke wafting in my vents, whatever it was. So I limped to the nearest gas station where the gorgeous young clerk who previously worked at a mechanic's shop searched high and low to identify the source of the leak, as coolant was now forming puddles all along one sideboard. She's the one who figured out it was coming out inside my van, permeating the carpet throughout the front passenger's side and then dripping out onto the runnerboards. The carpet will have to be ripped out in order to find it.
The radiator needed an entire gallon of coolant...after filling the reservoir, and required topping up again less than two hours later.
"Hi...can you come?" Were there first words out of my mouth when I called my boyfriend in between the 911 call and their arrival. He came. And even when there was no longer a logistical reason to stay, he stayed, even though we'd spend nearly all the past several days together and he'd returned home specifically to take care of a few things. He stayed with me. Just to be there. And followed me to my family's place to make sure I arrived okay.
My family's place, where they'll actually be secretly glad I broke down because it means I'll stay here, and as dysfunctional as our dynamic is there's still something about coming "home", where everything is familiar and people will try to help. The minivan I'll live in next was purchased 2 days ago, they neglected to give me the chance to see it in person myself before they got it on my behalf (the intention is to trade each other), despite me explicitly stating beforehand that it was important to me to see it first - AND, despite an almost exact repeat happening nearly a year ago when they, without consulting me, bought a broken down fixer RV intending to loan me for my use and I said it wasn't something I could utilize, which caused a massive blow-up back in the day. They've since outright stated they're glad I didn't take it because it wouldn't have worked, but nevertheless second go-around and I'm still removed from the decision-making process last minute. Hopefully this time though they've hit closer to the mark.
Despite the dysfunction and how it drives me up the wall, their generosity springing from love and concern over my well-being has given me a solid plan forward where otherwise I would have been completely at a lost to scramble up a response to dig out of this hole. It means we'll have to tweak the current plan, not start from scratch.
The most recent mechanic, who spent about 2 hours with me free of charge test driving, inspecting, topped up fluids and tire pressure, and quoted me a doable pricetag to get my idler arm replaced, was also finally able to tell me why 3 of my tires have gone out in 5 months - said they're such cheap tires to begin with he'd feel lucky to get 25K miles on them, and moreover they're over 12 years old. No wonder. The final other two are running on borrowed time. And meanwhile the two brand new ones are already showing obvious damage from the alignment issue...
All these people. People hold me up when stuff crumples. And yes, people fall through, unfortunately. But not all of them do, and even those that do still come through in some ways, at some times. No matter how hard I try, or what I do, or how independent I prefer to be, it keeps coming back to people,
And because of people, I'm resting safely tonight without concern about tomorrow. This next week is going to be a sticky one, likely a rushed move into the minivan rather than a more thought-out process like I had hoped. That would make it the third vehicle I've moved into over a timeline of a few days. I'm sure vandwelling can be much more comfortable when you're able to arrange a proper setup before moving in, I simply have yet to encounter that particular luxury! Nevertheless, because of people, it is all doable. Life is doable. More 'adventure' than I'd prefer, but I think I'll make it out alright.
There are going to be days like this.
There are going to be days where your trusty urine container leaks all over the place, your van needs a jump to start and before the sun has set you're frantically calling 911 because your rig has died in a spot that's completely blocking all traffic and oh, by the way, there appears to be smoke pouring in through the vents so GET OUT ASAP.
Yes, there will be days like this.
Days like this happen when you do everything right, such as trot your rig around to a variety of mechanics and backyard handymen who, amongst other things, assured me there was absolutely zero evidence of leaks to my coolant system (repeat for issues with tires, repeat for starter, ad nauseum). Days like this will also happen from innocent error, because you'd forgotten how the summer weather would affect the fridge and it ran out your battery, or a new guy in your life distracted you or you didn't get enough sleep, or all of the above.
Whether it occurred despite the best of efforts or due to a momentary failure, these days are going to happen. And there will inevitably be not enough money, not enough time, not enough physical capacity, or emotional strength, some combination of the above, or other things - something that makes it all seem impossible.
People bridge the gap.
So there I was, stuck in a single lane between partitions blocking everyone else behind me, when the drivers of the first two immediately behind me jumped out and came over to let me know they'd try pushing me out of the way. After a scary moment of rolling backwards towards their vehicles (I hit the emergency brake in time), we quickly worked out a plan and whether by them or others I was soon moved clear of traffic.
