You documented this so well! I felt gutted for you when your truck was being loaded on the tow truck. Any road lifer’s worst fear, but you handled everything so professionally, especially being in a foreign country. After all of these mishaps, nothing can stop you now!
The music in this video was so good, especially the section with JMM + Owl City. Hate that the last few months have been tough, but I know you have good perspectives about these things!
Certainly there will be a few people who will try to tell you that these are signs to give up on this trip and go home. Let them project their own insecurities & fears but don't let it affect you. This is par for the course for this lifestyle and you'll be all the more prepared. You've got this!
What a journey! Impressed with your guys embrace of the issues as they come along, plus your excellent diagnostic skills of the issues. Sara’s “dear!?” at the end 😂
Oh gosh guys, hoping that all is well. Downhill for us was usually almost slower than uphill. 2nd gear, low revs, pumping the brakes to keep them cool if it was really steep. Well done with the mechanic. If they give the slightest vibe that they don't know what they are doing, they don't. BTW, the best mechanic we ever had was in Oaxaca 💪🏼 Hoping that you are still having fun despite the challenges you had. 🤞🏼
It’s good to see El Rancho even if it is just a fuzzy background. Or at the end of a tow rope. Tell Cali hi. We miss Mexico but after nearly a year in South America we really like Chile. The Andes were a test going uphill and down and our Promaster van has 280 horsepower yet got us easily up to 15,600 feet in Peru. Best of luck. Not many Americans get this far. I hope you go all the way as there’s lots to see. Cheers from La Serena Chile.
But then again you will look back at this and say we learn and grew as a couple! Looking forward to seeing the adventures and scenery you wittiness as you travel south.😎
I think this is a great test of your resilience and coping skills, and also a lesson for you to trust your instincts around what’s wrong with your vehicle. It won’t be the last challenge thrown at you on the road, so knowing that you have (hopefully) diagnosed the fault successfully means you could fix a similar problem yourselves next time.
The Mexicans can be really sweet and helpful! Looked very stressful. Be careful what roads you choose in Mexico, even the main roads can have dangerous surprises. About a year or two ago there was a big traffic jam on a main highway from Mexico City to Queretaro and a bunch of bandits robbed about 50 cars at gunpoint - the police were very slow to show up, oddly enough. One idea is to have wallets with a little bit of cash and unimportant ID, hiding the real stash somewhere else in case you're ever robbed. Roads in Mexico can be dicey though. Maybe if possible see if you could travel with a couple of other vehicles going in the same direction?
One day you will look back on this and say "what were we thinking?" But then good things happen to good people. Happy for you it is all working out and you are learning so much! Expert diagnose Sarah!👍 You both handled it with calm and humor, Great combination in situations like that. Safe Travels!
Nice! Loved the video, eventhough it wasn't about positive stuff! But hey, things always breaks on cars.. and in the end it happened at the right time. And your advantage is that there will always be a way to repair your Toyota! 😍 Keep going you're expected further south 😄👐🏻 Safe travels!
Hey guys! A traveler and a Mexican here 🙋🏻♀️. I am sorry that hurdles keep coming up one after the next. I know how that is and how it tests oneself patience, will, etc. if it helps, travelling and experiencing moments like this, I learnt to enjoy it by accepting that the trip (call it the universe, karma, god or chance) is also a character in the trip and shows up to teach me something… if I fight it, it keeps coming up… if I learn the lesson, it goes away. Might sound too wild and maybe it is but it really helped me transform the experience so I am happy to share it here in case it helps. I know it isn’t easy but sometimes travelling and the road force us to let go our expectations and enjoy what what’s there instead. Sent you a message over on IG with info on other travelers that can help you out 😉
I am Mexican, from Monterrey NL, I recomend you before to do any travel inside our carreteras, ask for recomendations with Mexican people, because is better to travel safty and knowing pros and cons of your paths. Welcome and enjoy my beauty Mexico
You don’t look older , just wiser! At this rate I just may catch up with you… haha..Presently re-organizing here in s. Cal having just completed the upper end of Pan American. Maybe hook up with another overlander? That’s my plan anyway. Safe and fun travels once again!! ❤
Hi Sandie! Yes, we do take turns driving but I (Sara) drive more often just because the driver seat is super close to the dash and Chris' knees always hit it. It's far more uncomfortable for him to drive than it is for me and I always feel I can react more quickly in tense situations with going back and forth between clutch, throttle, and brake. ☺️
You documented this so well! I felt gutted for you when your truck was being loaded on the tow truck. Any road lifer’s worst fear, but you handled everything so professionally, especially being in a foreign country. After all of these mishaps, nothing can stop you now!
The music in this video was so good, especially the section with JMM + Owl City.
Hate that the last few months have been tough, but I know you have good perspectives about these things!
Certainly there will be a few people who will try to tell you that these are signs to give up on this trip and go home. Let them project their own insecurities & fears but don't let it affect you. This is par for the course for this lifestyle and you'll be all the more prepared. You've got this!
