Met some people at Albany van park who had their roll out awning shredded while they were travelling. Apparently it just blew onrolled while they were motoring and a truckie pointed it out to them. the legs etc were still locked in place so either the latch failed or they had it in the roll out position. It has been very windy with some extreme gusts down here (southwest W.A.) for the last ten days or so but  I didn't think they would catch enough wind to unwind against the spring. Play hell with the economy too with an awning billowing up alongside the van like a huge sail.

Saw some vanners last February when we were down Adelaide way.  Seems something happened with the legs of the awning, either hadn't been locked down or the screw gave way or something.

We have two pieces of velcro with "D" buckles attached and when we secure the awning we then wrap the velcro around the legs halfway between the screw and the top and pull it tight.

Just gives that little bit extra insurance if something else fails.

Doesn't cost much either.

Ma

ah you see once again the old adage of check before you leave, after you leave and during leaving and whilst on the road and keep an eye on the mirrors, I've seen awnings blown right off and skylights/vents ripped up over and gone as well as steps taken off and van doors (that werent shut) torn off their hinges, hoses dragging behind after a water refill and power points left plugged in that tear the inbound socket right out of the side of the van had one feller in the clare c/park that hooked up (well thought he did) put everything on the towbar except the hitch, took off and the van just sat on the ground nose first, being dragged by the safety chains, he sat the hitch on the ball but didnt let it latch down while he put his chains and light socket on some fools just jump in and go and dont look back or check, watch out for them, they are out there waiting to get you have a procedure that you go through everytime and keep to that routine to make sure everything is locked down and put away, but even then a mistake can be made

I do what I call a "pre flight check",you see old habits are hard to shed and after doing hundreds of pre flights it becomes second nature .Panels,hoses,steps,awning secured,safety chains secured,connector plugged in,hitch correct,lights and brake light tested,walk around looking for anything left behind,double check that pop top roof is secured.Then drive a few metres and test electric brake.Before I do the outside check I make sure that the fridge,all cubhoards(wrong spelling?)are locked,vent closed.Check mirrors wait for wife to come back from the toilet block,put dog in station wagon and hey presto on our merry way.Cheers Ibbo.Ps If I have forgotten anything my old mate Dave will tell me.lol.Oh and yes I did disconnect the power leads and water.

Check list complete, clear for take off.

Did you sign A700?

all pigs fed and ready to fly A700 clear and signed

I forgot............R/T connected.Pin removed.

I have an inside check and pack up list, then it's the outside check and pack list. After about 3 laps of both in and outside, I strap the awning legs at the top. Unfortunately the both of me have to do it all - or should that be fortunately. You should see the domestic I have with myself when I'm parking up on a site. If I've been parked up for a long time, like now, then I take a couple of days to do the big jobs, as I have the walls up at the moment. It just takes a bit longer that's all. Unfortunately it seems some people don't think common sense and precautions apply to them, and no matter how many gesticulations one makes to alert them to the problem, it doesn't apply to them. I turned a normal, every day jockey wheel into a work of abstract art when I unhitched everything but the chains, and attempted to drive away. Thanks to some very helpful fellow-campers and a couple of jacks all was sorted in the fullness of time. If one is to make a stuff up, the jockey wheel is the cheapest option. Haven't done it since. keep an eye on the mirrors, not for the makeup and lipstick but for the stuff behind, particularly that big white box which insists on following me. Cheers Chris

Jet pilot's pre-flight.......Kick the tyres and light the fires!

One of the most common causes of overlooking something vital in a walk around check are interruptions and/or distractions such as a phone call, someone stopping by for a yarn or to farewell you, or someone reminding you to check something out of sequence with the walk around. Just like flying there's nothing dumb about using written check lists

You ain't a fully qualified GN till you have made some stuff ups, Think I have done them all, Top up at Woomera Power left connected at Roma, Van brakes left on at Eden Didnt lock the ball at Wave rock Left a bloody good chair at Eighty Mile beach Forgot my Visa card at Kings Canyon Like Dave06 line, Been there done that, but then I am older, He ain't got any excuse

mike and Judy wrote:

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You ain't a fully qualified GN till you have made some stuff ups, Think I have done them all,
Top up at Woomera
Power left connected at Roma,
Van brakes left on at Eden
Didnt lock the ball at Wave rock
Left a bloody good chair at Eighty Mile beach

---

Don't know whether I'm fully qualified or not but at least I pass the Mike and Judy test!

 

yep I did it all, name the stuff up and paint me "guilty as charged your honor" I still get a laugh out of watching them repeated throughout various other generations though cant be a exspurt until you know the pitfalls first

I heard a story of a couple who spent hours packing up their Campertrailer....one those everything gotta go exactly together or it wont close or lock down.....took like 4 hours....hiched up to car.only to ask wife.."wheres the car keys"........Ohhhh they in the pocket next to mattress on bed...!!........Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Me.....I've left the jockey wheal down when leaving.....thought the coupling was in place...chained it up plugged in wiring only to get in car and heard a bang....the CT slipped off Dave

Gday
Dont any of you do a final walkaround which includes checking that all your lights are working before you leave ?
Heading south towards Gunning a few weeks ago and came up behind a pop top with the roof up , pulled them up and bloke driving very thankfull and yes he was interrupted while packing up .

-- Edited by Mick themungrel on Tuesday 25th of August 2009 03:21:58 PM

We came home from Gerroa early as the wind was just too much. Last night was like  some bizzare side show ride with screaming wind, van jumping all over the place and SWMBO screaming just to add that "fun ambience" while I hoped it would ease off - it did at around 10:00am, and we took advantage of the lull to pack up and get home.