Not a minute later another good samaritan pulled over and asked if everything was alright, if there was anything they could do.
The firefighters checked out my vehicle and said I was good to go, they said that it wasn't smoke wafting in my vents, whatever it was. So I limped to the nearest gas station where the gorgeous young clerk who previously worked at a mechanic's shop searched high and low to identify the source of the leak, as coolant was now forming puddles all along one sideboard. She's the one who figured out it was coming out inside my van, permeating the carpet throughout the front passenger's side and then dripping out onto the runnerboards. The carpet will have to be ripped out in order to find it.
The radiator needed an entire gallon of coolant...after filling the reservoir, and required topping up again less than two hours later.
"Hi...can you come?" Were there first words out of my mouth when I called my boyfriend in between the 911 call and their arrival. He came. And even when there was no longer a logistical reason to stay, he stayed, even though we'd spend nearly all the past several days together and he'd returned home specifically to take care of a few things. He stayed with me. Just to be there. And followed me to my family's place to make sure I arrived okay.
My family's place, where they'll actually be secretly glad I broke down because it means I'll stay here, and as dysfunctional as our dynamic is there's still something about coming "home", where everything is familiar and people will try to help. The minivan I'll live in next was purchased 2 days ago, they neglected to give me the chance to see it in person myself before they got it on my behalf (the intention is to trade each other), despite me explicitly stating beforehand that it was important to me to see it first - AND, despite an almost exact repeat happening nearly a year ago when they, without consulting me, bought a broken down fixer RV intending to loan me for my use and I said it wasn't something I could utilize, which caused a massive blow-up back in the day. They've since outright stated they're glad I didn't take it because it wouldn't have worked, but nevertheless second go-around and I'm still removed from the decision-making process last minute. Hopefully this time though they've hit closer to the mark.
Despite the dysfunction and how it drives me up the wall, their generosity springing from love and concern over my well-being has given me a solid plan forward where otherwise I would have been completely at a lost to scramble up a response to dig out of this hole. It means we'll have to tweak the current plan, not start from scratch.
The most recent mechanic, who spent about 2 hours with me free of charge test driving, inspecting, topped up fluids and tire pressure, and quoted me a doable pricetag to get my idler arm replaced, was also finally able to tell me why 3 of my tires have gone out in 5 months - said they're such cheap tires to begin with he'd feel lucky to get 25K miles on them, and moreover they're over 12 years old. No wonder. The final other two are running on borrowed time. And meanwhile the two brand new ones are already showing obvious damage from the alignment issue...
All these people. People hold me up when stuff crumples. And yes, people fall through, unfortunately. But not all of them do, and even those that do still come through in some ways, at some times. No matter how hard I try, or what I do, or how independent I prefer to be, it keeps coming back to people,
And because of people, I'm resting safely tonight without concern about tomorrow. This next week is going to be a sticky one, likely a rushed move into the minivan rather than a more thought-out process like I had hoped. That would make it the third vehicle I've moved into over a timeline of a few days. I'm sure vandwelling can be much more comfortable when you're able to arrange a proper setup before moving in, I simply have yet to encounter that particular luxury! Nevertheless, because of people, it is all doable. Life is doable. More 'adventure' than I'd prefer, but I think I'll make it out alright.
I was grumpy, I'll admit. I already didn't want to stay in this area, let alone put forth effort to actually find a good spot to park with relatives' driveway nearby and offered, but getting boxed in and having to trouble other people just to obtain the freedom to leave made me restless to spend the night elsewhere. The WalMart parking lot seemed reasonable enough--nearly a dozen unoccupied vehicles clearly left there for the night in a tucked away corner. I joined them. I'd stayed here once before and while not very restful, it worked.
I soon realized this was the Idiot's Hangout. A loud crash followed by swearing, extended conversations near my van as intoxicated people parked and then "hung out", and punks playing loud music with the bass turned up. After a couple hours of realizing that whenever one problematic person or crowd moved on another showed up, I decided it was time to hunt for a more peaceful spot.
Safeway might show some promise, I figured. Sure enough, towards the back of the parking lot were about half a dozen Vanpool vans, haphazardly dispersed awaiting their morning passengers. I'm not a cargo van or anything approximating one, but I can hide behind one! And the lot fills up with regular vehicles in the morning anyway. So I pulled into a semi-private spot, a nearby van blocking the majority of the view others would have of me, and turned off the ignition with a sigh of relief.
