G'day everyone, I have just read the post by Gerty Dancer (what time do you leave each day) and it reminded me of some very valuable advice given by the Shepparton safe driving complex for vanners.
It concerned the discipline of checking your vehicle, towing setup, ie, towing hitches, chains, electrical connections (all lights working) condition of tyres including correct psi, proper load distribution..........and for pop tops, the importance of making sure that the front latches have been connected properly and even a small padlock or snaplock on the front to ensure you dont have a drama. ( I have seen many poptops suffer this costly mistake......have you?)
The main point he made was working as a team there are less chances of a costly mistake due to fatigue/rushing or "she will be right" attitude, something I think we are all guilty of from time to time. A daily check list from tug to van is so simple for something so valuable. So, whatever time you leave each day, what preparations make up your pre- departure checks and do you have a schedule to check during the day?
cheers
ozi2
-- Edited by ozi2 on Friday 29th of April 2011 08:09:08 AM
jimricho said
08:18 AM Apr 29, 2011
One of the traps when doing a pre-departure check is being interrupted, either by the campground's resident time-waster that wants to yarn on, or by a partner calling out check items out of sequence, eg in the middle of checking the hook up (say) and he/she calls out "have you latched the fridge yet". Also being called away to attend to some (allegedly) "urgent" task.
-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 29th of April 2011 08:20:19 AM
Ma said
08:25 AM Apr 29, 2011
We automatically do the check list now every time we head off from somewhere.
I check what he's done, he check's what I've done then I check everything again and then he checks everything again.
It's just a matter of course now, wouldn't dream of heading off without doing it.
Like you Jim, we have seen too many people come unstuck, all for the sake of a few extra minutes.
If we happen to get waylaid at any time during the check phase, we start again just to be sure.
ozi2 said
08:30 AM Apr 29, 2011
jimricho wrote:
One of the traps when doing a pre-departure check is being interrupted, either by the campground's resident time-waster that wants to yarn on, or by a partner calling out check items out of sequence, eg in the middle of checking the hook up (say) and he/she calls out "have you latched the fridge yet". Also being called away to attend to some (allegedly) "urgent" task.
-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 29th of April 2011 08:20:19 AM
G'day Jim, thanks for the laugh, it is so true!
jimricho said
08:33 AM Apr 29, 2011
My background here is many years ago in a previous life being a part-time flying instructor.
ozi2 said
08:34 AM Apr 29, 2011
Ma wrote:
We automatically do the check list now every time we head off from somewhere.
I check what he's done, he check's what I've done then I check everything again and then he checks everything again.
It's just a matter of course now, wouldn't dream of heading off without doing it.
Like you Jim, we have seen too many people come unstuck, all for the sake of a few extra minutes.
If we happen to get waylaid at any time during the check phase, we start again just to be sure.
Hi Ma, lets hope everyone follows your example, its the only way to have peace of mind to start the day.
ozi2
ozi2 said
08:36 AM Apr 29, 2011
jimricho wrote:
My background here is many years ago in a previous life being a part-time flying instructor.
You sound like my kind of pilot Jim
BobnBev said
08:53 AM Apr 29, 2011
jimricho wrote:
One of the traps when doing a pre-departure check is being interrupted, either by the campground's resident time-waster that wants to yarn on, or by a partner calling out check items out of sequence, eg in the middle of checking the hook up (say) and he/she calls out "have you latched the fridge yet". Also being called away to attend to some (allegedly) "urgent" task.
-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 29th of April 2011 08:20:19 AM
Jim that is so true, lost a wheel on a trailer because of a phone call, just when I was on the last bit of the tighting the wheel nuts, How many time do you pull up and find the MAT still there on the ground where some one in a rush has left it ...The clothes line is my thing, there are enough clothes lines out to hang a lot of cloths on..
One should have a pilot check list on a card and the copilot should yell check each time you say, fridge locked, tv antana down,caravan hooked up,jocky wheel off,power cord in, wife on board, bloody hell did you fold up the awning before we left, have seen the jocky wheels still there as they go to pull out. vents up, tv antanas still in the air.....Its all in a days fun....but can be costly......
jimricho said
09:21 AM Apr 29, 2011
BobnBev wrote:
Jim that is so true, lost a wheel on a trailer because of a phone call, just when I was on the last bit of the tighting the wheel nuts, How many time do you pull up and find the MAT still there on the ground where some one in a rush has left it ...The clothes line is my thing, there are enough clothes lines out to hang a lot of cloths on..
