My Friend Paul and I went to Nashville,TN to pick up a Prevost mobile home coach.  It was a 16 hour drive so we stayed in a couple motelss on the way, had wonderful trip.  Left on a Sat. AM  and went to the Dealer on Mon. got all his paper work done etc.  We then proceeded to Camping World to buy a dolly tag along to hook up the vehicle we had driven down there.  We got the runaround about a special order that would be done and shipped in 10 days,well we didn't have time to wait 10 days, so we proceeded to a U-Haul rental we were told they had nothing on the lot so the rep located one in another facility on the south side of Nashville.  He told us and printed up a reservation for one for the next morning which Paul pre paid.  We then proceeded to that facility the manager told us we cannot hook the tow dolly up on the small truck at the U-Haul place that the Motor home would have to be driven to the facility to be installed and loaded with the truck. After about 1 hour later they were still trying to get the rear wheels to free up, seems that because it is 4wd. no one put it in the neutral positio the same as the autmatic transmissio.  I finally asked if the 4wd had been put in N and the front wheels have lock out hubs to disengage so we unlocked the hubs.  We were loaded and ready to hit the highway for home.

We proceeded to I-65 N with in 20 -25 min.s a man pulled up next to us blowing the horn and point toward the rear of the motor home.  Paul looked in the side view mirror when he discoverd smoke we pulled off the road immediatly andthe whole truck was billowing smoke and flames,oil was pouring out of the bottom along w/ antifreeze.  We began attempting to un hook the tow dolly from the hitch of the prevost, windows were blowing out tires were popping.  Paul finally handed me his cell to call 911 all I got was they were bust I would have to wait for the next availble dispatcher... Some gentleman came running from the top of the hill and said he already called 911 they were on there way. 

This guy went down there and with all the smoke and flames managed to assist in getting the tow dolly unhooked.  I suddenly realized the dog was in the motor home chained to a table leg, becuase he likes to bolt the minute the door opens.  I ran down the hill to the motor home and couldn't get the chain un done now I am beginning to panic, but did finally get the dog out.   People strangers were gathering around to help me as  I was obviouslyvery upset, because Paul and this guy were down there and I was afraid something terrible was going to happen to them. The wife of this gentleman was vey comforting to me and helped calm me down when the fire dept arrived the truck had burned all the wheels off and the tow dolly was destroyed as was the truck.  No one was seriously injured although the guy that helped did need oxegyn for smoke inhalation.  Needless to say some one was watching over us that day and I have since written to the couple who helped us, who were total strangers yet were willing to go into a danferous situation.   When you see other peoples tragedies its hard enough but when it happens to you it is sureal.   We arrived back home in the evning on Wed.  I am so glad to be back......

Dewalt