What the...
I thought it was people talking, but soon I recognized the sound I was hearing was low volume music coming from somewhere nearby.
I was in an empty parking lot, the only vehicles anywhere near me were full logo Vanpool vans. I looked around to double-check. Even cracked open my window a bit to listen better.
It was very soft music. And it was very close.
At first choosing to ignore it, I realized within 15 minutes that I simply didn't feel comfortable enough to stay. I grudgingly pulled up stakes metaphorically and rolled out.
I glanced over again as I left the parking lot. Yup, all Vanpool vans. Every single one of 'em. I could see the streetlights silhouetting through the windows of that one...that one, that one, that one, and then...BINGO.
One of them was completely blacked out.
I chuckled to myself as I drove off. Smart vandweller. Were it not for the music I'd never have known, and I only heard it because I parked within a couple spots of them.
I soon realized this was the Idiot's Hangout. A loud crash followed by swearing, extended conversations near my van as intoxicated people parked and then "hung out", and punks playing loud music with the bass turned up. After a couple hours of realizing that whenever one problematic person or crowd moved on another showed up, I decided it was time to hunt for a more peaceful spot.
Safeway might show some promise, I figured. Sure enough, towards the back of the parking lot were about half a dozen Vanpool vans, haphazardly dispersed awaiting their morning passengers. I'm not a cargo van or anything approximating one, but I can hide behind one! And the lot fills up with regular vehicles in the morning anyway. So I pulled into a semi-private spot, a nearby van blocking the majority of the view others would have of me, and turned off the ignition with a sigh of relief.
What the...
I thought it was people talking, but soon I recognized the sound I was hearing was low volume music coming from somewhere nearby.
I was in an empty parking lot, the only vehicles anywhere near me were full logo Vanpool vans. I looked around to double-check. Even cracked open my window a bit to listen better.
It was very soft music. And it was very close.
At first choosing to ignore it, I realized within 15 minutes that I simply didn't feel comfortable enough to stay. I grudgingly pulled up stakes metaphorically and rolled out.
I glanced over again as I left the parking lot. Yup, all Vanpool vans. Every single one of 'em. I could see the streetlights silhouetting through the windows of that one...that one, that one, that one, and then...BINGO.
One of them was completely blacked out.
I chuckled to myself as I drove off. Smart vandweller. Were it not for the music I'd never have known, and I only heard it because I parked within a couple spots of them.
LeeRevell
Well-known member
He may have been surprised as you cranked up and left! Thought he had this haven to himself.
Soft music would not have bothered me, especially if it was a decent type (real country, golden age rock, etc). At worse, I'd have my earplugs in and my own headphones on with MY music playing.
Soft music would not have bothered me, especially if it was a decent type (real country, golden age rock, etc). At worse, I'd have my earplugs in and my own headphones on with MY music playing.
LeeRevell said:He may have been surprised as you cranked up and left! Thought he had this haven to himself.
Soft music would not have bothered me, especially if it was a decent type (real country, golden age rock, etc). At worse, I'd have my earplugs in and my own headphones on with MY music playing.
Probably! My van would have looked a bit out of place until a few other people showed up for their morning ride, though, so I figured it best to leave it. What bothered me most about the music wasn't the music itself, but my bf would be arriving and we'd be making some 'soft music' of our own that I'd rather not be overheard...
I swear, mechanical issues will be the death of me.
So here I am, making a left turn through a moderate gap in two lanes of oncoming traffic barreling towards me at over 55mph. I step jauntily on the gas and it slowly inches me forward, now broadside to the inevitable onslaught, taking its sweet little time to crawl across that ever-important distance.
I frantically stomp the gas pedal to the ground. Zero response. Just the continuous slow inching across.
I pump the gas pedal. No difference.
They must have hit the brakes, that and I try to avoid playing those gaps too close anyway, because I made it through unscathed. Immediately pulled over, and less than a minute later my van is acting all innocent like it didn't just try to murder me in cold blood.
I decided to call its bluff, hit the gas harder than needed going up a hill and sure enough same deal - I made it up the hill at about 10mph with the gas pedal to the floor. I didn't dare stop at the stop sign, looking both ways as I approached and passing through just as a police car approached. Fantastic, I'm going to get a ticket for surviving this beast I thought to myself. But I didn't, either the cop didn't notice or had more important things to do I guess.
