An act of god!

[shelby987]

was the words uttered by the police officer when I showed up with my truck (as it, it will take...an act of god to get this guy out of the ditch).....we have had an ice storm, followed by a snow storm this afternoon.....and a fellow commuter decided his ranger could handle a sharp corner a bit faster than it actually could, being as it happened 2 miles from my house, I told him I would be back with my truck to pull him out of the ditch, when I got back, police were on the scene, but they were more than willing to let me "give it a try"

All I can say is this was my first true test of the front and rear lockers.......bald tires be damned......the NP205 slipping out of low.....psssshhhhaaa....not a problem......throw it in 4hi, drop the clutch, watch all 4 wheels spin and I dragged that little ranger out of the ditch so quick I almost pulled him through the sign that he narrowly missed (warning him of the curve ahead).

When it was all said and done, I had to pull him sideways and backwards after I got him out of the ditch to pull him away from the sign, but zero issues on the chevy's part! I can't wait to figure out what that noise coming from the axle is....and to get some non-bald tires!

oh yeah....and I still love the I6 torque and reliability!......as proof that no good deed goes un-punished, he did run into me (backwards) after I pulled him out.....fortunately he didn't hit any part of my truck that wasn't already dented!

[krue]

[shilo]

thats amazing the cops let you pull him out. My cousin put his truck in the ditch and wouldnt let me pull him out. They cited him and would only let a "certain" tow truck pull him out. Cops really piss me off.

[redneckgirl]

Originally Posted by shilo

thats amazing the cops let you pull him out. My cousin put his truck in the ditch and wouldnt let me pull him out. They cited him and would only let a "certain" tow truck pull him out. Cops really piss me off.

Here in the state of Maryland (as with many other states) towing from an 'accident' scene (even with no property damage) is a state regulated process. In order to be approved by the state, and local police, you have to have extensive insurance coverage, have an approved storage lot (for impounds, wrecks, etc) The State sets what the tow companies charge, and it is a lot higher than if you just break down on the side of the road. BUT the tow company has to arrive on the scene a certain number of minutes (I believe it's still 15 or 20 here in MD) and they are responsible for clearing the road of debris.
The police in your case were simply following a mandated procedure and trying to protect your cousin because if his truck would have been damaged, neither his, nor your insurance would have covered the damage, but a tow company's would have. They were just doing their job as they are trained to do it....it was nothing personal.

[mudmizer]

Thats the way it is here in Washington. If you pull someone out of a stuck on a county/state road YOU get fined for operating without a licence. I personaly have always enjoyed helping stuck folks out of a bind, but have not done so since moving to WA.

[johnnywagon]

Originally Posted by mudmizer

Thats the way it is here in Washington. If you pull someone out of a stuck on a county/state road YOU get fined for operating without a licence. I personaly have always enjoyed helping stuck folks out of a bind, but have not done so since moving to WA.

Almost happened to me. I pulled a pickup off a guard rail just as 3 cop cars, one big county rescue truck and a fire truck showed up to a non-injury one car accident. All the official vehicles there on the narrow, ice covered one lane county road made a way bigger hazzard than the original accident. As I left, a cop threatened me, saying I tampered with a crime scene! HA! If no one had shown up and I pulled this girl's truck out, how much tax payer money would have been spent?.............ZERO! Theres no way they will offset what the county spent to be there with what they will get out of her with a fine. Our gov. at work!

[duallyjams]

I live in south A.A. county in Md and have pulled out and cleared roads and the police always say thanks glad you showed up, oh maybe its because they Know me.

[shilo]

Originally Posted by johnnywagon

Almost happened to me. I pulled a pickup off a guard rail just as 3 cop cars, one big county rescue truck and a fire truck showed up to a non-injury one car accident. All the official vehicles there on the narrow, ice covered one lane county road made a way bigger hazzard than the original accident. As I left, a cop threatened me, saying I tampered with a crime scene! HA! If no one had shown up and I pulled this girl's truck out, how much tax payer money would have been spent?.............ZERO! Theres no way they will offset what the county spent to be there with what they will get out of her with a fine. Our gov. at work!

The money they spend going to the "crime scene" doesnt come out of their pocket. But the fine the poor girl gets goes INTO THEIR budget. traffic citations and fines are their major money maker, so its in their best interest to fine good citizens who pay rather than bust criminals who cost the system and dont pay their fines. George Washington is rolling over in his grave at the site of this country.

[shilo]

that was in washington when i tried to pull out my cousin. Cops are such *****. (99.9 % of the time)

[68K20 x Drill]

Pull a Ford from a ditch, and he runs into you....

[shelby987]

I guess I got lucky, the cops were already there......it was a bad intersection, and with the roads the way they were in MI.....they probably would have had a LONG wait last night.
It just made me smile to get the typical 'this isn't gonna work' from someone.....the walk the truck right out of the ditch (had my windows not been iced over, I probably would have had the foresite to pull him away from the sign the first time).....for being blind, old, and bald (tires that is) I think my truck couldn't have done a better job.....oh, and once again....while not road friendly......lockers front and rear are AWESOME!

[Mudder]

I wouldn't take it personal if the cops wouldn't let you. It's a liability issue. It could be his job if something were to happen.

[1969K10]

Awesome that you pulled him out so easy! I'm wanting to go limited slips...

Anyway, here in IN, they don't condone you pulling stranded people out of ditches like that. The first time is a warning. The 2nd is a $60 fine, and I didn't push my luck for a 3rd...

[redneckgirl]

I've had enough. Please keep the political, cop bashing out of this thread or I WILL CLOSE IT. It is not pertinent to the topic at hand. The topic is that shelby987 was proud his truck was able to pull the other vehicle out even though no one seemed to think it was possible. I would hate to have to close his thread because the topic can't stay out of the political gray area. There's no place for that here.


