Since a picture is worth a thousand words, this one sums it up:

Yep, the truck overheated going up a 12% grade on State Highway 9N heading east into Elizabethtown, New York. So it turns out that my anxiety and my hand-wringing were well founded, and I should have heeded those instincts more closely!
On the way up the hill, I knew the engine wasn’t happy, but the gauge wasn’t showing it was hot. I was chugging along, trying to maintain 25 mph, and got to the top where I thought things would calm down a little. Then the engine just stopped. You know how the power steering and brakes go out when the engine stops? Scary. I felt lucky to be able to get over to the side of the road and park on the teeny tiny shoulder, before the highway made a big downhill run which might have been disastrous. I have to admit that my heart was pounding. Some of you have called me brave to do this? HA!
And once I’d pulled over, I looked at my phone to make a call – and there was no cell service. Murphy’s Law at work.
The good news is 1) I was able to unhook my car, which might have been impossible because I was on a downhill slope which can create too much forward pressure on the hitch, 2) I have a roadside assistance policy for the RV with Good Sam, which includes towing, and 3) I’m in a gorgeous part of the country – there are worse places to break down. Always trying to look at the positive!!
As planned, I had taken the scenic route, which starts on Route 3 out of Carthage, NY, and winds through the Adirondacks to Saranac Lake. From there, I took Route 86 and then 73 to Keene, and then got on 9N to Elizabethtown, headed for Vermont. I was doing really well and feeling rather cocky that I’d made it across the Adirondacks, when I hit that steep grade. I thought I would at least be able to make it to the town to stop and get checked, but it was not to be.
Actually, I made it to Elizabethtown with my car, and fortunately, Verizon cell service worked great there. It was probably about 10:30 am when I broke down, and about 3 pm by the time the tow truck got to my rig and hooked me up, ready to head about 40 miles to Saranac Lake – back the way I came.

I felt fortunate to find a room at a cheap hotel right near the garage. There was no mechanic on duty yesterday, but I walked over to the shop this morning (Monday). The long-awaited call came at 6 pm this evening, reporting that they had to replace a clamp. The engine had severely overheated, and the old clamp failed, which released the hose and all the anti-freeze. They test-drove it, and the engine is just fine now. Whew!! It certainly could have been far worse.
So now the question is: which route do I take to Vermont? Well, I did my research, and found a terrific resource – an e-book for $25 called Mountain Directory which outlines all the above-average grades on roads across the country. And yes, that little stretch of road where I got stuck is in the book. So I was able to plan my 100 mile trip tomorrow to avoid steep grades, and I’ll know better for next time. Wish me luck!!
You poor Roadie!! Way to go to have discovered the Mountain Directory!!
Be careful……and I know we ALL wish you luck!!💜
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Oy vey! So glad you’re OK and can continue on. Have a good trip tomorrow!
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As I used to camp with an older conversion van, I pretty much had many of the same problems. However, being a conversion van, whose transmission would go out, I learned how to still drive to be able to get home! But transmissions are mighty expensive! Evidently the conversion package made the van too heavy, & that’s why the transmission kept going out. However, I did enjoy camping down at Cumberland Gap in Kentucky with my van. Miss the grand experience. Joan
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GOOD LUCK!
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Glad you were able to be safe and get things rectified. You are quite a trail-blazer!
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😳thank goodness it all turned out well!!!
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Wow that was scary! Glad everything worked out. It is so beautiful up there. Enjoy!
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Wow, Chris! What an adventure! And just like you to make the most of it with your positive thinking. So glad you are safe, transportation is restored, you discovered helpful resources to guide you, and you are back “on the road again”!
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All I can say Darling Christine is your sense of adventure and positive attitude is in your Genes and DNA
Your favorite Uncle —- Jim
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I read your blog a couple of days ago and am still thinking about your adventure! Glad all worked out.
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