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Texican · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 6:49 am Post subject: Broke down on the sand

A few instances of vehicular mechanical failure were mentioned in an earlier thread and that got me to thinking about what happened to me in early July:

After driving down from San Antonio during the night, I parked my truck nose-up against the North Packery Jetty at 6:00am. I fished for a couple of hours and at 8:00am got back in the truck to head to the tackle shop for more gear.
Turn the key.
Truck is cranking but ain't starting.
After checking all the wires and fuses I am out of clues and am officially broke down. A passing public servant takes pity on me and gives me the number to a towing company. I call them and they agree to come and get me. Then I tell them EXACTLY where I'm at and they back out. Though the sand is firm from previous rains and I can SEE the pavement from my location, they will not come onto the sand. Calls to several other companies net the same results.
My apparent last resort is to call my dad in Rockport, have him bring his truck and, using my tow strap, pull my truck over to the boat launch area where the road widens out to three lanes. I call the original tow company and now they agree to come get me. It is 4:30pm before I am able to get it to a shop.
In all, I consider myself lucky. The truck was ready the next day and the repair was fairly inexpensive (bad modulator). I am doubly lucky because my eventual plan was to head down PINS that day to about the 10-15 MM and camp for a couple of days. If my truck had gone out then I would have been SKAAA-RUUDE! Crying or Very sad

So that brings me to this question: Have you or anyone you know been left high and dry and broke down on the sand?
What did you do and how did you (hopefully) make it back?
If tow companies will not go onto the beach, what do folks who are just down for the day and stick to the groomed areas do if their vehicle go teats-up on the beach? Question

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"Money will buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail." - Kinky Friedman

PS: Screw you Photobucket!

obsessed · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1200

man, sorry for the bad luck with the truck...

usually we have a couple of trucks in our camp or convoy, so just in case something like this happens, we use the buddy system and get everyone off the beach.
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topdog15 · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 7:09 am Post subject:

That's why you bring extra beers
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"Ya'll must eat a lot of fish"

horse51 · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 7:13 am Post subject:

brake line busted last year during sharkathon. i got lucky and it was a standard so i just used it to slow down and stop all the way back to kingsville. i had to be really carefull tho. not an expierience that i care to repeat.
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Chris Gonzales

bmfdop · Horse Mullet Joined: 22 Jan 2011 Posts: 125 Location: CC

I had a similar experience about a month ago. Was fishing for several hours SBH. Went to leave and Jeep wont start. I thought it was the starter. Called at least 10 different tow companies. Only one said they would come on the sand. Minimum charge was $450, and I had to pay the entire amount over the phone before they would come. To top it off, that was the minimum. She said she didn't think they would charge any more, but couldn't guarantee it. I told her I'd call back if I really wanted my a55hole to hurt the next day. I walked down to another group of fisherman who were about to leave. One turned out to be a mechanic. Looked around, borrowed some cables, and jumped my Jeep. It started, I got off the beach, batter died next day for good. Got a new one. I bought cables and a jump-starter that I can bring with me. It was only $40 bucks, and the wife keeps it during the week just in case.
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Fortune favors the brave...

Jellyfish · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 7:38 am Post subject:

Anybody know if AAA towing insurance is good on PINS?
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E Pluribus Unum

SaltyCuda · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 7:56 am Post subject: Re: Broke down on the sand

riverrat · Finger Mullet Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 24

Ditto: you should have called Nick@ breakaway, if he could not make it He
has my number (I have gone to pull him in) or several others who live here, I will PM you my # for future reference Gus...

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

deputydawg · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:31 am Post subject:

I have never been in that situation on the beach but have been stuck or broke down in a couple of hunting situations. Always been able to get help pretty easily.

I will ALWAYS try and help a person in distress out in the sticks or on the beach. Its just the right thing to do!

Bluffer · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:44 am Post subject:

When doing PIns always take some extra stuff along to get you going in case breakdown.
Jump starter (or at least cables)
Wire (insulated and non)
rubber hoses, clamps ect.
Tools
extra fluids for engine and tranny
Fix a flat, tire plugs. Small 12v compressor.
Hi-lift jack & tow straps. Shovel, buckets.
Duct tape plus whatever else you got room for, may not need it but if you do can save your arse.

Extra beer to. Wink

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-STAY THIRSTY MY FRIENDS!-

Ol Sanch · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 320

When I was younger and more stupid than I am today...

Drove down from SA Friday morning at 2:00AM after working all day and packing all night. Hit the sand about 5AM and make our way directly to the 40MM. Fish for a while, then go to start the jeep to take a look around and no go. We do what little trouble shooting we can but couldn't figure it out. We go back to fishing and about 2 or 3 we decide to leave. Mind you we hadn't slept since Wed. We were with another guy who towed us off the sand. Made it to about Sweeney Switch when we couldn't go anymore. Slept there in the parking lot of that gas station/BBQ place. Problem was moisture got up into a loose distributor cap.

Another time, we're on the sand had a great time. Pack the truck and load up. Go to take off and the truck wouldn't come out of 4 low. Made it off the beach very slowly. Parked in Malaquet parking lot until Dad came for us. Went back to SA got truck and trailer, went back to CC loaded broken down truck on trailer, went back to SA, then to work. That one hurt.

And the list goes on and on...

If you're down there broke down your only hope is a fellow fisherman who will either tow you off or take you to the blacktop so you can call someone who will. Tow trucks won't help you, park rangers won't help you. That's why I always wave at the other fisherman, drive around their camps or slowly through them, don't block the road, etc. etc. Cause, personally, if I see the guy who was being an drunk donkeyhole, later broke down at the 55, I'm not going to help him.

Ol Sanch
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Do you even fish, Bro?

Texican · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:13 am Post subject:

Being the paranoid type, I always carry emergency gear when hitting the beach.
Cables , tools, jacks, shovel, cans of fix-a-flat, plug kit, air compressor, a special bag containing tow strap, ropes, straps, chain and D-ring shackles.
Truck is equipped with dual batteries in case the primary one eats it. This is not only for myself but in case anyone else needs assistance (I have already pulled out several stuck people. One guy I have pulled out four times but that is a whole 'nother story! Wink

)
Though I enjoy and prefer going in groups, most of my trips are solo much like Towboat. If I had been stuck further down, my saving grace would be that I have usually seen Nick driving by.
I should pick up a CB for the times when I'm in areas with no cell service.

I appreciate the outpouring of stories and support.

And I always carry extra beer! Laughing

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"Money will buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail." - Kinky Friedman

PS: Screw you Photobucket!

FIDO · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:53 am Post subject:

SeaStone · Joined: 26 Aug 2011 Posts: 9

I'm banking on karma as insurance while on the sand, especially down PINS. I like solo trips.

I have helped out just about everyone I have come across that was in trouble. And I don't ask for any payment. However, I would probably ask for cost of fuel given to someone out of fuel.

My son & I once towed a couple of Air Force pilots 62 miles from the Manfield Jetties to the PINS Visitor Center as thanks for their service to our country. We got stuck twice along the high banks even though their CJ jeep was pretty light. We got help from a couple of others & daisy-chained with a white Ford truck to get through the high-banks.

The first 40 miles or so we were bookin-it along the low road at low-tide. I thought about it later, that I was pulling a vehicle with no power steering or brakes that fast with a 20 ft. tow strap. But then, who better than a fighter pilot to be comanding the towed vehicle.

The pilot who owned the jeep sent me a "Challenge Coin" he recieved in his training over in Kingsville.

Kinda like Carl the greenskeeper in CaddyShack, who received eternal peace from the Dali Lama. At least I got that goin for me!
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C. Stone