Of course, then it decided to start functioning again. Issue identified as "vapor lock", compounded by the current heatwave. Initiating work-arounds and jury-rigged solutions.
Did I mention that this occurred the day after my boyfriend's brakes slipped while parking on a slope, hurling us over the curb, into the pedestrian-filled sidewalk and towards the shops? No damage or harm done, but hours later he was still shaken up enough that I drove back....only in those 10 minutes of driving we had a head-on near miss when an oncoming vehicle merged fully into my lane to pass a bicycle and apparently simply didn't notice us. Had I not swerved we would've been hit.
That happened in the relative's car he was borrowing because the brakes had gone out on his own car just a week prior, nearly causing another major collision. "Why didn't he take it to a mechanic," you ask? Oh, but he did. He noticed the brakes were lacking and took it to a mechanic who ostensibly took a look and assured him that the brakes are completely fine, he just shouldn't try stopping so suddenly at high speeds. With a bunch of voices in his ear telling him he was just being overdramatic and the mechanic's all clear, he drove it another few days until loss of brakes on the freeway careened his car out of control. Second opinion mechanic says the pads are worn completely, all the way down. I'm LIVID at the first mechanic. He should totally lose his license. Not. Cool.
As I continue intermittent progress on converting the minivan while still living in this one, the heatwave is killing me and the suggestions I keep reading about only cause me to smile wryly at all the ways this van is lacking. "Use the heater core to create an air conditioner!" Don't have one, it went out last month. "Open your back doors to get a nice breeze flowing through!" Back doors don't open, they jammed a couple months after I got it and no one can get them open, which is better for personal because they wouldn't lock for a month before they jammed. "Write the height on your visor!" What visor? I don't got no stinkin' visors. Van didn't come with them and never managed to recover enough from dire mechanical issues to have the spending money for them. Of course, the summer sun is highlighting that problem all the more blazenly.
Yesterday a repetitive clunking sound began happening when idling or at low speeds. And....I don't want to know. I just don't want to know. I never did get the pitman arm replaced in order to align the wheels because on the return trip from that is when the heater core went out and my engine overheated. Now see, I thought I knew the next major problem would be another of the 12+ year monster oversized tires would go, forcing me to purchase two more, but noooo my van is holding a competition for which thing breaks first, and they're racing to beat each other to the bitter end as I'm holding on for dear life to make it through the ride in one piece.
One more AAA callout to last me until November.
Mechanics can't stop telling me how fantastic my van is, especially with all the shiny new parts in it. "You've basically got a brand new vehicle!" I've heard from more than one person. It'd be nice if it was true! And I've done the route of fixing everything wrong anyone could find on it, multiple times, and have had people - on this board, no less - say that now that my vehicle's been made reliable, I can depend on it to venture out of the city. Classically, it has continued to come up with new ways to develop emergency problems making me glad I'm closeby for help from friends and within cell range of AAA.
And now we know for certain multiple way in which it's unreliable/failing, but the funds are gone and credit has been maxed out handling all the emergency stuff.
I just hope it lasts long enough.
So here I am, making a left turn through a moderate gap in two lanes of oncoming traffic barreling towards me at over 55mph. I step jauntily on the gas and it slowly inches me forward, now broadside to the inevitable onslaught, taking its sweet little time to crawl across that ever-important distance.
I frantically stomp the gas pedal to the ground. Zero response. Just the continuous slow inching across.
I pump the gas pedal. No difference.
They must have hit the brakes, that and I try to avoid playing those gaps too close anyway, because I made it through unscathed. Immediately pulled over, and less than a minute later my van is acting all innocent like it didn't just try to murder me in cold blood.
I decided to call its bluff, hit the gas harder than needed going up a hill and sure enough same deal - I made it up the hill at about 10mph with the gas pedal to the floor. I didn't dare stop at the stop sign, looking both ways as I approached and passing through just as a police car approached. Fantastic, I'm going to get a ticket for surviving this beast I thought to myself. But I didn't, either the cop didn't notice or had more important things to do I guess.
Of course, then it decided to start functioning again. Issue identified as "vapor lock", compounded by the current heatwave. Initiating work-arounds and jury-rigged solutions.
