The grumpy thread

[Talbot]

Don't get me wrong, I'd likely have assisted too.  I think the point I'm making is just be careful.  You don't want to end up liable for something that wasn't your fault or even your issue.

Thusly: https://www.thejournal.ie/crash-leitrim-emergency-services-car-paul-egan-3234577-Feb2017/

Not the first time I've heard of that happening.. it's a story that happens time and time again.

[Yoss]

13 minutes ago, Talbot said:

The risk here is that you make yourself vulnerable to accusations by others.

Push a car to the side of the road?  "You've dented the body"

Tow a car to help someone out?  They fail to brake in time and smash into the back of you.  You now have endless shit to deal with and increased insurance premiums.

Car breakdowns are just nowhere near as common as they once were, meaning people are not attuned to helping others out, and if they do, they put themselves at risk.  I have to say, I'd think twice these days.

I think you did the right thing, well done. Even if you had a tow rope handy I wouldn't have offered unless they were proficient in the art of towing. There is a knack to it and I wouldn't entrust it to somebody who's never done it. So I think you did the right thing just getting them out of the way.  

[High Jetter]

2 hours ago, chadders said:

For example our kitchen ceiling was supported by 2 narrow gauge railway rails and we had cupboards mounted in front of other ones. That was just the beginning.

That sounds like ace bodgery! Got any pics?

[Zelandeth]

11 minutes ago, maxxo said:

i just didn't think twice about it really

as i say i wish i'd have done more and maybe pushed them round the corner, but just wanted to help them quickly

i'll do it again tomorrow if needs be

Last time I stopped to offer assistance to someone who had broken down (halfway round a busy roundabout), they threatened to "f**ing kill me if I didn't f*** off and mind my own f***ing business." at the top of their lungs. Several times over, and then followed me on foot gesticulating wildly at me as I left.

The other that springs to mind was a lady in a Range Rover Velar.  Again, awkward location.  Quick assessment - "Looks like you're out of fuel.  When did you last put any in?" Me wondering if the gauge could be on the blink.

"You have to put fuel in it?"

"Um...yes..."

"Oh, my husband does all that dirty stuff..."

"...Do you have breakdown cover?"

"No idea...what's that?"

This was about the point at which I noticed that the cords on the front tyres were visible.  At that point I politely suggested they phone their husband, excused myself and walked away.

I'm not getting any more entangled in that in case it turned out that her understanding of insurance, tax or MOT was as thorough as how to read a fuel gauge.  Plus it had an electronic handbrake which I had not the foggiest idea how to release without the engine running so couldn't have helped shift it anyway.

Did have one a year or so back which went okay - aside from not even getting a begrudging thank you for having given them a jump start on an absolute stinker of a January evening with sideways rain.

 

[maxxo]

they were both extremely thankful and offered me cash for doing it

obviously said no, but they were very thankful for it

[chadders]

6 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

That sounds like ace bodgery! Got any pics?

Sorry no, I never thought to take any at the time.

[Wack]

I can't imagine being scared to send my kids to school

 

another school shooting in the US, 2 dead plus the gunman, 7 injured

 

the statistics look terrifying

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41488081

 

 

 

[Rust Collector]

18 hours ago, Talbot said:

The risk here is that you make yourself vulnerable to accusations by others.

Push a car to the side of the road?  "You've dented the body"

Tow a car to help someone out?  They fail to brake in time and smash into the back of you.  You now have endless shit to deal with and increased insurance premiums.

Car breakdowns are just nowhere near as common as they once were, meaning people are not attuned to helping others out, and if they do, they put themselves at risk.  I have to say, I'd think twice these days.

I get what you're saying but I'd always stop to offer help (and always have done). I used to do a long commute and if I spotted someone stranded I'd always slow down and ask if they needed help or had been able to call someone. If my mrs was stranded and couldn't use her phone for whatever reason then I'd hope that someone would stop to ask if she's ok.

I wouldn't tow someone for the reasons you mentioned, towing my Favorit with my mrs piloting it resulted in the towing eye getting ripped off and her rolling to a stop in a (quiet) junction. It did not improve our relationship.

I have changed tyres etc. for stranded giffers - a while back an elderly lady in a Volvo gave me a crate of Guinness for changing her tyre when I refused money. Probably should have refused the beer but I'm a weak man. I picked up an elderly lady who was walking down the carriageway of an NSL road a few years back as well, after seeing the 2 cars in front of me swerve round her on a bend. Was worried she'd get splatted if I didn't go back and abduct rescue her. Couldn't bear it if I read the local news and saw she'd come to harm and I'd just driven by.

So far nobody has scuttled me for helping, so I'm sure next time I'll end up wearing it now I've posted this!

[Talbot]

7 minutes ago, Rust Collector said:

I wouldn't tow someone for the reasons you mentioned, towing my Favorit with my mrs piloting it resulted in the towing eye getting ripped off and her rolling to a stop in a (quiet) junction. It did not improve our relationship.

