Lessons learned on the fly

[cndlzrus]

When closing up to go home, make sure the electric cord can go back in the side before you close the camper... so you don't have to repop up to pull the cord in...  

Also I empty the frig into the cooler when packing up to go home, that way if we are going home in the rain and get home and its still raining and I am not gonna pop up right away when we get home, I know I have no food left in the frig.... opening up the frig and you forgot there is food in there,   :yikes:

[Tiffany]

Awww, Kjrjr, what are a couple of cats compared to your new "hero" status in your daughter's eyes?    You're a hero in MY eyes anyway; I'm a BIG softie too when it comes to animals.

[North Shore]

I own a volkswagon westfalia pop up van and on more than one occasion forgot to pop it down before leaving site, finally started to hook my keys to the pop up bar thingy.

When we used to camp with the old Volkswagon we used to get lots of pointing, and lots of waving, but as an earlier poster pointed out when you see pointing in combination with waving stop as though you are about to drive into the Grand Canyon, something is very, very wrong!

[avelvelobos]

When going camping, make sure you have a spare key from your TV (stored separately from the 1-st one in a DRY place)
It may come in really handy at least in 2 cases:
1. You lost one (duh!)
2. The key broke (the chip got wet) and you're trying to start the car without knowing it.
   Then a few good samaritans from the nearby sites would attempt to jump the TV, thinking it's a dead battery...

..I had once a nightmarish experience while tent camping in the past on Labor day weekend described in this 2-d scenario.
Luckily, my middle daughter's boy friend came over to the CG to pick up smaller kids and a dog to drive them home.
I called local towing company and they towed me to the nearest shop which would be open next morning ($75) + hotel room ($150) + taking additional day off at work next morning + "compliments" from my DW (the "looser" was the best) + $55(only!) for the "repair" next day.
Much to my surprise, the shop had a good electronic diagnostic and it took the mechanic 15 min to figure that all out. And when he ask me: "Sir, do you by chance, have a spare key?" - I suddenly realized that, perhaps my DW was not THAT wrong calling me names...
Another half hour to charge the battery (which of course was dead after all) and we were ready to roll.

[flyfisherman]

We just did our annual April fly fishing trip to the western mnountains of North Carolina ... something we try and do at least every spring and maybe again in the fall before the weather turns too cool. Good trip, caught a few trout, had a couple of great fish dinners, great fellowship and good weather.

But there is one thing I simply cannot remember to do. Obviously, there's a host of things to remember, hitching up, un-hitching, setting up the camper, taking the camper down. Seems the first of every season it's like I have to "re-learn" some things. But this one thing just bugs me ... and I did it again this trip, when breaking camp and closing things up ... I simply cannot (will not), remember to close the roof vent. I will have dropped the roof part way, tucked in all the canvas, stowed the awning, finished cranking the roof down and ready to secure the roof latches when I note the roof vent is open ... sometimes almost with the vent cover straight up! It means cranking the roof back up to a point where myself (or some volunteer) can crawl back inside and crank the vent down. Then it's re-tucking the canvas and dropping the roof once more.

Would I ever learn ... will I EVER learn?



Fly

[NiagraRising]

I think i am making a mistake right now! I dont remember if I put something underneath the tongue of the pup to keep it from sinking into the mud. The worst part is I have 3 months left here in Afghanistan before I can find out! AAAARRGGHHH

[treephiz]

I think i am making a mistake right now! I dont remember if I put something underneath the tongue of the pup to keep it from sinking into the mud. The worst part is I have 3 months left here in Afghanistan before I can find out! AAAARRGGHHH

If you lived close enough, I would be happy to go check for you.

[wavery]

I think i am making a mistake right now! I dont remember if I put something underneath the tongue of the pup to keep it from sinking into the mud. The worst part is I have 3 months left here in Afghanistan before I can find out! AAAARRGGHHH

What area is the PU in??......there is probably someone that could check on it for you.

[NiagraRising]

I was able to get my wife to take a look for me. Thanks for the offers though. Your genuine concearn shows why pop uppers are the best!

[sorohanbrowns]

2007 Niagra. Nice PU. My wife and I love ours.

I have learned two things.
1.) My oldest son is perhaps the most forgettable camping assistant. When unhooking, he was instructed to block the wheels off. One text while I was removing the pu from the tv, it goes rolling down the campsite. Ohio State Parks place concrete parking bumpers at the end of the sites. Thanks! My (undamaged) fresh water tank brought the whole thing to a stop. He forgot to block the wheels.  

2.) If you reserved spot 173, do not get set up in spot 171! I got on site, and located what I thought was our site. It was a nice site, large and open. It would be great for the wife and kids. I get all set up, everything is unpacked ready to go for the weekend when I see another camper stopped and looking, the DW yelling, then the DH walking towards my site. Just then, I realize I am in the wrong spot. I see where my oldest gets it. So easily distracted and all!

Love the stories, love the sites. Thanks for passing the time at work!

[mrsoreo57]

flyfisherman - maybe this will help you...

We have a frig that is NOT accessable when closed, ( swing down galley ), so to help me remember to unload the frig and turn off the water pump I have two notes "in neon yellow" under the galley. When I lower the galley these neon notes remind me.  After three seasons they still remind me "every so often".