Did I mention that this occurred the day after my boyfriend's brakes slipped while parking on a slope, hurling us over the curb, into the pedestrian-filled sidewalk and towards the shops? No damage or harm done, but hours later he was still shaken up enough that I drove back....only in those 10 minutes of driving we had a head-on near miss when an oncoming vehicle merged fully into my lane to pass a bicycle and apparently simply didn't notice us. Had I not swerved we would've been hit.
That happened in the relative's car he was borrowing because the brakes had gone out on his own car just a week prior, nearly causing another major collision. "Why didn't he take it to a mechanic," you ask? Oh, but he did. He noticed the brakes were lacking and took it to a mechanic who ostensibly took a look and assured him that the brakes are completely fine, he just shouldn't try stopping so suddenly at high speeds. With a bunch of voices in his ear telling him he was just being overdramatic and the mechanic's all clear, he drove it another few days until loss of brakes on the freeway careened his car out of control. Second opinion mechanic says the pads are worn completely, all the way down. I'm LIVID at the first mechanic. He should totally lose his license. Not. Cool.
As I continue intermittent progress on converting the minivan while still living in this one, the heatwave is killing me and the suggestions I keep reading about only cause me to smile wryly at all the ways this van is lacking. "Use the heater core to create an air conditioner!" Don't have one, it went out last month. "Open your back doors to get a nice breeze flowing through!" Back doors don't open, they jammed a couple months after I got it and no one can get them open, which is better for personal because they wouldn't lock for a month before they jammed. "Write the height on your visor!" What visor? I don't got no stinkin' visors. Van didn't come with them and never managed to recover enough from dire mechanical issues to have the spending money for them. Of course, the summer sun is highlighting that problem all the more blazenly.
Yesterday a repetitive clunking sound began happening when idling or at low speeds. And....I don't want to know. I just don't want to know. I never did get the pitman arm replaced in order to align the wheels because on the return trip from that is when the heater core went out and my engine overheated. Now see, I thought I knew the next major problem would be another of the 12+ year monster oversized tires would go, forcing me to purchase two more, but noooo my van is holding a competition for which thing breaks first, and they're racing to beat each other to the bitter end as I'm holding on for dear life to make it through the ride in one piece.
One more AAA callout to last me until November.
Mechanics can't stop telling me how fantastic my van is, especially with all the shiny new parts in it. "You've basically got a brand new vehicle!" I've heard from more than one person. It'd be nice if it was true! And I've done the route of fixing everything wrong anyone could find on it, multiple times, and have had people - on this board, no less - say that now that my vehicle's been made reliable, I can depend on it to venture out of the city. Classically, it has continued to come up with new ways to develop emergency problems making me glad I'm closeby for help from friends and within cell range of AAA.
And now we know for certain multiple way in which it's unreliable/failing, but the funds are gone and credit has been maxed out handling all the emergency stuff.
I just hope it lasts long enough.
simply lesa
Well-known member
Bitty keep smiling as I am sure you will.
I just had my SSDI income lowered - a mistake of course yet who knows who what where or when it might be fixed, my food stamps went from $70 to $19 a month and the end of May early June's van repair was $480.
My initial response - cry a few frustrated tears and shake an angry fist at the incompetent system...that done, deep breath and find a creative plan to keep from sinking.
I'm still here.
Still treading water. ..
Hugs
(I don't know if it gets better though it will get different)
I just had my SSDI income lowered - a mistake of course yet who knows who what where or when it might be fixed, my food stamps went from $70 to $19 a month and the end of May early June's van repair was $480.
My initial response - cry a few frustrated tears and shake an angry fist at the incompetent system...that done, deep breath and find a creative plan to keep from sinking.
I'm still here.
Still treading water. ..
Hugs
(I don't know if it gets better though it will get different)
I cannot say I'd recommend living in an SUV.
Yet here I am, spending my fourth night in one. The same one, actually, that I once lived in for nearly two weeks, though that was stationary in the garage so I don't really count that. This...this is happening. First three nights were at a campground where the timing of my van's breakdown coincided with a previously planned group campout. So instead of bringing my van, last minute I actually had to pack. Threw my would-be minivan bed into the SUV, worked out privacy curtains, Grabbed a cooler and tossed in anything else that might be needed and we were off.
Did I mention this SUV is sleeping two?
