Our truck broke down transporting our sailboat from Mexico!!
11 March 2026 · 23 min · 430 views · 200 kilometers from the US-Mexico border, in the Sonoran Desert, Mexico
What this video covers
A couple transporting their Tartan Marine 34 C sailboat from Guaymas, Mexico, to Utah experienced repeated engine overheating and electrical failures in their tow vehicle due to a faulty clutch fan. The truck’s engine control module fuse blew repeatedly because the clutch fan shared the same circuit, forcing the crew to disconnect the fan to maintain power.10:00 Without the fan, the truck struggled to pull the 18,000-pound load up an 8% grade in 115-degree heat, requiring frequent stops to cool the engine.13:42 After attempting to improve airflow by zip-tying auxiliary fans to the front of the engine and removing the thermostat, the crew remained stranded near Flagstaff, Arizona.15:50 They eventually secured a rescue vehicle from friends and family to tow the boat the remaining distance, allowing the original truck to limp home without the heavy load.14:54 The experience highlights the necessity of reliable cooling systems when towing heavy vessels through high-elevation desert terrain.
Boats in this video
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