Disaster Averted (Mostly) - More Lessons Learned

Well, this is one of my toughest entries to write because I have to expose myself as being even more of an idiot than usual.  The difference this time is that the results of my stupidity could have been even more disastrous than they were.

I am exposing myself to ridicule and lots of unsolicited advice because I have always been open with everything we do.  And if it prevents others from making the same mistakes and saves one injury (or worse), my humiliation will be worth it.

So here goes.  It stormed overnight piling more rain on top of the already wet ground.  I suppose it is the storms and clouds or turning the power off each day or a combination of both, but the satellite doesn't like any of it.

After getting the Journal entry completed, I got the closing set on my parents' new home purchase.  Linda headed to her Mom's for hair color assistance, and she was running a few errands while she was out.

Okay, the prelims are out of the way.  Here is where the problems started.  Once we parked our rig on the soft ground on Tuesday, the truck just spun in the mud and we could not get the wheels of the trailer up on boards to prevent sinking.  Mistake number 1 - we should never have pulled the fifth wheel onto such soft ground and we should have checked our spot first.

A kind reader wrote in that settling of the trailer could not only make it hard to pull out, but also harm our jacks and stabilizers.  I had already come to that conclusion, so the project was to get our trailer wheels up on boards - after all, that is the heaviest part of the fiver.

My Dad and I decided to jack up the rig to place boards, since the ground was too soft to maneuver the rig with the truck.  Since we were not exactly level, we hoped to tackle that as well.

Before Linda left, she was sure to tell me to hitch up the rig to the truck for stability and so we could raise the jacks and stabilizers to keep from damaging them.  She's a smart girl.

I got the truck in position and got the weight of the trailer on the hitch.  But with the mud, I just could not get in position to lock the kingpin into the hitch.  Mistake number two - I should have done nothing further until the trailer was hitched and locked.

Using my 12-ton bottle jack, we managed to get the right side (curb side) jacked up enough to get heavy boards under the wheels.  It was difficult, but we had to get some support under there.

We started working on the left side and had it jacked up.  Mistake number three - I failed to use my two jack stands to support the weight in case the jack fell.  Mistake number four - I failed to put chocks under the wheels.  Whew.  This isn't easy to put in writing, folks.

Mistake number five - we couldn't get enough clearance between the wheels and the ground to slide the boards in, so we tried to force them a bit.  Mistake number six - I was behind the rear wheel while my Dad was shoving a board in from the front.

You can see what's coming.  I knew what could happen, yet, for some reason, I did not take every necessary precaution. For those of you that have RVs or will be purchasing an RV, please, please, please, use my stupidity to ensure your safety.

The bottle jack started to fall and the trailer began to roll.  Because of all of my mistakes, the trailer rolled off the hitch and onto the rails of the truck, and I had to roll out from under the trailer as quickly as possible.

Probably the only thing that saved me was having the tailgate closed on the truck - the tailgate and the truck's emergency brake (the one thing I did right) kept the trailer from rolling back further.  It gave me time and distance to get out of the way.

I should have listened to all those little voices in my head.  In hindsight, there were so many things that could have prevented this.  I was lucky this time.

The adrenaline was pumping, and of course I was more concerned about damage to the truck and trailer than my own mortality.  Thinking things through very carefully, I managed to get a jack under the kingpin and raised the trailer off the truck rails and tailgate enough to get the front landing gear down.

It was so muddy, I couldn't even get the truck out from under the fifth wheel.  I had to be pulled out with a neighbor's four wheel drive (Thanks, Rick).

Believe it or not, things dried out enough to get the trailer hitched.  With the help of Rick, we managed to pull the trailer up onto solid boards and get it leveled perfectly.  Thank goodness, since more rain came.

I had called Linda to explain what had happened.  I was pretty shaken up and she was able to calm me down.  Fortunately, she was not around to witness it, otherwise we both would have needed valium.

While she was driving home (she had used my Dad's truck), I checked out the interior of the rig.  I had put all the slides in, and prepared things as if we were moving.  All seemed to be in order.

I then tried to turn on the generator.  Nothing.  Then I remembered "It's always the batteries."  I learned that everything runs through the house batteries.  I plugged us in and the generator started right up.

