check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar Topargee products Enginesaver Low Water Alarms Red Earth Festival Hammervan Park Booker
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> The Grey Nomads - General -> A simple job...turned ugly.
Post Info TOPIC: A simple job...turned ugly.
Vince


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 406
Date:
A simple job...turned ugly.
Permalink  

I had to move my caravan to allow access for machinery into our back yard, and I had it all under control until:

IMG_0822.JPGIMG_0821.JPG

The move was 2 metres and in doing so totally disregarded a few safety factors (thinking)

I had the van in place and chocked, undid the chains, removed the hitch pin, started to lift the weight off the Mchitch ,

Got in the tug to  uncouple and the caravan followed, I forgot to lift the release bar (idiot)

Van is 1 metre further forward and off the chocks, the trail a mate is now  bent and unusable.

Then it went all pear shaped worse, as Im berating myself looking at the situation

I did the most unthinking action, I lifted the release bar. I dont know why I did that, I just did without thinking.

The van ended up half in my yard and next door, only damage was the trail a mate the towel rail and my pride.

After looking at it all that happened and the events of the aftermath if I was thinking (then) and I can honestly say

I was not at the time I was doing this, all I had to do was pull the break-a-way cable and the brakes would have applied

the unit charges off the van battery system.

I use my tug and 12000Lb winch and some trolly jacks to rescue it back into my yard, undamaged.

The pictures are where it ended up and as it was running away I envisaged it being two doors down into a house, thankfully

the lip on the retaining wall slowed momentum after the rear set of wheels went over and the front set didn't follow.

The whole thing has given me a wake up call to concentrate on what I am doing at the time and not trying to think ahead.

Cheers

Vince



Attachments
__________________

Cheers from Vince

VK2FBUZ
ants_oz


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 99
Date:
Permalink  

Vince,
Very sorry to read about your incident.
The only advice I have is not to beat yourself up about it - we've all stuffed up, and I certainly expect to do it many more times in the future.
A shame that there was ANY damage, but glad it is minimal.
There is an upside to this - you now have an excellent story to tell.

All the very best.

__________________
Cheers, Anthony
Dougwe


Chief one feather

Status: Offline
Posts: 17431
Date:
Permalink  

Shut the front gate!

A very unfortunate situation for sure but could have been much worse so best to get on with life etc and remember it all for next time.




Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

__________________

Live Life On Your Terms

DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV  (with some changes)

 
sandgrooper1


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 203
Date:
Permalink  


I have spotted the problem here....you need more ball weight.......


Glad you are ok and brave enough to share your misfortune.

AL

__________________
meetoo


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 727
Date:
Permalink  

Yeah Vince, thanks for sharing. It's a good wake up call for all of us to be vigilant in what we are doing. It's so easy to get distracted.

Cheers, John.



__________________

"My mind is made up. Please don't confuse me with facts."
Aus-Kiwi


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 7642
Date:
Permalink  

Do you often think . These things happen to max   "" Embarrassing"". at times ? Lol Atleast you can laugh about it now !! It's similar to long distance driving . Keep "concentrating" on what's around you .. Easy to say what to do could have should have after !! .. Edited . How the hell does auto correct get impeachment from embrassing ?? Sheesh !  



-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Wednesday 18th of January 2017 02:21:28 PM

__________________
Whats out there
KevinC


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 266
Date:
Permalink  

Maybe if I concentrate hard enough I can remember doing something equally as clever. My consequences weren't anywhere near as serious, and it's generally only my good wife who relates the story.
Thanks for sharing, and let's expect that now you've had your turn you'll be incident free for a good while to come.

__________________
Onedodger


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 535
Date:
Permalink  

You are not the only one to stuff up. Once we were going fishing about 80klm from home so I hooked the van up loaded it and off we went, on arrival at the campsite shmbo was guiding me back when she came to the drivers window and stated that 2 wheels of the van ppeared to be real hot. On inspection I found that they were plus the cause. I had not released the hand brake after hooking up.ð£ Since then I have allways double checked before take off.ð

__________________

I was tired yesterday and I'm tired today betcha I'm retired tomorrow. he he.

Cheers Dodg.
Grubbygypsy


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 288
Date:
Permalink  

Whoa...lucky.
I take it this realease bar is something to do with the non standard (shall we call it?) coupling - or is there something I need to know?
My van fell forward on me once (not that far, but I'm a lot more careful now) - because an old man had flown out of his caravan to 'help' whilst I was trying to unhitch in a busy park. I now have the rule that I stop everything I'm doing until they PO, or I say "I'm happy to come and chat when I'm finished" - because that day I hadn't chocked the wheels due to his interference. I'd got them out...and they were sitting there - but not where they should of been. It's so annoying when people come to 'help' or chat. Plus....I'm in a caravan park for a reason......and that's to hammer the power and work - not stand chatting lol.
So we've all made mistakes. I could write a book about the things I've seen and heard lol.....awnings being ripped off because they didn't put them down first - legs and jockey wheels still on - power cords - hand brakes (done that one myself too lol). Don't beat yourself up too bad.



