MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: rockrat on March 08, 2015, 04:36:20 PM
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This morning SWMBO helped me pack up the Jayco Eagle for the trip home from Kurrimine Beach. Unfortunately, she only locked down two of the roof latches whereas I assumed she had done them all. Well, we were travelling at about 100kph when I caught a glimpse of one side of the camper roof sitting up about 8 inches off the base. My first thought was WTF, followed by Oh Crap. Stopped the car, secured the top and after a bit of an argument about whose fault it was - I didn't win - we were on our way. Checked the winder mechanism out when we got home, all good, nothing more than a free lesson in making sure I check everything myself.
All this got me thinking, what routines do others have to check everything before they drive off with their CT in tow?
I normally double check the hitch and safety chains and check the lights are working but will add the roof latches to the mental checklist from now on.
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My wife does everything inside, I do everything outside.
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My wife does everything inside, I do everything outside.
Same, I also triple check the Jayco roof & hitch etc, drive for s few minutes, stop and recheck
Swannie
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I walk down the passengers side if the Cruiser check the hitch, jockey wheel and all associated wires, chains etc then walk around the camper checking all latches as I go. Once I'm back to the DO35 hitch I check it again and then climb in the drivers seat and we're away !!
So far so good :cheers: , we've never had an issue yet.
We don't share the job of final inspection....................it's my responsibility as the driver so it's only up to one person to check the whole rig !!
Cheers
John K
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We don't share the job of final inspection....................it's my responsibility as the driver so it's only up to one person to check the whole rig !!
Yep, the same here. The buck stops with the driver.
KB
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Last thing I do is a walk around before setting off. As I go I count off the items checked, lights, safety chains, hitch pin, jockey wheel, latches, straps, tailgate etc. Put my hand out to each one as its checked.
One of these days I'll keep a record of what number I'm supposed to finish with!
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I do a complete walk around, starting at the hitch I check it's locked on and Anderson and trailer plugs hooked up, then check handbrake is off, all latches down drivers side locked down, walk around back and make sure both latches on swing away wheel carrier are locked, then check latches on passenger side are locked also, then check kitchen is locked and finally I make sure all 3 storage box areas and the space case are locked aswell.
Do it all myself, that way only one person is to blame if something wasn't done it's purely my fault then
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Yep, the same here. The buck stops with the driver.
KB
Yep same here. I always do a lap every time we stop even if just for petrol etc. Get into the habit and develop a routine. Stops any unexpected problems before they happen.
It's been known, that in some areas people will have a go and fiddle with your rig just for the sport. Don't intend to be their entrainment, interestingly enough I have only found a problem with some latches being released only once after a short break.
Ta
John
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I walk down the passengers side if the Cruiser check the hitch, jockey wheel and all associated wires, chains etc then walk around the camper checking all latches as I go. Once I'm back to the DO35 hitch I check it again and then climb in the drivers seat and we're away !!
So far so good :cheers: , we've never had an issue yet.
We don't share the job of final inspection....................it's my responsibility as the driver so it's only up to one person to check the whole rig !!
Cheers
John K
Pretty much exactly what I do, am a true believer in a walk around of my veh and ct each time I stop and again prior to heading off for the first time, and the following mornings etc....I have found a hub hot once due to a wheel bearing buggered....saved me some heartache finding it before it collapsed and caused me real probs.....
For me its an important part of touring....find a prob before it becomes an issue and do an easy fix, be it a latch, a wheel nut, or what ever...
Swanny
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First mistake is having someone help. I do the walk around twice and check everything, nobody is to touch anything outside. I have also made up "flight pins " for some things and put red tape on the inside of the roof latches so it's more obvious visually if a latch is undone. Habits borne being trained as a pilot.
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Usual checks on the CT do a lap or 3, hitch, chains, lights, wheels and tyres and all latches and compartments are locked shut so they can't rattle open, gas off. Check everything is securely tied down on the roof rack of the car and nothing left on the bullbar or anything.
Get In the car and do a head count before driving off, missus, kids, dog are actually in the car.
Move CT off actual campsite, stop, quick look to make sure nothing has been left behind.
Then drive out of the camping area (or home if we are heading out) and stop and re check everything.
And usually whenever we stop ill do a quick walk around just to make sure its all sweet.
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Same but different - towing the boat.
Check the hitch, lights, handbrake
Make sure nothing is obscuring the number plate - as a very friendly highway patrol officer pointed out its a large fine, particularly on a long weekend!
I also carry an infrared thermometer gun to check the trailer bearings.
These things are cheap to buy nowadays...
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I also carry an infrared thermometer gun to check the trailer bearings.
