10/19/2026
🚌💜 UPDATE ON THOMAS!! 💜🚌
Well, I have some good news, some bad news, and some potentially VERY expensive news! 🤦🏻♀️💸
I GOT THOMAS STARTED TODAY!! 🎉
How, you ask? Well, I gave the starter solenoid a good THUNK, and wouldn’t you know it, Thomas fired right up! 😂
Unfortunately, my excitement was short-lived!
I loaded up the kiddos, and we decided to take Thomas for a little drive down the road.
Everything seemed fine initially! The air brakes were sitting at 100 PSI when we started.
Well, about half a mile down the road, Thomas decided we hadn’t had enough excitement for one day! 🤦🏻♀️
The air pressure started dropping, and before I knew it, we were down to 50 PSI with the warning alarm screaming at me!
Thankfully, I was able to slowly get Thomas back home, with the pressure holding around 40 PSI.
And once I got Thomas safely parked?
HE WOULDN’T START AGAIN! 😭
I was SO excited when he initially started because I thought I could at least drive him over to Zarumba’s in Ga***rd and avoid the $650–$700 towing bill.
Well, that’s officially off the table. With the air brake pressure issue, Thomas is absolutely NOT safe to drive.
The good news is that I was able to find a mobile diesel mechanic willing to come out on Friday! 🙌
I don’t have an exact time yet. They’re going to call me Friday morning since they primarily handle emergency roadside repairs. I genuinely appreciate that they’re willing to work me into their schedule!
Now for the part that makes my wallet want to crawl into a corner and cry. 😂😭
💸 $300 just for them to come out.
💸 $150 per hour after that.
And that’s before we even start talking about parts!
So, just a little heads-up… depending on what they find, we may be cranking out some $5 Fridays to help get Thomas back on the road! 🐾💜
Of course, the other big question is whether Thomas is even financially worth repairing. That’s something I’m going to have to seriously consider once I know what’s wrong.
I haven’t even had Thomas for a full year yet, which makes this whole situation especially heartbreaking.
I had such big plans for Thomas and the kiddos. He was supposed to make transporting everyone easier, safer, and give us so many more opportunities for adventures together.
Instead, here I am, giving starter solenoids a good whack and watching dollar signs fly out the window. 🤦🏻♀️😂
I’m trying to stay optimistic, but goodness gracious, sometimes I feel like I just cannot catch a break!
Keep your fingers crossed that Friday brings some answers and that Thomas isn’t about to bankrupt his mother! 🤞🚌💜
