Near Disaster at Du Quoin

[Scottsdale]

I almost witnessed a disaster as everyone was leaving the fairgrounds this morning.

I was talking with a friend when an Essex came by with its rear right slide still extended. I caught up with them to let them know. He pulled part of the way off the road on a downward slope towards the lake. I started walking off when I heard the lady that was talking with screaming. I turned around and saw that the Essex was moving and headed towards the lake. I ran back and tried to open the door but it was locked. About that time, one of them came back to the front and hit the brakes stopping the rig. They had both gone to the back of the rig to get the slide in, but the driver had failed to put on the parking brake. They were about 20 feet from heading into the lake.

We all have to slow down, stop and think about what we are doing, and always take a walk around your rig before moving to make sure your slides are in, your jacks are up, you have disconnected your electric, water and sewer, and put your antenna down, etc.

I have been guilty of not sitting my parking break at times, but I don't think that will happen anymore after seeing this near disaster.

[Scottsdale]

I almost witnessed a disaster as everyone was leaving the fairgrounds this morning.

I was talking with a friend when an Essex came by with its rear right slide still extended. I caught up with them to let them know. He pulled part of the way off the road on a downward slope towards the lake. I started walking off when I heard the lady that was talking with screaming. I turned around and saw that the Essex was moving and headed towards the lake. I ran back and tried to open the door but it was locked. About that time, one of them came back to the front and hit the brakes stopping the rig. They had both gone to the back of the rig to get the slide in, but the driver had failed to put on the parking brake. They were about 20 feet from heading into the lake.

We all have to slow down, stop and think about what we are doing, and always take a walk around your rig before moving to make sure your slides are in, your jacks are up, you have disconnected your electric, water and sewer, and put your antenna down, etc.

I have been guilty of not sitting my parking break at times, but I don't think that will happen anymore after seeing this near disaster.

[Jetsmania]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">the Essex was moving and headed towards the lake. I ran back and tried to open the door but it was locked </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi! WOW! I hoped they thanked you for trying to help. You could have gotton hurt trying to get into the Motorhome while it was on the move. Great Effort!! Paul

[rebelsbeach]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We all have to slow down, stop and think about what we are doing, and always take a walk around your rig before moving to make sure your slides are in, your jacks are up, you have disconnected your electric, water and sewer, and put your antenna down, etc. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

A walk around should be an integral part of everyone's PRE-trip and POST trip routine.

Good advice there neighbor....

[soricobob]

Even careful drivers get forgetful when their train of thought is derailed.

[edgray]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">drivers get forgetful when their train of thought is derailed. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm sure that 's right, and apparently there was a lot of derailment going on this morning as folks were leaving Du Quoin. I saw a newer Dutch Star driving down the road to hook up the toad following it, with the entry door awning fully deployed. My wife saw another, headed north on 51, with the windshield's black solar screen still in place.

Ben, It was great meeting you and all the other iRV2ers while here. ED

[Scottsdale]

No Paul, they did not thank me. They may have been to embarrassed about what happened.

Ed, it was good meeting you and all the other IRV2ers. Hope to see you again down the road.

I stopped 2 rigs with antennas up within a one minute period of time.

[Spikester]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">A walk around should be an integral part of everyone's PRE-trip and POST trip routine.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Concur with Rebelsbeach statement 250%!

Spike

[rebelsbeach]

I think we're all on the same page.....

It falls back to the "measure twice and cut once" analogy.....

These behemoth machines require an added level of responsibility and concentration to operate not only as a motor vehicle, but the systems as well.

Complacency does nothing but get people hurt.....

Develop a system or a process for which you do everything...... inside AND out and FOLLOW it every time.
If it's a hardship, type a card and have it laminated and refer to it.

While I know the "forgot to set the brake" incident was an accident and certainly not intentional, if there was a system in place this wouldn't have happened in the first place.

On a funny note, I'd like to have seen the coach going down the road with the front screens in place.... that'd have been waaay cool!

[edgray]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">that'd have been waaay cool! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
and it is certainly possible, as you can see OUT pretty good. You get used to seeing through it while parked for days.......ED

[Jetsmania]

Hi! Just a thought. Maybe the rally's should also have a departure crew! They would be stationed at the exits. Their mission would be to eyeball the Motorhomes,as they leave,to make sure all slides, awnings, dogs, wives, and other things are in the correct place as they go rolling past them! Paul

[Lug_Nut]

I really hope the people involved, don't feel real bad about what other people thought. We have all made errors, well okay not me, but..... Actually a few years ago we were in Las Vegas and decided to go to our favorite place in Navada, Laughlin. So, with brand new Honda S2000 (Converible, 0 to 60 in 5.4 with top speed 155 MPH) in tow we arrive in Laughlin. Well, oh my gosh, It's Harley Davidson's 100 year anniversary. Like there are 10 million fricken' bikes there. Mininum stay 4 nights in any campground. Well, with dog (Mysty) we grabbed a spot. On the second day, after an outing with the new machine, we pulled into, what was one crowded campground, at a nightly cost that would choke a horse. I parked the car and went into the MH. While making my first stop, in the head, for a relief break, I heard Cheerie call for me. Not the normal dinner's ready, or even relaxed, for that matter. The S2000 was headed for a stack of Harleys, locked and with no hand brake and not in gear. SHOOT ME! Well, that thought didn't need to be thought, as if the car hit that bunch of bikes, they were obviously prepared to take care of that for me.........

Take a break here, it ain't over.

Well we both got out there, Cherrie already sliding in the gravel with her weight into it in front. I managed to first help her slow it down and then gain entry via the keys that I only had at the time.

So, we all have moments that we regret. Please don't be hard on Cherrie for this. While it certainly was not her fault, please do not let her think it wasn't.

Peter

[Route 66]

There are two types of RV'ers.

Those of us that have made mistakes and those that won't admit it.

[cwg]

Peter, that story reminds me of an incident that happened to me a few years ago.

I was at lunch and my secretary called me and said, "do you want to hear the good news or the bad?" I said the worse first, so she relates that my elderly across-the-street neighbors had a new Lincoln towncar and drove it home to eat lunch. When the wife looked out the window to admire it, she could not find it. Somehow it had been left out of gear and was now deposited into my garage... it had rolled down their driveway, across the street, and then down my driveway and it wasn't a perfect straight line. How would you like to gamble on those odds?

The good news was that it traveled exactly through the garage door and missed the brick walls and supports. It still crushed everything in its way and went into an interior living room. It was all to the tune of about $7500, but as they say, "no one got hurt".