Disaster Strikes

[prstlk]

We have been doing the AL Can and Alaska since the end of May.

We had were winding up a 4 day stay in Denali NP, and the area around it on 6-22. We left our RV Park and drove both the MH and toad to the park visitor’s center around 11:30. Our intent was to leave the MH in the RV lot, take the toad for lunch, and return for the midday sled dog experience which departs from the VC around 1:20 pm.

When we returned to the RV lot shortly after 1 pm the MH was not where I parked it. It had rolled backward some 50+ feet and squarely into the side of a parked SUV.

My first thought was “did I not set the brake” my second thought was “no way it would started rolling as soon as I left the driver’s seat”.

While we were assessing the damage to the SUV (extensive) and the MH (not too bad), a gentleman approached us saying “I saw the whole thing”.

He was walking his two small dogs past our MH our two dogs were barking and jumping, one was in the driver’s seat, and then the MH started to roll backwards. Our assumption, which I think is accurate given the timeline is the dog (don’t know which one as we are waiting forensics i.e. paw prints) pushed the knob down and the brakes released.

Luckily no one was behind the MH when it rolled, no one was in the car that was hit, and in a way hitting the car was a good thing as past that was more downhill, a road, and the train station.

Did all the right things, called a Ranger, full report, note on windshield etc.

For the rest of you consider wheel chocks, brake knob lock outs etc. if you leave pets or people in the MH.

BTW - If you have ever done the roads up here you will understand why the back of the MH is so dirty!

Photos to come soon if I can ever figure out how to get them in here from photobucket. Any help on how would be appreciated.

[Old_Blue]

I know that all the information you are getting is after the fact,,,the problem has already happened to most everyone, so just what I did and do is
put a cloths pin under the air brake switch...Hope all works out for you and
you continue your wonderful trip..
Bill

[Rwake901]

When we leave the dog in the motorhome or at home we put her in a dog crate. That way we know she's safe and the motorhome/house is safe. We don't want her barking at everyone walking by driving neighboring campers crazy...

[Rick_Jay]

Burbman wrote:
If someone was "thousands" of miles from home without an RV, it's highly probable that they flew there and the SUV was a rental....you're making a lot of "worst-case" assumptions with NO facts about the SUV owner.

Well maybe he is, but you're making some too. I beieve there are lots of people without RVs that use their personal vehicle for vacation travel. Not everyone is as fortunate as us to have an RV! LOL 🙂

Well, I learned something from this post. I didn't realize the DP's didn't have a "Park" on their transmission.

To the OP, I hope everything works out well for all of those involved. It is very fortunate no one was hurt. I keep a wheel chock behind my driver's seat and if I park on any type of incline, I chock the wheels before leaving it unattended. Granted, I have a gasser with a parking brake and a transmission with a "Park" position, but I've always had a fear of this behemoth rolling away.

Safe travels.

~Rick

[MagillaGorilla]

off topic story:

My mother went to St Thomas and took a bus tour. The bus parked next to another bus at the top of a mountain. In front of the bus was a big cliff. As the people were getting off the bus they heard a LOUD SCREAM. My mother though her bus was not in park and was rolling forward and about to roll off the cliff. In reality is was the bus next to hers was slowly pulling out.

I know this story does not fix the OPs issue but I hope it at least brings a smile to a few faces.

[tropical36]

prstlk wrote:
We have been doing the AL Can and Alaska since the end of May.

We had were winding up a 4 day stay in Denali NP, and the area around it on 6-22. We left our RV Park and drove both the MH and toad to the park visitor’s center around 11:30. Our intent was to leave the MH in the RV lot, take the toad for lunch, and return for the midday sled dog experience which departs from the VC around 1:20 pm.

When we returned to the RV lot shortly after 1 pm the MH was not where I parked it. It had rolled backward some 50+ feet and squarely into the side of a parked SUV.

My first thought was “did I not set the brake” my second thought was “no way it would started rolling as soon as I left the driver’s seat”.

While we were assessing the damage to the SUV (extensive) and the MH (not too bad), a gentleman approached us saying “I saw the whole thing”.

