Well I was enjoying my drive back north, when all of a sudden I realize my rear wheel flew by me and my truck dropped onto the pavement....
My 4runner broke an axle shaft, and since this happened on Saturday the day before Easter, there wasn't much to be done. The junkyards would not have
the part, and welding was not an option.
I took the bus back to the states, but, now I am trying to figure out how to get my truck back.
A wonderful family let me tow it into their lot behind a gate. I think its safe for the time being.
I am planning on getting a trailer to bring it back, but, having a hard time locating one.
Does anyone know how much it would cost to get towed to the border so AAA could tow it back to my house here in San Diego?
Thanks for any help or opinions.
BajaWarrior - 3-23-2008 at 11:00 AM
I talked to this guy at the Book Signing last May.
The dilimna your facing is your truck cannot just be picked up from the rear, and then just dropped off at the Border, then transferred to a AAA tow
truck. You need someone that can cross the border with your vehicle.
A second option is a tow dolly or flatbed trailer designed to haul a vehicle. If you can re-fit the axle and wheel back onto your vehicle, you could
move it a short distance.
When I blew a transmission on a Suburban years ago at Honey's camp south of San Quintin, luckily we also had our MotorHome so we went back to San
Diego, rented a Tow Dolly and went back and got it, long drive, but with little expense, and all in under 24 hours.
Good Luck amigo.
BWBAJACAT - 3-23-2008 at 11:07 AM
Bummer, at least you are optimistic about it(second picture).you can rent a trailer at u-haul or get the part here in SD and fix over there.Good luck
and Welcome.BooJumMan - 3-23-2008 at 11:14 AM
Thanks for the quick replies.
Well, I have called u-haul, and they won't let me take it cross the border. :/
I have located the axle shaft assembly, and will be able to fix it down there...but, its just the fact I am a little scared about leaving the truck in
plain view of the highway. I wont get the part till the end of the week!!
Looks like I will have to either buy a trailer, or get lucky and find a friend who will let me borrow a trailer... hmmmmmm!!
Yeah, I was bummed, but, it could have been a lot worse!! I was on a flat, straight stretch and the family was so great who helped me. They gave me
fish taco's, beer and offered me a room.
The bus ride was great by the way. I may take the bus more often!
[Edited on 3-23-2008 by BooJumMan]BajaWarrior - 3-23-2008 at 11:19 AM
Now that must have slipped my mind to tell the Equipment Rental yard that we were taking the Tow Dolly into Mexico...
Or, call up your desert buddies, someone's got to have a flatbed trailer...BAJACAT - 3-23-2008 at 11:23 AM
Yes BajaWarrior is right, you are not supposed to tell them that the dolly is going to be used in MX,I just tell them is in town towing.I have done it
3 times already.TMW - 3-23-2008 at 11:30 AM
Frankly I would rent a trailer and not mention exactly where I'm going and just go get it. Unless your in a wreck with it, how would they know. I have
found it's better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. I ran into the same problems in Dec. when I wrecked my Toyota PU in Mexicali. I
couldn't find a trailer or tow dolly in Calexico or El Centro to tow the truck. In thinking about it I could have not mentioned it was for a truck and
just rented a double axle trailler. It turned out OK for me anyway since we repaired it to drive, but you have to think outside the box sometimes.sunshine - 3-23-2008 at 12:39 PM
I had a similar problem when I blew my transmission in El Rosario a few years back. If you have mexican insurance they may cover the cost of the
repairs as long as they are done in Mexico. I wasn't willing to do this as I wanted my warranty in the US. The insurance may also cover some of the
cost of the tow to the border. I was quoted about $700.00 us to tow it from El Rosario to Ensenada.
I ran into the trailer rental places not allowing me to take it across the border, the only option I found was to rent the trailer and just risk it.
Only the way into Ensada there was a gas station that was selling tow dollies for about $300.00, just another option.
I think your best bet would be to borrow someones trailer and get the proper documentation if there is an issue, or repair it San Quintin and drive it
home.
I was able to borrow a tow bar and flat tow my truck back home.
Good luckMulegena - 3-23-2008 at 12:53 PM
Consider having it fixed where it is with Mexican parts and labor. Really, we have had good luck with mechanics, parts and labor down here.DENNIS - 3-23-2008 at 01:12 PM
If you can get it up to Punta Banda, I have just the mechanic for you.
I have friends who had badass car trouble down south and they paid a trucker pulling an empty flatbed to haul it back here. He was coming north empty
anyway. It wasn't cheap, in fact it was too much but, they made it.
Forgot to mention, you can rent two wheel car dollys here in Ensenada.
[Edited on 3-23-2008 by DENNIS]BooJumMan - 3-23-2008 at 01:48 PM
Thanks for the replies once again.
Well I've decided to take the bus back with the part I need and fix it myself. I know how to fix it, the problem was locating a part! Toyota
dealerships are way overpriced, and luckily I have located one in a junkyard here.
The trailer option would be sweet. The U-haul idea crossed my mind. I was just going to call back with a different voice in case they would remember
me asking about the whole Mexico thing! hehe... My father has a v8 Tundra,
however I was reading that towing a vehicle like my 4runner and with a heavy duty trailer will be very scary. So, now im ditching the trailer idea.
Now I am aware of the culture, as I have lived in San Diego my entire life, and have been traveling into Baja my entire life as well, but, would it be
wise to offer money to the family? What crossed my mind was that they might take it as an insult. I don't want to ask since they will probably say
"no". Should I just write them a card and slip it to them on the way out?bajalera - 3-23-2008 at 03:15 PM
Good luck, Boo! Sounds like you know what you're doing.DENNIS - 3-23-2008 at 04:19 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by BooJumMan
Now I am aware of the culture, as I have lived in San Diego my entire life, and have been traveling into Baja my entire life as well, but, would it be
wise to offer money to the family?
