Every experienced RVer has at least one or two RVing moments he'd like to forget--or at least, not be reminded of by his or her "significant other." RV insurer Progressive did a survey of 1,000 RVers to ask about their boo-boos. Here's the short list of dumb things RVers often do:1. Driving off with steps extended.
2. Backing into a post or other "stationary object."
3. "Woops!" miscalculation on overhead or side clearance.
4. Improperly connecting tow lights.
5. Running out of fuel.
Down on the list, but certainly one that they'll never be left to forget: Driving away from an RV stop and leaving behind a member of the group. Typically those left behind were folks like spouses, pets, or grandparents. Do this one yourself? Don't feel bad, 20 of the respondents to the survey reported making this major gaff.
We often recommend pre-flight checklists for RVers, but obviously some of these boobers just don't fit on the list.
photo: personal booboo, courtesy R&T DeMaris, after too long a day on the road.
Ahhh, Russ and Tina. You bring back memories. Following a Life On Wheels RV Conference a few years ago, where I had taught several classes and seminars, all the instructors were saying their goodbyes and pulling out of the instructors lot for the next destination. I was included, and as i pulled away, waving at my many peers, I heard shouts and noticed I was dragging my electrical cord behind me like a tail. Yes, the "expert" RVer and fulltimer, had forgotten to unplug the electrical cord.
ReplyDeleteI would add driving off with the antenna still extended.
ReplyDeleteThis is right out of the move RV with Robin Williams. In our first few month of RVing we left a KOA with our awning extended. A fast walk around and in a hurry to "hit the road" we took off with it out. No one stopped us, we drove from the front of the park to the main road and took off. As we gained speed my wife said, "what is that flapping sound." Yea, I know, "how could you do that?" My guess is that people in the park must have thought that we just wanted to move to a different spot. After all, who would be so "stupid" to take off with their awning extended. With that, I now walk away from the RV and look back. Wait - is that my antenna sticking up?
ReplyDeleteMy all time favorite. We had just gotten our first new (used) RV. We got home late that night after driving 1,200 miles and he parked the RV in front of the house, which was on a downhill slope. My husband set the front wheels turned into the curb. I was impressed with how well he had positioned the RV on his first try. When he finished, he got up out of the seat, headed for the side door when I looked up and noticed we were about to hit a very large tree and our neighbor's car. I, said in my most matter of fact voice, "We're rolling". He climbed into the driver's seat faster than I had ever seen him move. Fortunately, there was no damage done as he avoiding colliding with either target. Not only had he forgotten to set the parking brake, he had also forgotten to put it in 'park'. Then there was the 40ft extension cord we dragged for several miles before someone flagged us down to stop and retrieve it. Gawd, I love the RV lifestyle. Two years later and a much larger and better equipped unit, we're happy full-timers!
ReplyDeleteAs a retired State Patrolman in a tourist area, there would be several times each year of RVer's leaving someone at a gas station. I would stop them and tell them you might be missing your wife or loved one. They were always surprised and would not believe me until they checked the RV. It happened a lot with leaving kids at a station. Always made my day..
ReplyDeleteIn my first year of owning my first RV I have had more than my share of Gaff's as the writer calls them.
ReplyDeleteThe one my wife isn't going to let me live down anytime soon is:
I was hooking up to go dump tanks at a county park in Stanwood, WA.
I hooked up the truck to the 5ht wheel hitch and began driving off when I heard a muffled scratching sound coming from the rear of the truck. I knew exactly what was happening and immediately jumped out to see how much damage I had caused when I left my tailgate down on my truck and it carved a 3 inch wide 20 inch long gash across the front hatch of my literally 2 month old Forest River Wildcat. I was just sick!
Needless to say upon arrival at my house I immediately removed and stored my tailgate as not to allow that to happen again.
Thanks for the post Russ and Tina and for dredging up the old memories.
Michael Bell
I pulled into the garage with my vent flap open on top. CRACK! No more vent flap. Also drove off dragging a long electrical cord, not from plugging in, but from someone draping it over the bumper instead of putting it away. A couple months ago near Zion, we saw a couple pulling off with their step out. I chased after them yelling and waving, and they stopped and pulled in their step. Then drove off with their door still flapping in the breeze. Fortunately, either my antics or the noise alerted them before they actually took off down the road.
ReplyDelete