These things are cheap to buy nowadays...
Yep, we carry one of those too, makes it easy to shoot temps as you walk around :cup:
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Starting at front of vehicle... check oil and fluids, start vehicle, check headlights :allow vehicle to run while moving to rear of vehicle and camper: Check hitch, electrics and chains and jockey wheel up. Then one side of toolbox locked... jerry cans secure, cap on water outlet, gas bottle locked and off, tail gate locked and rear supports up, other side of camper...2nd gas bottle locked on, camper base latches secured, hatch closed and jerry can secured, other side of tool box locked, double check jockey wheel, pins, and hitch....
Back to the vehicle... passenger checks brake, signal and tail lights. Last check of site to ensure nothing left behind (ie wheel chocks if we've used them... then away we go. Generally as bearings have been checked the day previous every time we stop the first check is generally about an hour down the track....
Cheers,
Sue
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I get my 15 year old daughter to check everything, she does not know that I go over it whilst she is in the car asking me to see if the lights are working pressing the brake pedal flicking switches etc... But so far I have found her spot on but I still go over it all.
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While I am hitching up the missus goes around and checks everything. Then I do a lap to double check (physically touching each item as I check it - force of habit) then double check the hitch.
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I also carry an infrared thermometer gun to check the trailer bearings.
I use the 5-pronged organic version...... ;D
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Then I do a lap to double check (physically touching each item as I check it - force of habit) then double check the hitch.
i do the same thing as i do my check aswell....not sure why i do it, but it seems to reassure myself that it's definately locked in position by physically touching it.
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While I am hitching up the missus goes around and checks everything. Then I do a lap to double check (physically touching each item as I check it - force of habit) then double check the hitch.
That's exactly what we do.
I've also been known to go around once and then back in the opposite direction. Especially if I know we have had a disjointed or rushed (weather, kids etc) pack up.
It's when you rush or get distracted that you are most likely to forget something important!
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The wife has a spreadsheet of camping gear, clothes and food stuffs etc .. I oversee the lot before it gets packed .. amazing how much extra apears and gets Sh*te canned before being loaded even with a black n white check list .
Once loaded its a final walk around double check of everything thats tied strapped lights or moves ..
When the doors close the warning is said " Have you got everything and checked " said again at the turn of to the main drag from our street and a final " What we have, we go with and What we havent we go without " as we hit the highway on ramp ..
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After its all been packed , clipped ,tied , strapped & attached to the tug . A quiet walk around the camp site to do a " Mug Sweep " . Amazing what you find from time to time . Sometimes you leave kit :cheers:
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We also have the kids do a walk around the site to make sure there is no rubbish (ours or others) left.
It's surprising how many times you find stuff that no one knows where it came from.
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Same but different - towing the boat.
Check the hitch, lights, handbrake
Make sure nothing is obscuring the number plate - as a very friendly highway patrol officer pointed out its a large fine, particularly on a long weekend!
I also carry an infrared thermometer gun to check the trailer bearings.
These things are cheap to buy nowadays...
What temperature range do you find acceptable for bearings, eg; normal heat range to excessive heat range. cheers Ron.
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Some good points on here about checking yourself/ drivers responsibility. Its very easy to get lazy though.
In a previous life I used to tow a 40Kva Generator on a dual axle trailer, sometimes moving and setting up in different locations a day (sometimes 3 or 4 moves). Simple walk round and check of hitch, and running gear at the beginning and end of every journey as we were mostly on rural roads and farms. But since then, I've been caught out at a trailer hire place. It was raining so guy says "I'll hitch it up for ya". "Awesome" I think, "he can get wet, not me". He sends me off, and I exit the car park. Bang, its onto the safety chain. He hadn't locked the ball hitch in properly. Now its back to a physical check and walkround every time rain, hail or snow.
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Make sure the rum is packed. hahaha
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I check everything over a couple of times and then second guess myself as I drive up the road and end up pulling over after a few hundred metres to check again.
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I check that the fridge is well stocked, is going and set at 1 deg. ;D
cheers duggie
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The ol girl has a spreadsheet checklist that we run by. So far, so good.
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Like others, I walk around the trailer physically touching all the locks, plugs, etc
After ripping a leg off on my first trip with the trailer I don't let anyone do any of the final closing/checking now.
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On our last trip we had driven for 3 hours when we needed to give a the kids a toilet break and it as then I noticed I hadn’t attached my safety chains, so I felt like a goose.
