Pulled car out of the ditch on the way to my job interview

diesel lover · Feb 10, 2014

Was driving to Crawfordsville Indiana and had an important job interview at 10 am. On my way just 2 miles before I made it to this place there was a Chevy impala in the ditch. I have been there done done that years ago when I had a ball joint snap on a pickup truck. I try to always be a good sameritan. Even if I don't know the person. Dead battery's/ failure to start, flat tires, other car issues, stuck, I try to help other people as many others have helped me. I only see it's right if you expect help you should give help too. After moving into Indianapolis it became very tough to help people as this town is dangerous. I do LEGALLY carry a hand gun at 23 years old to prevent getting myself into a bad situation or having one get any worse. I do very little in and near Indianapolis, but I am comfortable to help people in all the smaller and countryside towns.

I got a LITTLE off track on this subject!

When I passed him I slowed down and pulled into the nearest driveway to get off the busy road. I asked him if he was okay and offered my help. He was just ecstatic and excepted! I told him I had an interview soon so I would have to move quickly. I positioned the rear of my truck to the rear of his car, installed my 2 inch receiver hitch and grabbed my 15 foot hooked tow strap. Without a hitch on his car to tow into I used my hooked tow strap and went for a slot in the subframe/ unibody. He knew I had done this quite a few times before. I dropped my truck into first gear and eased onto the tow strap until it was taught. When I throttled into it his car came right out!!!! Good feeling!

He was showing a lot of happy-ness and shook my hand a second time. He acted like he wanted to pay me but that's not what I wanted. I only wanted to improve someone else's day!

Although he went straight in the car came out quite easily. My truck 97/ f150/ 4.2 V6/ auto/ 2wd/ 3.08 rear end ratio. I was happy my truck did it so well and no one got hurt. I have pulled out VERY stuck semi trucks Hooked to two 28 foot trailers at the same time using a pay loader so this was a much smaller scale.

How many of you still help people you do not know? I do as long as I will be safe and I can see that it was not caused by extreme speed, texting or drinking and driving. I made it to the interview ten minutes early still as towing the car out of the ditch only took seconds. I always carry 2 ratchet straps, a 15 foot hooked tow strap and a 20 foot recoil/ looped snatch strap rated at 7,000 pounds and breaking strength of 20k, tools, a bottle jack and a floor jack, 24 inch breaker bar, and still roadside service/ towing

deerseeker001 · Feb 10, 2014

Glad you helped out, have did the same thing.

diesel lover · Feb 10, 2014

deerseeker001 said:
Glad you helped out, have did the same thing.

Thank you! It's the right thing to do. My last towing bill was 420$ ! 400$ was covered by insurance. Honestly a wrecker would have probably cost this guy 100$ or more

ljohnson778 · Feb 10, 2014

diesel lover said:
Was driving to Crawfordsville Indiana and had an important job interview at 10 am. On my way just 2 miles before I made it to this place there was a Chevy impala in the ditch. I have been there done done that years ago when I had a ball joint snap on a pickup truck. I try to always be a good sameritan. Even if I don't know the person. Dead battery's/ failure to start, flat tires, other car issues, stuck, I try to help other people as many others have helped me. I only see it's right if you expect help you should give help too. After moving into Indianapolis it became very tough to help people as this town is dangerous. I do LEGALLY carry a hand gun at 23 years old to prevent getting myself into a bad situation or having one get any worse. I do very little in and near Indianapolis, but I am comfortable to help people in all the smaller and countryside towns. I got a LITTLE off track on this subject! When I passed him I slowed down and pulled into the nearest driveway to get off the busy road. I asked him if he was okay and offered my help. He was just ecstatic and excepted! I told him I had an interview soon so I would have to move quickly. I positioned the rear of my truck to the rear of his car, installed my 2 inch receiver hitch and grabbed my 15 foot hooked tow strap. Without a hitch on his car to tow into I used my hooked tow strap and went for a slot in the subframe/ unibody. He knew I had done this quite a few times before. I dropped my truck into first gear and eased onto the tow strap until it was taught. When I throttled into it his car came right out!!!! Good feeling! He was showing a lot of happy-ness and shook my hand a second time. He acted like he wanted to pay me but that's not what I wanted. I only wanted to improve someone else's day! Although he went straight in the car came out quite easily. My truck 97/ f150/ 4.2 V6/ auto/ 2wd/ 3.08 rear end ratio. I was happy my truck did it so well and no one got hurt. I have pulled out VERY stuck semi trucks Hooked to two 28 foot trailers at the same time using a pay loader so this was a much smaller scale. How many of you still help people you do not know? I do as long as I will be safe and I can see that it was not caused by extreme speed, texting or drinking and driving. I made it to the interview ten minutes early still as towing the car out of the ditch only took seconds. I always carry 2 ratchet straps, a 15 foot hooked tow strap and a 20 foot recoil/ looped snatch strap rated at 7,000 pounds and breaking strength of 20k, tools, a bottle jack and a floor jack, 24 inch breaker bar, and still roadside service/ towing

Good man, hope you get the job.

texasjohn · Feb 11, 2014

Good job, hope you get the job.
I help people when I have the capability and it seems safe.

