Biggest blunder yet...

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by creativepart

Just this little thing... it only cost $26,000 to repair the damage:

Not really sure what you did there, but I didn't by the E-pro/Geo-pro models of trailer because they don't have any bumper whatsoever! I realize that the bumpers don't do much, but I don't want a light tap against something to result in a crack of a large piece of fiberglass.

https://image.recreationalvehiclemar...340c0c25b1.jpg

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by Goodspike

Not really sure what you did there,

I got a new covered parking space. The pillars holding the roof were on my passenger side. I was backing in at an angle and got too close to one of the front pillars. I stopped so I wouldn't hit it. But I failed to Get Out And Look (GOAL). I decided to start over and like a complete idiot I cranked the wheel away from that side. Tail swing has a lot of power in it. And bang, it tweaked the rear cap. Popped the rear cap almost all the way off and burst the fiberglass on three of the four corners of the cap.

It also popped off some trim, scrapped the rear compartment and the bottom left corner of the slide.

It took all of 1 maybe 2 seconds. Turn. BANG. UGH.

To me it looked like $4000 in damage. To Progressive insurance it looked like $13,000 in damage and NIRVC Dallas doubled that number it it was $26,000. But it looks like new now.

Oh, and I gave up that covered space and put the RV back in the uncovered slot I had been storing it in previously.

[DrBob]

My biggest blunder yet was just a few weeks ago, but had nothing to do with my motorhome. I replaced my Honda CR-V toad in early February with a Firecracker Red Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Less than two weeks later, while attempting to open my garage door with the outside keypad, the door stopped after opening about 1/3 of the way. Instead of checking for the problem, I just tried it again and was rewarded with the sound of shattering glass and loud popping noises.


It turns out that I had left the Jeep's rear window open when I'd last closed the garage door. The closing door had simply pushed the window down out of the way -- without enough force to stop the door from closing all the way. When I tried to open the garage door the next day, the window jammed against the door causing the door to stop. The door opened all the way on the second try, but it had to bust the window and snap it off the struts to do so.


Now, $1300 poorer, I back the Jeep into the garage. And, I'll never try a second time to open or close a garage door the stops or reverses without first determining what caused the problem.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by creativepart

Just this little thing... it only cost $26,000 to repair the damage:

Well, you got me beat on that one. What a bummer. Makes one wonder what would be left after a real crash...

[macnut]

Ouch, especially since our RV’s are the same year and color! I have a covered space with posts on the passenger side, too, so now I’ll be even more careful when backing out!

[K9AEG]

Originally Posted by creativepart

Just this little thing... it only cost $26,000 to repair the damage:

What was the damage? I don't see much.... 26k is a lot of money for what I see.

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by K9AEG

What was the damage? I don't see much.... 26k is a lot of money for what I see.

There's more than meets the eye. The rear cap was just about removed, but it held on at top and 3 of the 4 corners burst wide open. If you click on the photo and blow it up you can see raw fiberglass sticking out on top and bottom corners.

I don't know anything about what it takes to fix something like this - but the repair shop estimated it and the insurance company paid it and I got my RV back fixed. That's all I really know about it.

[K9AEG]

Yes I see more damage now that I enlarged it a bit.
I don't understand why it is so expensive to repair auto's.
That is why so many are totaled-out.
My brother would know as he worked for ford bodyshop. Have to ask him sometime.

But glad insurance paid and repairs were done to your satisfaction.
Have often wondered if I would get rear-ended, for something, how that would go.

Thanks...

[K9AEG]

Originally Posted by creativepart

I got a new covered parking space. The pillars holding the roof were on my passenger side. I was backing in at an angle and got too close to one of the front pillars. I stopped so I wouldn't hit it. But I failed to Get Out And Look (GOAL). I decided to start over and like a complete idiot I cranked the wheel away from that side. Tail swing has a lot of power in it. And bang, it tweaked the rear cap.

Tail Swing!

Yes, I have to keep an eye on my "Tail Swing" when leaving the gas pumps. Turn too short and my tail could get in trouble especial with those pump protective post.

As you know, they don't design gas stations with RV's in mind. The lanes are usually too short for convenience, especially when towing. I stick to the I-system truck stops, and they maybe a bit better. Also starting to see more pumps with RV lanes like Pilot sometimes has.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by K9AEG

Tail Swing!

Yes, I have to keep an eye on my "Tail Swing" when leaving the gas pumps. Turn too short and my tail could get in trouble especial with those pump protective post.

Has anyone actually scientifically figured out the optimal point that one can turn eliminating the “tail swing”?

Intuitively, it seems to me that once the rear tires clear (pass) an obstacle, one can turn without the rear swinging around. But that’s just a thought in my head.
I guess the amount of overhang after the rear tires plays a major limitation.

Thoughts?

[YGoHom]

Your intuition may unfortunately leave you crying! Turn the front wheels and pull forward. The rear wheels are the pivot point and all that length behind them is looking to hit something. All in the blink of an eye.
Similarly...ever drive a VW Bus? Ever notice so many of them with passenger side damage down the side? The seat & steering requires a different mindset when driving. Every person I’ve ever let drive one of mine struggled until I told them to pretend they were pulling a trailer. Keep an eye on the rear corner and pull forward farther than a regular car before turning right.
Same thing with a long RV overhang. Turn slightly as you move forward until the corner is clear, not the tires.

