Little sister calls last night. She, her husband and my two nephews were towing their 16' enclosed trailer behind their 2004 Ford F350 NoStroke, with a load, when it all went dark on them. Dash lights flashed, then everything went dark and the truck quit.
They are sitting on a freeway off ramp about 15 miles away so I grab the straps, the toolbox, a spare battery and a tester then I'm off to the rescue.
Not sure what the issue was but that truck was dead! We strapped it up and I pulled them to a parking lot about 1/2 mile down the road and began testing. Seems the alternator had given up and both batteries were drained. No lights or gauges to let them know there was a problem. Of course, nothing is open so we pull the alternator and the two batteries. Shortly thereafter the other nephew shows up with their other rig, we transfer the trailer over and they head out.
My LM1 engined K5 had no problem moving the load. I took it easy and we got them off the freeway with no further incident.
Apparently this truck has left them stranded 4 or 5 times before with electrical problems + two blown transmissions. I keep telling bro-in-law to move away from the Fords. Maybe this time he'll listen!
Anyway, just thought I'd share the fun.
They are sitting on a freeway off ramp about 15 miles away so I grab the straps, the toolbox, a spare battery and a tester then I'm off to the rescue.
Not sure what the issue was but that truck was dead! We strapped it up and I pulled them to a parking lot about 1/2 mile down the road and began testing. Seems the alternator had given up and both batteries were drained. No lights or gauges to let them know there was a problem. Of course, nothing is open so we pull the alternator and the two batteries. Shortly thereafter the other nephew shows up with their other rig, we transfer the trailer over and they head out.
My LM1 engined K5 had no problem moving the load. I took it easy and we got them off the freeway with no further incident.
Apparently this truck has left them stranded 4 or 5 times before with electrical problems + two blown transmissions. I keep telling bro-in-law to move away from the Fords. Maybe this time he'll listen!
Anyway, just thought I'd share the fun.
