mr. cob

1 minute ago, GeorgiaHybrid said:

Dave,

Those MB engineers were pretty smart designing the smart .... They put them under the front passenger floorboard with the battery.... Most of them have been tossed into the woods after the owner couldn't unlock the car to use it to unlock the car.

😎

Howdy G H,

Remember in my last post, where I used the words, "extreme prejudice", just sayin.........😉

Dave

1 minute ago, GeorgiaHybrid said:

I thought you just inserted the winding key and turned it for 10 minutes or so to give it a good charge to be able to unlock it.

Howdy GH,

Well if that's true, I need to find and deal with extreme prejudice the person who stole the winding key.

Dave

24 minutes ago, rickeieio said:

Dave, is your battery not up front under the "hood"?  Wouldn't a simple jump, or trickle charger have been simpler?

Howdy Ricky,

The battery in my Smart Car, ( 2013 ) is located under the floor on the passenger side of the car.  You have to pull the floor mat up, remove the plastic thing that holds the toe hook and tire pump, then the battery is mounted in a deep recess.  NO WAY to get to the battery without getting into the car.

Dave

14 minutes ago, Darryl&Rita said:

Sounds like either the lock is seized from lack of use, or the ignition tumbler has been swapped and not keyed to match the car.

Howdy Darryl,

Kinda what I was thinking, now that I know how to break into it I can do that in an emergency.  Much easier to just keep the battery charged which would not have been a problem if we had been driving the car on a regular basis rather then sitting here watching it rain while a new roof is being put on the house.

Dave

Howdy All,

To kinda bring this thread back around to the original problem, TWO things I have learned from this experience.

ONE, if the battery in your Smart Car, is DEAD, and I am "ASSUMING" any other modern vehicle that has electric door locks and a key fob you will have to either open the door with a key or in my case have a lock smith type person or a car jacker open it for you.

TWO, just because you have a key that works in the ignition that does NOT mean it will work to open the door.

For some reason, I don't know why, even with the battery charged the supplied keys that came with my Smart Car, will NOT unlock the door.  If the door is locked it can only be opened with the key fob.  I can only assume that there is a problem with the lock in the door.  When I insert the key it will NOT turn in either direction.  So I guess the safest thing to do is not lock the doors, nothing in it to steal anyway.

Dave

2 hours ago, jenandjon said:

There are a few farmers that would disagree with you. 

I know more than a few that work themselves to death. I've been told that camping and fishing is waste of time when you could be working.

I talked to one older farmer one day. He said his whole family was on vacation. His wife, all the kids and grandkids all went somewhere. He would rather say home and work. He hasn't seen his kids in years. They live all over the country. They all get together once a year for a couple weeks and go do something. He stays home. He will probably never meet his grandkids.

The day my bossed dad died we kept working. The day of is his funeral we got back to the farm changed clothes and went straight to work. It was just another day. 

Sad way to live, I think. All these guys have more money than they know what to do with. They will still work until the day they die. Telling people like us we are wasting time and need to be more productive. 

Howdy Jen and Jon,

Words I lived by, "Work to live, NOT live to work"

Dave

3 hours ago, rpsinc said:

Well, I do know how you have come to enjoy your activities in Q and esp the company of friends.  Its too bad that you are stuck dealing with Mother Natures leftovers.  It almost sounds like your having to do work, maybe not with tools but certainly with managing those projects.  Hope all goes well and you can get out of town soon.

I understand about contractors being busy.  That has been my profession for over 3 decades and with the economy looking questionable, I wonder if I will EVER be able to stop this.  But I will say that my body is telling that I dont have too much longer to be able to do this.  Between being sore and having less stamina, I am also looking forward to some Southwest rejuvination.

 

Howdy Marcel,

My biggest problem is staying in the house and not complaining about how long it's taking.  The contractor is doing a good job but he's dealing with having to do multiple jobs and working around the weather it's not a good situation for any of us.  Retire as soon as you can, our time on this planet is limited and I don't think anyone ever died wishing they had worked more then they enjoyed life's off time.

