Oliver #1030 Reset - The Cover is Off

[DunnYet]

I feel like I have been hiding out from the forums for the last several months. Almost put this post in “introduce yourself” but that did not seem right, I already introduced Rebecca and myself when we picked up #1030 almost a year ago.

Getting the Truma water heater replaced tied us up for the late spring, then work blotted out the summer, and shortly after putting the cover on Reset in September I fell off a ladder and broke my collarbone requiring surgery. (Ladder ,tree limb, chainsaw, stupidity … when we share a campfire I will go through the details but only if alcohol is available 🙂 ). We had to cancel four trips because of the simple fact that I could not get the cover off Reset.

Fast forward to this weekend - I’m completing a month of Physical Therapy and with my son’s help was able to get the cover off yesterday. (Successfully not falling off a ladder - takes bow 🤣.) Rebecca and I are finally getting back on the road for a short shakedown trip this weekend, then out to Howenwald mid-February for an annual service visit / warranty punch list.

So we are back - looking forward to sharing roads and campgrounds with all of you!

[topgun2]

Glad you're back.  But, you could have used all that "spare" time here getting ideas and planning your next adventures.

Not to discourage you, but, I've found that getting the cover off is much easier than getting it on.  Hopefully you will be fully recovered by the time you have to think about re-covering.

Bill

[Mike and Carol]

Sorry to hear about the accident but glad to hear you’re back in the saddle!  Looking forward to seeing you around the campfire for the latest version of the incident!  Mike

[Katjo]

Oh my! So sorry to hear about your broken collar bone…ouch! I did have to chuckle at your second attempt success “taking a bow”!! Hope the road is smooth sailing for you from here on out and no more unplanned gymnastic dismounts off any ladder! 

[ScubaRx]

6 hours ago, DunnYet said:

So we are back - looking forward to sharing roads and campgrounds with all of you!

OK, Kevin. Apparently you were not aware of Texas Law BR-0459. No one over the age of 55 is allowed to use a ladder without two adults supervising. Further, nobody is allowed to say, "Hey Buddy, hold my beer."

I fell about 16 months ago and had massive subdural hematoma. It required an emergency craniotomy. We'uns need to learn to be more careful.

 

[Patriot]

Welcome back and stick with your PT. It sounds like you are well on your way to full recovery. I agree with @ScubaRx I really try to avoid ladders as much as possible. 

Wishing you many happy and safe travels!

Patriot 🇺🇸

[SeaDawg]

Ouch.

I also broke my collar bone in early September, though a full break, not displaced, so no surgery required. 

It was certainly painful . Please do follow the doc and pt advice.  I'm  fully recovered.  And, released from care, months ago.

I don't recommend ladders. 🤨

 

[Patriot]

For some reason whenever I hear stories about anyone falling off a ladder this movie comes to mind. 
 

chevy chade falling off a ladder
 

[Liana]

Must be a year for falling off of ladders.  I fell off mine cleaning snow off the solar panels in November.  Well, technically, it slipped out from under me because I was an idiot about its placement.  Bunged up my knee pretty well, was laid up for two months, but overall, very lucky since I was alone on our remote property at the time.  

Keep healing!  Unfortunately, ladders are unavoidable in some circumstances.  >.<

[ScottyGS]

I got a platform ladder specifically to get up top on the trailer.   Three points of contact at all times and keep your belt buckle between the rails.   And go slow.   Or better yet.. don't go at all. 

 

[John and Debbie]

3 hours ago, ScottyGS said:

I got a platform ladder specifically to get up top on the trailer.   Three points of contact at all times and keep your belt buckle between the rails.   And go slow.   Or better yet.. don't go at all. 

 

When I was drywalling our daughter's garage, I bought a 10-12 foot 2x12 and placed it about mid way up between two step ladders.  Her garage ceilings are 10 feet high.  Granted that's a stable floor surface, but I wonder if something like that might work.  You just have to be very cognizant of your feet at all times.  Just thinking of possibilities.

John

[SeaDawg]

We've rented a lift in the past for tree work. Now, we just hire it done. And, recently installed gutter guards, to avoid those trips to the eaves. I  don't want my husband up on those ladders either. Our shortest gutter is 15' above the ground. The other is around  30'.

We do have scaffolding and ladders, and use them for some projects, but the older I get, the more I hate heights. When I  was young, I was totally fearless. Not so much, these days. 

I still get up there, when absolutely necessary,  but we have younger friends and family that are more sure-footed and stable who usually volunteer. (They don't want me to take another tumble, is my guess.)

 

[SeaDawg]

Frankly,  I  think our bodies and senses often give us clues, if we don't ignore them. 

