The trip to Walcott aka Adventures in Antique Trucking

[thomastractorsvc]

As Superdog mentioned in his thread we did some horse trading.

Awhile back I already made some hotel arrangements and was going to take the pickup up and see the Walcott Truck show but as time progressed and my work on the sleeper install and the painters availability slowed I decided to postpone the painting a few weeks and use the Superliner and take the refurbished trailer and haul both of the trucks at one time and bring back both of the A54 trucks. In theory it sounds like a smart choice. It did have some risks an untried truck and trailer on a 725 mile trip but I figured I did a lot of work to both and felt confidant in my skills so the decision was made and I made preparations to check and double check the truck and trailer out. If you read any of my posts on the Superliner or Trailer I have done a lot of work to both to make them safe and reliable.

On 9 July I loaded the two B30s up and all the assorted spare parts, some door panels for a Superliner I picked up from a guy in Ohio when I got the sleeper and hood and started packing a tool box to take with. Checked the air in the all the tires and found a tire on the truck that had 60lbs in it and aired it up then moved on to the others. While I was walking back to the shop I heard a air leaking so I went over and found that the tire had a plug in it that only leaked when it had more than 60 lbs of air. Since it was an inside tire I pulled the tires off and put two different ones on. After finishing up with the PM stuff, getting loaded and packing I dropped the trailer and took the truck into town to get serviced at Speedco, put some fuel in her, then went home and hooked back up to the trailer, checked the lights and shut her down til morning.

The next morning I checked the truck and trailer out again the chains and binders the straps and tie downs. I also checked the two mounted trailer spares and an unmounted truck tire and the ramps. While I was doing that my wife said she was going to run to the store and pick up some snacks for the boys. When my wife got home from the store we did the bathroom breaks again and headed out. My wife followed me and I took it kind of slow making sure that everything was getting used to working after being replaced, repaired or inspected. The truck pulled along nicely between 50 to 55 on the County Roads and then we made our way on to some State Highways. The A/C working like it should the windows up and fairly quite. The speed limit on the State Highway was 65 so pushed up to 60 than 65. My son used my phone and texted my wife's phone and asked how fast we were going, my other son who was with her texted back 65, I checked the the truck speedo it was right on and the tach was hovering around 1700 rpms. (The truck has a 440 Cummins 13 speed fuller and 4.17 Mack rears). We cruised right along for a couple hours when bang I lost a tire on the trailer. I pulled over and it was the drivers side inner rear. I had seen a sign for a truck repair place that was a few miles up the road so I said we will just head up there and have them change the tire it should be quicker than if I do it.

So back on the road a few miles and we pulled in. The owner of Ricks Repair was outside and I asked if they would be able to change it out as I had a spare, no problem he says back the truck right over there and we will get to it when the tire comes back from lunch. I said okay walked over to the wife and told her what he said and she went down to Subway and got a couple sandwiches. Mean while I unstrapped a spare rolled it to the back and washed the windshield. The wife came back my son and I got in with the wife and ate lunch. After a while a young guy showed up so I headed over to see him he pulled the tire off and put the spare on, I showed him how to align the wheel (Dayton style) by spinning it and adjusting the lug nuts. I then asked if he could dismount the shredded tire as now I was down to one spare. ((If you read the trailer thread you may remember that I kept the best tires from when I got it and put them all on the same axle as I was on a budget I could not afford to buy 12 tires but I did replace 8.)) I paid the bill $25 for labor and $7 for discarding the tire and on our way again.

By now my son wanted to roll the window down so I said okay and he fell asleep with his head his arm resting on the door with the wind blowing into his face. Things seemed pretty much uneventful and now we made it into Iowa. The scales were open so I pull in and get in line. The scale man comes out and tells me I need to have a DOT number and Company name I tell him it is a historic vehicle and I am going to Walcott for the truck show he asks a few more questions I give him the Missouri historic vehicle log sheet and he says Okay, then says "you should get an old truck with air conditioning" I told him it has AC but my son likes to have the windows down. He waves me on and I thought you know how much things change I don't even roll my window down in my pickup truck unless it is to talk with someone or at the bank. How things have changed. When I was a kid nothing had AC unless it was a high priced sedan, everything was windows down and floor vents open.

