Field Report: You CAN Change A Tire In A Kilt

**Riverkilt** · 22nd April 07, 03:06 PM

Spent the weekend with my lady which meant driving about the back roads of the Navajo and Hopi reservations - which are dirt.

We also got into Flagstaff for some shopping and to attend the Earth Day gig there. Ran into Ialtog at the Earth Day deal. Good to connect.

Driving home the traffic northbound on 89 was bumper-to-bumper motorhomes, boat trailers....even a motorhome towing a jeep towing a boat. So bailed off at The Gap and took the dirt road home. Usually a scenic and relaxing 50 mile drive.

Today, 26 miles from home, my left rear tire hit something and shredded itself well...The road is so rough I really didn't notice the change in handling until pieces of rubber started flying past the window going forward.

Was lucky to be in a flat, though sandy spot. Was wearing my new wool Leatherneck tartan. Weather was cold, windy (lots of blowing sand) and threatening rain.

Took this olde demented bird a while, but was able to find the various parts and instructions - even figure them out...then go back and do it right...and get the tire changed in 45 minutes.

At first I just tried to be nice to the kilt...had an old blanket to put down on the sand but the wind played havoc with that plan. Finally just changed the tire doing what I had to do. Spent a lot of time on the ground. Kilt seems none the worse for wear. I've shaken it out and brushed it out. Know its not good to have sand grains embedded in the wool.

Didn't have to worry about accidental exposure since it was just me and the sage brush most of the time. Two Navajo pick ups came by but they were driven by guys and just roared past. Later a Navajo lady came by. She stopped to be sure I was okay out there. Nice of her. Was just finishing tightening the lug nuts on the clown tire.

Had a slow limp on home to Page on the clown tire, but made it okay. Just rolled down the windows, felt the wind, and took in the scenery. Only had to do about ten more miles of dirt road before hitting paved road for the rest of the way.

Feels kind of jaunty to be 62 years old and changing a tire kilted.

Ron

**Mr. MacDougall** · 22nd April 07, 03:13 PM

It's pretty country, but it must also be admitted that there's a whole lot of nothing out that way. I live in Flagstaff -- perhaps next time you're in town, I'll get the chance to buy you a beer -- or a single malt.

**The Supreme Canuck** · 22nd April 07, 03:35 PM

What amazes me is that the two guys just drove by. Not cool, bud. Not cool at all.

**cessna152towser** · 22nd April 07, 03:44 PM

Sounds like an induction adventure for the leatherneck. Do you drive a 4 x 4 with big wheels? I used to own a Land Rover 90 and the wheels weighed 70 lbs - quite heavy work on the two occasions I had to change a wheel - the wheels on the Renault kangoo which I drive now are only about half the weight.

**elitekiltedcommando** · 22nd April 07, 03:44 PM

Good to know I can change a tire whilst kilted.

**McMurdo** · 22nd April 07, 03:49 PM

I see this has happened to you before
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=12607
Glad it worked out.

**Riverkilt** · 22nd April 07, 04:17 PM

Aye McMurdo, it has,

But a HUGE difference between a flat tire in the parking lot at work and being able to call the dealer from a mile away to have someone come up and change it for me...and being 26 miles out on a dirt rez road all alone with no phone and a shredded tire.

Drive about an '06 Ford Escape all wheel drive with an off road suspension package. Pretty much regular type tires...

Doesn't surprise me that the Navajo guys drove past...I'm a Bilagaana (Anglo) kilted, on their turf...

In some ways I took it more as an acknowlegement that I could handle the situation...

Ron

**mudd** · 22nd April 07, 04:47 PM

No pictures?

I think, in a new, wool, Leatherneck, I may have just taken off the Kilt and belted the old blanket on like a great kilt.

**GMan** · 22nd April 07, 04:51 PM

You do paint a great picture! Great tale.

**Yaish** · 22nd April 07, 04:59 PM

I had my own kilted tire adventure this weekend Ron. Went camping deep in the desert, on barely marked run down jeep trails. I popped a hole in my sidewall on a sharp rock.
Fortunately I carry a plug kit, and even though plugs are not recommended for sidewalls, it held and got me through the trip. I was wearing my old UK workmans though, a kilt designed for that type of work.

I dont think I'd have wanted to do it in a traditional wool kilt at all!