Are you sure we have done everything? Are we safe to leave?
Wolvi said
06:11 PM May 8, 2018
The wife and I have just returned home from a short trip along the Water Fall Way in NSW. Great places to see. Before we leave any site we both check and double check everything is secure and lights are all working. We left Dorrigo and drove to our next stay at Bellingen, a trip of around 30ks. The road is up and down a bit and also a little windy but generally good condition. When we finally arrived at the Bellingen show grounds and started to set up I realised that we had just driven the entire trip with the caravan hitch not locked down onto the tow ball. I had lowered the van down and removed the jockey wheel and then neglected to fasten the coupling hitch of the van to the tow bar ball. We were very lucky. I am glad we took so much time making sure that the caravan was lined up correctly and the ball weight was at the correct angle to van at the initial set of of the rig. And we thought we were checking everything? Just goes to show.
Happy and safe travels. ps if you see us coming you may want to duck for cover.
Dougwe said
06:28 PM May 8, 2018
Yes, Wolvi, it's very easy to miss something. You were very lucky indeed. I won't even say what could have been. I am solo so it's up to me to do it all and if anything missed I can only blame myself and give myself the kick up the bum.
I remember not so many moons back I did the hook up and checked all lights etc and did the walk around, twice. Happy all was done off I went. I got about 50mts down the road and noticed the small window above my single bed at front was still open. I stopped and sorted that out very quickly and went to give myself the kick up the bum but couldn't reach so just hit myself across the rist and gave myself a good talking too. I am pretty sure my late wife was having a go at me as well. I could feel it in my bones.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Mike Harding said
07:48 AM May 9, 2018
Wow! You were lucky.
Perhaps a checklist would help?
Just detail the things which really *must* be done so it's not too long and then force yourself to *check* each of the items and don't succumb to the temptation to think "Yeah, I'm sure I did X" - go and *check* it before you tick it off.
----
Edit: Changed "do succumb" to "don't succumb" - dddddrrrrrr! :)
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Wednesday 9th of May 2018 11:07:21 AM
SouthernComfort said
08:16 AM May 9, 2018
Mike is right. I wouldn't be without my checklist, it's pulled me up too many times* to risk not using it! Pilots are required to use them for good reason, we can learn from that. It is a discipline worth getting used to.
*The last time it saved me was exactly the same problem as yours - forgot to secure hitch to ball!! (As my signature line says, "The older I get the better I was")
Aus-Kiwi said
08:31 AM May 9, 2018
When we bought our motorhome it had a check list . I thought how demeaning ? Who would be so forgetful ? Well I have a check list now . First is TV aerial down , last one is hand brake off !! Itās a foot type . Couldnāt tell you the times I have forgotten both !!! I walk around twice checking things ..
Warren-Pat_01 said
08:44 AM May 9, 2018
Generally my checklist is in my head & I follow a set routine.
BUT, like you I have been caught short & not so long ago a friendly truckie reminded me that my pop-top's lid wasn't properly locked down (three catches were locked, the fourth wasn't). Luckily I was not travelling fast.
My rule when packing up is - Regardless as to who is around & wants to chat, THOU SHALT NOT TALK TO ANYONE UNTIL THE ROUTINE IS COMPLETE!
Dickodownunder said
08:48 AM May 9, 2018
We call it the "idiot check"
A walk around the whole rig with even a mental check list is so important.
I have found the worse time is when some well meaning neighbour comes to give you a helping hand.
They inevitably cause you to get out of your routine and forget something, even if they mean well.
We had the same thoughts Warren Pat
-- Edited by Dickodownunder on Wednesday 9th of May 2018 08:50:07 AM
Wolvi said
08:50 AM May 9, 2018
I saw a pop top on the dag Hway with the front not fastened down. I singled them to let them know.. Not sure of the result as we were going opposite directions in a 100k zone so I was unable to safely stop.
Check list has already been done.
JOFFG said
04:18 PM May 9, 2018
Hi all. I don't have a check list as such but have a number of items to check and as I check things count them. If I don't come up with correct number I know I have missed something. Easier than remembering a big list of things. And I must admit it was my good wife's idea, she does the same inside.
Desert Dweller said
07:16 PM May 9, 2018
We have a laminated CHECK LIST & never move from a campsite without going through it methodically.
We also check the site after moving off to check that nothing has been left behind. Simple really!
We use Reject Shop dog collars to provide extra security to our Dometic awning while traveling.
We were overtaken by a rig the other day that was doing 100kph plus, it had its awning hanging out unsecured.