More about the generator and batteries later.  My tailgate is damaged and one truck rail has a good sized dent, but you can't even tell unless you look closely.  I'll have to get an appointment to get it all assessed and fixed.

We have heard it from numerous fiver owners and we heard it again at Life On Wheels - "It's not a matter of if, but when you drop the trailer on the truck."  That still doesn't make me feel any better.

There were other things throughout the day that went wrong for me.  It definitely was not my day.

Luckily, the evening ended better.  We went bowling with some high school friends.  A little known fact - Linda and I were on Western Kentucky University's traveling bowling team. But we have not bowled more than once a year since.

I borrowed a good ball from the pro shop and, with my rented shoes, managed to roll a 234 in the first game.  That and a little bourbon relaxer helped ease my pain.

We had a great time and Linda drove us home, where we quickly went to bed to dream of a better day tomorrow.

Comments

[Jack Mayer]

Well, Howard, it wasn't so bad. At least the truck caught the trailer. If that is the worst "bad" thing that happens to you, consider yourself lucky (and smart).

But you remind me of something: 2 places to never try to save money - tires/brakes (including the controller), and the hitch. Not that this applies in your situation, but for those readers contemplating buying a rig....

Also, WRT rig maintenance and fixing problems: With bad or weird electical stuff it is often a bad ground. Always check the ground first, and on vehicles clean the battery posts and chassis ground before looking for something more complicated. On RV house systems low voltage is often the root cause of a problem.

[Cindy T]

Wow, Howard, it was scary just to read that - I can only imagine how scary the actual event must have been. I really appreciate you sharing this experience. It is a good lesson to all of us to remember to be safe, to take the time to be sure things are properly set for the job at hand. So glad you came thru it ok!

[Ken Hoeng]

Howard,
It is always difficult to admit to making mistakes but I believe it makes a person more credible to others. I thank you for publishing this because like you I made dumb mistakes when we camped and learned from each one of them. The difference here is not only have you learned from the mistakes but an unknown amount of others will be saved, hopefully, from making the same mistakes.
Thanks for sharing this.
Ken

[Brenda Lieberman]

Thank heavens you are safe! What a gem you are for sharing your life- threatening experience with everyone. RVing is an ongoing learning experience whether newbie or veteran, so don't feel bad about it. We learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of others. It's the joy of RVing, we get to laugh at ourselves more often.

Brenda L., Harrisburg, NC

[Sandra Merrikin]

Ah, Howard, the lessons we learn! Our truck was 2 months old when we drove to check out a campground near Picton, Ontario. My husband backed up in the campground into a ditch. No problem we have 4 wheel drive. The good news is that we did get out. The bad news is that the whole driver's side has dents in it. We've left it that way for 2 reasons - if you fix it, something will happen to damage it again and also insurance does not look fondly on single vehicle accidents and we don't need our rates going up! Next thing was forgetting to put the tailgate down before unhooking the hitch - big mistake - big dent in tailgate. Oh well, that's life.

Thanks for writing about your experience and glad you're ok!

Sandra

[Trent and Teresa]

Dear Howard and Linda

We are faithful readers and are extremely grateful for your journal. This includes the joys and the tribulations, of our cyber friends. Yes, we are heavy hearted after reading of your events today, but that is the reality of life. Thank you for your honesty, and the reminder to us to take the necessary steps, so we can "error" on the side of caution.
We remain huge "Howard & Linda" fans, and are making it our goal to meet you one day, and thank you in person for what you have given us !!
Sincerely, the Shipleys
Regina, Sask, Canada

[Jim]

Howard,
What a shame, any damage to the trailer? I have not droped my trailer (Yet)but I did have my tailgate drop open at the same time I was turning into a gas station. You can imagine the damage that was done to the trailer as well as my truck. Another thing to put on your check list, "Make sure your tailgate is firmly closed and latched". Good luck in getting your truck repaired. I've been reading you posts for about a month now and can't wait until I am able to full timing myself. 2 years and 9 months to go. For health reasons I have to wait for that medicare.

