Can I borrow a truck and trailer?

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Wed Dec 01, 2010 10:20 pm

As the title says, does anyone have a truck and a trailer that I can borrow for no more than 24 hours? The trailer would need to have a winch on it as the car I need to get isn't running. again. And I don't feel like changing a Miata alternator in a doctors office parking lot in Cary. I'm sure that The People's Republic of Cary has some law against that anyway.

I will gladly pay in what ever manner you deem necessary (with obvious limitations of course.)

I would love to be able to get it tomorrow afternoon if possible.

TIA

Todd

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

i assume your miata is dead in a parking lot and you want to haul it home? i have to head to cary tomorrow, i can bring my truck/trailer. we'll have to push it on the trailer but that's no biggie, i've seen far heavier cars get loaded w/o a winch.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

With a freshly charged battery or two you should be able to make it home in daylight.

JasonWatts · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 1:03 am

MikeWhitney wrote:

With a freshly charged battery or two you should be able to make it home in daylight.

and it is a miata... all he needs is a few AA batteries. :lol:

Bernie Baake · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:09 am

Todd, you can use mine if things don't work out. Just fill it up when your done. If you need help I'll come with it.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:25 am

I can offer one as well. We will get the little thing home safely.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:09 pm

Wow, that was quick. Though I think plans have changed a little. I forgot that today is my daughter's birthday and because of that, I'm not going to go get the car.

I may try Mike's idea of charging the battery and driving it home tomorrow. If that doesn't work, I may be calling one of you guys.

This is why I love this club. You guys are always so willing to help.

I may even take Jason's recommendation and have a pack of AA's with me! :lol:

Thanks again guys and see you on Saturday!

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:11 pm

Todd Breakey wrote:

I may try Mike's idea of charging the battery and driving it home tomorrow. If that doesn't work, I may be calling one of you guys.

Todd, I guess you don't have AAA? I never leave home without it. The best thing is it doesn't matter what/who's car you're in.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:14 pm

I had it but let it lapse a couple years ago and haven't take the time to renew. Maybe this will get me off my butt.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:09 pm

If you just need a battery to get it home I could let you borrow the one out of my Miata. Car is pretty much parked until Feburary anyway.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:11 pm

Thanks James. Let me see how well it takes a charge tomorrow. I'm sure it will be fine, the battery is only about 8 months old.

BTW - this isn't my yellow Miata, it is my sister's. Stupid thing is nickel & diming her to death is seems.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Todd Breakey wrote:

Thanks James. Let me see how well it takes a charge tomorrow. I'm sure it will be fine, the battery is only about 8 months old.

BTW - this isn't my yellow Miata, it is my sister's. Stupid thing is nickel & diming her to death is seems.

Probably doesn't need to be said but remember a few things:

- No lights!
- No radio, fan, nothing electrical
- Be sure it's fully charged -- (2+ hours on a good charger)
- If it's in a position to do so, push start the car
- Bring a multimeter or a dash voltage gauge to watch the voltage plummet as you drive home.

Actually I'm curious how much juice it will take to go, what, 10 miles? Post the before and after voltage when you can

Last time I did this, it was in high school on a date driving home from the movies, I remember the lights getting *really* dim by the time I got home. It was a carbed car though, no ECU, so it was probably still running ok on 10 volts.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

in the 13 hour race last month one of the spec miatas lost the alternator at hour 12. we had to do two battery swaps but it finished the race. i think each one lasted about half an hour w/ lights and near redline engine speeds.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 6:58 pm

I knew one of the ITA (the winning ITA car) had battery issues. They jumper cabled two batteries together to finish the last hour or so. I have a picture of that contraption on the forum somewhere. I didn't realize that a SM had issues also.

One good thing, I have access to 3 Miata batteries. Between the three, we should definately be able to get the car to my driveway.

Thanks guys!

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:01 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

Probably doesn't need to be said but remember a few things:

- No lights!
- No radio, fan, nothing electrical
- Be sure it's fully charged -- (2+ hours on a good charger)
- If it's in a position to do so, push start the car
- Bring a multimeter or a dash voltage gauge to watch the voltage plummet as you drive home.

Actually I'm curious how much juice it will take to go, what, 10 miles? Post the before and after voltage when you can

Last time I did this, it was in high school on a date driving home from the movies, I remember the lights getting *really* dim by the time I got home. It was a carbed car though, no ECU, so it was probably still running ok on 10 volts.

Will do on all accounts. Question, you're familiar with Miata layouts, where should I put the mulitmeter? I'm interested in seeing how fast it drops also.

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