It nearly wiped us out as it went past. We weren't gonna' chase it!
Hollowfrog said
08:25 PM May 9, 2018
I come from an aviation background and using a checklist is second nature. We have separate checklist for inside and outside as well as one for the toad hookup. The final line is Walk around and check EVERYTHING again. Several times one of us has spotted something that we (probably me) have said is OK only to find that we missed it.
Cupie said
01:16 PM May 10, 2018
I think that you guys have convinced me that I should revive & update my old disused check list.
I, like the Wolvi forgot to lock the hitch & an overtaking council workers' truck (every one passes me) let me know that it wasn't locked. Very observant guys. My heavy ball weight helped keep us hooked up fortunately. I now have a red painted lynch pin that hangs down on its chain when not inserted into the hitch locking mechanism. Helps draw attention to the omission.
Off now to update & laminate my checklists (Inside & Outside lists)
The wife and I have just returned home from a short trip along the Water Fall Way in NSW. Great places to see. Before we leave any site we both check and double check everything is secure and lights are all working. We left Dorrigo and drove to our next stay at Bellingen, a trip of around 30ks. The road is up and down a bit and also a little windy but generally good condition. When we finally arrived at the Bellingen show grounds and started to set up I realised that we had just driven the entire trip with the caravan hitch not locked down onto the tow ball. I had lowered the van down and removed the jockey wheel and then neglected to fasten the coupling hitch of the van to the tow bar ball. We were very lucky. I am glad we took so much time making sure that the caravan was lined up correctly and the ball weight was at the correct angle to van at the initial set of of the rig. And we thought we were checking everything? Just goes to show.
Happy and safe travels. ps if you see us coming you may want to duck for cover.
I remember not so many moons back I did the hook up and checked all lights etc and did the walk around, twice. Happy all was done off I went. I got about 50mts down the road and noticed the small window above my single bed at front was still open. I stopped and sorted that out very quickly and went to give myself the kick up the bum but couldn't reach so just hit myself across the rist and gave myself a good talking too. I am pretty sure my late wife was having a go at me as well. I could feel it in my bones.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Wow! You were lucky.
Perhaps a checklist would help?
Just detail the things which really *must* be done so it's not too long and then force yourself to *check* each of the items and don't succumb to the temptation to think "Yeah, I'm sure I did X" - go and *check* it before you tick it off.
----
Edit: Changed "do succumb" to "don't succumb" - dddddrrrrrr! :)
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Wednesday 9th of May 2018 11:07:21 AM
Mike is right. I wouldn't be without my checklist, it's pulled me up too many times* to risk not using it! Pilots are required to use them for good reason, we can learn from that. It is a discipline worth getting used to.
*The last time it saved me was exactly the same problem as yours - forgot to secure hitch to ball!! (As my signature line says, "The older I get the better I was")
BUT, like you I have been caught short & not so long ago a friendly truckie reminded me that my pop-top's lid wasn't properly locked down (three catches were locked, the fourth wasn't). Luckily I was not travelling fast.
My rule when packing up is - Regardless as to who is around & wants to chat, THOU SHALT NOT TALK TO ANYONE UNTIL THE ROUTINE IS COMPLETE!
We call it the "idiot check"
A walk around the whole rig with even a mental check list is so important.
I have found the worse time is when some well meaning neighbour comes to give you a helping hand.
They inevitably cause you to get out of your routine and forget something, even if they mean well.
We had the same thoughts Warren Pat
-- Edited by Dickodownunder on Wednesday 9th of May 2018 08:50:07 AM
I saw a pop top on the dag Hway with the front not fastened down. I singled them to let them know.. Not sure of the result as we were going opposite directions in a 100k zone so I was unable to safely stop.
Check list has already been done.
We have a laminated CHECK LIST & never move from a campsite without going through it methodically.
We also check the site after moving off to check that nothing has been left behind. Simple really!
We use Reject Shop dog collars to provide extra security to our Dometic awning while traveling.
We were overtaken by a rig the other day that was doing 100kph plus, it had its awning hanging out unsecured.
It nearly wiped us out as it went past. We weren't gonna' chase it!
I think that you guys have convinced me that I should revive & update my old disused check list.
I, like the Wolvi forgot to lock the hitch & an overtaking council workers' truck (every one passes me) let me know that it wasn't locked. Very observant guys. My heavy ball weight helped keep us hooked up fortunately. I now have a red painted lynch pin that hangs down on its chain when not inserted into the hitch locking mechanism. Helps draw attention to the omission.
Off now to update & laminate my checklists (Inside & Outside lists)