Back on the road and then it happened again another blow out this time it was the other side inside tire. I was about a mile from our exit so I kept on going and pulled into a Mom & Pops truck stop. I got out and checked it out and figure I was two far to try and make it to Walcott (about 50 miles) so I said looks like we are changing it. I found a fairly decent spot of concrete and started the process. I crawled under with the bottle jack and then the smell of old piss hit me. So I hurried and got the trailer jacked up and the tire changed. I brought a 100 ft air hose and a 1/2 impact so within a minute or so I had the lug nuts loose and putting the spare on. I aligned the tire pulled out the 3/4 drive ratchet and pipe and we were in business. Back on the road to Walcott.

The rest of the trip to Walcott was uneventful other than missing a turn and trying to figure out which way I should go to get back on track, I pulled over no signal on the phone so I said must be West and sure enough a few miles down the road we saw the truck stop. I pulled off I 80 and truck traffic was slow, there was about 6 or 7 Sheriffs directing traffic and getting everyone needed to go. I made it into the I80 Truckstop but I didn't know where to go so I seen a guy riding in a golf-cart stopped him and got some directions. Made my way down to the truck parking and seen Mike (Superdog) and he took me down for registration. Meanwhile, my wife and other son checked into the Hotel.

I visited with Mike for a bit than my wife collected me up and we went to dinner.

As Mike said the next day it was pouring rain. About 7:00 I thought well maybe I should see if I can find a tire or two for a spare. The hotel was about 200 yards from the Truck/Tire Service shop and when I walked over there it was barely sprinkling when I left I was soaked so bad I had to change my shirt. At the counter the I asked if they had any 8.25 x 15 tires the guy said we don't sell car tires I said actually it is on a lowboy trailer and the guy became confused. Another guy came to the counter and said we don't carry or service any tires that need tubes or do we carry inner tubes, he said to call Eastern Iowa Tire so back to the room, change the shirt and call of course they were closed and would not open to 8:00 so I ate another free danish and drank a coffee. When it was a few minutes after 8 I called the tire shop and spoke with a guy who was very helpful and they did carry the tire and they came with tubes I said great and he gave me directions and we headed over there. We picked them up and headed back to the truck show. Since we were waiting out the rain we went to the Museum and then the rain let up we put on the rain jackets and walked around for awhile a eventually the rain stopped and I went to work mounting tires. Unfortunately it is late afternoon and when I pull the tires out there are no tubes inside the tire just the flap. Being that it was pouring rain I never even thought about checking for the tube I was just happy to get the tires. So back to the drawing board, I went to the farm and fleet and picked up two tubes with straight stems for just in case I had to put something on the ground. I called it quits and met up with Mike and his wife Wendy and we all went to dinner and was a really nice time visiting.

The next morning was a little foggy when we headed down to Superdogs Mack Farm but by the time we got there the sun was out full force. I had another flat but not a big deal we had bigger fish to fry and Mike had found a 8.25 x 15 tire and tube and we were going to take the tire over to his shop to patch the tube after we loaded. I popped the chains on the Bs and they rolled off the truck as fast as we would let them. Mike used the skid steer and we pulled them around out of the way and then we headed out to get the A54s. Did I mention that it had been pouring rain the day before? So we hook on to the first one and of course it is sunk in and the tire rod is missing and the tires splayed out and the skid steer is barley moving it so we try the other one and a tree had fallen from the storm and was blocking the way so that needs to be moved. Did I mention the sun is blazing by know and high humidity so the heat index must be near 100 degrees sweat is pouring off me and I am soaked like the day before from the rain. We try and move the second A54 and it wont budge so Mike said he was going to get some more horse power and heads out by now it is around noon and a few hours have passed. While Mike is gone I climb under the trailer into the gravel and jack up the trailer and pull off the tire. A few minutes later Mike comes back with a 4x4 tractor and we try again. This time the trucks are no match for the tractor and we get them dragged out. After a while everything is loaded and we head over to the shop to fix the tire. I am dead tired, I have a head ache from the heat and hungry. I get the top side of the tire busted down and the lock ring off but need to take a break as I am having difficulty getting the back side broken down. Mike comes over and beats on it while i get seem soapy water and he gets it busted down and I pull the tube out and he fixes it. Being a Chinese tube it came apart on a seem or ridge. Meanwhile, I inflate the other tube I pulled from the tire Mike found and check it for leaks seems to be good so I put the tire back together I am so hot and tired I cant even remember which way the valve stem goes and I have to pull the tire back off the rim. Finally, it is aired up and we head back to the truck, I get the tire on the trailer and I am anxious to head back as I did not want to have problems in the dark as it now close to 3:00 in the afternoon. We get the tools put away and say our good byes and head out.

