A "short" drive

Author: jawapro
Date: Tue 13/08/2013 01:08 AM




 

I’ve done some waterproofing on the Maverick and would like to take it from a drive down to a river and see how it goes - says Chris

It’ll only be a short drive - an hour or so - he says.

So I tag along is Oscar.

 

We arrived at the bridge at around 3pm. Chris assures me the river normally goes under the bridge, not over it. We’ve had a lot of rain lately.

 

Thus begins the trip itself. Chris had been here a while ago and was sure we wouldn’t have much trouble. A few water-holes, but nothing too serious.

 

Hey Rob - you’re bridged again!

Oscar doesn’t have very big wheels - so he kept getting bridged in the ruts. Chris’s winch got a work-out.

 

It wasn’t entirely one-sided though - Chris would tow me out - and then use me as a anchor to tow himself out.

 

And again...

 

And again...

Chris was stuck in this hole, so I charged past him on another track. I didn’t make it either - but that allowed him to winch himself out from me - and then winch me out later.

 

And then it got dark (it does that).

In the end, Chris was bogged facing me - while I was bridged on a rut. He couldn’t get out backwards, and driving forwards wasn’t an option with me in the way.

And then his alternator packed up from all the winching.

In the end I broke out the old trusty turfer (hand-winch) and pulled myself out backwards. Oscar was then able to storm through another track (with Chris in the wheel) with only almost falling over sideways (not quite) and then the Maverick was able to follow.

The Maverick towed me at least once more - but we finally made it out to the highway - but before we got back to Devonport, the Maverick’s clutch had given out entirely (no drive at all) so Oscar had to tow him home.

I finally arrived home at 11:30pm. So much for a short trip.

A few electrical niggles in Oscar and he seems to have doubled his fuel consumption - but he got off lightly. Chris needs a new clutch and alternator (at the least).

All in all - a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.



Comments: 1

 

Comment: 1

Author: DarthOblivion
Date: Thu 05/09/2013 09:05 AM




At least you got home - sounds like there were some fun moments in there.