Trip put on hold - bad luck for me - 2 less sleds on the trails this week

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slednek

Member
So I was supposed to be waking up in Houghton this morning to the fresh snow. Instead I cancelled my vacation days and showed up to work. Last Monday I was driving to work and noticed a growling noise in the rear end of my truck. Heard it again on my way home. Thinking it was a carrier bearing and not wanting to do it myself, I called my mechanic to see if he could fix it. He said that he could get to Thursday and have me on my way Sunday. I called him Thursday afternoon to see how everything was going. He told me that wasn't the carrier bearings, but the pinion bearings and he got the kit in but the bearings were the wrong size. Said that the right bearing were to be there by 3PM and would still have it done today - at the latest Friday morning. Friday morning came and I get a text - still trying to find the right bearings after calling Ford dealerships around the area and all auto parts stores. Mechanic told me he would find it and fix it for me on Saturday between his son's state basketball games to make sure I could head north. Fearing the worst case scenario, I would have to cancel my hotel reservation at the Super 8 - (you know the 24 hour thing). About 12 noon on Saturday - I had to make that call. I texted my mechanic and thanked him for his effort, but to enjoy his son's games and don't worry about my truck until Monday.

He said that Ford had switched bearings mid year in 09 and he can't find the right ones. Hopefully today he will have better news for me after a bearing specialty shop opens!

Enjoy the trails for me this week. I'm not able to get away for another few weeks now, so hopefully the snow keeps coming!

Bummed back at work!
Dave
 
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Deleted member 10829

Guest
That sucks Dave! I hope you're able to go in a few weeks and u have great conditions!
 
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durphee

Well-known member
That's a bummer, hope next trip works out! I have been lucky this year, I had 2 instances where I thought my trips were gonna be done. First, the A arm bolt that attaches to the bulk came loose and fell out. Thought I ripped the mount out, luckily that was not the case. Second,i was adjusting my shocks and putting more pressure on the skis and unscrewed the cap and the inflating piece broke off and all the air came out. I was sitting there with a small broken piece in my hand thinking I am done for. Called dealer and they had one in stock and were open for another hour. I know my luck is gonna run out at some point!
 
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polarisman_98

Member
What a let down man! Sorry you had to cancel. We look forward to these trips for a long time and its such a short season. Such a bummer when things like this happen.
 
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roundhouse

Member
It raises an interesting question I'll throw out there, has anyone had to rent a truck to save a trip vs. renting sleds? Renting a truck may be less per day than sleds if you have your own already and just need something to pull them with.
 
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slednek

Member
I considered that option, even borrowing my father-in-laws truck. But there were some other issues that went unsaid. It just seemed that this trip just wasn't meant to be at this time!
 
T

Tracker

Guest
roundhouse said:
It raises an interesting question I'll throw out there, has anyone had to rent a truck to save a trip vs. renting sleds? Renting a truck may be less per day than sleds if you have your own already and just need something to pull them with.
Click to expand...

I have...just search for one in rental lot that has the ball or hookups....don't tell them your trailering or you wont be able to rent....and....don't wreck it....because you invoke LARUE's LOGGERS #1 RULE when doing this....and its this

YOUR THE PILOT ON THIS FLIGHT


plus side....you go sledding
 
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POLARISDAN

New member
durphee said:
That's a bummer, hope next trip works out! I have been lucky this year, I had 2 instances where I thought my trips were gonna be done. First, the A arm bolt that attaches to the bulk came loose and fell out. Thought I ripped the mount out, luckily that was not the case. Second,i was adjusting my shocks and putting more pressure on the skis and unscrewed the cap and the inflating piece broke off and all the air came out. I was sitting there with a small broken piece in my hand thinking I am done for. Called dealer and they had one in stock and were open for another hour. I know my luck is gonna run out at some point!
Click to expand...