__________________

Grubby

*Fortune favours the brave*
brickies


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4001
Date:
Permalink  

Good time to do some work under the caravan , At lest your not blaming someone else .

__________________
Grubbygypsy


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 288
Date:
Permalink  

Are you one of the team that comes for a chat to kill your time brickies? Lol.

__________________

Grubby

*Fortune favours the brave*
Ron-D


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1378
Date:
Permalink  

No damage done that's the main thing.



__________________
macka17


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3066
Date:
Permalink  

Hmm.
We ALL make mistakes some time in our lives.
Known as being human.

I reckon though.
That a rear set suspension unit like that, and tandem.
has a real fore ans aft weight problem to stay in that position.

98% of rear set vans are waaay drawbar heavy.
My last one was soo far over the 350kg max
I should have been imprisoned.
but it still towed sweet as.

Check your internal and possibly water tank weights now it's up again.
Slack time at local weighbridge is good.

__________________
Vince


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 406
Date:
Permalink  

Yes I have calmed down a bit and can look at it all with some humility. Thanks for the supporting comments. I am going to fit a grey water tank to this van but it's the wrong end up if it were other way around it would have been so easy. No I am not going to try.

__________________

Cheers from Vince

VK2FBUZ
moamajohn


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 606
Date:
Permalink  

Do not despair Vince .Truth be known I am sure that we have all in fact made more than 1 blunder ! Me ... well I should have a gold medal in "stuff ups " However with the aid of phone cameras etc these days folks like yourself are gutsy enough to share your mishaps with us .This simply assures us that none of us are infallible ! Cheers.

__________________

Westy.            Some people  I know are like slinkies. They look really funny when you push them downstairs !
chooknphil


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 60
Date:
Permalink  

Hi vince All people have done things that in hindsight could have been done better, you were just honest enough to admit it and take responsibilty. I managed to misfuel a diesel with petrol but realised it after about 40 litres (brain in nuetral) I am now super careful refuelling . After what happened to you , you will find you will be much more observant doing anything to do with moving your van in the future. In the trades they have a saying " He makes no mistakes makes nothing" Good thing is it ended up with little damage best regards chooknphil

__________________

Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store or under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends.
Lancelot Link


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 303
Date:
Permalink  

Lucky, have you bought a tattslotto ticket yet? You could afford to get the grey water tank fitted, or probably buy a new rig already fitted out! On second thoughts, let me buy the ticket for you on my card, lucky me, brand new rig! Seriously, sit back and have a cold bevy and a laugh, no damage and you won't do it again! Life!

__________________
Vince


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 406
Date:
Permalink  

Grubbygypsy wrote:


 I take it this realease bar is something to do with the non standard (shall we call it?) coupling - or is there something I need to know? 

Yes Grubby it is a Mchitch auto coupling, great unit and coupling up there is a bar that slots into the recessed head that holds in place then a hitch pin to secure the connection.

The problem wasn't caused by this coupling but my error.

Cheers Vince

 

Lancelot wrote:

 Lucky, have you bought a tattslotto ticket yet?   let me buy the ticket for you on my card.

Thanks for the offer Lancelot, I did buy a couple of $2.00 lottery tickets yesterday and hope we both have some good fortune. I don't mind sharing.

Cheers Vince

 

 



__________________

Cheers from Vince

VK2FBUZ
PeterD


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4730
Date:
Permalink  

Have you measured the ball weight of the van? It looks a bit light on.

__________________

PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 
Vince


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 406
Date:
Permalink  

PeterD wrote:

Have you measured the ball weight of the van? It looks a bit light on.

Yes everything is now packed down the back.... LOL



__________________

Cheers from Vince

VK2FBUZ
Vince


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 406
Date:
Permalink  

Picked the van up today from the repairer who fitted a new bracket to hold the Trail a Mate / Jockey Wheel which bent in incident.

Was a little surprised at the cost being $300 just to supply and fit the bracket which was $14.95 and the rest in Labour.

I was an estimator in a fabrication company for near 25 years and if I allowed 2 hours to do a 1 hour job we would have been out of business.

Anyway it's fixed and ready to go again (on the road not the yard)

Cheers
Vince


__________________

Cheers from Vince

VK2FBUZ
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> The Grey Nomads - General -> A simple job...turned ugly.
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook