What mistakes have you made that might help others...?

[d3500ram]

There is another thread going about a member who shared with us his misfortune on his camper. In it, was a very informative discussion as to how best resolve the problem. But more subtle was the message for me to take some extra time when loading/ unloading my TC. I applaud that member for sharing. There were other members who were sharing their mistakes. And it got me thinking... can we post here what things you would like to take back (regarding TC's) that will help others by learning from mistakes.

I will read posts about putting gas in their diesel trucks on other forums. Every time I read problems like this it reminds me to take the extra time in order to not be "that guy." Whenever I read of others misfortune I vicariously learn through that person's mistakes.

I learned the hard way to make sure to pull the truck WAY OUT OF THE WAY once it is free from the camper. I once pulled out "just enough" and though it was enough space for the camper to be lowered. I recall kicking myself when upon lowering the camper did I realize the front portion of the overhead part (where it just starts to turn horizontal) had caught the rear part of the truck bed above the tail light. Jeez! only another 3" and it would have cleared just fine. Uhg! It dented the metal of the camper but did not puncture the skin. But now I make sure now that I pull the truck forward MORE than enough to insure room so it does not ever happen again.

Upon inspection pre-purchase of another past camper I noticed a clear outline of the end profile of a gutter. Yea, the kind on a house. When pointing it out to the owner they said yep, the TC was too close to the house when raising it (it was a pop-up TC.) I bought the camper and treated that dent as if I did it myself... The camper was in otherwise perfect condition except for this dent and it too was not punctured.

I have been lucky in my mistakes and no one was ever injured and these are very minor. What can you share (and perhaps laugh at) about your misfortunes that may help me and other to perhaps take away a learning lesson from your mishaps.

[KKELLER14K]

Outdoor speakers "WILL" eventually leak..guarantee it hands down. It then will cause delam...ditch this very damning option and find a way to seal it up...It was a really dumb idea. You want sound outside?? Buy a Bluetooth Bose.

[mbloof]

The umbilical cord the dealer gave me is long enough to reach the bumper. I don't need one that long as I have a jack in the bed towards the front.

Not paying attention I once plugged in the cord and lowered the camper on it.

I now have the cord tied/coiled it into a loop of sorts and when I'm backed under the camper 3/4 of the way, I stop and plug both ends of the cord in. (the cord is now only 3-4' long now)

Then there was the time that I forgot to unplug the cord after lifting the camper but that is another story... 🙂


- Mark0.

[woodworker414]

Bark off
The best lessons learned are the ones you get away with!
True

[woodworker414]

acudr

I am sure I have done other things I refuse to remember!
Funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TxGearhead]

Specta, that could apply to me as well.

[specta]

Got married.

[woodworker414]

Many years ago We were in Door County, Wi, the wife was driving She pulled over in a small town to go into an antique shop.
I noticed that next door was a hardware store. Imp0rttant info.
Well, the wife came out, I had stayed in the truck. She started the truck, me being co-pilot, one on my jobs is to check for over hanging branches. I was to busy eating snacks. She pulled out and we we went 2" and the BRANCH got us. A 12" gash through the skin. DRAT!!!!!!. At the front of the cabover, just back from the nose.
Remember the hardware store, they had duct tape, only BROWN, on white TC. Good thing the son-in-law does body work. And a perfect match on the older paint.
Now I don't eat snacks when we are getting under way.

[spudthegreater]

run100 wrote:
If you purchase a camper that comes with a brand new sewer hose, don't assume the clamp that holds the hose on the connector is fully tightened. If you make this mistake, the hose may pop off as soon as you pull the black tank valve.

Now, why would I mention such a thing??? Oh yes - the horror of horrors!

I was a crew chief for a Kc-135 crew, and our waste system is remarkably similar to that of an RV. the big difference is you have two people doing it, one below putting the drain hose in the trailer tank and the guy above connecting the hose and releasing the valve. Well, you darn better know what your doing above and below and communicate well before you pull that valve open to the guy 15 ft below whos about to get the full load coming his way. One day the inevitable happened, One crew wasn't communicating and the guy below hadn't grabbed the hose and placed it in the tank before the other guy pulled open the valve. The guy below waste literally bathed in **** head to toe. I always remembered that and have never made that mistake. I almost think duct taping the connection once its on is not a bad practice.

[snwbdr94]

d3500ram wrote:
I should have removed it when it was new and pliable because now it has dried and aged on the surface and it is now quite difficult to remove. I am using hot soapy water and a plastic spatula to gently scrape the film that is sorta' fused to the window. I can do it, but it will take a lot of patient time.

You have likely already finished this process, but a hair dryer would have helped peel that up. That also goes for any adhesive that is a pain to remove.

[Bob__B]

When you pump in RV antifreeze ... make sure the drain valves are closed so the antifreeze doesn't just run right out onto the ground.

[mikakuja]

Be sure to remove the sink covers when hooking up to city water, just in case the tap happens to be in the on position..... Don't ask me how I know this, but water doesn't go down the drain when the cover is over the sink....:S

[Travels_with_Yo]

run100 wrote:
If you purchase a camper that comes with a brand new sewer hose, don't assume the clamp that holds the hose on the connector is fully tightened. If you make this mistake, the hose may pop off as soon as you pull the black tank valve.

Now, why would I mention such a thing??? Oh yes - the horror of horrors!

Words to live by 🙂

[Old_Islander]

When buying a used RV, take off your shoes and carefully shuffle around, testing every square inch of the entire floor. Didn't do that with our last used camper purchase, and found the soft spot the first night we stayed in it. Now I'm looking at cutting it out, replacing the supports beneath, replacing at the very least, that section of sub-floor, and a new linoleum floor for the entire camper.

[d3500ram]

Believe me, I am criticizing my own screw-up as learned through SoHK (school of hard knocks)... hence the title of the thread.

Even thought though this in an RV topic, I agree with the gold statement (silver, though is on sale:)