đźšš Truck Update: Brakes, Water Runs, and Salvage Yard Hopes
We finally got the parts in to repair the truck’s brakes. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get any photos of the parts or the guys doing the work. After the repairs, they took it for a test drive into town, and everything seemed fine… at first.
Feeling confident, they decided to take it on a **water run** — that’s when the trouble started. The brakes began acting up again, sometimes locking up, sometimes not working at all. Not exactly the kind of surprise you want when you’re hauling water through rough desert roads.
Today, they’re planning to take another look. The biggest concern? The **caliper** might be bad. From what I’ve been told, that’s a pricey repair. More than likely, we’ll be searching local **salvage yards** for the part instead of buying new.
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### The Silver Lining
On the bright side, they *were* able to haul out **one load of water** before the brakes started misbehaving again. We never run full loads — usually around **100–120 gallons at a time** — to protect the trailer on these bumpy roads. It usually takes two loads to fill up the IBC tote completely.
Since they managed to get that first load home, it means one very important thing… **the shower is functional again!**
Life off-grid is full of challenges, but every small win — even something as simple as a working shower — feels like a big victory out here.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #TruckRepair #WaterHaul #KeepItMoving
Tag: truck repair update
$2,500 Brake Job FAIL! Truck Down, No Water, and Car Warning Lights — Off-Grid Struggles Exposed!
Update on the Truck Repairs — Parts Ordered, But Life Throws More Curves
Update on the truck repairs: after two days digging under the truck, we found the culprit—the **Dual Piston Front Caliper Mounting Bracket had fallen off while driving**. This part is critical for the front brakes, and its disappearance explains the brake problems we’ve been having.
We paid **\$2,500 for a full brake job**, and the truck has barely been driven—only about **1,000 miles** since then. Unfortunately, none of the local parts stores had this rare bracket in stock. After searching high and low, we ended up ordering the part from **Bronco Graveyard**. However, **there’s still no ETA on its arrival**, so the truck remains out of commission.
With the truck down, we can’t haul water anymore, which means the shower is effectively out of service—right now, we have just enough water left for maybe one shower.
Meanwhile, the car threw a curveball too. The **check engine light came on**, and a scan revealed it’s related to the **evaporative emissions solenoid**, a relatively cheap fix. But after investing everything into the truck, we don’t have funds to fix it immediately. Luckily, the mechanic assured us the car is safe to drive.
Adding to the fun, the car’s **check headlight warning lit up last night** while heading out to pick up Anne from work. So, while the car is still running fine, the warnings keep coming.
Off-grid life is beautiful but full of challenges—and right now, everything seems to be happening at once. We’re taking it day by day, hoping to get the truck back soon and the shower flowing again.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife, #TruckRepair, #DIYFixes, #RuralLiving, #KeepGoing
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 