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The (mis)Adventures of Theo the Escudo
I had the opportunity to get out for a cheeky day hunt popping wallabies and I took it.
It’s been an age since I have gotten out due to work and child commitments, so I was looong overdue!
After the 2 hour drive to a productive spot I was greeted with a slightly full stream before I could get into the block. It was only a little deeper than normal, but dirty. I have crossed it before albeit in a bigger wagon but there weren’t any issues last time. I went for it, following the clear tracks left from many other vehicles.
About halfway across I must have hit a rock or something, there was a loud bang, and the car started shuddering and jerking massively. Ah shit.
I kept going and got out the other side, the whole cab shuddering and shaking even sitting in neutral. Oddly it still drove ok was just noisy and rough. There were no warning lights on the dash.
I have owned this wee truck for less than 10000km, and already replaced the front left CV, front driveshaft, transmission, engine and computer. I have managed to completely use up the $12k mechanical breakdown insurance. I really don’t want any more issues with it!!!!!!
I got out and had a decent look under but couldn’t see any obvious signs of damage.
Now I was in a dilemma. There was something seriously wrong. And I was across a creek and about 50m from the road over some rough ground. I had roadside rescue, but they wouldn’t be able to get me from over the river, and I had no cell reception.
At this point I figured that it’s still early in the day, I was in the hunting block, and the car can’t get any more stuck. So I went for a hunt.
I walked for maybe 40 mins, but I couldn’t get the car out of my head. I began to stress more and more about the situation and how I was going to get out of it. I couldn’t focus on the hunt at all, so gave up and headed back to the car. On the way I bumped a wallaby that hopped about 10m and crouched down hoping I walk on by. I lined it up and my rifle went click misfire. Bloody typical. On hearing the sound the wallaby was off. I quickly reloaded and fired, but missed and the wallaby was gone. Was a big one too.
Back at the truck I checked under again to see if there was any sort of leak from the damage, but nada. All looked well.
At that point I looked up the river a ways, and saw the usual spot that I crossed the river, 20m upstream. Bugger. I had gotten sucked into following the other tracks and just followed them. Idiot.
At this point I figured hat the car was already damaged. It was going into gear, high and low, and was still drivable. I needed to get back to the road at the very least, or I would be stuck this side. I started the car and headed up to the usual crossing point, pointed the nose and went for it.
I got across and got up the bank easily, and was back at the road before I knew it. I was stumped. The car drove and was still capable of crossing some rough terrain, so mechanically was good. There were no check engine or warning lights. But it was rough as guts to drive, particularly slowly. When I got up past 10kmh it smoothed out, but was still a bit clunky. I did not want to try drive the 130km home like that.
I drove the car about 500m to the nearest farmhouse and borrowed their phone. I managed to get a tow truck on its way after many calls, then spent 3 hours chatting to a lovely old farm wife waiting for the tow.
I got a call from the mechanic this morning. I must have hit a decent rock as the cross member holding the transmission etc up had a very large dent in it. This has pushed up putting everything under pressure and making the shudder. With a new crossmember it should be all good to go, so no major mechanical repair, which is a huge relief!
Many lessons learned this trip!
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