Dave

19 hours ago, Danfreda1 said:

Howdy Dave 

we just left the hdt group this morning and moved to Plamosa road with the Escapees group. Besides the cold nights and wind weather is about like last year but a night of rain and a couple days of clouds. Wish you and Donna were here, going to stay here for a week the might see Roger and Karen for a few days then quartzite for a week or 2. Kept the horn blow at sunset going until we left but don’t know if they kept it going tonight. Tell Donna we said hi

Howdy DanFreda,

We sure miss being there, hopefully someone will continue the horn honk it's become kinda traditional by now.  They are making SLOW progress on the house still hoping to make it south but don't know when.

Dave

20 hours ago, runaway parents said:

 Hey Mr. Cobb Home depot has those hair bags  in their tool department .I use them for hanging doors. Anyway got locked out of  our car. A air wedge a  Wooden  Shim and a coat hanger Got me in.

Howdy r p,

After seeing that little baggi thing in action I am thinking of getting one, never know when such a thing might come in handy.

Dave

3 hours ago, rpsinc said:

hope you realize that Q & the Southwest has been getting LOTS of inches of rain, so you may have been in the rain and gloom as well, but today is a really nice sunny day and we are drying out.

Howdy Marcel,

Yes I might be in rain and gloom if I were in Arizona, BUT I would be with friends and able to ride my SxS, TWO very big pluses compared to what I am enduring now. 

On November 8th, during a bad wind storm two very large trees fell onto our garage and home.  The garage took the biggest hit but both the garage and the house are having new roofing and needed repairs done. 

All the contractors are busy with repairing storm damage it hit the whole area hard.  So I don't know if I'll be able to make it south this winter or not, could be another three weeks before we know for sure when the repairs are complete.

Dave

46 minutes ago, Darryl&Rita said:

Dave, do you have a 451 or 453? I'm not sure of the 453 construction, but the 450 and 451 linkage is all inside the door panel, where a Slim Jim can't get to it. The lock is direct connected to a solenoid, there's not even any linkage to grab. You might try going to the interior door release on the opposite side and pulling it, while prying the window open a crack.

Howdy Darryl,

The towing insurance sent a guy out, he used a couple of little pry bars to get the window top to move, then slipped a little thing that looked like a baggi in-between the window and the door frame, pumped up the baggi this opened a small space between the window and the door frame and slid a long tool through the opening and under the inside door latch then using the tool opened the door, took him all of about 2 minuets.  Jumped the battery, car is now running, if I was in Arizona instead of here in the rain and gloom I would be a very happy camper.

Dave

1 hour ago, Lou Schneider said:

You should be able to pry off the plastic cover to reveal the keyhole.  Or unlock the rear hatch to gain entry.  Much longer explanation here:

https://www.justanswer.co.uk/car/848ih-can-t-unlock-smart-car-2003-city-cabrio-using-key.html

Howdy Lou,

Thanks for the link, on my car there is no key lock on the passenger side or to the rear hatch.  I called our roadside service they are sending someone out hope they can open the door.

Dave

Just now, Lou Schneider said:

You should be able to pry off the plastic cover to reveal the keyhole.

Howdy Lou,

I was thinking that might be the case but I don't want to break something not knowing what I am doing.  Are you certain that the plastic cover is made to be pried off?

Dave

Howdy All,

Due to trees falling on our home in November we have not driven south this winter.  The Smart Car, has been tied down behind the sleeper for the last 3 months without being started, and of course the battery is now dead.  I can't figure out how to insert the key into the door to unlock it so I can get inside to charge up the battery, there looks to be some sort of cover over the key hole.  If anyone can offer a suggestion on how to get in the car without busting something I sure would appreciate it, thanks.

Dave

Howdy Larry,

As the old song says, "What a long strange trip it's been..........." So glad to hear your back up and running after such an ordeal, safe and many travels to you and yours.

Dave

1 hour ago, nawaa said:

There's a Camping World that allows overnight parking, no service appt. needed. You might check them out with a phone call.

The Days End Directory, put out by our fellow Escapees, is a terrific resource for free and low-cost overnight options. It's worth the small amount they charge, and if you help keep it updated you can get enough "points" to get it free. We've used it successfully several times.

Howdy nawaa,

I have thought about officially joining the group, thanks for the tip.

Dave

12 hours ago, fpmtngal said:

I don’t think I’d stay anywhere in Bakersfield except in a park (I’ve stayed in a couple of them in the past couple of years), crime is definitely an issue in the whole city (at least it was several years ago).

