7/28/2015
Stuck in the Mud
Rescued by CoachNet |
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| Jim2 03 December 2009 06:18 PM |
Although my Volvo has driven all around my NM ranch gravel driveway & RV parking area when its dry; the 4" of rain we had here earlier this week, turned most of the ranch into a mud bog. I noticed the Volvo wheels sinking down into the mud, while just sitting still where I had parked it in front of the Teton. So I thought I would try to move it to firmer ground on the main driveway. Despite my best attempt not to spin the wheels, they spun immediately and quickly dug it in deeper. It was clear I was only making the situation worse and needed help. A call to CoachNet brought a well equipped & experienced tow truck. He was able to easily winch the Volvo out of the soft mud onto firmer ground.
I didn't get a "before" pic, but here is one after the rescue, & after 2 days of sun drying out the mud hole. Hmm, doesn't want to show my pic, so here is a link.. Volvo & Mud Any secret method to not spinning the wheels in mud? |
| Tetoner 03 December 2009 06:50 PM |
Jim,,, Best way I've found to do it is start out in a higher gear. In a 10 speed AutoShift, try 5th or 6th, maybe even 7th. Watch the front axle, its the heavy one without a lot of footprint and will sink out of sight in a heartbeat!!! Take care Mike |
| 'Nuf Truck 03 December 2009 06:58 PM |
Your experience reminds me of parking at a field trial camp after a few inches of rain several years ago. I committed the unforgivable sin of not walking my intended parking spot ahead of venturing in. Luckily I was backing the trailer in rather than pulling forward, but I managed to bury both axles in the mud. Wet Ground Imagine: with the 3 horses, full water and tack, etc., the trailer ways 22K+, and 16K of that is back there on the two tandem axles! I tried to pull out in normal drive with TCS on, then off -- getting deeper! Luckily, I had the locking differential available, and with it engaged and in 3rd gear we walked the trailer back out of there. Extracted! We found higher ground for the weekend! Camped!
Note to self: 1) Always walk the site first; 2) if possible, keep the steers and drivers on better ground than the trailer! |
| J.W. Morgan 03 December 2009 07:42 PM |
Well I try to spin the wheels to get them to clean out in a rain/mud situation. I will go the high side, lock whatever will lock in, and give it hell. If it starts moving DONT QUIT, if it doesn't budge get something to pull it with. Sometimes a half ton pick up is enough to get you moving again. Every situation is different, enough experience will tell you what works best |
| RandyA 03 December 2009 07:59 PM |
 I had almost an identical experience Tuesday. Lots of rain here and the ground is soft. I let the front wheel run off the gravel driveway turning around. The wheel sunk in to the axle. Could not go forward or backward.
I called Coach Net. I told the man who answered I had a big truck. He said, "No problem." Thirty minutes later a HD wrecker was here to winch me out. You can bet GS Emergency Road Service or AAA RV+ would not have responded so efficiently and promptly. I did make a photo: |
| The Big Kid 04 December 2009 12:06 PM |
Sounds like we need to break into a song
Put together an all bad band, adjust some words for Volvo/Kenworth etc. (and legalities) and you too could be famous. |
| horsecampers 04 December 2009 12:24 PM |
I have Good Sam Emergency Road Service and need to renew it in a few months. Can someone give me an idea of the cost of the CoachNet service so I can compare them. I have heard good and bad about the GS service, but I have never had the need to use them.. Thank You !! |
| horsecampers 04 December 2009 12:29 PM |
I just got off the phone with Good Sam. They told me they would NOT cover my Volvo for any type of tow if it was NOT connected to my trailer. They just lost a customer !!!!!!!!!!