He was walking his two small dogs past our MH our two dogs were barking and jumping, one was in the driver’s seat, and then the MH started to roll backwards. Our assumption, which I think is accurate given the timeline is the dog (don’t know which one as we are waiting forensics i.e. paw prints) pushed the knob down and the brakes released.

Luckily no one was behind the MH when it rolled, no one was in the car that was hit, and in a way hitting the car was a good thing as past that was more downhill, a road, and the train station.

Did all the right things, called a Ranger, full report, note on windshield etc.

For the rest of you consider wheel chocks, brake knob lock outs etc. if you leave pets or people in the MH.

BTW - If you have ever done the roads up here you will understand why the back of the MH is so dirty!

Photos to come soon if I can ever figure out how to get them in here from photobucket. Any help on how would be appreciated.

For the benefit of others, it would be most helpful if you would provide us with your coach profile and maybe should make it as part of your signature.
I know, this could not have happened with ours and suspect that you're talking some sort of a DP here with air brakes.

[lanerd]

gfs1943 wrote:
After you set the brake, pump the brake pedal to bleed off your air pressure. The brakes won't release without air.

Exactly!!! The solution is so simple...no clothespins, pvc pipe or any other device is needed. :S

[noleakman]

What happened to being in PARK did the dog knock the trans out of gear also??

[eddieelk]

Some years back at a local gas station, a man left his large dog in his pickup while he paid for the gas. The dog took it out of gear, and it rolled across the street, hitting a woman's car, while she was screaming the dog was driving the truck. Only minor damage to both vehicles. I'm glad that I don't have pets any more. They really require as much care as small children. Eddie Elk.

[gfs1943]

After you set the brake, pump the brake pedal to bleed off your air pressure. The brakes won't release without air.

[tyoungs]

We made a bunch of these for our MH club folks. Take a 3/4" inch diameter piece of PVC pipe, cut to length to just fit under the button - cut a slot in the side of the peice for the shaft to go through and slide under the button every time you stop and park. Prevents curious kids or pets from pushing down on the button and is easy to install and remove. Will add some pictures when I get home and can take some.

[sailor_lou]

Bird Freak wrote:
I have never understood why MH manufacture's place the brake release where it is pushed down to release knowing we have kids and pets. All my class 8 trucks were on the dash panel facing driver to be pushed in.

That's where the brake release is on my rig, horizontally mounted on the dash adjacent to the ignition switch. However, all the other controls are on the console and once we came back to the rig to find headlights on. Evidently one of our cats had walked across the switches and turned on the lights, glad it wasn't at night or we would have lit up the neighbors campsite. We now cover all the switches.

Glad no one or any pets were harmed.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

[Mr_Mark1]

I also used a clothes-pin to put under the brake knob (previous MoHo). The current has a clear plastic lid type thing where I lift the top so that I can push down on the button. When it time to set, I just pull up the whole thing up to lock.

Would like to see the pics.

Safe travels,
MM.

[Bird_Freak]

I have never understood why MH manufacture's place the brake release where it is pushed down to release knowing we have kids and pets. All my class 8 trucks were on the dash panel facing driver to be pushed in.

[BurbMan]

prstlk wrote:
Our assumption, which I think is accurate given the timeline is the dog (don’t know which one as we are waiting forensics i.e. paw prints) pushed the knob down and the brakes released.

Given how easy it is to accidentally push a knob, you would think they would design these things where you push to SET the brakes and pull to RELEASE the brakes. Makes more sense to me, maybe somebody knows why it's like this?

That's gonna be a great call with the other guy's insurance company...."And who was driving the RV when it backed into our insured's SUV?" Hopefully the other guy has a sense of humor and everybody gets their vehicle fixed. Important thing was that nobody was hurt.

[10forty2]

Glad everyone's okay and hopefully insurance will make everyone whole again. My solution for the curious pet is to close off all curtains and leave the radio playing so the little furry one can't see or hear anything that will make them WANT to get on the dash. I also do my best to block off access to anything that they could possible get on that might cause a problem...yeah, I'm a little OCD when it comes to overthinking the possibilities of disaster....I've been a professional Emergency Manager and Fire Marshal for the last 21 years....it kinda makes you go a little overboard when it comes to preparedness. 😉