Thankfully the rest of the trip home was uneventful with no unplanned stops, we pulled in at the house around 9:30 p.m. and after putting everything away I jumped in the shower and fell a sleep.

Although, we had some trying times everyone had a great trip and I kept positive. Buying the tires has delayed the purchase of four aluminum rims for the truck but so what, all the other expenses came in a little less than I expected, thanks to low fuel prices!!! and bringing some stuff with us. Last night at dinner we all talked about the trip and everyone was happy with everything except the boys wished the hotel had a pool. The truck ran well and so did the trailer and now that I have new tires for rear axle I should be good for awhile on tires. The hard work begins on getting a A54 restored.

[thomastractorsvc]

[thomastractorsvc]

[thomastractorsvc]

[1958 F.W.D.]

Excellent trip report!

[thomastractorsvc]

[mack mhe9]

Really nice pics.

The night pics are cool.

[thomastractorsvc]

[thomastractorsvc]

Thanks everyone for the comments and the likes!

[Freightrain]

Neat trip. Like to make it over there, someday. Kinda like Mudcungie. Someday.

Glad to hear it went without too much issue. I always give the ol B a smack on the fender and a "thanks for getting me home" after every trip.

Your boy looks like my g/f BEFORE i put the bunk on. She would bobble along in that seat trying to sleep. Now she can just lay down(and get shook to death LOL).

[Gmerrill0516]

Great story. I bet you are sick of tires by now. Thanks for sharing and glad it worked out okay. I like the "A's". Good luck with them and keep us posted. That B-81 in the picture above must be an 83 or something with that big radiator...I wonder which?

Regards

[mrsmackpaul]

well the video at the end goes to show the little fella had a great time

thanks for the pics and the story

Paul

[Freightrain]

I know the fellow in the white 62 KW and the Diamond T beside it.

I heard this story last year: Few years back, while going to a show, a strap broke on the DT. He only has two on it(not good). So it worked loose and broke the other strap. It then banged its way out of the trailer(32ft enclosed gooseneck-race trailer like mine) and fell out on the road!! Luckily he had just pulled away from a light and the DT rolled to a stop and passerbyers came to his aide. Luckily very minimal damage to the truck. Had to get the rear door fixed up on the trailer.

I would never haul anything with just two ratchet straps. My race car has four on it all the time. 20 yrs without any problems(even after I jackknifed it going to York).

[85snowdog]

Thanks for the story and the pics.

[b61mack]

What time did it stop raining Saturday or did it. I ran in rain for about 200 miles south east on I74.

[Vladislav]

Your trip sounds like an adventure.

Sorry to hear about all those flats but that's goot you could miss any other issues.

Surprized of the numper of the tyres blown though.

From seeing the pis there was a great show day.

And it's nice everybody of your family enjoyed the entertainment.

[thomastractorsvc]

What time did it stop raining Saturday or did it. I ran in rain for about 200 miles south east on I74.

Stopped around 4ish and by the time we went to dinner was really nice

Thanks all for the comments

Freightrain they were lucky I am like you if you got-em use-em.

[Superdog]

Great story. I bet you are sick of tires by now. Thanks for sharing and glad it worked out okay. I like the "A's". Good luck with them and keep us posted. That B-81 in the picture above must be an 83 or something with that big radiator...I wonder which?

Regards

It's a B81,but it has the radiator from a B815,the original was either missing or damaged beyond repair,can't remember what Larry told me.It's owned by a BMT member from St.Louis,Larry Pruitt aka FIREMAN,and the radiator came a BMT member in MI,JohnnyMackJr.

[MHfred]

Thanks for taking the time to type your story. I enjoyed it and the pictures.

[HarryS]

Looks like a great show in spite of the weather. Great pictures and video of the trip. Hope your son didn't have too stiff of a neck after the ride.

[Superdog]

Believe me,it was even more fun in person.

[storkmack]

Kids can sleep in the oddest places. Here's my oldest curled up on the couch in my R.

[carlotpilot]

i just had to do this

[other dog]

Thanks for taking the time to type your story. I enjoyed it and the pictures.

Indeed, thank you- it would take me about 4 hours to type that! Some fine looking trucks there too!

[68-f-model]

Your tire issues have me seriously reconsidering using the 8.25r15's that came on my trailer. I am thinking for piece of mind I'll go to the tubeless 17.5 if the budget allows.