Also in the past I have put the fridge in the car and connected it to 240v, but I forgot to plug in the 12v cord. So when leaving home the next morning I unplug the 240v cord and drive off. Again a couple of hours later I find the fridge getting warm and seeing the back of the car was chockers, struggle to plug the 12v cord in.
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It's been known, that in some areas people will have a go and fiddle with your rig just for the sport. Don't intend to be their entrainment, interestingly enough I have only found a problem with some latches being released only once after a short break.
Ta
John
Yes a swing out kitchen swinging out on the highway makes your vehicle rather taily to drive. Since this happened I also do a quick check before hearing off whenever We have left the trailer.
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As pretty well everyone has said, it's my responsibility ... My biggest problem has been forgetting the jockey wheel a few times. Didn't do the last one a lot of good!
As I normally travel solo, I get SWMBO to check the lights before I head off. I have taught her a standard set of signals to indicate which light is OK/dead.
Now that I have replaced all the lights with LED lights and completely rebuilt the wiring loom, I don't expect to have that perennial problem of festoon bulbs failing whenever they feel like it.
Now I have converted to a CT, I expect to have to learn to check extra things - e.g. remembering to remove the security cables and locks from the wheels ... ;).
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Go from the front to the back
Sitting on the hitch right
Safety chains done up
Lights and anderson plugged in
Roof winder handle put away
Staibiliser legs up
Roof latches secure
Quick check of the wheel nuts with the brace
Quick walk around at out first stop
I can also see the roof latches in the side mirrors as well
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Re: What routine do you have to check everything is ok before driving off with CT?
first of all - check no one is around, and there are no cops near by - etc ...
:police:
>:D
O hang on, shoot; different subject LOL :cheers:
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Also forgot to mention we move the car/camper just out of the camp spot the the missus does a once over of the site to find any lost bits. Have found a few tent pegs and a t-shirt so far (all ours)
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Check the hitch and pin, check the trailer plug and Anderson connection. Check the safety chains.
Then down one side checking each latch on boxes and camper, rear door, up the other side, then get the missus to check the lights while I operate them. I'm the driver, so I'm responsible, so it's my job to check. The 6 camper floor latches stay undone when in the garage to prevent the seals from becoming overly compressed, so they must be closed before departure.
If we'll be stopping along the way where the tug/camper would be parked and unattended, as I do the check, I have 12x keyed alike padlocks, and I fit 1 on each box, 2 on the camper lid, lock the back door (keyed lock), 1 on the pole box, 1 on the rear locker, and replace the hitch pin clamp with a padlock. Have the same locks on the 2 gas cylinders. 10 locks, 2 spares .... Keys stashed everywhere !!!
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Don't forget the house when checking your trailer and rig. We have driven off with the house front door and all windows wide open!!
Lucky for us we realised 2 kms from home and not at our destination 700kms away!
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Don't forget the house when checking your trailer and rig. We have driven off with the house front door and all windows wide open!!
Lucky for us we realised 2 kms from home and not at our destination 700kms away!
Double check the iron is off as well when leaving home, so you can say yep its off, when she asks. Sames as most for me start at front and do a lap, checking everything twice and touch everything to be sure, lock all doors etc and away we go.
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Yep last time we left the house unlocked and alarm disarmed.
Diddnt realize till we got back home. Very lucky...
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We've got a ct, so makes things a bit easier. Hubby does everything, I check once it's all done and he does a final look over before we leave.
One of the first trips we did we forgot about the hand break, so that put us on the straight and narrow.
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I do the anticlockwise walk around whatever I'm towing...
Coupling
Chains
Kick and shake the passenger wheel
Check the transom strap and Outboard brace if it's the boat
Kick and shake the drivers side wheel
Recheck the coupling and chains
Each stop, I check bearing temps with the back of my fingers
Oh, and if it's the boat, make sure I have the keys packed... Drove 1300km at Christmas and had left the keys at home...
Thank God for a good neighbor... She express posted them to us :)
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Double check the iron is off as well when leaving home, so you can say yep its off, when she asks.
Funny that, I normally get asked is the stove off about 10 min after leaving home.
Agree whole heartedly with its the pilots responsibility to do the final check.
Stops the " I thought you did"
And I don't have to worry about packing the inside! ;D
cheers Glen
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Must admit, we double check a few things now, like making sure the gas is turned off at taps. Electrics are off including the water pump as sometimes if we are travelling a fair distance between camps we will empty the water to save on weight and fuel then fill up at destination but we are mindful about the pump and electrics running and trying to build pressure when there is no water in the tanks.
We also double check the chains, hitch, plugs and jockey wheel. Once my missus drove off with the jockey wheel down. Not fun to repair on our old KK where the mount is welded to the drawbar.