I can assure you my record is far from perfect (to put it mildly)
jimricho said
09:23 AM Apr 29, 2011
ozi2 wrote:
jimricho wrote:
My background here is many years ago in a previous life being a part-time flying instructor.
You sound like my kind of pilot Jim
Not these days mate! haven't flown for 25 years. briefly took the controls of a mate's plane last year.....Jeeze! was I rusty!
ozjohn said
09:47 AM Apr 29, 2011
I'd like a dollar for everytime I've seen a towel or tea towel hanging on the back of a van as it travels merrily down the road.
OJ
DeBe said
10:17 AM Apr 29, 2011
Interuption to a routine is probably the bigest problem.
elliemike said
10:20 AM Apr 29, 2011
Our routine, after checking inside the van and latching down the roof of the Avan, has Ellie locking one latch and me the other on opposite sides. We then independantly walk around (left and right) Checking all the gear. Usually double check verbally as we finnish as to who checked what inside as well, in case we missed sommat. Then the lights routine.
I twice !! missed putting the tow hitch safety pin in on our last trip. Ellie picked up on that before I did my visual on the hitch. I always walk around the van and car at morning tea and lunch stops. I keep the Tyre pressure guage in the drivers door arm rest pocket. Use it every two or three days
I had a big "Mobile Welder" become unhitched once, it passed me going down the Elevation into Picton N.Z. (at 0400 in the morning) It must have travelled 500 metres before it stopped. Sparks flying everywhere.
This is a winding downhill road with a railway cutting below. No traffic at that time of day, thankfully it did not hit anyone or crash over onto the railway below. My fellow workmate and passenger had put it on the hitch, while I backed the truck up to it. But that was all he did, wasnt even locked on. The chains were not fitted. He thought I was going to do that, as he had tools to get aboard etc. Of course we were late and rushing, cos we had a deadline and a boat to meet. I had to help lifting our tools, oxy cylinders etc.
Well thats how it happens !!!!!
I was the Driver it was my responsability. Never want that situation again.
Regards Mike
-- Edited by elliemike on Friday 29th of April 2011 10:31:33 AM
sufil said
11:52 AM Apr 29, 2011
I watch and direct if needed for hook up then inside to make sure all is done in there while Phil does the outside. Then we both do a visual of inside and outside just to make sure we haven't missed something. Check the lights,put the mats in and shut the door and we are off. Mind you we have been known to get 300km down the road only to discover the washing is still in the dryer at the caravan park!! (got distracted by chatty neighbours.. they actually walked alongside car as we were driving out so even driving past laundry and seeing someone hanging washing on line didn't trigger memory of clothes in dryer) Still we have only done that once now I make sure all the washing is done the night before we leave.( fortuneately son lives not far from park and was able to go and retrieve it for us). Our worst forget was not locking hitch properly, did the chains and lights. Got to destination after 150 kms of narrow twisty and hilly road and went to unhitch and oops!! van is sitting on hitch not locked into place.Now we double/triple check everything. And once and only once did I forget to lock fridge door. Well it had to me didn't it even though Phil put the stuff back in the fridge while I washed the dishes and put them away.??. We stopped for lunch and all was fine but stopped 2 hrs later to be greeted by broken eggs and the fridge door open. I am sure most travellers have a tale or two of like mishaps, nothing major just little forgets despite all the checking off lists we do.
Sue
milo said
02:36 PM Apr 29, 2011
when we first got the motor home ,(tardis) we were happily driving along and we kept getting people flashing there lights at us for ages so we pulled up and looked around the van and noticed we'd left the tv areal / wind up one still up
so now we do a check and make sure every things all locked up wound down etc
before take off...
-- Edited by milo on Friday 29th of April 2011 02:37:28 PM
Firefly said
03:11 PM Apr 29, 2011
We have similar routines as well. Left the fridge unlocked as well Sue, but only once. I forgot to put the plug in the sink going over a dirt road, but only once.
We have left the hatch up and a light on inside.
BUT, hopefully by Tuesday, we may have to develop a new routine as we look like picking up our new pre-loved van, woooo hooo, very excited.
You will hear me crowing for weeks to come I am sure, IF it falls into place.
Nicholstones said
04:24 PM Apr 29, 2011
We have a written checklist that we go over every time we hitch up. After more than 2 years on the road I could probably recite it in my sleep, but we still check each and every item every time.
goinsoon said
05:16 PM Apr 29, 2011
We have a simple system
Shecks that I have done everything
and checks
and checks
and checks
and checks
Oh bugger Ma's not here is she
Ma said
05:26 PM Apr 29, 2011
..............Guess who GS............