PS....Way To Go shelby987

[chiggly626]

Originally Posted by redneckgirl

I've had enough. Please keep the political, cop bashing out of this thread or I WILL CLOSE IT. It is not pertinent to the topic at hand. The topic is that shelby987 was proud his truck was able to pull the other vehicle out even though no one seemed to think it was possible. I would hate to have to close his thread because the topic can't stay out of the political gray area. There's no place for that here.

Somebody is a little grumpy. I never felt that this thread was political or "cop bashing", just sounded like some folks discussing their experiences that were similar (or not) to shelby987's. Whatever.

[redneckgirl]

Originally Posted by shilo

The money they spend going to the "crime scene" doesnt come out of their pocket. But the fine the poor girl gets goes INTO THEIR budget. traffic citations and fines are their major money maker, so its in their best interest to fine good citizens who pay rather than bust criminals who cost the system and dont pay their fines. George Washington is rolling over in his grave at the site of this country.

Originally Posted by shilo

that was in washington when i tried to pull out my cousin. Cops are such *****. (99.9 % of the time)

Originally Posted by shilo

thats amazing the cops let you pull him out. My cousin put his truck in the ditch and wouldnt let me pull him out. They cited him and would only let a "certain" tow truck pull him out. Cops really piss me off.

Originally Posted by chiggly626

Somebody is a little grumpy. I never felt that this thread was political or "cop bashing", just sounded like some folks discussing their experiences that were similar (or not) to shelby987's. Whatever.

Still think it's NOT cop bashing???????

[johnnywagon]

Originally Posted by redneckgirl

I've had enough. Please keep the political, cop bashing out of this thread or I WILL CLOSE IT. It is not pertinent to the topic at hand. The topic is that shelby987 was proud his truck was able to pull the other vehicle out even though no one seemed to think it was possible. I would hate to have to close his thread because the topic can't stay out of the political gray area. There's no place for that here.


PS....Way To Go shelby987

Indeed, good job shelby987.

Now, let me pre-apologize for going back off topic for just a moment. I really meant to keep quiet and not add fuel to this little fire but I just noticed that the main page of this website has a big write up about one mans frustration with his local government. I agree that there is no place for cop bashing and we should keep things on topic for sure. My only point here was also frustration with the system NOT the cops. To say "I've had enough" and "stay out of the polical gray area...theres no place for that here", is a bit hypocrittical given the story thats been on the front page here for the last month.

Sorry.

[shilo]

No. Just opinions.

[redneckgirl]

Keep on topic. End of story.....

[LONGHAIR]

It is/was getting out of hand and a polite mention was made by a moderator (actually administrator)...it is really not in anybody's best interest to argue with her about it.
"Political" is a pretty wide open subject, far more than typical party type discussions. This certainly qualifies.

[Josh]

As was stated previously by the administrator and the moderator please keep it on topic, stop the unwarranted abuse on cops as there are several on these forums that are good guys, and quit back talking the staff or else I will step in and close this thread and hand out what infractions I deem necessary.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Thats truely awesome. LOL of course the f%%d had to hit u back. good ole chevys!

[mothertrucker424]

i removed a stuck silverado last week from a dirt parking lot that was less dirt than mud

and

this morning i pushed a ford down the road to the nearest shop

[shelby987]

Since we are back on topic.....with the fact that I did get run into by the guy it made me wonder, does anybody do stuff like this with their restored/good condition vehicles....I know a truck is a truck (and I tend to see more restored 2wd's than 4wd's) but would any of you think twice about doing something of this nature if your truck were pristine?

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by shelby987

Since we are back on topic.....with the fact that I did get run into by the guy it made me wonder, does anybody do stuff like this with their restored/good condition vehicles....I know a truck is a truck (and I tend to see more restored 2wd's than 4wd's) but would any of you think twice about doing something of this nature if your truck were pristine?

While far from pristine, I do use my truck all the time for stuff most folks with garage queens would never consider. About 30 minutes after I took the picture below, I was driving off the lake and broke through the ice near shore in my back yard. Actually I was sort of planning on going through. You'll notice I put my old bumper back on. That bumper was on the truck when I bought it.

Near shore during years when we get a lot of snow like this one, the snow covers that area of the lake and actually insulates the ice and prevents it from making the ice there thick. Pulling the fish house out there I was going faster because I didn't want to lose my momemtum. Coming back I didn't want to bounce my auger, etc. out of the bed so I slowed down.

It is actually kind of funny to see a pick-up hanging on the ice by its axels.

Of course the neighbors all came by and said I ain't getting out without the neighbor's tractor.

Challenge accepted.

That front bumper works nice for stuff like this. The bottom of the bumper was on the ice but the top bar was not. I put my high-boy bumper jack in there and slowly lifted the front up. The bumper was then put on jack stands. Once I could get my hydraulic floor jack under the axel I raised each side of the axel up and put 2x12 planks under the front tires.

USUALLY that is enough to get it out. However this time the back axel was too far out on the lake. The water was about 1/4 of the way up the tire. (Not enough to fill up the rear end thankfully.)

Same operation on the back. Lift the bumper enough to SORT OF safely get it on jack stands, get the floor jack under there. Lift it above the ice/mud/ground enough to get it on planks. Pick up my stuff, drive off the planks and into my yard.

I ALMOST took pictures but I was a bit embarrassed because I slowed down and screwed myself.

I did go back out to make sure the nay saying neighbors saw that I got it out ok.

I was sure glad I took off my freshly painted stock front bumper the night before that and put on that old thing some cowboy welded up. I guess from now on that will be my winter bumper since the only winter action the truck sees is on the lake (and off the salty roads)