Not on my watch...4..3..2..1...Let's GO
 
1

1fujifilm

Well-known member
Tracker said:
I have...just search for one in rental lot that has the ball or hookups....don't tell them your trailering or you wont be able to rent....and....don't wreck it....because you invoke LARUE's LOGGERS #1 RULE when doing this....and its this

YOUR THE PILOT ON THIS FLIGHT


plus side....you go sledding
Click to expand...

In Green Bay, WI Enterprise rents trucks...and they will pick you up (lol).

Bear

- - - Updated - - -

slednek said:
So I was supposed to be waking up in Houghton this morning to the fresh snow. Instead I cancelled my vacation days and showed up to work. Last Monday I was driving to work and noticed a growling noise in the rear end of my truck. Heard it again on my way home. Thinking it was a carrier bearing and not wanting to do it myself, I called my mechanic to see if he could fix it. He said that he could get to Thursday and have me on my way Sunday. I called him Thursday afternoon to see how everything was going. He told me that wasn't the carrier bearings, but the pinion bearings and he got the kit in but the bearings were the wrong size. Said that the right bearing were to be there by 3PM and would still have it done today - at the latest Friday morning. Friday morning came and I get a text - still trying to find the right bearings after calling Ford dealerships around the area and all auto parts stores. Mechanic told me he would find it and fix it for me on Saturday between his son's state basketball games to make sure I could head north. Fearing the worst case scenario, I would have to cancel my hotel reservation at the Super 8 - (you know the 24 hour thing). About 12 noon on Saturday - I had to make that call. I texted my mechanic and thanked him for his effort, but to enjoy his son's games and don't worry about my truck until Monday.

He said that Ford had switched bearings mid year in 09 and he can't find the right ones. Hopefully today he will have better news for me after a bearing specialty shop opens!

Enjoy the trails for me this week. I'm not able to get away for another few weeks now, so hopefully the snow keeps coming!

Bummed back at work!
Dave
Click to expand...

If we would ever get some damn snow (or it would stay cold) I could just drive my sled from home (Green Bay, WI) to points north (Eagle River, WI, Watersmeet and up to Copper Harbor) as we did just three years ago.

Bear
 
S

slednek

Member
1fujifilm said:
In Green Bay, WI Enterprise rents trucks...and they will pick you up (lol).

Bear

- - - Updated - - -



If we would ever get some damn snow (or it would stay cold) I could just drive my sled from home (Green Bay, WI) to points north (Eagle River, WI, Watersmeet and up to Copper Harbor) as we did just three years ago.

Bear
Click to expand...

Really tough to do from Peoria. It's 10 hours in the truck - can't imagine what it would be by sled even if we did have snow. 48 degrees here now with rain in the forecast (sad face)

Dave
 
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1fujifilm

Well-known member
slednek said:
Really tough to do from Peoria. It's 10 hours in the truck - can't imagine what it would be by sled even if we did have snow. 48 degrees here now with rain in the forecast (sad face)

Dave
Click to expand...

I hear you bud, Green Bay probably has the same weather Peoria had 20 years ago; warmer and less snow.

Bear
 
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sledjunkie25

Member
I've missed 2 trips so far this year and likely will not be able to take one this year because I tried to cut my thumb off January 2nd. Will be the first year since 2003 that I haven't went on a sled trip..sigh
 
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slednek

Member
sledjunkie25 said:
I've missed 2 trips so far this year and likely will not be able to take one this year because I tried to cut my thumb off January 2nd. Will be the first year since 2003 that I haven't went on a sled trip..sigh
Click to expand...
Ok you win on the oneupmanship! Hey you could still go and rent a two up and have your wife drive you around!
 
T

Tracker

Guest
sledjunkie...you CAN go....you meent ta tell me youse guys never heard of.....LEFTIES....left handed snowmobile throttle....they used out west all da time....just install one o these dudes and your on yer way...thank me later will ya

http://www.leftythrottle.com/AboutModelExclusiveDTC.htm

dtc-1001(1).JPG
 
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