[Don Buzan]

Thanks for your honesty, Howard. No one's perfect anyway. You should appreciate that even a bad day fulltiming makes you feel alive. I envy your adrenaline rush. My big thrill yesterday was discovering that CSI was not a rerun! Love your writings. How about some pictures of the farm? Stay safe. Don Traverse City MI.

[Kathy]

Well, I don't have a truck to pull my 5th wheel with so I had a friend of mine move it and set it up. The only thing is I had only had it two days, upon hooking it up to the truck, my friend explains to me it is very important to make sure the pin is locked to keep the rv from unhitching. All was well till we got to where we were going. As we were letting the legs down, my friend undoes the pin. Bad move. I now have one leg half way down, one not down at all. He had dents in the bed of his truck (which his insurance paid to fix) but not my trailer. Fortunately, for the time being, I am full timing it in one spot, just waiting to find someone that knows how to fix my problem. The legs wont go up or down.

[Judy]

Glad to hear no one was hurt and YES you can always repair vechiles. We are all in the same "boat" (in this case RV) here to learn, after reading this I made DH read it also then he took me out to our RV and truck and explained to me what happened. Thank you for telling about this as it is sometimes hard for a man to admit when things go wrong.:) Just kidding you.
P.S. good thing Linda wasnt there..
Judy and Bob and 2blackdogs

[ted ringler]

Happy to hear you are okay.Maybe you can start a new link title LIVE AND LEARN. and maybe other folks that read this about you and will past it on to others for their safety

[Terry Meyers]

Hi Howard,

I have been part-time 5th wheeling for 13 years. The first year I owned a 5er I did the truck box drop! I always check if the hitch is locked properly about 2 to 5 times before I do anything.

A hard lesson learned,

Terry and Teri Meyers (TnT)

[Jo Wishnie]

Yikes, Howard. You're scaring me. I had chills reading today's entry. I'm so glad you are alright. It did remind me of our own incident at the ocean. You're very brave to put it out there for all to see, but I'm sure it will save many others from making the same mistakes. And after all that you bowled a great game! Way to go Howard.
Jo

[Debbie & Rod]

Well Howard, another lesson we have learned from you. Thank goodness you are okay.

[Jenny Johnson]

Howard,
You scared me to death!! but I am glad to hear that you are okay. Your experience will help us all to remember that we need to take extra precautions when we are not in a campground or in a situation we are not familiar with. I am sure it will save others from making the same mistake, myself included. Everytime I go to hook up my 5th wheel I will think of you.
Another thing to put on my check list.

So thankful you're okay.

Jenny

[Sharlene Parker]

Howard, it takes a fine man to admit when he's wrong or has screwed something up. How admirable that you would write about this so others may learn from your mistakes. Certainly a different kind of stress than the 9 to 5 workday, isn't it? At least you weren't hurt; after all, vehicles and trailers can be repaired. Glad everything turned out okay and you weren't injured.

[Karon S.]

I am thankful that you are alright. Thank you for sharing your story and for your honesty. The truck and 5er can be replaced but you and Linda can't be. I am a Howard and Linda fan and have learned so much from both of you. Thank you for taking the time to share your life with those of us who follow your travels.

[Dean from Milwaukee]

Howard, just read about your adventures, whew! Glad you're OK. You're not alone. I drove a 20K capacity 5th wheel equipment trailer for 2 months before discovering the latch on the ball style 5th hitch didn't lock due to manufacturing defect. I only found out while loading when the hitch lifted off the ball and "bounced" off the bed. Thankfully the safety chains held it from crashing into the cab or elsewhere! KEY RULES: 1. Never be in a hurry. 2. Always hitch your own trailer. (This stems from someone hitching my 2-5/16" receiver trailer to a 2" ball). 3. Always test the connections between trailer and tow vehicle. Thankfully, I've never had problems on the road, always in a parking lot. Take care, Dean from Milwaukee.

[Susan]

Howard,
So glad you were not injured ~ that is the important thing! Scary stuff! And thank you for sharing. We learn from our mistakes, and now from yours, too. Valuable lesson ~ we appreciate your honesty!

Your journal really needs to be published - I have learned SO much more from your notes than I have from any of the dry, how-to-rv books that are on my bookshelf! :))