Bax, I picked up on something in your post. When the breakaway pin pulled from the contact switch your RV brakes should have locked up. I've had my cable snag and pull, and every time the RV brakes locked up stopping the truck-quickly. BTW, I've been camping since 1962 and never pulled a bone-head,dumb stunt with our RV----without getting caught by several onlookers! Once I tried to back under the 5er and forgot to chock the wheels or raise the jacks enough. I bumped the RV too hard and sent it backwards for about 5'- with wife inside! Now I've got a BIG checklist taped to the inside of the door.
Hi Gregory
Too bad about your weekend. You have convinced me of the importance of a pre-flite check list I will clip to my visor and go through before moving off the driveway. I have forgotten little things and been haunted by others not remembering if I had done them or not. I believe for us newbies a pre-flite check list is a good thing. Don't be discouraged learn from these things.
HAPPY TRAILS
Oasis Bob
Wonderful wife & 4 Really Fun kids
2008 KIA Sedona 3.8L 24 valve V-6
2001 Bantam Trail Lite B-19
Hopefully you got it out of your system, and safe travels is all you will find ahead of you from now on! I pulled out and left my stabelizer jacks at the campground once! On my first trip with my new 5'r, I backed into the utility post at the campground. Had a few folks watch that oops. Get your checklist like everyone else has sugested, and get it laminated. I have one in the truck and another in the trailer. The wife and I always double check each other too. Makes for much happier campers. Maybe when we get rich / old / retired, we will still love it enough to go full time.
By the way, we like our Gulfstream Conquest too.
Truck: 2000 Ford F-350 P/S, Dually Crewcab
Trailer: 2001 Gulfstream Conquest 28FBHS 5'r
Westminster Colorado based
http://www.thenelsons.8m.net
We have a procedure now called "tow mode". It's where you reset your
mind and driving procedures from driving a pick up to towing a
trailer. Things like:
1. Adjusting your side mirrors downward a little so you can see where
your wheels are tracking.
2. When you are going to turn, think of what you have to do with the
truck to avoid running over curbs and things with the trailer. Like
moving to the left as far as possible on the approach and going
straight into the intersection as far as possible before starting
your turn. (Of course, I've had to modify that with the Titanium
because, if you get out there too far, your front end may get out to
the left far enough to clip a truck in the nearest lane of the cross
road. Half way around a 90* turn, I measured the cap of the trailer
sticking out 3 and a half feet from the side of the cab!)
3. If you have a question about a turn in a campground, walk it
first! Stand before the truck in front of the driver’s position and
walk the path you plan to take with your rig while looking back often
and imagining what the trailer will do while you are turning.
Remember that the trailer wheels start out a foot more to the right
than the truck's. If you are getting too close to something,
stop, back up a little then turn the wheels to flatten out the turn
enough to miss the problem.
4. Do everything slowly to give yourself plenty of opportunity to
stay out of trouble. Think things through before you do them. My
wife complains that when I'm thinking things through, a bomb could go
off right beside me and I would never know it. Maybe she's right,
who knows?
5. When you accelerate on an on-ramp, do it with the overdrive off,
if you have an autotrans. You will accelerate to minimum freeway
speed quicker without heating up your trans fluid. The minimum
freeway speed is 45. If you putz on there at 30, some 18 wheeler will
run you off the road! Turn on your left turn signal as soon as you go
on the ramp and traffic will often shift lanes to let you come on.
Unless the ramp is way too short, I can usually make it to at least
40 before merging.
6. On the freeway watch where your right trailer wheels are
tracking. If you are riding on the right line all the time you will
be sure to clip a barrel in a construction zone sometime.
7. Watch your speed coming into off ramps. Put your signals on and
start your slow down early . I have a nearby intersection where
truckers roll their rigs at least 4-5 times a year. The ramp speed
is 20MPH. The state put up some of those picture signs showing a
truck tilted over, but they still go in there too fast. You can
easily roll a fiver also. Rest areas are bad about that too.
Ray, that's a good point. That happened to me once in an unimproved gampground with an uneven roadway.
I was in the truck, wife was outside assisting me. Both on radios. Suddenly I couldn't move the FW. Asked wife about stumps, rocks or whatever under the wheels. She saw none. I gave the truck just a little more gas. No movement. So, FINALLY got smart enough to get OUT and LOOK. I confirmed what my wife said.....started sweating thinking 'blown transmission!'. Look all around, and finally saw the plug was partially out of its home in on the kingpin. I had the cable too tight for the conditions.
My wife wasn't happy I "didn't believe her", but like I was taught in the Navy, the guy you see in the mirror each morning is the ONLY one responsible for your safety.
Fishwar, excellent, EXCELLENT description of "tow mode". I try to practice that myself. In some cases you really can't put everything down in a written checklist......but then the "tow mode" way of thinking will hopefully keep you safe.
Offline