Firefly said
05:33 PM Apr 29, 2011
Now you have 4 eyes and not 2, he doesn't stand a chance Ma.
Ma said
05:37 PM Apr 29, 2011
How sweet it is............
goinsoon said
06:40 PM Apr 29, 2011
Well Ma!
Can you at least give me a lift to the rock
Ma said
06:55 PM Apr 29, 2011
The meat waggon will be along directly. Have your bags packed.......
old briney said
07:12 PM Apr 29, 2011
1st put the boss in the car.... then start your checks
goinsoon said
07:48 PM Apr 29, 2011
NO NO NO
First put the boss in the car and then apply the gag
Cruising Granny said
09:57 PM Apr 29, 2011
I have a check list too, but after a while my routine is automatic. Pack and secure the internal details of the van, then the externals. Another walk and look around, all good, I'm off. No major mishaps to date. It does pay to check and double check to everything is tight before you hit the road. If there are 2 of you do you have your own jobs? Do you then recheck before setting out? As Ma and Blue do it. I've seen some funny procedures and antics, along with the associated discussion, debate and dispute about who puts what where, after 20 years of travelling together.
jack biggles said
10:20 PM Apr 29, 2011
jimricho wrote:
ozi2 wrote:
jimricho wrote:
My background here is many years ago in a previous life being a part-time flying instructor.
You sound like my kind of pilot Jim
Not these days mate! haven't flown for 25 years. briefly took the controls of a mate's plane last year.....Jeeze! was I rusty!
Its just like riding a bike. Flick a couple of switches, make a bit of noise, slide this forward & poke a couple of buttons push the controls this way, then push them that way & your away, don't forget to wind up the wheels.
Landing is the reverse or something similar.......very important not to forget to dangle the dunlops & always point the front towards those pretty flashing lights.
I always know I've missed an important step when the passengers start screaming
Ma said
10:34 PM Apr 29, 2011
A good landing is one that you can walk away from
Cruising Granny said
12:02 AM Apr 30, 2011
I walked away from a small plane in Lyndhurst this morning after more than an hour in the air, flying over Lake Eyre and the country between. It's looking magnificent! The colour, the water, the green!
G'day everyone, I have just read the post by Gerty Dancer (what time do you leave each day) and it reminded me of some very valuable advice given by the Shepparton safe driving complex for vanners.
It concerned the discipline of checking your vehicle, towing setup, ie, towing hitches, chains, electrical connections (all lights working) condition of tyres including correct psi, proper load distribution..........and for pop tops, the importance of making sure that the front latches have been connected properly and even a small padlock or snaplock on the front to ensure you dont have a drama. ( I have seen many poptops suffer this costly mistake......have you?)
The main point he made was working as a team there are less chances of a costly mistake due to fatigue/rushing or "she will be right" attitude, something I think we are all guilty of from time to time. A daily check list from tug to van is so simple for something so valuable. So, whatever time you leave each day, what preparations make up your pre- departure checks and do you have a schedule to check during the day?
cheers
ozi2
-- Edited by ozi2 on Friday 29th of April 2011 08:09:08 AM
One of the traps when doing a pre-departure check is being interrupted, either by the campground's resident time-waster that wants to yarn on, or by a partner calling out check items out of sequence, eg in the middle of checking the hook up (say) and he/she calls out "have you latched the fridge yet". Also being called away to attend to some (allegedly) "urgent" task.
-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 29th of April 2011 08:20:19 AM
We automatically do the check list now every time we head off from somewhere.
I check what he's done, he check's what I've done then I check everything again and then he checks everything again.
It's just a matter of course now, wouldn't dream of heading off without doing it.
Like you Jim, we have seen too many people come unstuck, all for the sake of a few extra minutes.
If we happen to get waylaid at any time during the check phase, we start again just to be sure.
G'day Jim, thanks for the laugh, it is so true!
Hi Ma, lets hope everyone follows your example, its the only way to have peace of mind to start the day.
ozi2
You sound like my kind of pilot Jim
Jim that is so true, lost a wheel on a trailer because of a phone call, just when I was on the last bit of the tighting the wheel nuts, How many time do you pull up and find the MAT still there on the ground where some one in a rush has left it ...The clothes line is my thing, there are enough clothes lines out to hang a lot of cloths on..
One should have a pilot check list on a card and the copilot should yell check each time you say, fridge locked, tv antana down,caravan hooked up,jocky wheel off,power cord in, wife on board, bloody hell did you fold up the awning before we left, have seen the jocky wheels still there as they go to pull out. vents up, tv antanas still in the air.....Its all in a days fun....but can be costly......