Just did a search on CoachNet. Looks like they are the way to go. I will be switching ASAP... |
| jblscooper 04 December 2009 03:04 PM |
Prof! Now that you have created the world's longest thread (Chinese generators) at rv.net, welcome to the SKP forum!! Looking forward to your inputs to the DARK SIDE. Jim |
| 'Nuf Truck 04 December 2009 06:08 PM |
Greg, You made a wise choice, at least for what you and I do with our HDTs. Had you required a roadside service for, say, a tire change, you would have found out (as I did) that GS will deny you service under their policy because you are carrying livestock! I had occasion to need help after a blow-out on I-5 a couple years ago, and when on the phone with GS and in trying to be sure they sent a heavy duty rig, I discovered that since my RV is also a horse trailer, they would not send anything. Cancelled them right there on the spot. I have AAA RV Plus, have had a couple roadside assistance calls to them, and never a problem. |
| horsecampers 04 December 2009 08:13 PM |
Thanks Cal. Glad I haven't needed GS. Would have gone postal on them !!!!! |
| RandyA 05 December 2009 09:26 PM |
Thank you. I promise not to mix Swedish and Chinese issues on this thread.
My first RV road service was AAA RV+. Great for cars, useless for dually trucks. They would tow a MH but not change a tire. Would do nothing for my dually. Switched to Good Sam ERS. What a joke. Both times I needed assistance they could not find anyone who would come out to help me. Never again! Coach Net came through on the HDT. Also on my daughter's car several months ago. I did not need any assistance the first year so they kept my membership fee. I believe I have gotten it back this year. I'll stick with CN. |
| Motor31 06 December 2009 02:59 PM |
What is the approximately cost of CoachNet for a year? |
| Jim2 06 December 2009 04:20 PM |
It's approximately $100 a year, depending whether you choose their gold or platinum plan. |
| 'Nuf Truck 07 December 2009 10:41 AM |
I noticed a couple criticisms of AAA-RV Plus above and decided to call them to verify my reliance on them. I have had them since 2004, have had a couple roadside assistance claims, and both times they responded promptly and with suitable equipment. In neither case did they balk at the service (tire changes on the trailer). However, when I called them yesterday I explained my concern regarding more serious emergencies, say requiring a tow of both HDT and trailer. I'm glad I did. They did not seem concerned with the HDT, once I was able to communicate what a 2005 Volvo VNL630 is! But, as they understood that my trailer is for people AND horses, they came apart. No way would they be assisting us in moving the animals. The disappointing thing about this conversation is that I had switched to AAA from GS after a GS denial of roadside service due to the animals. In the middle of the emergency! So, when I called AAA I was clear then about our configuration including horses, and the customer service person did not indicate a problem. I guess it's a little dependent on who you get as to whether you're covered. In any event, on the strength of people posting here I just signed up with CoachNet over the phone, after explaining the same specifics to them. She did ask if my trailer has electric or air brakes, though I don't know if it had air would it have been a problem. I bought the Platinum coverage for $308/3-years. That's about $50/yr. cheaper than AAA RV Plus. PS on edit -- I had meant to comment, Professor95, that's some serious mud! Pretty sure my locking differential would NOT have made any difference in your situation! |
| Tetoner 07 December 2009 01:42 PM |
I say again, will CoachNet haul your horses? |
| Nolan 08 December 2009 12:16 PM |
We have had GS ERS for 5 years. Used them once. No complaints. |
| 'Nuf Truck 08 December 2009 05:18 PM |
I meant to say "Yes," by towing the trailer with the horses on board. They don't /won't separately haul the horses, at least I don't think they would. I didn't actually ask that, as it's unlikely the trailer would be unavailable. I guess if it were, I have some pretty big problems, and in this case if CoachNet won't separately haul them, the cost of hiring someone to "haul" the horses may be incidentally compared to the trailer repair itself. |
| Tetoner 08 December 2009 05:57 PM |
That's what I was thinking Cal. I would want to make sure they both (CoachNet and AAA or C/W) were aware of that. They sure aren't used to horse trailers and especially Horses. Being an ole Rodeo Cowboy for years I can understand that. You sure can't tie the horses up along the road and leave them. Then again I can't see the wrecker driver loading your Trailer on a flat bed or low boy with Horses in it. Maybe they will, but It may be good to know BEFORE the fact. Out on the side of the road is not a good place to get the bad news. regards Mike |
| J.W. Morgan 08 December 2009 08:32 PM |
IIRC, In the next town over, Shelbyville, TN (Walking Horse capitol of the world) They will send out an extra truck and/or trailer if Horses are involved. There are some rather pricey four legged creatures around here. |