[Wyatt]

I get to add another “Biggest Blunder”, not that I’m proud or anything...

Retracting the main slide, I heard a “crack”. Stopped immediately, but it was too late.

Turns out, my tool box that I put right behind the captains chair, just caught the edge of the slide panel, and cracked it off.

I was able to glue it back, and the wife never even knew of my blunder.

But how freaking embarrassing...

[K9AEG]

I haven't done and harm so far with Tailswing. Now talk about backing accidents, I'm guilty as charged with each and every motorhome with jacknifing trailers.

Now I worked most of my years with the phone company GTE/Verizon. Each month we had a Safety meeting and each month we had to sleep through a safety film about safe backing. So I should have by now know how to safely back any vehicle. I must be a sound sleeper as only thing I remember is that plan your Exit so as to eliminate bacing as much as possible. That I do remember. But with such a long tail on the Intent, it can jackknife in just a few feet. Now. I ordered a new trailer and this time I ordered an extra long tongue. Am already using an extension on the hitch.

[theSane]

Slide acted like it was getting resistance retracting. I stopped, checked outside, started again, and it slowly retracted. Only when I extended the slide again when we reached our destination did I realized that the slide pinched down on a dog bone, and pushed it against the linoleum until it ripped a nice size triangle up.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by theSane

Slide acted like it was getting resistance retracting. I stopped, checked outside, started again, and it slowly retracted. Only when I extended the slide again when we reached our destination did I realized that the slide pinched down on a dog bone, and pushed it against the linoleum until it ripped a nice size triangle up.

Ah, I hadn’t even THOUGHT about checking for dog bones—I will now.
Sorry about your floor, but thanks for the tip.

What, if any, is your replacement/patch plan?

[Wayne M]

Not a blunder, but an information piece.

Several years ago DW and I went out shopping. When we returned the garage door would not open. Went through the front door and into the garage. The entry to the garage had an inside hollow door. Sticking in the door was the shank to the pulley on the line to the garage door spring system. The spring on the garage door was hanging down.

The shank of the pulley embedded in the door was head high with me standing next to it.

Just imagine!

Garage door installer said that the spring should be replaced occasionally. He told me the length of time but since then I have a screw drive system.

Be careful, be safe.

[K9AEG]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Not a blunder, but an information piece.

Several years ago DW and I went out shopping. When we returned the garage door would not open. Went through the front door and into the garage. The entry to the garage had an inside hollow door. Sticking in the door was the shank to the pulley on the line to the garage door spring system. The spring on the garage door was hanging down.

The shank of the pulley embedded in the door was head high with me standing next to it.

Just imagine!

Garage door installer said that the spring should be replaced occasionally. He told me the length of time but since then I have a screw drive system.

Be careful, be safe.

I also had a few dangerous encounters with that type of door spring. I think they should be outlawed. Unless they have the safety cable strung through the springs. And maybe now they are that way. Without yes they make a good crossbow.

[Wayne M]

Denny, I think that even if the 1/8 diameter wire the pulley is on would shear with the force of the torque. Something like that happening could kill a person, but think of just walking by at the right time and the right distance and it broke. If the spring hit a person it would hurt a lot for a second or two.

CS: KE5QG

[Wayne M]

Okay, biggest blunder (to get back on topic) Purchases or 1st MH in 2008. (had 5er before that and pop-up before that). Sitting in the driveway and Hurricane Ike was predicted for the area. We had not even been anywhere in the new MH. Didn't even have time for equipment install for TOAD.

DW decided to follow me in her 2004 Lincoln Town Car. We were headed to a place we knew and had made reservations at about 100 miles up the road. As we got close DW phoned me and said she was stopping for gas.

I got to the CG, it was dark, and I knew which site we were assigned. I knew I had to go to the end turn-around which I did and as I was making the turn, swinging wide, there was a 1 ton pick-up parked half on and half off the road. I could not make the cut. So, I backed up knowing nothing was behind me and there wasn't. Then I cut the wheel to move forward and CRUNCH. They had installed an iron pipe bollard. Fortunately for me the ground was saturated and the pipe with cement ball on the bottom was pushed over by the force of the MH.

Unfortunately the damage was done. Bottom panel, one bay door, and one space were bent considerably and yellow paint now adorned the MH. I got the paint off but DW said let it stay that was as a badge of failure and not waiting for me. It was several years before I got it fixed. Happy to have it fixed also.

DW is my one and only ground guide. If we pull into a place and they have an escort I stop, let her out at the site and only watch her. Don't forget, in Texas Whoa means Stop.

p.s., don't forget that besides tail swing there is side swipe!

[K9AEG]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Denny, I think that even if the 1/8 diameter wire the pulley is on would shear with the force of the torque. Something like that happening could kill a person, but think of just walking by at the right time and the right distance and it broke. If the spring hit a person it would hurt a lot for a second or two.

CS: KE5QG

Nice CS... Wayne.... Yes it is not a good design. I believe I had a near miss many years ago as I was walking past the setup when it snapped. Believe the Lord was saying it wasn't quite my time !!! Quite a racket it sounded at that time also.

BTW I usually just do FT-8 and JS8 lately. Am intrigued by those modes. And it works well with the Intent motorhome. .. Hope to catch ya on the bands some day.