I would stay at the Flying J in Lebec, if you don’t mind driving another hour south to get there.  The last time I was through there was this summer and it looked about the same as always.  I’m pretty sure they still allow overnight RVs in a different lot than the truck lot.

If you are going to head east on hwy 58 out of Bakersfield, there’s a couple of reasonable places in Tehachapi.

Howdy fpmtngal,

Thank you, we will be going over Tehachapi, but we will have already put on 400 miles before getting to Bakersfield, should arrive there around 6-7PM so going further would make the wife unit extremely unhappy to keep going until later at night.

Dave

13 hours ago, sandsys said:

There's a Cracker Barrel in Bakersfield but I'd call to ask about staying overnight. Satellite view shows enough room but I don't know about that particular store's policy. 661-636-6200

Linda Sand

Howdy Linda,

Thanks, we like Cracker Barrel, I'll give them a call.

Dave

3 hours ago, Lou Schneider said:

The free overnight spots in CA's populated areas went away when homeless folks started living in older RVs and cars there.  While it's not free, Bear Mountain RV Park about 10 miles south of Bakersfield (Hwy 99 at Bear Mtn Rd / Hwy 223 exit) is $42 a night including tax.  If you're coming south on I-5 take the Hwy 223 exit and go east.  Nice modern park, no orange trees, swimming pools, etc. just wide roads and 90 ft long full hookup pull through spots.  It was originally built as a mobile home park not too long ago and then converted to well kept long term RV spaces when the mobile home market didn't pan out.  There's a whole section reserved for overnight/short term stays.  I usually stop there for a night whenever I go through Bakersfield - it's out in the country so crime isn't a problem and it's a good place to dump and fill the tanks on the way out or back from the desert.

Howdy Lou,

Thanks for the information.  I appreciate it.

Dave

Just now, HERO Maker said:

Good to hear that you're back on the road!  Was worried that I would hear of another tree crashing into your rig!  Can't help you on the Bakersfield area.

There are 4 Home Depots in Bakersfield.  ( that surprises me!)  Never had a problem staying overnight at HD.  Maybe there is a city or even a state rule?  Wouldn't surprise me.

Howdy Rocky,

Good to hear from you hope all is well with you and yours.  I don't know about the Home Depots but all the Walmart's are not allowing overnight anymore in ca that I am aware of, signs posted some local law prohibits it and I have been told by the Walmart folks not to do it or risk getting tagged or towed.  I "ASSUME" that goes for all the big box stores.  Looking at the parking lots in google earth, shows lot of trees in many of the lots, very sharp turns and curbs that would limit maneuvering with rigs like ours, old style flat open parking lots are a thing of the past it would seem.

Dave

Just now, jkoenig24 said:

I'm not familiar with the area in regards to safety but, is it not possible to park the Jeep in the passenger parking area for several hours?

Howdy jkoenig24,

Yes it is possible, but with the breakins that are happening all over and Bakersfield is NOT the best place to be I hate to leave a new Jeep unattended, the Jeep Gladiator is one of the top vehicles to be stolen or broken into.  I had my Freigthliner broken into and lost my GPS, microwave, refrigerator, CB and TV while parked in a supposedly secure long term hotel parking lot while in Ontario ca, lets just say all I want to do is get through ca without spending any money or incurring any loss.

Dave

Howdy All,

We had planned on already traveling south but had trees fall on the house and garage so our travel date has been put off until sometime hopefully in early January.  I have our route planned and one of our usual stops was at the Flying J, a bit north of Bakersfield, however this year my wife will be driving the Jeep so we won't be stopping in truck stops as I don't want to take a full space from a trucker while parking the Jeep.  Don't want to spend 50 dollars plus just to sleep and leave, the Walmart in Bakersfield is out so kinda at a loss as to a place to spend the night.  Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Dave

Howdy All,

I gave up trying to educate the unenlightened years ago, now I just smile and ask them if they want to race UPHILL or see who can stop the fastest without ending up in the ditch.

Dave

Howdy Dave,

Good to see another "Hood" in the group.  I also have the C-15, it's a thirsty critter but the smile it puts on my face going up the grade is priceless.

Dave

Howdy Larry,

Sounds like things might work out for you folks, sending good thoughts and hopes your way.

Dave