Did I mention that I'm 5'2" and cannot stretch out fully in the back?
It's interesting times, I tell ya.
This was my first vandwelling experience where there was no call for stealth, which was a very pleasant change of pace. Now that that's over I'm probably looking at living out of rather than in the SUV. I found a friend's driveway to crash in for at least the next few nights, neighbors have an RV someone's living out of so I'm hopeful there won't be any problems, even despite the lack of tinting on the windows. If it looks like it'll be longer I'll haul up my stick-on tinting, I just didn't want to take it off the van windows yet. Makeshift curtains have been created from sheets, using a credit card to tuck them into crevasses and tied around grab handles and such. It works for privacy but again, definitely not stealth. I need more than a few hours to make something stealthy. Not much more, mind you, but certainly more.
Rushing to temporarily move into a vehicle is not an odd kind of normal for me. It's always happened this way - I must have someplace to stay by that night and I must leave, so whip up my best shot and I'm outta there, ready or not.
I'm hoping this is temporary, but I cannot live between three vehicles. Today I consolidated and packed and sorted to definitively make it one. And that one will last me long as it has to, though it might not be as comfortable a stay as I'd like.
In other news, my O2Cool fan came...the model that you can hang from the ceiling. It's now hanging from the roof of the SUV and totally makes me happy when I see it. Not that I'll be able to hang out in the SUV much anyway but with it reaching over 102 in the sun and easily 90's in mostly shade at the campout with all windows and doors open, having a fan now is at least a hopeful symbol that those heat blisters we keep getting and the recurring bouts of heat exhaustion are perhaps a thing of the past.
I am so tired.
Did I mention I did all this today with a fever of over a hundred and I didn't eat any solid food until sometime after 6pm? This, too, is a strange kind of normal...
Yet here I am, spending my fourth night in one. The same one, actually, that I once lived in for nearly two weeks, though that was stationary in the garage so I don't really count that. This...this is happening. First three nights were at a campground where the timing of my van's breakdown coincided with a previously planned group campout. So instead of bringing my van, last minute I actually had to pack. Threw my would-be minivan bed into the SUV, worked out privacy curtains, Grabbed a cooler and tossed in anything else that might be needed and we were off.
Did I mention this SUV is sleeping two?
Did I mention that I'm 5'2" and cannot stretch out fully in the back?
It's interesting times, I tell ya.
This was my first vandwelling experience where there was no call for stealth, which was a very pleasant change of pace. Now that that's over I'm probably looking at living out of rather than in the SUV. I found a friend's driveway to crash in for at least the next few nights, neighbors have an RV someone's living out of so I'm hopeful there won't be any problems, even despite the lack of tinting on the windows. If it looks like it'll be longer I'll haul up my stick-on tinting, I just didn't want to take it off the van windows yet. Makeshift curtains have been created from sheets, using a credit card to tuck them into crevasses and tied around grab handles and such. It works for privacy but again, definitely not stealth. I need more than a few hours to make something stealthy. Not much more, mind you, but certainly more.
Rushing to temporarily move into a vehicle is not an odd kind of normal for me. It's always happened this way - I must have someplace to stay by that night and I must leave, so whip up my best shot and I'm outta there, ready or not.
I'm hoping this is temporary, but I cannot live between three vehicles. Today I consolidated and packed and sorted to definitively make it one. And that one will last me long as it has to, though it might not be as comfortable a stay as I'd like.
In other news, my O2Cool fan came...the model that you can hang from the ceiling. It's now hanging from the roof of the SUV and totally makes me happy when I see it. Not that I'll be able to hang out in the SUV much anyway but with it reaching over 102 in the sun and easily 90's in mostly shade at the campout with all windows and doors open, having a fan now is at least a hopeful symbol that those heat blisters we keep getting and the recurring bouts of heat exhaustion are perhaps a thing of the past.
I am so tired.
Did I mention I did all this today with a fever of over a hundred and I didn't eat any solid food until sometime after 6pm? This, too, is a strange kind of normal...
masterplumber
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Keep on keeping on Bitty. Sometimes a vehicle is a lemon, for no other reason than it is. My only real lemon was a Toyota of all things, and it also is the only vehicle I've ever taken to a mechanic to check out before buying - someone I did, and still do trust. Sometimes they just are a bad egg. Here's hoping you can get into your mini van soon and get rid of the beast.
