Will I Ever Learn?

[cekkk]

Pulled the TT into the RV barn last year and remembered the front steps were still down - 1/100th of a second too late. Just bent them back a tad. Got a friend with a PortaPower to straighten them, but over time the situation has deteriorated to the point that the bottom step popped off the other day. Generics won't fit my Jayco without a lot of metal work I can't do, so $300 + shot. :S

[Jim_Shoe]

I saw someplace, probably on a post here, where somebody put Dymo labels on spring loaded clothes pins for all the things that had to be done before pulling out. Then he put the sunvisor down and clipped them on it while he was parked. As he took care of the tasks, he tossed them in a box until the next stop.
Probably could do the same thing by writing the things on a list and checking them off as they were complete.

[colliehauler]

I just plowed some ground with the trailer steps on a hill, Thankful the ground was soft and no damage done.

[Tothill]

We have a different way of making sure everything is properly stowed.

One takes care of inside, the other outside. Once we are sure we have stowed everything we switch places and check what each other has done.

It is amazing how if you are sure you have done something, you just do not see that it has not been done, even when looking right at it. But other eyes see it immediately.

We also do one last walk around the campsite, after we have pulled the RV out. It is amazing the things we forgot. Camp chairs that had been stowed under the RV, dog lead, grill on the fire pit etc.

[Uncle_Jasper]

There is a good smartphone app checklist as well. Very comprehensive and you can edit it and customize. Plus, if you're interupted, it knows what you've already "checked" off.

Do a search on rv checklists. It's free also.

[Roundtwo-40]

With the variable number of things you may have "forgot" including did I shut off the stove, or shut the garage door..How many of us go down the road for the first few miles mentally thinking "I just know I forgot something.." :B

[Tachdriver]

empty_nest wrote:
I've been contemplating making a checklist for the longest time. So far, I've been lucky and had no problems. However, this thread finally convinced me to get it done, NOW!

So, I made my checklist (can be modified) in a MS Word doc and sent it to my smart phone, where I now have it available and the touch of my finger. It's handy, always there and don't have to worry about misplacing a piece of paper unless I lose the phone. That's not likely to happen.

Great idea, I had the same thought but using small laminated checklist that I have done in excel. Seems I forget more about leaving the house in a certain condition than the trailer. The smartphone idea is better as that is with me all the time.

[trailernovice]

the answer to your question is 'no'...you will never learn...you are condemned to repeat mistakes over and over

[rockhillmanor]

Just a note about your checklist and/or walk around for departure, if a fellow camper comes up and starts talking to you while you are in the middle of it? When he leaves START ALL OVER AGAIN! :B

[empty_nest]

I've been contemplating making a checklist for the longest time. So far, I've been lucky and had no problems. However, this thread finally convinced me to get it done, NOW!

So, I made my checklist (can be modified) in a MS Word doc and sent it to my smart phone, where I now have it available and the touch of my finger. It's handy, always there and don't have to worry about misplacing a piece of paper unless I lose the phone. That's not likely to happen.

[Veebyes]

For 5er owners, who hasn't forgotten to lower the truck tailgate & backed into the trailer kingpin. Guess what does not move?

[noe-place]

I check everything before pulling out of the garage. Then I check everything before leaving every campsite including the roof. DW has her own way of checking things inside before we move to make sure nothing jumps on us.

[Tiggs]

I have a list of things to do. On it, is a note to make a check list of all the things I need to check before I pull out... such as to check that I strapped TV down -- if not, it will drift away from the wall and then get pinched in the slide when I let the slide out again. Another is to make sure the vent to the microwave exhaust vent is closed.

We all forget do do important stuff 😉 My nephew, well old enough to know better, volunteered to get my john deere lawn tractor and attached 6x8 trailer out of the barn for me. He opened the barn door, but only wide enough for the JD to fit through. The bang the sound the wagon made as it slammed into the metal barn door and knocking it off it's hinges, was mind numbing. No one was hurt and we were able to get the barn door back on but I no longer allow him to drive the lawn tractor. Sometimes not even check lists can mitigate stupid.

[silvercorvette]

100ton wrote:
Sorry about your mishap.

i always perform the "Golden Circle" before getting underway, walk around the trailer and truck before getting underway. Even though I am very careful when preparing to leave, I still find a few things that need attention from time to time. The circle also reduces the chance of leaving something behind.

In my profession of thirty-five years this practice was required of the employees, not a bad habit to pick up.

Robert
Huntington Beach, California

One thing I include on my walk around is to check the lights (hazard, directional, brake) always check the roof

One thing I almost missed on my first trip with my camper was the door to the front basement storage area was open. i caught it before any damage was done. I am in my camper bed making a check list similar to a pilots pre flight take off list. I have seen a set of rings that attach to the steering wheel the idea is to remove each ring as you complete each task. I think a printed check list will work better for me.

[doxiemom11]

Every time you park, put a bright neon colored sticky note on your steering wheel that says -- Steps? Antenna? Power Cords?

It will remind you

If you do it immediately before anything else, it may help.

Luckily we have an alarm for the antenna and when our motor start the steps retract. (motorhome)