September BS thread!
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 607
Likes: 3
From: CT
Bummer. 
You were lucky to be able to stop safely pulling a trailer!!!
Had the same problem about 3 years ago. Pulled out of my driveway, tried to brake and had no brake pressure whatsoever. Ended up partially on a neighbor's front lawn before I could stop the Lincoln. (My wife and sons were yelling at me for driving like a crazy person, then changed their tune when I showed them the nearly empty master cylinder.)
After changing my shorts...I quickly found the broken brake line, but when I tried to patch the small "bad" section, the rest of the lines were super fragile and cracked wherever I touched them. Basically ended up redoing all of the lines from Master Cylinder on back. Plus, I decided to change out the front brake hoses. Hope you get off easier on your repair.
I blame it on the brine that the State of CT uses on the US highways/state roads & bridges in advance of a snow storm. I think it's Magnesium Chloride-based and in addition to melting snow/ice it eats brake lines.
I will be spraying the underside of my truck with Fluid-Film this winter.
You were lucky to be able to stop safely pulling a trailer!!! Had the same problem about 3 years ago. Pulled out of my driveway, tried to brake and had no brake pressure whatsoever. Ended up partially on a neighbor's front lawn before I could stop the Lincoln. (My wife and sons were yelling at me for driving like a crazy person, then changed their tune when I showed them the nearly empty master cylinder.)
After changing my shorts...I quickly found the broken brake line, but when I tried to patch the small "bad" section, the rest of the lines were super fragile and cracked wherever I touched them. Basically ended up redoing all of the lines from Master Cylinder on back. Plus, I decided to change out the front brake hoses. Hope you get off easier on your repair.
I blame it on the brine that the State of CT uses on the US highways/state roads & bridges in advance of a snow storm. I think it's Magnesium Chloride-based and in addition to melting snow/ice it eats brake lines.
I will be spraying the underside of my truck with Fluid-Film this winter.
Last edited by RightWingNutJob; Sep 4, 2015 at 07:39 AM. Reason: sp
Thread Starter
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
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From: Isanti, MN
<p>My trailer has electric brakes, so it was actually better with the trailer than if I didn't have it. I still had brakes, but they weren't great and I knew I was on borrowed time. I had my brake controller in hand, I could have stopped the whole thing with the trailer brakes if I needed to. </p><p>The shop opens up in 20 minutes, so I hope to have an ETA on the repair soon. </p>
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,058
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
Tom, as much as most people would consider it bad luck, I think it was good luck because you were able to get stopped safely and at a motel no less. Only place better to break down would be a bar 
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
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From: Isanti, MN
<p>Very true Greg, I was thinking how fortunate the whole situation was. </p><p>I found after I got it stopped that AAA wouldn't pay to tow my trailer. But I just so happened to be parked in a place I could get a cheap room for the night and not need to have it towed! If that had happened in the express lanes of I-94 going through Chicago it would have been much more frustrating for me and the thousands of others that would have been affected! </p>
Thread Starter
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Yep, they wanted an additional $70 to tow that. I think he hung up on me when I told him that was ridiculous.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
I have AAA Premier, I got that one because they'll tow me 200 miles. Apparently they would be happy to tow an RV, but an ATV trailer doesn't qualify. 
The good news is they cover trip interruption expenses. I just have to submit some paperwork and they should pay the hotel bill for last night.
The shop treated me right, I was on the road around noon today for $120. Relatively uneventful trip the rest of the way. Stopped in Wisconsin Dells for gas and noticed some end play on one of my trailer wheels. Popped the cap and tightened the axle nut, then stopped at the Wal-Mart in Tomah to get a grease gun and give each side a few pumps. I don't think either was truly necessary, but it made me feel better for the last 200 miles of the trip.
Made it to the new house at 8:30 tonight. I'll unload the trailer tomorrow, I'm beat!
The good news is they cover trip interruption expenses. I just have to submit some paperwork and they should pay the hotel bill for last night.
The shop treated me right, I was on the road around noon today for $120. Relatively uneventful trip the rest of the way. Stopped in Wisconsin Dells for gas and noticed some end play on one of my trailer wheels. Popped the cap and tightened the axle nut, then stopped at the Wal-Mart in Tomah to get a grease gun and give each side a few pumps. I don't think either was truly necessary, but it made me feel better for the last 200 miles of the trip.
Made it to the new house at 8:30 tonight. I'll unload the trailer tomorrow, I'm beat!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
Morning all.
Tom, glad to see you made it to your new home in one piece, without a lot of drama. You really can't complain, she is still running. And a good story down the road. Best of luck in your new home.
Tom, glad to see you made it to your new home in one piece, without a lot of drama. You really can't complain, she is still running. And a good story down the road. Best of luck in your new home.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,753
Likes: 5
From: Middletown, CT
Glad you made it safe and sound, Tom.
Seems as though we are going to have a very beautiful weekend here in CT. Hope everybody has a chance to enjoy it with family and friends. I enjoyed towing my daughter around the yard this morning, her in the kayak and me on the lawn mower. She seemed to enjoy that a good amount. You'd never be able to tell from her facial expression, but anytime I would stop at the house after a lap she would ask for more. It was a nice way to keep her distracted while mommy dyed her hair.
Seems as though we are going to have a very beautiful weekend here in CT. Hope everybody has a chance to enjoy it with family and friends. I enjoyed towing my daughter around the yard this morning, her in the kayak and me on the lawn mower. She seemed to enjoy that a good amount. You'd never be able to tell from her facial expression, but anytime I would stop at the house after a lap she would ask for more. It was a nice way to keep her distracted while mommy dyed her hair.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Good morning everyone,
Lots to get done today. Have to unload everything and figure out where it all goes. Which is tough to do without furniture, all of our household goods are still in a warehouse in New London. As of now they haven't found a driver to bring our stuff out here.
Definitely need to downsize. The total weight of the stuff we had the movers take was 10,840 lbs, and they will only pay for 11,000 lbs. It's a good thing I set aside the heavy stuff and hauled it myself!
Lots to get done today. Have to unload everything and figure out where it all goes. Which is tough to do without furniture, all of our household goods are still in a warehouse in New London. As of now they haven't found a driver to bring our stuff out here.
Definitely need to downsize. The total weight of the stuff we had the movers take was 10,840 lbs, and they will only pay for 11,000 lbs. It's a good thing I set aside the heavy stuff and hauled it myself!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
Good morning all,
It's a gorgeous morning out there this Sunday morning up here in the quiet corner of the state. We are enjoying the peace and quiet with a cup of black coffee with the birds singing in the trees.
Wife and I went out looking at 5th wheeler in Union, CT. She seem to fall in love with one. Will wait and see if this is the one she will buy. You can't believe the things that are now in these campers. units on the wall to charge your phone and computers, 50" televisions, blue ray disc players, surround sound, fire places, theater seating, real beds, and the amount of storage is incredible. A long way from my two man tent that we started out with.
It's a gorgeous morning out there this Sunday morning up here in the quiet corner of the state. We are enjoying the peace and quiet with a cup of black coffee with the birds singing in the trees.
Wife and I went out looking at 5th wheeler in Union, CT. She seem to fall in love with one. Will wait and see if this is the one she will buy. You can't believe the things that are now in these campers. units on the wall to charge your phone and computers, 50" televisions, blue ray disc players, surround sound, fire places, theater seating, real beds, and the amount of storage is incredible. A long way from my two man tent that we started out with.