Don't offer it to them. Find a way to give it to them. Tell them it's for the security they gave or, better yet, tell them it's for the kids. You
owe them something if it works out.HCR - 3-23-2008 at 04:25 PM
My experience is to give a monetary gift to the mother and say "para la casa" or to give it to the father or mother and say "por los ninos."
If they refuse, you have still acted honrably by offering. I didn't read that you described the apparent economic condition of the family and it's
possible they can really use any extra money.DENNIS - 3-23-2008 at 04:51 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by HCR
My experience is to give a monetary gift to the mother and say "para la casa" or to give it to the father or mother and say "por los ninos."
Exactly but, you had best deal with the man of the family first.
What we're speaking of here isn't a gift. It has to be given so the gracious guardian of your property can feel that his heart was behind his efforts
and you can't interfere with that without it turning into a crass buisiness deal. The man's soul must be attended to before his financial needs.
Sad for us that we have to be reminded of this finery of the human condition.Diver - 3-23-2008 at 06:11 PM
On occassion I have turned the tables on the cultural issue.
I insisted that in the US I would have to pay, even if they were my brother and that I would not feel right if they did not accept my thanks. It has
worked every time - they graciously accept so as not to offend.
.BooJumMan - 3-23-2008 at 06:44 PM
Sounds good. I'll try all that stuff.
Does anyone know what sort of price it would be to get the truck towed to the border or into the states? I'm a little apprehensive on towing it back
myself, and it will be till the end of the week until I can get down there to fix it. Id rather not keep it there for that long...
Call Jimmy at MAS
Keri - 3-23-2008 at 07:27 PM
His number is 626-943-9423 Here is the 800 number in the . U.S. Dial 1-866-639-4869
Thats Mexican Auto Services. Tell him Keri told you to call. He should be able to lead you in the right direction.k
[Edited on 3-24-2008 by Keri]Steve&Debby - 3-24-2008 at 08:36 AM
I would deffinatley offer something to the family for watching your vehicle. We had problems with a trailer axle about 25 miles south of El Rosario in
December on Christmas day.A truck driver stopped and helped us get the trailer to were we could limp back to El Rosario to get it fixed. We the truck
driver $50.00 at first he would not take it.My wife told him to take the money and take his wife out to dinner, then he smiled and took the money.
Many thanks to him.shari - 3-24-2008 at 09:49 AM
Most mexicans will not "accept" money...but what the cultural custom is that you just leave it in an envelope...preferably with the wife...all money
should be given to the woman for the family and believe me, although they refuse to accept it...it is very much appreciated. Here it is custom to not
accept money, food etc....when they really do need it and want it...but it's rude to accept...so ya just shove it in the pocket or leave it in an
obvious place etc....very important...show your appreciation. Now make sure everything is on your car...lots of parts go missing from broke down
vehicles...or other parts exchanged...so go over things carefully amigo...good luckGadget - 3-24-2008 at 01:44 PM
Another thing not addressed here if you are going to go down and fix it is the condition of your wheel / hub / axel assembly that left the vehicle.
The "C" clip that broke at the diff and let the hub / axel assembly leave the housing may not be the only problem. Did you check the condition of the
axel for straightness? All the weight of the vehicle on that side as it slides out can bend it. Also the splined end of the axel can get damaged
when it launches down the road.
Hopefull all things you checked out already so it goes back together right if you are going to drive it home. If you are going to tow dolly it home
I'd do it facing backwards and fix it state side.
Good luck, welcome to the board and let us know how it turned out.Bob and Susan - 3-24-2008 at 01:51 PM
"you just leave it in an envelope...preferably with the wife"
sorry shari i just couldn't resistBooJumMan - 3-24-2008 at 02:19 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Gadget
Another thing not addressed here if you are going to go down and fix it is the condition of your wheel / hub / axel assembly that left the vehicle.
The "C" clip that broke at the diff and let the hub / axel assembly leave the housing may not be the only problem. Did you check the condition of the
axel for straightness? All the weight of the vehicle on that side as it slides out can bend it. Also the splined end of the axel can get damaged
when it launches down the road.
Hopefull all things you checked out already so it goes back together right if you are going to drive it home. If you are going to tow dolly it home
I'd do it facing backwards and fix it state side.
Good luck, welcome to the board and let us know how it turned out.
Good points for sure.
Luckily, the axle housing appears to be straight, and the axle itself is straight, the splines are also good as well. My first thought was it could
have damaged the ring and pinion.
I got an OEM replacement sent down from Washington (Junkyard) with everything needed to slide it in and take off for $150 shipped. Beats paying $400
just for the shaft from Toyota. I'd be dealing with 2 shafts that way... (haha)>
Oh well, I hope the family wont mind it staying till Friday. I had to leave a note with them as they had to leave the day I got there. I had told them
I'd get it out ASAP, but, Friday seems to be the only option. I may try the Mexican Auto Insurance mentioned in this post too..Heather - 3-25-2008 at 02:50 PM
My husband had a truck that he left with a family where it broke down, somewhere between Cabo and La Paz. It took a while for it to get moved, but
he'd stop and check it out every week or so, and bring fish for the family. That was his payment, as he was fishing in Cabo at the time. I don't
think he ever gave them any $$, just paid in fish!
Don't worry about not getting the truck out right away, I 'm sure they expect you to get it "manana", but in "Mexican Time"!
Saludos and suerrte, Heather
