Unexpected / Unwanted Triathlon? Crazy Start to our trip

Generally when we do a triathlon it involves a kayak, a bike and a bar for the final leg where we treat ourselves to a much deserved craft beer. 

Today's 'Truck Triathlon' involved a brake shop, a tire shop and finally a transmission shop...ugh.

Yesterday when we took the truck and trailer out of storage as we were heading to the 401 highway to get on our way east, we had trouble with the front passenger's tire when braking - the wheel was hot! We immediately aborted and spent the night in front of Kal-Tire in Milton, ON hoping for an early morning repair. Kal-Tire was booked but thankfully Fountain Tire was able to get us in and we were back in business by 12:30. 

Fountain Tire brake repair - Leg 1 of Triathlon

We head east on the 401 through Toronto and get a taste of the crazy traffic that isn't even rush hour! Slow and steady gets us through :)

Highway 401 traffic

Down the road in Cobourg, ON, Chris had booked an appointment for 2 more trailer tires to be installed. Last fall Joe's Tire shop only had 2 of the tires in stock we wanted so Chris got them to bring in 2 more trailer tires and this was a planned stop in order to have 4 new tires on the trailer for this season. 

Joe's Tire Shop - trailer tires - Leg 2 of Triathlon

Back on the 401 late in the day heading east with the hope of still making it to the Long Sault Parkway Conservation area for the night. Just before Kingston, ON we notice blue smoke out of our mirrors :( 

We pull over and oil pours out from underneath the truck between engine and transmission. WTF. Thankfully we had bought CAA coverage that includes towing a trailer too. 

Truck and Trailer tow into Kingston - Leg 3 of Triathlon

It's very frustrating as prior to leaving on this trip we took preemptive action and took our truck in for a transmission rebuild so we wouldn't have any surprises on the road. Well, turns out there was one seal that the transmission shop didn't replace...why? we don't know. Coincidentally there is an affiliate transmission shop in Kingston to the one we used in Calgary. This shop in Kingston says the Calgary shop should likely have changed that seal especially as we told them of the travel we were about to undertake. We are in discussion for a warranty claim...fingers crossed. 

It's late by the time our truck is delivered to the transmission shop and our trailer is dropped at the Wal-Mart parking lot down the road. We get permission to stay while the truck undergoes repair. 

Hope things go better tomorrow.