"Park" is important

[pwalton]

So … I have learned most of what I know from other’s mistakes. This forum section is quite valuable! Earlier this season I “finally” have something to share. (Not that I ever wanted something to share!)

Pulled into a campsite, second time out with my new-to-me trailer (this trailer replaced a smaller single axle trailer that I'd used for five years). Site was out of level, so after chocking the wheel on one side I pulled out the new “curved wedge” style levels and gave my husband the primer on how they worked / what the theory was. I had watched many videos on how they worked myself and was comfortable with the idea. (Heck of a lot better than the BAL Leveler I used on my prior trailer!)

Well … husband got the wedges lined up with the tires. I start pulling forward onto them, watching my progress on my Levelmate Pro app (also a fantastic product) and stop just as things were level … yay! A painless process! I pushed the emergency brake as I was paranoid about the husband messing around the wheels while the van was hooked up and on. He put the second part in (on?) and everything settled. Phew.

Got out, we started the unhook process. Got the WDH off, but the ball was tight against the hitch and it didn’t want to slip off the ball. So, I went into the van and released the e-brake, which seemed to release the pressure. Got out, hitch released from the ball with a bit of force causing the trailer to shift slightly (scared me big time!) … then ... the van started pulling away.

Guess who set the e-brake … but didn’t put it in park?? Yes … I was the cartoonish person that had to run after a driverless car to stop it! Luckily I had left the driver's door open so it was easy to hop in and smash the brake.

No injuries. No property damage. Ego was bruised BIG TIME. I can laugh about it … but I will never make that mistake again!! Emergency brake is a great idea … but never exit the vehicle without it being in Park!!

 

[Soundsailor]

I can laugh about it

Glad your "learning experience" turned out well.

 

[Jerryr]

Pam

Thank you for posting. I’m impressed that you posted this. I’m sure reading this might save someone else from this mistake which really might have ended much worse

 

[FlyStar]

I have done this too. Not putting the truck in park. Once is enough to cure you from this omission.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Yep, when you walk out of the office and notice your truck and triple axle toyhauler rolling through the campground and headed for that Prevost, you'll remember the next time. DAMHIKIJK

 

[WhittleBurner]

I watched a gentleman do the same thing several years ago. Didn't know this older gentleman could run so fast! it shook him up pretty good and scared me too. We were parked close enough our truck could have helped stop it. Sometimes it is easy to have your head get a step ahead of where you really are in the setting up process.

I haven't used the parking brake so rely on the gears to put the truck in park. If leveling I keep my foot on the brake and wait till the chocks are in place before putting it in park.

 

[pwalton]

I have done this too. Not putting the truck in park. Once is enough to cure you from this omission.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just one of those things that always happens to "other people", right? Oof.

 

[pwalton]

I haven't used the parking brake so rely on the gears to put the truck in park. If leveling I keep my foot on the brake and wait till the chocks are in place before putting it in park.

I rarely set the emergency brake either. New leveling system and someone else involved in the process (I'm still learning how to do all this with my hubby helping) had me paranoid, but evidently not thinking straight. Next up, writing down a step-by-step process!

 

[pwalton]

Yep, when you walk out of the office and notice your truck and triple axle toyhauler rolling through the campground and headed for that Prevost, you'll remember the next time. DAMHIKIJK

Oh nooooo.

 

[pwalton]

Pam

Thank you for posting. I’m impressed that you posted this. I’m sure reading this might save someone else from this mistake which really might have ended much worse

That's the point of the section, right? Swallow the ego and admit to what went wrong so others might learn. Such an absolutely bone-headed error that will never again happen to this woman!

 

[Ynot4me2]

When starting RVing, there's a lot of things to remember and our minds are bouncing every trying not to forget the things to do and how to do it. Happens also to season RV too. Specially after a long day on the road. You want to get setup as fast as possible after you arrived. There's another factor also, that's distractions. After arriving at a site in Perth, we hadn't even finished pulling in and the neighbor was out beside my driver's side window. Long story short, we had a spot the leaned towards a pond. He was asking me a million questions before I could even respond to one. As I was unpinning I quickly realized that I hadn't choke the wells. Realized it just in time before the ball came off. My heart was running now faster then his mouth was. I took a breath, told him that I would come over with a beer but only after I was done.
I have then slowed my process down a lot, think twice at every move. It can happen so quickly.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

 

[pwalton]

When starting RVing, there's a lot of things to remember and our minds are bouncing every trying not to forget the things to do and how to do it. Happens also to season RV too. Specially after a long day on the road. You want to get setup as fast as possible after you arrived. There's another factor also, that's distractions. After arriving at a site in Perth, we hadn't even finished pulling in and the neighbor was out beside my driver's side window. Long story short, we had a spot the leaned towards a pond. He was asking me a million questions before I could even respond to one. As I was unpinning I quickly realized that I hadn't choke the wells. Realized it just in time before the ball came off. My heart was running now faster then his mouth was. I took a breath, told him that I would come over with a beer but only after I was done.
I have then slowed my process down a lot, think twice at every move. It can happen so quickly.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

A set up / tear down checklist is on, well, my list of things to do before setting out on our next trip. I did this solo for five years. My husband is now joining me regularly and he wants to help. His help as been the distraction this season! I love him dearly and love that he's finally joining me. I just need to figure out how to do it WITH help! (how strange of a problem!)

 

[WhittleBurner]

When starting RVing, there's a lot of things to remember and our minds are bouncing every trying not to forget the things to do and how to do it. Happens also to season RV too. Specially after a long day on the road. You want to get setup as fast as possible after you arrived. There's another factor also, that's distractions. After arriving at a site in Perth, we hadn't even finished pulling in and the neighbor was out beside my driver's side window. Long story short, we had a spot the leaned towards a pond. He was asking me a million questions before I could even respond to one. As I was unpinning I quickly realized that I hadn't choke the wells. Realized it just in time before the ball came off. My heart was running now faster then his mouth was. I took a breath, told him that I would come over with a beer but only after I was done.
I have then slowed my process down a lot, think twice at every move. It can happen so quickly.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

This is why we have a rule that if we are interrupted at any point of set up or tear down we start over at the beginning instead of where we think we left off.

 

[SGT ROC]

This is why we have a rule that if we are interrupted at any point of set up or tear down we start over at the beginning instead of where we think we left off.

Now that is a good idea.