Well, I couldn't sleep after midnight. Not sure why, excited, ready to go, I don't know. But I couldn't sleep. So I got out of bed around 0100est, got dressed and sis a little 'real' work. It started out all normal. Started the truck to let it warm up, checked the trailer lights, kicked the tires, and loaded up the truck. The next few hours are covered in an email I sent my Bud Jay in FL, who was to meet me oin JAX to pick up a bike for him. I'll just let the letter speak for itself. I think it really captures the moment and I'd like not to lose it in translation,...Somwhat edited for general public. If you didn't click on the letter above, click here...
Some pic's not for youngsters!
I hit Rock Hill, SC and couldn't tell if the trailer lights were on. I was thinking to myself, it would be smart if they had put mark lights on the side of the trailer so I could just check my mirror, you know. Anyhow, the second though hits me, it's 0200est and cars have been passing me. I'm only doing 75 mph w/ big ugly (my truck) and trailer. If someone noticed my trailer lights were out, they'd yell at me. I would do that same, right? Hell no! The first though got to me and I pulled over at a rest stop. Nowhere near a half tank used. (If anyone knows me, I hate to stop for anything. I get to point B as fast as possible and get off the road. It is best for everyone) As I stopped I realized that I had the trailer and couldn't just park like others, so I acted like a semi truck and just pulled over on the side of the on ramp. Walked out and checked the lights. Shit, no lights. So I looks at my light adapter and saw no adapter on my truck plug. What the hell. The wires were wrap up over teh tounge of the trailer and down though the fork of the tounge on the road. As I pulled them up, all six wires were grounded down to bare wire! Oh great, 0300est and I've got no trailer lights. Now if this isn't a cop magnet, I'm not sure what is. So I pulled out my trusty Leatherman and went at it. I knew which prong in my truck ligh adpater was the tail lights. It was the one next to the constant on electric brake prong. I took the two white wires from the trailer, spliced and twisted them togetther and wedged them between the tail light and electric brake prongs. Yippy, yahoo! Tail lights. No brake or turn signal, but that is no big deal. My truck tail lights are wider then the trailer so anyone can see my actions. Just tail lights on the trailer is all I needed. Hot damn!
I continued down the road and did very well at 75 for a good while until....I heard a tapping just across the border in FL. I stopped just north of Daytona at a rest stop to check it out and take a strech break. I popped the hood and turned the truck over. Yup, it sounds like a value, most likley low oil. I limped it down to a gas station at Bunnell Rd. I started the gas pumped and went in for some oil. I thought I'd get 3 quarts; 1 to fill up and 2 for spares. Well, it ended up taking 4 quarts! Yes, I was that low! The truck has a 454, 7.4L engine. So it takes 8 quarts as it is. Well, the tapping was gone and oil pressure was up over 30psi again. So down the raod I humped. I finally got to Jay's around 1000est. I soon made a few calls to get the oil and transmission oil change. Mienke was it. Only one on Saturday that was able to get it done on Saturday too. Dropped it off at 1330est and picked it up at 1450est. On time and done. Now I could feel the truck shift MUCH better and the oil pressure was dead on. Plus, it ran a bit cooler.