I used to climb chat mine towers, as a kid.  Walk all over roofs, no matter how high. Enjoyed the view from many heights. Back in the day,  I was the one in the bosun's chair, fixing lights or clearing a halyard, 55 to 65 feet above the water, on boats, swinging in the breeze, or kicking off  the mast. Not anymore, though the view is amazing. 

Now, my sensors go off above six feet or so (my house ladder, in the cleaning closet.)  I like scaffolding,  and guard rails.

[DunnYet]

On 1/16/2023 at 7:59 AM, topgun2 said:

Glad you're back.  But, you could have used all that "spare" time here getting ideas and planning your next adventures.

Not to discourage you, but, I've found that getting the cover off is much easier than getting it on.  Hopefully you will be fully recovered by the time you have to think about re-covering.

Bill

I fear that’s correct. So we will be on the road forever (LOL).

[DunnYet]

On 1/18/2023 at 4:14 PM, SeaDawg said:

Frankly,  I  think our bodies and senses often give us clues, if we don't ignore them. 

I used to climb chat mine towers, as a kid.  Walk all over roofs, no matter how high. Enjoyed the view from many heights. Back in the day,  I was the one in the bosun's chair, fixing lights or clearing a halyard, 55 to 65 feet above the water, on boats, swinging in the breeze, or kicking off  the mast. Not anymore, though the view is amazing. 

Now, my sensors go off above six feet or so (my house ladder, in the cleaning closet.)  I like scaffolding,  and guard rails.

So true. I did theater work in high school and college - no problems walking floodlight catwalks and support beams high above the seats. Would not do that now.

[DunnYet]

On 1/16/2023 at 12:52 PM, ScubaRx said:

OK, Kevin. Apparently you were not aware of Texas Law BR-0459. No one over the age of 55 is allowed to use a ladder without two adults supervising. Further, nobody is allowed to say, "Hey Buddy, hold my beer."

I fell about 16 months ago and had massive subdural hematoma. It required an emergency craniotomy. We'uns need to learn to be more careful.

 

Glad that you are recovering well. At this point the most pain I am feeling is from dealing with the insurance company.

So - does BR-0459 mention whiskey? 

[DunnYet]

On 1/18/2023 at 3:55 PM, SeaDawg said:

We've rented a lift in the past for tree work. Now, we just hire it done. And, recently installed gutter guards, to avoid those trips to the eaves. I  don't want my husband up on those ladders either. Our shortest gutter is 15' above the ground. The other is around  30'.

We do have scaffolding and ladders, and use them for some projects, but the older I get, the more I hate heights. When I  was young, I was totally fearless. Not so much, these days. 

I still get up there, when absolutely necessary,  but we have younger friends and family that are more sure-footed and stable who usually volunteer. (They don't want me to take another tumble, is my guess.)

 

Rebecca “gifted” me a crew to put up the lights each year - for with I am very grateful. The 24 foot extension ladder is put well away.

[DunnYet]

On 1/17/2023 at 6:38 PM, ScottyGS said:

I got a platform ladder specifically to get up top on the trailer.   Three points of contact at all times and keep your belt buckle between the rails.   And go slow.   Or better yet.. don't go at all. 

 

I have one of the four fold types that makes a platform. As you say - it’s a good tool.

Three points was one of the things I violated in this exercise, and that’s with me growing up sailing and always knowing where my points of contact were. Anything that starts out with “That’s not really the best stability I have ever set, but it’s just one branch” is likely not going to end well.

[DunnYet]

On 1/17/2023 at 11:28 AM, Liana said:

Must be a year for falling off of ladders.  I fell off mine cleaning snow off the solar panels in November.  Well, technically, it slipped out from under me because I was an idiot about its placement.  Bunged up my knee pretty well, was laid up for two months, but overall, very lucky since I was alone on our remote property at the time.  

Keep healing!  Unfortunately, ladders are unavoidable in some circumstances.  >.<

So glad you were not hurt worse! Placement was a root cause here as well - I told myself it was just “one branch” and I would be up and down quickly,. Which turned out to be true - just not the way I intended…

[DunnYet]

On 1/16/2023 at 8:14 PM, SeaDawg said:

Ouch.

I also broke my collar bone in early September, though a full break, not displaced, so no surgery required. 

It was certainly painful . Please do follow the doc and pt advice.  I'm  fully recovered.  And, released from care, months ago.

I don't recommend ladders. 🤨

 

My hopefully final follow up is first week of February. In my case it was up and down displaced. Orthopedic surgeon is a sports med specialist, she said “if you were one of my 15 year olds I would just put it back in place and tape it really well and put you in a tight sling. However, in case you did not realize it, you are not 15.” My answer - “Correct - reverse those numbers and keep going north.”

I just figure that with the titanium plate and screws I finally have some value 🤣