What a journey! Impressed with your guys embrace of the issues as they come along, plus your excellent diagnostic skills of the issues. Sara’s “dear!?” at the end 😂
Oh gosh guys, hoping that all is well. Downhill for us was usually almost slower than uphill. 2nd gear, low revs, pumping the brakes to keep them cool if it was really steep.
Well done with the mechanic. If they give the slightest vibe that they don't know what they are doing, they don't. BTW, the best mechanic we ever had was in Oaxaca 💪🏼
Hoping that you are still having fun despite the challenges you had. 🤞🏼
Very scary situation, you handled it with humbleness and humor!
It’s good to see El Rancho even if it is just a fuzzy background. Or at the end of a tow rope. Tell Cali hi. We miss Mexico but after nearly a year in South America we really like Chile. The Andes were a test going uphill and down and our Promaster van has 280 horsepower yet got us easily up to 15,600 feet in Peru. Best of luck. Not many Americans get this far. I hope you go all the way as there’s lots to see. Cheers from La Serena Chile.
There might be a powerful reason why you had to stay a bit longer in Oaxaca, sometimes is just life protecting us in some ways we do not understand ❤
Here for the adventures ❤
Safe travels 😊
Wow, glad you found the problem. What an adventure. I've RV'd a lot in the US, don't think I would attempt this trip, good luck you too!
But then again you will look back at this and say we learn and grew as a couple! Looking forward to seeing the adventures and scenery you wittiness as you travel south.😎
I think this is a great test of your resilience and coping skills, and also a lesson for you to trust your instincts around what’s wrong with your vehicle.
It won’t be the last challenge thrown at you on the road, so knowing that you have (hopefully) diagnosed the fault successfully means you could fix a similar problem yourselves next time.
The Mexicans can be really sweet and helpful! Looked very stressful. Be careful what roads you choose in Mexico, even the main roads can have dangerous surprises. About a year or two ago there was a big traffic jam on a main highway from Mexico City to Queretaro and a bunch of bandits robbed about 50 cars at gunpoint - the police were very slow to show up, oddly enough. One idea is to have wallets with a little bit of cash and unimportant ID, hiding the real stash somewhere else in case you're ever robbed. Roads in Mexico can be dicey though. Maybe if possible see if you could travel with a couple of other vehicles going in the same direction?
I empathize so much with this experience
One day you will look back on this and say "what were we thinking?" But then good things happen to good people. Happy for you it is all working out and you are learning so much!
Expert diagnose Sarah!👍 You both handled it with calm and humor, Great combination in situations like that. Safe Travels!
Nice! Loved the video, eventhough it wasn't about positive stuff! But hey, things always breaks on cars.. and in the end it happened at the right time. And your advantage is that there will always be a way to repair your Toyota! 😍 Keep going you're expected further south 😄👐🏻 Safe travels!
Quite the cluster. Good attitude.
😂😂 thank you!
Hey guys! A traveler and a Mexican here 🙋🏻♀️. I am sorry that hurdles keep coming up one after the next. I know how that is and how it tests oneself patience, will, etc. if it helps, travelling and experiencing moments like this, I learnt to enjoy it by accepting that the trip (call it the universe, karma, god or chance) is also a character in the trip and shows up to teach me something… if I fight it, it keeps coming up… if I learn the lesson, it goes away. Might sound too wild and maybe it is but it really helped me transform the experience so I am happy to share it here in case it helps. I know it isn’t easy but sometimes travelling and the road force us to let go our expectations and enjoy what what’s there instead. Sent you a message over on IG with info on other travelers that can help you out 😉
I am Mexican, from Monterrey NL, I recomend you before to do any travel inside our carreteras, ask for recomendations with Mexican people, because is better to travel safty and knowing pros and cons of your paths. Welcome and enjoy my beauty Mexico
Oh. My. God! It’s a good thing you love each other. LOL.
That mechanic school was a god send for you guys lol
You don’t look older , just wiser! At this rate I just may catch up with you… haha..Presently re-organizing here in s. Cal having just completed the upper end of Pan American. Maybe hook up with another overlander? That’s my plan anyway. Safe and fun travels once again!! ❤
You might have answered this question before, but do the two of you take turns driving?
Hi Sandie! Yes, we do take turns driving but I (Sara) drive more often just because the driver seat is super close to the dash and Chris' knees always hit it. It's far more uncomfortable for him to drive than it is for me and I always feel I can react more quickly in tense situations with going back and forth between clutch, throttle, and brake. ☺️
@chrisandsara makes sense :) really enjoying following along with your journey 😊
Look up how to use engine braking. There is never a reason to have brakes smoking. Plus it is dangerous.
If you are going too fast in second, stop with the brakes (relatively quickly) then shift to first.
It’s called ‘bleeding’ your brakes … u can always go downhill in low gear… slow but safe and u don’t have to use your brakes
Thanks Steve
Maybe its time to turn around and go home and begin a new adventure. God Bless yall! Be safe and smart.
Trip nightmares ?
?
Build out a new truck camper 😉
The most important thing in life is to build memories that make us happy. I have a feeling this trip fits the bill for you. Enjoy!