ALWAYS use your checklist!

[Steph and Dud B]

Things have stabilized a bit here so we decided we could get out for a long weekend. It's the first time we've left on a trip by pulling Eggcelsior out of the new garage. To make it easier to do the pre-trip checklist, I decided to pull the trailer out of the garage first. BIG mistake. The steps were out. 

The steps caught the bottom of the door frame as I pulled out, split the sill plate, pulled the wall out, and trashed the garage door rail. Not much damage to the Ollie. Bent the bottom step so it wouldn't fold up. 

Our friend the builder came right over and said he could fix the garage easily while we were gone. A combination of a hand sledge and metal file got the bottom trailer step back in line enough to fold, so we actually made it to our destination today. The garage wall is back in place, the garage door is closed (but off one track until a new track is installed), and the Oliver steps fold again (but are a little beat up).

Moral: run your checklist before you move your trailer for ANY reason. 😢

 

[Patriot]

Yes, we always use ours. We just make it an instinctive habit. 

Edited May 2 by Patriot

[SeaDawg]

I'm so sorry.  Things like this happen so easily when we get excited about a new adventure. And, especially when tired.

Thanks for the honest warning.  

[Half Fast Hugo]

OUCH! Definitely a fear I'll have when I start using my new garage and an easy one to miss!

[MAX Burner]

Bummer!  Looks like the Eggcelsior can take a hit, though...  Thankfully, very little damage to your new garage.  

We nailed the door weatherstripping of the Man Cave backing in with the AS one time - I never forget that moment when we're either entering or exiting the Cave, JFYI.  I learn the hard way, for sure.

Checklists help.  We definitely live by our's and encourage others to do the same...  Cheers!

[Ronbrink]

10 hours ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Moral: run your checklist before you move your trailer for ANY reason. 

For us non-conformists, at least a walk-around a time or two in review of a ‘mental’ checklist!

[topgun2]

Little known fact - those nice steps on the Ollie can be used to partially demolish a garage!😜

 

Glad that the damage wasn't worse and that slightly thinner wallet will make sitting on it a bit easier too.

Bill

 

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Yikes!  I’m sorry that happened!  

[Cameron]

I'm amazed that the steps didn't rip off. Is an Ollie stronger than garage framing?

[topgun2]

52 minutes ago, Cameron said:

Is an Ollie stronger than garage framing?

Obviously - 

YES!

[ChrisMI]

Had a similar situation when I failed to lower my tractor roll bar before entering the garage. My wife was not amused.  However, I haven’t forgot to lower the landing gear yet so I still feel like I’m batting 1k. 

[2008RN]

So sorry for the damage. One of my worst fears is doing what happened to you. We all, or most of us get carried away and make a mistake.  My better half has stop me a couple of times on the steps.  We setup camp in a pouring rain last week. No checklist, just pumped through it to get out of the rain.  I know it is small and minor, but we forgot to turn the fridge back on.  36 hours later the fridge was at 52 degrees and the freezer section was at 30 degrees.  First thing out of my wife's mouth was we are getting to lax and need to be at least checking our work with the checklist.

Thanks for the saftey reminder, we all need it!

[Jason Foster]

I walk around my trailer twice before moving it.  Double check everything.

[jd1923]

On 5/3/2024 at 9:51 PM, Jason Foster said:

I walk around my trailer twice before moving it.  Double check everything.

Yep, not a checklist guy, but Chris and I have the muscle memory after 3 very different kinds of RVs. Walk-around looking under, at the jacks and eyeballing all 8 tires. Eyeball all 4 tires every time before you sit to drive any vehicle. Do they look as they should?

We will admit a member of our family taking the side mirror off a truck on a garage door. My father RIP, backed out of his garage, driving a brand new Porsche 911SC, door open, looking back out the door, when the garage door frame crunched his door and LF fender. Gave him another reason to trade it in (first reason: golf clubs didn’t fit). Therefore, OTT steps are much stronger than a 911.

None of this makes you feel any better. Good of you to admit and provide warning. I’ve got one. Was unhitching and left one safety cable on, just didn’t see it from my side. The TV pulled the trailer jack off the blocks, streetside tire ran over the shore line, pulled taught to destroy the shore power receptacle. Happy nothing else happened, only about a $150 mistake.

We could start a whole thread titled, “Dumb Camping Mistakes.” That would be fun! We all could add a few posts for sure.