Holy c*%p the learning curve is getting steep

When we got the coach a few months ago we did the usual walk through "Tour" then we were waved goodbye.

I had a pretty good idea of the depth of the pool I had just jumped in, I knew the water temp and thought I could recognize the hazards..

I remember this like it was yesterday, (For those with a Fleetwood Discovery you may want to take notice here),

During the new owner walk through, I was shown how to open the pull out for the generator.

A small latch just UNDER the front fiberglass cowling, essentially it was under the front bumper. I remember vividly thinking WHAT A STUPID PLACE TO PUT THAT.. What if you hit something and it popped open or WORSE broke off.

Well crap, that is exactly what happened;

We pulled into an empty parking lot in Cuerro Texas to have lunch on our way home. It was a very large parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver, turn around and multiple points to exit. It looked PERFECT.

After lunch and potty breaks for all we(I)went to pull out, back onto 183 towards Austin. The driveway had very slight swail, I did not even really notice it. As soon as the front tires hit it we heard the front end hit and drag, the receiver hit at the back when it went over it also. It was not a curb, I did not drive over something, it was the actual exit with a DIP for water to run off.

I thought " I should stop and make sure nothing happened" but there was not really a safe place to pull off. I did not hear anything and I hoped for the best. We were only going a few miles down 183 before we were at our fuel stop to fill up.

We were headed for a gas station in Gonzales and I would check everything there.

UUUMMMMM.. YEP....

So I am slowing like usual for the red light at the gas station in Gonzales and I hear a loud THUMP, light turns green I start forward and I hear a loud thump .. WTH was that---CRAP I KNOW WHAT THAT WAS, DO NOT TELL WIFE....

We pull in to the fuel pumps, I get out to confirm my thoughts and YES it was exactly what I thought.

When I went though the swail, the DUMB ASS CLIP that held the generator slide closed broke OFF.

The first loud thump was the genny sliding open, the second was it sliding closed.

My fleetwood was sticking its tongue out every time we stopped.

I always over pack tools and things I could-might- possibly ever use stuff. I had a few ratchet straps and was able to strap it closed for the trip home.

I slide under the coach from front to back, opened all the access hatches that would give me a view or access to under the coach, I checked everything looking for any other damage. NONE.. Only that 2$ latch.

I will be re-designing a new locking system for this slide that does not involve a 2$ latch on the bottom of the front end where a piece or trash (or in my case concrete) could cause it to release (or in my case be removed all together).

I am thinking a release pull bar like we have on our trucks to release the goose neck balls in the beds of our trucks. Something tucked under the front wheel well, protected, spring loaded and stout so it stays secure and self locking.

I have also noticed a few low hanging wires that need attention and some other items that could get hung up under the coach that I will now move to the top of the DO IT NOW list..

On a lighter note diesel prices had dropped over the week we were out from 2.42 to 2.32

Gotta take the wins when you can.....


Learning lesson #14
When you hear it drag, stop and check EVERYTHING.

I am writing this so hopefully someone reads it, learns something and takes a little away from it, other than a quick laugh..