Murphy has his day

I should have known that it was going to happen. After all, we have gone such a long time since we had any problems going down the road. It figures that we would have to get under way in rainy weather, in an area with small roads and heavy traffic-namely Amish country on a Friday of mad shopping tourists that it would happen.

I hooked up the toad as I always do, checking the lights, and brakes. As always, Anneke watched the car and Blue Ox tow bar as I pulled ahead. So away we go. First in a steep incline on the road out of the park, I had to hold behind a Amish buggy, while those desperate to get to that next gift shop cut the buggy off every time it tried to take its turn off the stop sign. Finally, I got a clearance to make a tough right turn down a hill onto the narrow road against the same frenzied tourists. As soon as I steadied up, I glanced at the rear camera and thought something was not right about the way the toad was tracking. Sure enough, the car would track fine for a bit and then suddenly veer to the left.

Of course, in heavy traffic, no place to pull over, and rain our options was limited. I was concerned about damage to the car and tow bar, so was going slow, much to the annoyance of my road mates. Finally spotting a small area next to farm barn, I pulled over and was only listing about 30 degrees. Checking the tow, I could see that there was no way I could disconnect the car with the tow bar jammed against the motorhome. I thought that one of the locking arms mechanisms had failed. Checking the set up quickly, I noticed that one of my heavy safety cables had jumped up and was laying across the locking handle. On the Blue Ox, the handle has to pop up for the lock to activate. While I was a bit doubtful that could really be the problem, I cleared the cable and made sure it could not twist back over the handle.

Not having any other options, I got underway and watched the drama unfold in the rear-view camera. Amazingly, the car seemed to be tracking okay. I had to continue in this watchful mode for about 30 miles until there was another safe place to check. The Blue Ox was performing fine, so apparently that freak jump of the safety cable was the cause.

I have a set routine for the hookup I have used for five years without a hitch:) So this was really Murphy at work or in the rain I got a bit careless. I like to think it was Murphy.