Diamondpilot · Feb 11, 2014

I do the same all the time. I live in the country and it's just the way we do things.

Now for indianapolis. I have lived here for 40 years. Worked here for 20. I don't find it one bit dangerous. Yes, there are murders but look at the neighborhoods they take place in. 99% come back to gangs or drugs. Do I carry, yes. But even without I'm not scared. Just be smart where you go and what you do.

Hope you get the job. What type of work are you looking for? I know lots of people.

Chris

bandaidmd · Feb 11, 2014

Hope that Karma you deposited in the bank helps with the interview.

diesel lover · Feb 11, 2014

Diamondpilot said:
I do the same all the time. I live in the country and it's just the way we do things. Now for indianapolis. I have lived here for 40 years. Worked here for 20. I don't find it one bit dangerous. Yes, there are murders but look at the neighborhoods they take place in. 99% come back to gangs or drugs. Do I carry, yes. But even without I'm not scared. Just be smart where you go and what you do. Hope you get the job. What type of work are you looking for? I know lots of people. Chris

Currently a truck mechanic, looking for work on AG tractors, CUT tractors, and rental equipment companies. In Crawfordsville I drove to Case/ international harvester. I liked being a truck mechanic but then I really didn't because I don't like to skip steps and they act like they want me to. My co workers did. I am just seeing what I can get into that I would enjoying doing a great job at.

As of right now I live in whitestown Indiana

dakotagun · Feb 11, 2014

passed a young couple standing by their MC on the road last summer - I was pulling my trailer at the time and thought at the time our meeting at that particular moment wasn't by a coincidence. So we put the bike on the trailer, lashed it down, and I drove them to the next town where they could make arrangements for service. I ride bike, too, and know what it's like to leave it on the side of the road and wait for someone to pull over to help a guy in leathers...
Having said that, with the increased traffic and changing demographics with the oilfield industry going full-bore, I'll first consider calling the HP for a motorist assist these days.

Gary Fowler · Feb 11, 2014

I used to pick up any hitch hiker I found if he looked decent enough but not anymore, not for decades since all the crimes escaladed.
I will offer assistance to a motorist with a dead battery in a parking lot (in daylight, not at night). Due to all the emergency services available at the beck and call from your cell phone, there isn't really any emergency need for helping stranded folks past making a telephone call for them IF they happen not to have a cell phone unless they are stranded in a desert or snow storm with out any emergency supplies.

Due to age and infirmities, I am no longer the white knight coming to the aid of the damsel in distress for most roadside emergencies, but I still try to do as much as I can when I deem it safe.
A few days ago, a dead pine tree had blown down across Hwy 7 and had one lane completely blocked and the other about 3/4 blocked. Even though it is hard for me to bend down due to back problems, I stopped and my Grandson and I helped a couple of young guys remove all the wood from the road. Amazing at how many cars had just stopped in the road and sat in their cars waiting for traffic so they could drive thru the small limbs and get around the big stuff rather than get out and help. I was really surprised at the 20 something's that did get out and clear the road which renewed my faith a bit in the new generation.

Loadstar · Feb 11, 2014

I have done a lot of good Sam roadside work. Last one was a carhauler ran put of fuel in the middle of nowhere. Saw him walking in flip flops down the interstate with a diesel can a mile from truck, 5 mile from an exit. He was happy to see me. I do not do it much anymore though. Everyone has phones and policies. I have a family that depends on me, I'm worth more than a hood ornament for a texting teen, or coked out trucker. Roadside is a very dangerous place

jejeosborne · Feb 11, 2014

I actually go out on bad days looking to help and find it fun to be out during slick times. Here is the best of this year so far. A 2500 dodge resting on frame. Strapped rear of jeep to a tree and winched out. Never charge because some day I will need help too.

diesel lover · Feb 11, 2014

jejeosborne said:
I actually go out on bad days looking to help and find it fun to be out during slick times. Here is the best of this year so far. A 2500 dodge resting on frame. Strapped rear of jeep to a tree and winched out. Never charge because some day I will need help too. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=360125"/>

so was this a winch out?

MoKelly · Feb 11, 2014

Good for you - that was just plain nice.

Good luck with the job.

MoKelly

jejeosborne · Feb 11, 2014

diesel lover said:
so was this a winch out?

Yes, 8000 lb smitty built with smitty built front and rear bumpers to spread the load. This truck almost flipped over while winching and the owner said keep on going. Rear bumper was about 7 feet in the air at one point. He was a neighbor I have seen hot rodding on the snow for fun, which I am guilty of too, and for that reason requested a cold beer this summer when I see him out. Told him had I not witnessed his foolish driving it wouldn't have cost him that beer. I am going to rethink pulling something that bad out again for fear of damaging the jeep frame. That is a lot of stress going through it.

