Lessons we've learned over the years

Had trailer in for warranty service, upon returning home, could not find any help to back in. While trying to avoid the large bush on the drivers side, I hit the top corner of roof, tore up awning and a couple pieces of aluminum at front corner of trailer. TT was not even a month old and the bush was removed shortly after. ALWAYS have help when backing ever since.

When the DW asks if you want her to go out and guide you on a u-turn at night, say YES. $1,500 later and a knocked down mail box taught me a lesson.

Ken

Extra trailer keys in truck, maybe a third with the spouse. Ask me how I know.

Only 1 ply or RV toilet tissue. Learned this the hard way too.

I've learned trailers don't roll well with wheel chocks in place, antennas and tree branches not a good mix, etc. All these and other mistakes have taught me this: no matter how many thousands of times you've done it, always check your "before I pull away" checklist. The printed one, not the mental one.

When boondocking..bring mouse traps ......jayco23B

Make sure you use them Inside the trailer, when using them outside near the wheels with peanut butter.....it attracts skunks.....just about took my life in my hands trying to "shoo" the skunk away from the traps. It was funny, noone got hurt, but lesson learned.......Imagine a skunk getting his nose stuck in a mouse trap.....funny but OMG what a mess that would be

Bank of Dad wrote:
Extra trailer keys in truck, maybe a third with the spouse. Ask me how I know.

Only 1 ply or RV toilet tissue. Learned this the hard way too.

And extra truck keys in your camper. And a third set hidden under the truck somewhere.

Geeze, I’ve made so many I’ve probably forgotten most of them.
Make sure you hook up your breakaway cable well or you’ll be replacing it in Salt Lake City.

Don’t try to center a crossing skunk in the road, you chains will hit him. Again in Utah.

Watch for big holes in dirt roads at night or your frig door hinges will break and scatter food around your TT. H-m-m, again in Utah.

When skunks play under your PU in Capital Reef NP in Utah don’t disturb them, let them play. No harm done but just a warning.

Don’t leave your camera sit on the PU roof and drive away. The kids scream and holler and it’s distracting. Probably the reason you left it there in the first place. Somewhere in the west.

Check and grease your PU wheel bearing before the trip. Or while your DW visits a chef friend at a resort in Grand Junction and samples pastries you’ll be in the parking lot replacing bearings.

Don’t step out of the truck camper at a stop to take pictures without telling your wife, who’s driving. Didn’t happen to me, I discovered it when I stopped in Yosemite and this fellow knew all the good spots to stand to get the best pictures. He’s been there for hours waiting for her to discover he was gone and figure out where he could have gotten out. To answer your first question, it predated cell phones.

Don’t drive too long and pull off the road to sleep in your PU. Local rif raf may activate your booby trap and scare the bejesus out of themselves and wake you up in a bad humor. Montana.

Don’t take a heavy, wooden PU without brakes over Teton Pass unless you really enjoy no TV brakes and the mother of all adrenalin rushes. Wyoming.

Make sure you have a solid sewer line hookup every time or very fast reflexes.

Make sure you have a solid jack support and the wheels chocked well or be young enough to pick up a 300+# hitch and hold it with one hand while you replace it. Worse, don’t do it twice in a row, it amuses the neighbor boy who is young enough to pick it up. Phoenix.

Don’t spend too much time in Utah or you may be writing one of these lists.:D

Man those are some great lessons.

Only one I can contribute (so far)... Our black tank had been showing full for the previous two trips even though everything had drained out after both trips. Figured something had been stuck on the sensor. I read some stuff that said try ice cubes or make sure the tank is completely full before emptying. Well I decided to try that latter one and before we unhooked from the campsite, we opened the toilet and fill'er up. I get to the dump station and I'm making casual conversation with the fella across from me as I'm hooking up. I stick the end of the hose into the ground, cover it with the rock, and pull the handle all the way out. I had never filled the black tank on our trips thus far with this camper, so I guess I misjudged the pressure. Almost instantly, the poo water starts seeping out around the hole and filling up the spill reservoir. I had already stood back up and looked at the rising tide and said "Oh S(*&" and the guy across from me goes "Yep". I shut it off and let things settle down and continued with no further incident.

Back in the 1970s when CBs were real popular, have any of you seen a RV with a high antenna (or two) go under the gas station cover with the antennas still upright. It would take out every flourescent light that they came in contact with.

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Of all the different safety equipment of both Trailer and Tow Vehicle, I found the STAR wiring design is awesome I applied this STAR wiring design to all my trailers with electric brakes. IMO, STAR design should be minimum code on all trailers. Perhaps one day..