I absolutely have to recount a story from many years back:  Walking into town at lunchtime from college in about 1992, saw a husband-and-wife combo trying to tow a Rover 800 with a Skoda Estelle.  The lady hadn't a clue what she was doing and he was even worse (as he thought he knew, but blatantly didn't).

There was a mass of slack in the rope, which wasn't taken up gently.. the Lady driving the Skoda just pulled away as normal.  When the rope went taught it jerked the Rover forward about 500mm, and proceeded to rip the nearside driveshaft out of the Skoda, as they'd used that as the anchor point.  Both vehicles came to a very undignified stop.

I looked on, pulled a "oooh, that's not good" face, and kept walking.  The ensuing argument behind me was probably audible for about 3 miles around.  Still makes me wince to think of the force needed to pull a driveshaft clean out of a car!

[goosey]

18 hours ago, maxxo said:

https://youtu.be/CAIq20Lptg0

this is one i had today

two women, i'd say in their late 60s in the car.....couldn't get it into gear, i suspected the clutch has gone

anyway, look at all the people who just drove round them......they'd been there for 10 minutes at that point

sorry the camera cut off, but i helped them and pushed them to the side of the road

i feel quite bad as i didn't have a tow rope in the car, as i'd have towed them to the halfords autocentre down the road to get it sorted

but i feel quite good about it

i mean seriously, does no one help anyone?

it took me a few minutes and honestly, why wouldn't you

 

Well done for helping out👍🏻
Being towed in a car by a rope or chain is actually quite a horrible experience and a lot  of people tend to panic and slam on the brakes steer round the tow car etc unless i know the person you are towing is 100% up to it it’s really not worth the risk .

You shouldn’t feel bad at all, I think you went above and beyond by pushing them out of harms way 👍🏻

[Zelandeth]

21 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

Turns out that the frame of the roof light over our upstairs landing is rotten and needs to be replaced.  Great.  Plus despite being quite careful they managed to punch a couple of holes in the surrounding ceiling plaster when removing it to replace the surrounding roof.

Wonderful.

*Adds "get upstairs ceiling plaster repaired" to the never ending to do list.*

Yep...roof light itself is also fscked on closer examination.  *Adds somewhere another grand to the running total.*

[beko1987]

2 minutes ago, Zelandeth said:

Yep...roof light itself is also fscked on closer examination.  *Adds somewhere another grand to the running total.*

This is probably why no one wanted to quote for it 😂

The unexpected thing here I guess is you willing to chuck money at it now to fix it forever rather than blaming the builders for finding it

[Zelandeth]

13 minutes ago, beko1987 said:

This is probably why no one wanted to quote for it 😂

The unexpected thing here I guess is you willing to chuck money at it now to fix it forever rather than blaming the builders for finding it

They're just doing what we've asked them to.  I'd far rather know about it and have it fixed properly than to work round it and hide it.  They seem to be doing a pretty decent job so far.  

I'd budgeted somewhere in the region of £30K for this in my head, and I think +/- a couple of grand we're going to be pretty much on that.  The only thing which might tip it over is tiles - we've needed a LOT more replaced than had been hoped originally and that adds up quickly.

We're at the "putting stuff back together" phase now, so *hopefully* there's no further headaches to be found...

...What do we bet I get a phone call in 15 minutes telling me the roof light is an oddball size and it will cost me three grand to replace?

[omegod]

R.e helping others, many years ago a young lass had parked her Mk1 KA outside my place, she knocked panicking as she had a flat tyre and needed to get to an interview.........the sound of my jack going through the rusty sill will stay with me forever 

[dave j]

My Octavia broke down last year when I was stopped in traffic in the outside lane of a dual carriageway. I had about 4 people jump out their cars to help Push me to the side of the road, which was a relief! I have helped others in similar situations before so nice to know it's not just me!

[AnnoyingPentium]

I'd stopped to help a lass with a Nissan Juke who was on the road with the hazards on outside a house in the middle of nowhere... turns out she was taking the shopping in. Whoops 😂

[artdjones]

18 hours ago, chadders said:

Sorry no, I never thought to take any at the time.

Probably too busy weeping.

[HillmanImp]

Last few times I've stopped to help someone with their hazard lights on at the side of the road, they've just been on their phone making a phone call, not actually in any difficulty so I've just stopped helping now. 

[Dyslexic Viking]

I was shocked earlier this year when my modern broke down due to mouse damage and a good looking woman in her 30s stopped and helped me push the car off the road.

Things like that don't normally happen.

[High Jetter]

9 hours ago, goosey said:

Well done for helping out👍🏻
Being towed in a car by a rope or chain is actually quit

9 hours ago, goosey said:

👍🏻
Being towed in a car by a rope or chain is actually quite a horrible experience 

 

Over the years, I've towed, and been towed, on many an occasion, for some distance. 5 minutes on a 6' pole behind a RAC tranny was scary. There is NOTHING you can do, except hang on for grim death.

