What if it Snows?

Well, the young mechanic that repaired my truck showed me the damaged air bags, and forensic investigation yielded this conclusion:

The bags were badly dry rotted at the bottom fold.

These compromised areas expanded during a single event, possibly while backing under a loaded trailer, or hitting a big bump.

This started slow leaks that got progressively worse.

These slow leaks were compressed closed by an empty trailer, and the bags were able to inflate enough to give the illusion that everything was fine. No audible leak with an empty.

That's the capsule version. This was a head scratcher from me, to our terminal mechanic, to our company guy that pays the outside mechanics. In fact, he was on the phone with the Love's mechanic and questioning the young man's diagnostic capabilities, saying that he couldn't believe it was three (3) bags failing so it must be something else.

So the young man did a bubble check, took pics and forwarded them to the company guy.

Repairs approved.

Repairs completed.

I have been relieved of the yeast load, and must now bobtail back to Cedar Rapids to pick up another one tomorrow.

Pork chops at the 80 today......

 

Why didn't they just replace all four? So you can go back for the fourth one in a few days?

 

Tariffs? Bonded warehouse only has 3 in stock. Maybe politics change AGAIN next week, then get 100 in while low. Make coin the next cycle, before free 90 days on warehouse lease kicks in. Timing is everything, especially in air bags and pregnancy planning.

 

Go across the street to Grandma's for pork chops. You can thank me later

 

I agree.....only 3 (three) were authorized by the company.

 

I went to Grandma's last time through, on the strength of your recommendation.

They were good.

But definitely NOT "like the Iowa 80 used to do them".

Just my opinion.

I remember big, honkin' 1.25-inch chops at the 80.

In fairness, I was there right after the Jamboree, and they might've been using up the extras.

Now, there were other menu items that looked good at Grandma's I was curious about, they have a marvelous dessert selection, friendly staff, and it's where the locals eat.

I anticipate a lot of four wheeled HIDES on the trip back to CR, and the HIDES tend to congregate at the 80.

So, I might end up at Grandma's, anyway.....

 

Absolutely. I had one blow and a couple of days later had a second one blow. Went to the place and told them to replace all. I figured they were all made and installed on the same day, so they were all junk.

Benyo.....you owe me $30 for a very small bottle of very hot Nicaraguan Death sauce. I'll wait patiently next to the mailbox.

 

Coming near you soon...

 

Again, I agree, but it wasn't my call.

Maybe company guy will think twice about failing to temper his bean counting with "recommended maintenance practices" when he gets a call from this very same Love's on the return trip.....