[houtex]

Driving home last night from dropping off a guy at the airport - on the west side of the Sam Houston Tollway - ran over a 6'-8' length of 8"X 8" railroad tie. Blew out both left side tires, trashed the brakes and damaged the wheels beyohd repair. Pulled over to a very small area at the next on-ramp and while I was calling a wrecker, the same thing happened to two more cars who pulled in behind me. Luckily, the Toll Road Authority guys got there in about 10 minutes and blocked the lane for us. Wrecker took me to the dealer - so far - new wheels, new tires and they haven't looked under it yet - so dont know about the brakes. On the plus side - my little baby handled very well for popping two tires on one side and no brakes. No injuries, - so not complaining too much. Have this dry cleaning problem, though.

 

[Flassh]

I guess that means brown pants for long high speed cruises!! :lol :lol

No body damage? - that's a big hunk of wood to run over.

Had a close call taking my baby home from North Carolina, approaching Salt Lake City - some dufus in an old pickup with an even older utility trailer dropped a dishwasher in the middle of 4 lanes of 80 mph traffic - most entertaining.

 

[houtex]

body damage

Ran my hand over the left side back at the dealer last night - couldn't feel any body damage - but it was too dark to see anything. Something had to give to make the brakes fail - waiting for the report. Would pay serious money for ten minutes with :smash &**##@$%%%** idiot that dropped that piece of railroad tie.

 

[wildcat66]

Wow John, sorry to hear about your incident, Luckily there won't be any hidden damages either. Glad no on was hurt!

 

[cruzned]

As a "Smokin Asphalt" owner, I feel your pain buddy! OUch!!! That is a big piece of stuff to run over! It is nice to know the vehicle handled extremely well. HOw about the others that ran it over? How did they do?

 

[saharajohn]

Running over objects

I know the feeling

Last July, I ran over(no, ran into trying to avoid it) a 2 x 3 speaker box lying in the middle of the road late at night(at 50+mph). It was not noticible until it was too late. Estimate was in the 5 Gs so I relied on my good 21st century insurance for help.


I am in the mid 40's and I think I am beginning to slightly loose my night vision.

For me, SSR stock lights are not bright enough to avoid a nite time collision by the time you notice an object in front of you going at 50+ mph.

Without the high beams on, I don't know how one can avoid hitting/running over anything at high speeds. :eek
Since the collision, I always click on the high beams at night if there are no oncoming cars where ever I am. Its few seconds of discomfort for others verses literally thousands off my wallet.

The choice seems to me ;
1. don't drive at night -- impossible, I enjoy holdem too much after work at local casinos. ( Thats where I was headed when I had the W?ck.....)
2. replace the stock lights -- I've looked at xenon lights. are there anyone out there who can tell me about choices in lights

Sorry about the accident, Hope you get it back better than before.

 

[houtex]

got the bad news

As a "Smokin Asphalt" owner, I feel your pain buddy! OUch!!! That is a big piece of stuff to run over! It is nice to know the vehicle handled extremely well. HOw about the others that ran it over? How did they do?

The first guy behind me blew out the left side and trashed the wheels - don't know what else he had. The one behind him only blew one tire and the Toll Road Authority guys changed it for him

Got the estimate today. Seems the railroad tie crashed across underneath the truck and bashed the crap out of the right side rims and tires as well. So all four wheels replaced along with the tires. Also the front left knuckle, hub&bearing and brake caliper and hose. A cool $5K - same as saharajohn. Anyway - turned it in to the insurance. Got the usual - might be awhile getting the wheels, etc. They've got ten SSR's lined up in the back (only two out front). I told them to just take my plates and put them on a black one.

 

[Diggs]

Lights

...2. replace the stock lights -- I've looked at xenon lights. are there anyone out there who can tell me about choices in lights...

Go to Hoen and get new bulbs for the low and high beams. Then make sure they are adjusted to the correct height.

I changed our 04 SSR and 04 GTO to Hoen and have no regrets. I think they are better thean the Silverstars I put in my truck.

Diggs

 

[wildcat66]

Which type did you get ? I would like brighter lights too.

 

[Diggs]

Here's what I put in

Which type did you get ? I would like brighter lights too.

I went to this Hoen page and got the H11 and the 9005 bulbs.

They have some newer bulbs, but I have no experience with them and don't know if the extra cost is worth it.

Diggs

 

[houtex]

pic

Here's what happens when a 70 mph SSR meets a railroad tie left by a fellow citizen in the middle of the &$##@@** tollway. And to think, it cost me two bucks to have this happen.

 

[Buffy]

Dang houtex,

That picture made me sick to my stomach! (Can't imagine how YOU feel!)

Good luck and hopefully insurance willl help you make it as good as new.........

 

[houtex]

pic

Thanks for the posting help, Buff. BTW - had just driven back from So Louisiana - on the coast route - those little dots are all bugs. Hopefully I'll get it back before they meld with the paint.

 

[Buffy]

Did they ever find the dirty rat who left the railroad tie in the road?

Definately would be looking for them! (So would the police, I'm sure!)

 

[living2be]

Wow houtex! Glad you are in one piece! Did you lose control when you hit the railroad tie?

 

[houtex]

2 questions

Chances are slim and none for finding the railroad tie culprit. They're a pretty common backyard garden timber here and any body could have had some in the back of the pickup. The toll road authority guys and I joked about dusting it for prints. BTW - the 5 or 6 toll road authority guys on the scene loved the truck.

The truck handled great considering both left side tires blew out at 70 mph. Didn't swerve at all - slowed down pretty quickly and had just enough brakes left for the final stop on the side of the road. Having seen the damage now to the inside of the RIGHT side tires, I'm really lucky they didn't blow as well. Also, no apparent body damage so far. Frame remains to be seen when they get the new wheels on it and re-align the front end.

 

[saharajohn]

xpel clear films should take care of them litter critters
you are near San Antonio, so clear film should be less costly to install than here in my area who are charging an arm and a leg for install.

 

[Rainwater]

Hey Diggs:

Did you notice much difference after installing the Hoen bulbs?

Steve

 

[houtex]

litter critters

xpel clear films should take care of them litter critters
you are near San Antonio, so clear film should be less costly to install than here in my area who are charging an arm and a leg for install.

I have full coverage - front grill and front portion of hood and fenders- of expel on it already. Still gotta clean them off. I've found that some bugs will eat at the expel - also can't clay bar it real well.

 

[Diggs]

Yep, yep, yep

Hey Diggs:

Did you notice much difference after installing the Hoen bulbs?

Steve

Absolutely. Whiter, brighter. I also put Silverstars in the driving lights, but since you have to turn them on every freakin' time you start the truck, they don't get much use.

Sorry about hijacking the thread, but does anybody know how to make the driving lights come on like every other vehicle I have ever had?

Diggs