We always unhook, even on an overnight stop

[trailernovice]

Several years ago, dw sustained an injury while camping that required an ambulance/hospital...I had left the rig hooked up, as our stay was only an overnight.. unhooking the tv from the trailer meant her ambulance was 15 minutes ahead of me..

Lesson learned: always unhook upon arrival.. reasons...1) i could see a situation where we would need to roll immediately (can always come back for the tt later..2) if it were ME that was sick or injured, dw would probably not be able to remember how to and/or be physically capable of unhooking to get me to help--dealing with the weight distribution system can be confusing at first, and requires a bit of strength

[fj12ryder]

This is one of the silliest threads going: trying to decide whether to unhitch because something, anything, might happen.

What happens if you unhook and a sinkhole develops and the trailer falls in. If the truck had been connected you'd have been safe. Decisions, decisions.

Or unhooking the truck and moving it 3 feet forward puts it in the path of a descending meteorite and it explodes when struck by the space rock, catches fire and burns the trailer, leading to general death and destruction. If only it had been hooked up the space debris would have missed it and all would have been saved.

[colliehauler]

Reminds me of when dad had his heart attack many decades ago. Mom called work and my boss brought me the message they were taking dad to the hospital. I drove to the hospital and dad wasn't there. I then drove from the hospital to their house and still beat the ambulance.

[am1958]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
In an Emergency.
I could have truck/trailer unhooked BEFORE ambulance even got there

Could you do that while providing life saving care to the patient?

If you even started to think "Yes" you are a disillusioned fool especially if the patient is a loved one...

So many internet heroes...

[Old-Biscuit]

schlep1967 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
In an Emergency.
I could have truck/trailer unhooked BEFORE ambulance even got there

So if you significant other cut an artery, you could unhook while holding pressure on the wound until the ambulance got there? Or maybe while performing CPR if it was a heart issue?

It's not always as easy as we first think.

Slap a tourniquet ON........use my foot for chest compression with air compressor hose in mouth

WHAT.......can't you multi-task?

[gbopp]

If you really worry about what could happen, maybe the best thing to do is sell the RV.
Then get a house/apartment as close as possible to a hospital. That way you're as ready as possible if there is a medical emergency.

Or, just enjoy yourself and don't dwell on what could happen?

[mowermech]

CPR??
If my heart is not beating, and I am not breathing, I'm DEAD! Leave me alone!
Yep, DNR statement is on file.
Even so, I always unhook the Jeep as soon as we get set up. In fact, one place where we stop frequently REQUIRES unhooking the towed before pulling into the campsite.
As previously indicated, it is your rig, do it your way.

[Cloud_Dancer]

I'm a few months away from age 80, but I don't want to die. Sure, this brings on a new set of trip-planning procedures.

[4x4van]

If it's your time, it's your time, regardless of where you are or what you're doing...but you should never go looking for your time!:)

[opnspaces]

Well after weighting the pros and cons, and throwing in the cost of a site rental; I think that from now on I'm only going to camp in hospital parking lots. Then I don't have to worry about hooked or unhooked. :B

Seriously though the best any of us can do is make a determination based on our personal situation and experience. If I'm aware that there is a condition with me or my family that could require and immediate exodus I might unhook every night. If I don't foresee any potential emergency issues I might leave it hooked up for the night. By and large I leave it hooked up if I will be moving in the morning. Once I get to my camp spot I unhook so I can use the truck if I want to.

[CFerguson]

At this stage in my life, I think an emergency from Mother Nature is more likely to affect me than a personal accident. And there's always going to be a Taxi/Uber/Lyft/neighbor within a reasonable time.
I stay hooked up on an overnighter personally, but to each his own.

[Cummins12V98]

"I could have truck/trailer unhooked BEFORE ambulance even got there"

Yea, "Honey you lay here having your heart attack while I get the truck unhooked"

Thoughtful guy!

[mgirardo]

Campfire Time wrote:
There is no right answer to this. You can't prepare for every emergency. Do what you've gotta do for your personal comfort and safety.

X3, although Crowe didn't X2 it. 🙂

Anyway, I couldn't agree more. Chance favors those that are prepared.

I can see the argument for both. Some hospitals have electric hookups for RVs, but then there are major city hospitals that may only have parking garages with no room for oversized vehicles.

-Michael

[bigred1cav]

why not just drive with the hookup in place?

[Crowe]

There is no right answer to this. You can't prepare for every emergency. Do what you've gotta do for your personal comfort and safety.

As the saying goes, we have a winnah! If we tried to prepare for every emergency we'd never leave the house. And remember your choice is not subject to anyone's judgement, scorn or criticism nor should it require validation or vindication from another.

[valhalla360]

schlep1967 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
In an Emergency.
I could have truck/trailer unhooked BEFORE ambulance even got there

So if you significant other cut an artery, you could unhook while holding pressure on the wound until the ambulance got there? Or maybe while performing CPR if it was a heart issue?

It's not always as easy as we first think.

If I'm performing CPR...I'm probably not driving the truck...hooked up or not.

Once the EMS takes over, we are back to Old Biscuit's scenario.

If it's really an emergency where I have to get to the hospital NOW, I'll just drag the **** trailer with cords and whatever else dragging behind the trailer, stop out front and deal with the consequences later.