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.

[seraphim]

Here's one I've not seen mentioned:

If you have a dually, make sure the the jacks stands are folded up against the side of the unit, and not sticking out, before you drive in narrow lanes. Only did it once, which was enough.

Reiterate: make sure windows are closed, especially before driving the construction parts of the Alaska highway. Not only was the outside of the unit covered in a thick layer of dust at the end of the day....

Just learned these two recently lol

[bikerdib]

Not buying enough truck. In my defense though, I upgraded from a '05 Ram 1500 4X4 to a '12 Ram 2500 Cummins 4X4 BEFORE I decided to get a camper. It never even entered my mind I might get a camper when I went truck shopping. I've done suspension add on things to make the truck handle the load OK but it's still always in the back of my mind that I'm over the door sticker.

[Matthew_B]

Know the height of you TC / Truck combo in meters before visiting Canada.

[Matthew_B]

bwanted wrote:
Putting a lance 1181 on a 2011 gmc 3500 then trying to get waranty work on the truck.Overloaded!

Really? You've had that happen?

The never ending debate on this forum is the actual consequences of being over GVWR.

[Matthew_B]

whizbang wrote:
This is Seattle. We have given the phrase "let's hit the espresso stand" a literal meaning.

Seriously, look up too when driving...

The first time I pulled into the one in town with my camper on, they freaked out a little bit. Turns out they were hit recently when a guy came through with a box truck and took out the corner of the roof building and it was just repaired the day before.

They felt a lot better when they saw me adjusting my left mirror to look at the corner of the building as I pulled around. Now they joke that I'm the only one they trust so far.

[Matthew_B]

Don't forget to unplug the electrical plug before pulling out. The truck will easily rip the wires right out of the plug.

[recycler]

not making sure i could salvage the siding on t/c before rebuilding it...if I had I would have would have built it to suit me better..also making sure rachet straps used to hold t/c down to get it home after purchase are secured in place and not dragging along side the truck...also make sure your "new" jacks are heavy enough to lift camper..

[bob_and_donna]

9 years ago we purchased a 23' Shasta from a "RV" dealer. the dealer stated up front that he did not deal in TT. OK. But as a newbie I had no idea that he didn't even know to lock the hitch down.I didn't check after it was loaded either. I drove 8 miles home with the TT just riding on the ball. As it turned out no fowl.But could have been bad.

[abslayer]

I always use the dead bolt part of door lock And this will not happen of course this can happen if you do not remember to lock it at all LOL

[Ramp_Digger]

We too had a problem with our door.Even with carefull attention to latching and locking every now and then I would look in the mirror and the door would be open.The latch and lock worked perfect static .Not sure but I belive the camper was racking from side to side sometimes enough to unlatch it.Finally one day it had came open and slamed hard enough to damage the door.I added a brab handle next to door opening and used a bungie cord from door knob to handle even then we found it unlatched sometimes.The camper was an older hardside we owned about 1990.
Ramp

[Z-Peller]

Always listen for the click when exiting the camper and closing the door. Then give handle a pull after locking just to be sure door is latched. Do the same before you drive off if service people or border guards etc have been inside and closed the door themselves when they exited.....suddenly seeing the road behind you in the rear view mirror is a bit startling!!..

[Ramp_Digger]

x2 on the door opening mine will open about an inch less than the actual door size.Only minor damage to a roof vent.Just enough to catch on if I fail to watch closely.Sorry for the double post.
Ramp

[Ramp_Digger]

Dexter Bob wrote:
If you have 14ft rollup garage doors, make sure they are all the way up before trying to drive out with the TC on. Unable to match the damaged section of door, had to replace the whole 8 sections to the tune of $1300. The TC (Adventurer) was undamaged!

[Dexter_Bob]

If you have 14ft rollup garage doors, make sure they are all the way up before trying to drive out with the TC on. Unable to match the damaged section of door, had to replace the whole 8 sections to the tune of $1300. The TC (Adventurer) was undamaged!

[d3500ram]

Coblue wrote:
Make sure the fridge door is latched securely...
So pickle juice doesn't run all over the floor and out the door.

I found out the hard way of how important this advice is... as a result I now will even take extra precaution of putting duct tape on the top of some items that are in Tupperware (especially homemade chili!!!)