Bob77064 · Feb 11, 2014

jejeosborne, that picture shows how far the truck was off the raod. Good job winching him out, a tow truck would have charged a lot.

diesel lover · Feb 11, 2014

jejeosborne said:
Yes, 8000 lb smitty built with smitty built front and rear bumpers to spread the load. This truck almost flipped over while winching and the owner said keep on going. Rear bumper was about 7 feet in the air at one point. He was a neighbor I have seen hot rodding on the snow for fun, which I am guilty of too, and for that reason requested a cold beer this summer when I see him out. Told him had I not witnessed his foolish driving it wouldn't have cost him that beer. I am going to rethink pulling something that bad out again for fear of damaging the jeep frame. That is a lot of stress going through it.

I used to drive wrecker in michigan and was also a logger in michigan. I will tell you what a winch will beat everything else when it comes to glazed ice!! Strapping it to the tree and winching out a truck that heavy and stuck was the best thing you could do! Nice work

kw22614 · Feb 11, 2014

It's always good to do the right thing especially when you need it done right and quick....
About 4 weeks ago (Jan 21) we had a good (8") snow which quickly turned to ice. We live on what's turned into a major secondary 2 lane road that gets plowed by 2, 3 or 4 truck plows in tandem about every 30 to 40 mins. About 10:30 that night wifey says she sees lots of lights through the blinds, we look out the front window and see a 3/4 ton chevy van stuck in the front ditch that's just taken out my mailbox - knocked the 3" steel post buried 2 ft completely out of the ground and don't see the box at all. 3 young men where walking around, pushing and trying to rock the van out in the pouring, blowing snow. I quickly put on my coveralls and went out to protect my interests. I was quite upset that they hadn't knocked on the door to announce their presence and dilemma in MY yard. I walked out angry and I could tell they were shaken, could have been my .357 in the holster belt slung over my shoulder. English, it seemed, was their second language maybe even 3rd or 4th. My house is only 25-30 ft to the ditch, so they were all over my front yard. They were from Maryland were working late in my area and trying to make it home in the 'black ice' of the night with hardly any tread on their tires, lost control and slid off the road across my driveway. Anyway the driver apologized for not knocking first and they seemed sincere enough, not beligerant (we're only 40 miles from DC and always read about crazy violence) and offered me his driver's license before I asked and asked if I knew of and could call a tow truck to get him out. He offered to pay for the mailbox and any damage to the yard. Well being late and not wanting to drag out this ordeal I brought out my BX1860 from the garage just 25' from the scene. The other 2 guys blocked traffic and the driver started and put the van in reverse after I hooked my tow chain to his frame - no tow hitch - and to my fel hook. My little BX rocked a couple times in 4X low range and pulled that heavy*** van out of the near 4' deep ditch. The whole thing took maybe 30 min and 15 of that was warm up time for my tractor. When I got his van out on the road I saw my mailbox buried in the snow under where he was stuck - whole, not damaged at all. He was on his way - no cops, no tow truck, no wasted time. Next day, still in sub-zero temps, I reset the post with digging bar and manual phd's and reattached the box - only needed a new piece of plywood to set it on, so didn't even miss one day's mail. Between that and plowing out my 75' long X 12' wide circle driveway with the fel it took me about 3 hours. Best part is knowing just how strong my little tractor truely is.

diesel lover · Feb 11, 2014

Also to not forget here I was dressed nicely for my interview .... Who would have figured huh? I really can't dress nice because something always comes up.

When I was maybe 15 years old I pulled my neighbors 3/4 ton dodge cummins powered truck out of their driveway. I used our 61' ford 601 workmaster. Even with chains on the tires the task was aweful with a 2 wd tractor with no rear weight except for a 3 pt blade. I used a short chain. Knowing what I do now I would have used a snatch strap in the same situation and used it to my advantage. The tractor did not have a differential lock so one tire would spin, put foot on the brake for that wheel and the other tire would spin back and forth. Still better than a 2 wd pickup truck. I was on the road and was trying to pull him out of his driveway. Didn't think it was going to be that difficult when I got there but honestly a huge difference would have been wheel weights and or fluid filled tires.

2 of our tractors have wheel weights and the difference is just night and day!! I can easily say that! The ford 601 we used to have was just so awfully light in the back. If I had to do it again at that time I would have borrowed the neighbors 4 wheel drive JD 4510 with AG tires.

Years later all my equipment operation and practice operating wreckers has really just payed off!! I have been able to pull out VERY stuck semi trucks hooked to two 28 ft trailers on glazed ice with a pay loader, as well as getting a highway plow truck out of the ditch using the same pay loader. Equipment with large tires and weight in those tires really helps in snow and ice. Be safe everyone