 

[Remspoor]

Towing is illegal here in Spain, thankfully.

[Zelandeth]

1 hour ago, High Jetter said:

Over the years, I've towed, and been towed, on many an occasion, for some distance. 5 minutes on a 6' pole behind a RAC tranny was scary. There is NOTHING you can do, except hang on for grim death.

 

This.  Being towed is unnerving.

Being towed on a rigid bar on *anything* is absolutely terrifying.  You're just too close to the tow vehicle and can't see a damned thing that's going on.

... Especially when it's dark out, and the interior light has switched on in the towed vehicle and you can't reach the switch to turn it off.

[Metal Guru]

On 25/10/2022 at 19:13, Yoss said:

I think you did the right thing, well done. Even if you had a tow rope handy I wouldn't have offered unless they were proficient in the art of towing. There is a knack to it and I wouldn't entrust it to somebody who's never done it. So I think you did the right thing just getting them out of the way.  

You did them a favour by not towing them to Halfords.

[Pieman]

I've only ever been towed once, over a very short distance from the sliproad of M42 J10 to the adjacent Tamworth services after my clutch cable gave up.  That was scary enough!

[Lankytim]

7 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

This.  Being towed is unnerving.

Being towed on a rigid bar on *anything* is absolutely terrifying.  You're just too close to the tow vehicle and can't see a damned thing that's going on.

... Especially when it's dark out, and the interior light has switched on in the towed vehicle and you can't reach the switch to turn it off.

A while back I got roped into helping a mate pick up a smart roadster with a broken engine he'd just bought. I was dragged behind his Merc sprinter on a solid bar at a considerable rate of knots, hitting 70 on a dual carriageway and absolutely powerless to convey my absolute terror to him. After a minute or so the screen and all the other windows were completely covered in filthy rain water and all I could do was keep the Roadster roughly in-between his dimly visible tail lights. 

[goosey]

I once saw a bloke in a Range Rover do a snatch pull on a very stuck Series 1 at an off road event using a long chain, guy in The RR floors it like a loon which ripped out the ball and pin hitch off the front bumper on the series 1 and sent it flying through the RRs back window skimming the driver and straight out the front windscreen, luckily the flying hitch just ripped part of the RR drivers left ear off and he wasn’t seriously hurt or dead 

[Zelandeth]

21 minutes ago, goosey said:

I once saw a bloke in a Range Rover do a snatch pull on a very stuck Series 1 at an off road event using a long chain, guy in The RR floors it like a loon which ripped out the ball and pin hitch off the front bumper on the series 1 and sent it flying through the RRs back window skimming the driver and straight out the front windscreen, luckily the flying hitch just ripped part of the RR drivers left ear off and he wasn’t seriously hurt or dead 

Ouch, that could have been really nasty.  Kinetic ropes are your friend in those situations!  Hopefully they at least learned their lesson...

[goosey]

Would have been early 90s not sure KERRs we’re as popular back then, I was just helping my Dad out for the day. Think I was only 11 

[Bren]

Decided to do some work on the SD1 for first time since forever.

Reassembled front drivers side brakes. Noticed bulging behind the underseal at the back of the pedal box.

I now have a 10p sized hole to weld. I thought I had done all of the welding.

[Talbot]

Quote

various frightening towing shenanigans

I think it depends a lot on the two people doing the towing and being towed.  I have also had some utterly frightening towing experiencies, but do also remember a breakdown I had in my first Talbot Express SWB van.  The head-gasket was 100% SNAFU, so the AA bloke who had come out to me got special permission to extend his working hours and tow me home, as he lived only about 5 miles from me and it was on his way home anyway.

So, we had a 2-ish-tonne Talbot Express on a rigid bar on the back of a VW transporter (IIRC).  He had warned me that he couldn't do all the braking for all of us, as 2 tonnes was "quite a bit" to have on the pole, so I needed to "help him out" with that.  We ended up doing about 30 miles like this, using a route I've never used before, with me having to assist the braking.  The AA guy was absolutely superb, moving over to the nearside a lot so that I had a smidgen of visibility past the offide of his van, signals were all clear, road positioning perfect etc.  It was a genuinely good experience to be towed by him.  I was also quite lucky that the Express didn't have PAS, so it was just as easy to steer as normal.  The battery lasted all the way home too, which meant I had wipers/lights etc, and could even have the radio on in the background.  Not the worst thing.

.. in stark contrast to the bellend who I tried to tow off a motorway roundabout once as he'd broken down.  I was about to go through the details of what he needed to do (ignition on, brakes will be wooden, heavy steering etc.  and he just said "I know what I'm doing"....  Which he didn't, as he forgot to put the key in the ignition.  First bend we came to, his steering locked and he shot off the road and up the embankment, pulling my car around sideways and snapping the (admitedly cheap) tow-rope.  Luckily on a B-road, not the motorway.  He was about to have a go at me over it, so I just lef him there.  Twazzock that he was.