Well the Newbee messed-up. This past weekend I hooked up to the Fifth Wheel to take her out to practice backing in. Was over excited and did not take a walk around. When I pulled out I didn't raise my rear stabilizer jacks and ripped them off the trailer. After correcting that I continued on to find out that my break away cable is too long. When I made a turn it caught the hitch rails and pulled the pin. I did not realize it for a couple of blocks. Then to top the weekend off on Monday while driving to work a deer hit me! Just ran out and broadsided me. Their over $2000 in damage with less than 3000 miles on the truck. Bummer.
I'm sorry to hear about that! It is always miserable having something happen to your new toy.
If it makes you feel any better, I ripped the rear jacks off of my last TT the first time I took it out. I was stupid enough to think I could drag it through the ATM drive through because it was a straight shot. Well, I cut the corner a little close pulling out and a concrete foundation footing for a post nailed my jack
Seems like there is something about new stuff! Upon arriving at our home with our new Cameo the first time, my husband backed it in between our house and the neighbor's, backing into the neighbor's gutter and scratching the gel-coat. Then the first time we pulled out to go camping, he forgot to put the little pin in the lock on the hitch (Husky hitch) and dropped the Cameo onto the bed rails of the pickup, doing $4,000. worth of damage to the truck!! Since he is a truck driver with 40 years of experience with 5th wheel hitches and backing much longer trailers ..... Well, you get the picture. He was more than mortified! Especially since he hasn't even scratched a company truck in over 4 million miles!!
The moral is--when you are excited and nervous about your new stuff....Stuff Happens.
Hang in there, and have fun.
Dee
*This Message was edited on 07-May-02 09:53 AM by DougnDee*
Good gracious! You sound like me before I started using checklists!
Well, it could have been worse. Sounds like nobody was hurt, which is more important than the damage to the truck and FW, right?
One thing I keep in mind, even when I am RUSHED (actually mainly when I'm rushed) is "GOAL" - "get out and look". I didn't come up with that, but I wish I had.
Before putting the truck in 'drive' the last thing I always do (knock on wood)is check:
landing gear up?
stabilizers up?
steps up?
umbilical cord and breakaway attached?
Since you had your mishap early, maybe it's a good thing: I bet you're VERY careful from here out, and maybe that will prevent you or you spouse getting hurt.
Doug and Kathy
2008 Chevy 2500HD extended cab Duramax/Allison 4WD
2007 Crossroads Cruiser CF30SK
"Nuestra casa con buena vistas"
Got rear ended once driving a new car home from the dealer. Now I'm super cautious for the first trip in anything.
My new Aerolite came with an 'old' electric plug. Worn around the edges. Don't know what the dealer was up to there. Got lots of honks and finger waves during the first 10 miles home 'cause the turn signals and brake lights and things were intermittent. Towing it back to the dealer the next day - you guessed it - a faster-than-light NAPA Auto delivery guy cut inside my right rear and I turned into him without ever seeing him. No turn signal he said - and was probably right. No damage to him. $400 damage to me (from my pocket) and a ticket from the cop to add insult to injury.
The dealer helped a little bit with the cost of repairs. Not enough. Never been back and its been 4 years.
Regards, Allen
2005 Silverado SB, 2500HD Crew Cab, D/A, 42 gal aux tank, Garmin SP III, XM Sat Radio,
2002 Nash 24-5N 5whl, 16K Reese Manual Sliding Hitch,
Tonka the Rat Terrier guards the rig.
Some real horror stories here. Guess I can consider myself lucky 3 RVs in 3 years not even a scratch. My method is simple,no matter how careful I think I have been, I find myself jumping out of the truck for one last walk around before I pull out,just in case.
ROBERT & VIRGINIA HAMILTON 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually H.O. Cummins Quad Cab,Auto,4WD,3.73 Posi. 2004 Cardinal 33TS LX Triple Slide Fifth Wheel U.S. AIR FORCE(Retired) Rally Attendance "3"
Thanks for the post! We all need the reminder that these things can happen. It's been a while since I had any mishap, but all it takes is for something to get me unfocused at that critical moment and you break the routine, and wham - you forget.
Thanks for the reminder !
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