What’s the worst bone-headed mistake you’ve made before pulling out in your RV

[sanda]

I think the true backup cameras only work when in reverse. Most of our RV's have observation cameras that give you a view with the park lights on so you can see whats happening behind you when going down the road.

 

[Scotttkd2]

OK, hold my beer.....

Our previous RV, coming home from a week long trip we were in heavy traffic on the 10 in Palm Desert CA area, in the left lane and I see a rather large (think basketball) size chunk of asphalt in the lane ahead of me. While trying to figure how in the world it had made its way into a traffic lane of a busy interstate I realize I can't swerve right, traffic present, its in the left tire part of the lane, so I decide the only option is to try to straddle it. I am hovering in my seat as I drive over it, no issue with the front, then BAM from the back. I look in the mirrors and the rear view camera, and my toad is still there, no issues from the RV, so I keep rolling. A few seconds later my leveler control panel starts screaming about a jack being down. A few miles down the road I notice my rear view camera is becoming fogged over, so I pull off the next available exit to investigate. Walk to the back and find the toad and rear of motor home covered in hydraulic fluid. Apparently the asphalt chunk impacted the low hanging leveler on the driver side, destroying it and causing the cylinder to empty the hydraulic tank onto the road as we went. 2 more hours to home so we limp in with no one tailgating me anymore. Took several washes and a mobile tech to replace the driver rear leveler, and then all good to go. Not a before I pull out bone headed move but learned the hard way straddling road debris is not the best option in the playbook.

 

[sanda]

I'm not sure you Didn't make the right decision. If you hit it with the front tire you probably would have been in a bad wreck.

 

[Scotttkd2]

Yeah, I know there was really no choice. We also lucked out that it was just the leveler on the RV that took the hit. The differential could have been taken out, or if it got to my toad, it would have been totaled at a lot higher cost to repair than I had to fix the leveler. Bad stuff happens sometimes.

 

[IowaRVer]

…then I searched the computer, and lo and behold. one other person had the same problem. He said you have to turn on your lights. Bingo! The manual did not mention turning on your lights.

the light helps you see your DW coming with more questions….

 

[AbdRahim]

OK, hold my beer.....

Our previous RV, coming home from a week long trip we were in heavy traffic on the 10 in Palm Desert CA area, in the left lane and I see a rather large (think basketball) size chunk of asphalt in the lane ahead of me. While trying to figure how in the world it had made its way into a traffic lane of a busy interstate I realize I can't swerve right, traffic present, its in the left tire part of the lane, so I decide the only option is to try to straddle it. I am hovering in my seat as I drive over it, no issue with the front, then BAM from the back. I look in the mirrors and the rear view camera, and my toad is still there, no issues from the RV, so I keep rolling. A few seconds later my leveler control panel starts screaming about a jack being down. A few miles down the road I notice my rear view camera is becoming fogged over, so I pull off the next available exit to investigate. Walk to the back and find the toad and rear of motor home covered in hydraulic fluid. Apparently the asphalt chunk impacted the low hanging leveler on the driver side, destroying it and causing the cylinder to empty the hydraulic tank onto the road as we went. 2 more hours to home so we limp in with no one tailgating me anymore. Took several washes and a mobile tech to replace the driver rear leveler, and then all good to go. Not a before I pull out bone headed move but learned the hard way straddling road debris is not the best option in the playbook.

Not bone headed, if there are no other options.

 

[AbdRahim]

When I had my trailer, I drove over 100 miles with a baggage compartment wide ope, before someone alerted me to it. Fortunately noting fell out.

 

[Rich W.]

In my Bay Star the jacks stowed with a noticable clunk. So I relied on this audible clue for confirmation. For some reason one jack didnt fully retract and I didnt notice the absence of clunk. Until later in the day when ground clearance was more limited in a parking area at which point the jack struck the ground and bent the mount. I was able to do the repair myself at minimal cost, but it could have been worse. Since then I always do a visual, and now with the Ventana, the jacks stow silently so all the more important.

 

[Rosy]

I did do one bone headed thing that I'd forgotten about. Changing sites in a campground one morning, I tucked the garbage can between the wall and the slide. When we got to the new site, DW didn't check for obstructions before opening the slide. Luckily, she stopped quickly so I just had to hammer dents out of a garbage can, rather than replace the slide.

 

[nomanland21]

I bought a new RV… and a new weight distribution hitch two weeks ago.

The VERY first time I hooked up the hitch I didn’t get the curved part of one of the arms (see right circle in bottom pick) seated well in the hitch before swinging it back to trailer frame and affixing it to the frame.

I drove about 400 yds and heard something loud fall (steel) and immediately pulled over.

The arm had come out of the hitch, but was still attached (luckily) at the frame. (see left circle in bottom pic). Of course… the bolts and retaining pins were all bent to heck… but I‘m glad I heard it and stopped quickly. I was just about to get on an interstate… thank goodness it didn’t happen while I was at 65 mph.

here‘s what the the eaz-lift looks like prior to installation

View attachment 14192

Here’s what it looks like attached (example picture…not my rig)

View attachment 14194

what bone-head mistakes have you made?

I've done the same thing with this WDH. I think I drove a bit further before I heard it. I always keep my back window open so I can hear what's going on with the hitch area and my dog likes it. Good thing I had it open that day because one of the arms wasn't seated and it popped out. Also, glad mine was hanging on.

I seem to always forget to put the door rail in, I believe because it blends in. Twice so far I've left it out only to realize it as I'm driving down the road. I may put some yellow tape on it so I see it better when doing my walk around inspection.