Confession

[Fergtiffin]

After 14 years of motorhome travel I finally neglected to lower satellite.

I commented to my bride dang they need to trim these trees. Passing under the next tree I watched my truck getting covered by leafs and limbs through the camera. Followed by a gentleman in a passing car wildly waving his arms.

Living the dream, new reflector and arm on order.

Michael

[Tim Fox]

Not hard to do. I was fortunate to notice the driver of a car behind me waving frantically out the window. Thought that was a bit odd, so pulled over to be told our dish was still up. Nothing damaged but my ego. Haven’t had a repeat.

[Mwoodofd]

Done it with the awning over the entry door - that's a hard one to miss.....twice (no damage, but that ego too)

[Gary.Jones]

Its part of the final walk around..... walk away from the front of the coach about 80' and gaze at the beauty of the front cap and then let the eyes wander upwards until staring at the roof. That final walk around is looking at tires and inflation, turn signals, hitch connections bay doors, etc. before that final gaze to the roof (sat antenna), but the coach never goes into gear until that extended walk is completed.

Has saved my butt more than once !!

Gary

[LETMGROW]

This is why I use and suggest others use recipe cards. I have about 20 cards I keep in a box made for them. On each card I have something written. Things like: Satellite dish up, antenna up, water hose out, Wye on post, drain hoses out, awning out etc. etc. When I put something into play I clip a card to my steering wheel with a clothes pin. When I'm picking up to move out I put the cards back in the box as I'm completing each task.
Before I drive away I do a 360 degree walk around and check under and over my coach before I move it.
The cards are fool proof but only if you use them.

[Hayman]

We have a bright piece of cloth ribbon that we wrap around the Brake knob as soon as we put the Satellite Dish up as a reminder to put it down. That same ribbon goes on the Winegard Box as a reminder when we hit the Power Button.

It's a KISS method but has worked for years since our 2000 Winnebago Journey days .

[brobox]

Originally Posted by Hayman

We have a bright piece of cloth ribbon that we wrap around the Brake knob as soon as we put the Satellite Dish up as a reminder to put it down. That same ribbon goes on the Winegard Box as a reminder when we hit the Power Button.

It's a KISS method but has worked for years since our 2000 Winnebago Journey days .

I "use" to put the ignition keys at the Satellite receiver. I don't know if the receiver is far away enough with the new electronic ignition, I'll have to try it and see. If not it will be back to your type of reminder, or the clothes pin on the steering wheel.

[Turbojack]

Originally Posted by Tim Fox

Not hard to do. I was fortunate to notice the driver of a car behind me waving frantically out the window. Thought that was a bit odd, so pulled over to be told our dish was still up. Nothing damaged but my ego. Haven’t had a repeat.

My wife and I have had a motor home since the day we were married some 40+ years ago. We have see all kinds of hand signals at us while we try to figure out what they are trying to tell us. We have had compartment doors come open when not fully latched, low tires, antenna up, gas cans dragging behind our trailer that we were pulling, and I don't remember the other things. A month ago we were following behind an 18 wheeler and noticed that one of his tail lights were out. As we were passing him we were trying to think what the hand signal should be for letting him know his left blinker trailer light was out. We got a lot of laughs coming up as what the hand signals should be for different things.

[Balladeer]

When starting to RV in 1997, I adopted the exercise of a pre-travel check list like when I would get the tug underway. Also when learning to fly. (pre-flight check).
The attached check list has been developed over the years and adapted to cover our existing bus or trailer.
Hope you can use it after adapting to your situation. It is in EXCEL format.
I have it printed on both sides and then laminated and use a dry erase marker for checkoff.

Safe travels..The Balladeer

[LWBAZ]

Good checklist, Gregg – very comprehensive!

I noticed two very minor errors you may wish to correct:

Under “TOW-CAR & LIGHTS CHECK” step #3 “BREAKS” should be “BRAKES”

Under “ARRIVAL SET-UP CHECKLIST” step #2 “SET PARKING BREAK” should be “SET PARKING BRAKE”

[bigb56]

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

Its part of the final walk around..... walk away from the front of the coach about 80' and gaze at the beauty of the front cap and then let the eyes wander upwards until staring at the roof. That final walk around is looking at tires and inflation, turn signals, hitch connections bay doors, etc. before that final gaze to the roof (sat antenna), but the coach never goes into gear until that extended walk is completed.

Has saved my butt more than once !!

Gary

Even though I use steering wheel bands for reminders I find that the walkaround is essential. A chance to check lights, antennas and dishes, compartment doors, awnings and anything you may have forgotten, not to mention a big rock or a sign you may have forgotten about and need to maneuver around. It's also the perfect amount of time for warm up: start engine, get out and do walkaround, drive away.

[saddlesore]

What I Do is before I raise the Sat dish is to hang an old Necklaces style ID tag on the pull knob of the overhead cupboard above the drivers seat so it hangs directly in your face...

[Balladeer]

Larry,
Thanks for the corrections.
You are not by any chance related to my beloved English teacher Mrs. Finnerty are you.
She would be chagrined at my mis-spelling.

I know the list is extensive, but until you start listing the items, you don't realize how many things you can forget; any one of which can be expensive.

Attached is the corrected version. Also, the document is in WORD not EXCEL. Sorry


...Gregg

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by Balladeer

Larry,
Thanks for the corrections.
You are not by any chance related to my beloved English teacher Mrs. Finnerty are you.
She would be chagrined at my mis-spelling.

I know the list is extensive, but until you start listing the items, you don't realize how many things you can forget; any one of which can be expensive.

Attached is the corrected version. Also, the document is in WORD not EXCEL. Sorry


...Gregg

Gregg, I was a math major and not inclined to offer spelling or grammar recommendations. I was thinking of suggesting that your first item:

"1. DRAIN AIR SYSTEM AIR TANKS ONE _______ TWO ______THREE _______"

be modified to indicate the Spartan recommended order: Gray, Green, Red.

Upon looking at your corrected checklist, I notice that you've modified it:

"1. DRAIN AIR SYSTEM AIR TANKS ONE _______ TWO ______THREE _______"

That works for me as I'm not color blind.

Awesome!

Take care,
Stu