I can assure you my record is far from perfect (to put it mildly)
Not these days mate! haven't flown for 25 years. briefly took the controls of a mate's plane last year.....Jeeze! was I rusty!
I'd like a dollar for everytime I've seen a towel or tea towel hanging on the back of a van as it travels merrily down the road.
OJ
Interuption to a routine is probably the bigest problem.
Our routine, after checking inside the van and latching down the roof of the Avan, has Ellie locking one latch and me the other on opposite sides.
We then independantly walk around (left and right) Checking all the gear. Usually double check verbally as we finnish as to who checked what inside as well, in case we missed sommat. Then the lights routine.
I twice !! missed putting the tow hitch safety pin in on our last trip. Ellie picked up on that before I did my visual on the hitch. I always walk around the van and car at morning tea and lunch stops. I keep the Tyre pressure guage in the drivers door arm rest pocket. Use it every two or three days
I had a big "Mobile Welder" become unhitched once, it passed me going down the Elevation into Picton N.Z. (at 0400 in the morning) It must have travelled 500 metres before it stopped. Sparks flying everywhere.
This is a winding downhill road with a railway cutting below. No traffic at that time of day, thankfully it did not hit anyone or crash over onto the railway below.
My fellow workmate and passenger had put it on the hitch, while I backed the truck up to it. But that was all he did, wasnt even locked on. The chains were not fitted. He thought I was going to do that, as he had tools to get aboard etc.
Of course we were late and rushing, cos we had a deadline and a boat to meet. I had to help lifting our tools, oxy cylinders etc.
Well thats how it happens !!!!!
I was the Driver it was my responsability. Never want that situation again.
Regards
Mike
-- Edited by elliemike on Friday 29th of April 2011 10:31:33 AM
Mind you we have been known to get 300km down the road only to discover the washing is still in the dryer at the caravan park!! (got distracted by chatty neighbours.. they actually walked alongside car as we were driving out so even driving past laundry and seeing someone hanging washing on line didn't trigger memory of clothes in dryer) Still we have only done that once now I make sure all the washing is done the night before we leave.( fortuneately son lives not far from park and was able to go and retrieve it for us).
Our worst forget was not locking hitch properly, did the chains and lights. Got to destination after 150 kms of narrow twisty and hilly road and went to unhitch and oops!! van is sitting on hitch not locked into place.Now we double/triple check everything.
And once and only once did I forget to lock fridge door. Well it had to me didn't it even though Phil put the stuff back in the fridge while I washed the dishes and put them away.??. We stopped for lunch and all was fine but stopped 2 hrs later to be greeted by broken eggs and the fridge door open.
I am sure most travellers have a tale or two of like mishaps, nothing major just little forgets despite all the checking off lists we do.
Sue
so now we do a check and make sure every things all locked up wound down etc
before take off.
..
-- Edited by milo on Friday 29th of April 2011 02:37:28 PM
We have similar routines as well. Left the fridge unlocked as well Sue, but only once. I forgot to put the plug in the sink going over a dirt road, but only once.
We have left the hatch up and a light on inside.
BUT, hopefully by Tuesday, we may have to develop a new routine as we look like picking up our new pre-loved van, woooo hooo, very excited.
You will hear me crowing for weeks to come I am sure, IF it falls into place.
We have a simple system
Shecks that I have done everything
and checks
and checks
and checks
and checks
Oh bugger Ma's not here is she
Now you have 4 eyes and not 2, he doesn't stand a chance Ma.
How sweet it is............
Well Ma!
Can you at least give me a lift to the rock
The meat waggon will be along directly. Have your bags packed.......
1st put the boss in the car.... then start your checks
NO NO NO
First put the boss in the car and then apply the gag
Another walk and look around, all good, I'm off.
No major mishaps to date. It does pay to check and double check to everything is tight before you hit the road.
If there are 2 of you do you have your own jobs? Do you then recheck before setting out?
As Ma and Blue do it.
I've seen some funny procedures and antics, along with the associated discussion, debate and dispute about who puts what where, after 20 years of travelling together.
Its just like riding a bike. Flick a couple of switches, make a bit of noise, slide this forward & poke a couple of buttons push the controls this way, then push them that way & your away, don't forget to wind up the wheels.
Landing is the reverse or something similar.......very important not to forget to dangle the dunlops & always point the front towards those pretty flashing lights.
I always know I've missed an important step when the passengers start screaming
A good landing is one that you can walk away from
It's looking magnificent! The colour, the water, the green!
Kick the tyres
Light the fires
Done!