Look what Hammer saw yesterday, you will never belive it!
Well it was pretty messed up yesterday. Whenever I go out with Rick I worry about trying to follow him. I worry that the lines he takes and cruises over without any problems will roll my truck right over. So after Rick helped me finish the last obstacle on upper Raw Deal I was pretty amazed to see him sitting on his side at the beginning of the 20 yard boulder garden.
I was parking my truck at the top of the hill as Rick was making his way back to his Rig, Char waited inside the Rig as I completed the obstacle. I heard Rick start up his rig as I started down the hill to help spot him. I had my video camera in hand to record the event but I could not see them yet. I was not worried as were Rick was parked he had a 90 degree left turn to make and then he could start up the boulder garden. When I came around the corner I heard Rick say "Jeremy Help”, I looked up expecting to see a large orange pumpkin. All I saw was a Tree shacking from side to side, 4 bouncy tires and the underside of Rick and Chars Ex!
After about 30 HOLLY SH*Ts! I made it to the site of the carnage. I yelled out " Are you guys OK?" Rick said "Yeah we are good". I ran around to the "Roof" side and I could not get close as the tree was all over the place. I asked Rick what I should do? He said to get to the winch and try and flip them over. I ran to the front of the truck and started pulling cable out. Rick and Char were still in the truck and I think I was still saying HOLLY SH*Ts! I then looked around and said, "What am I going to use as a winch point?" There are no trees in AZ! I told Rick I would have to get my truck. He said, "Well then I am getting out of here."
I looked up and he had his digital camera poking out of the window. (I guess he has his priorities). I climbed on the rear drive shaft then the spring to the slider and helped him up. The Truck was amazingly stable. It did not move as my 300lbs climbed on it and helped them out.
Once they were both out and OK we came up with a plan to get the truck rolled back over. I ran up to were my truck was parked and drove it down to a position where I could use the truck for a winching point. I used my 20,000lb strap and attached it to my front bumper at the frame; at the end I used my extra large D-ring Clevis to tie the two ends together. From Rick truck we took the front mounted winch cable to the D-ring and back to my 40,000lb strap that we looped around the rear of his driver side slider. The funny thing was Rick had a smaller D-ring that he could not find. He must have had some drain bramage cause he got it open and put it in his pocket. Understandable. With a few winds on the winch the truck was upright and we could access the damage. Rick took it like a champ. I would have run out in the desert never to be seen again, not really. But Rick and Char took it in stride.
I just wanted to also add that there was not 1 drop of fluid from any part of the truck spilled on the ground. Also after the truck lay on its side for 20 minutes when Rick started it up it had a little white some for about 10 seconds then nothing. It purred like a kitten. Rick has put together quite the rig, nothing spilled out of the passenger compartment and none of his trail tools and equipment moved from it originally secured and stored position.
Great job Rick and Char!
I look forward to further adventures with you guys!