Lessons learned on the fly

[CajunCamper]

Tell us about a valuable lesson you learned on your own about camping while camping. Not something you were told ahead of time, or something you read in a book or on this site, but that you learned on the fly on your own.

I learned that you never disconnect your pop up from your tow vehicle without first blocking the wheels on your pup. If you do you could look like me holding on to the tongue of my pup with my feet dug into the dirt being pulled down a slight slope while yelling to my wife and kids, "throw something under the tires."

CajunCamper

[wavery]

Tell us about a valuable lesson you learned on your own about camping while camping. Not something you were told ahead of time, or something you read in a book or on this site, but that you learned on the fly on your own.

I learned that you never disconnect your pop up from your tow vehicle without first blocking the wheels on your pup. If you do you could look like me holding on to the tongue of my pup with my feet dug into the dirt being pulled down a slight slope while yelling to my wife and kids, "throw something under the tires."

CajunCamper

Last week, I learned to be sure that all 4 stabilizers are up before pulling out of the driveway........especially if they are electric stabilizers :banghead:

[AustinBoston]

It seems I learn this over and over again.

There is nothing that compares to putting away the machines and shutting off the electronics, then sitting by the fire with people you love and an appropriate beverage, and just listening to nature.

I sleep better at night knowing that nature does this, whether I am there or not.  I am reminded that I need to be there more.

Austin

[austinado16]

I learned that you never disconnect your pop up from your tow vehicle without first blocking the wheels on your pup. If you do you could look like me holding on to the tongue of my pup with my feet dug into the dirt being pulled down a slight slope while yelling to my wife and kids, "throw something under the tires."CajunCamper

Learned the same lesson myself on our second camping trip.  Fortunately, the safety chains were still on, so my "Oh Sh!t" factor and skidding feet only lasted a brief second before... KA-WAAANG ...the safety chains did their thing.  Otherwise, it would have drug me about 15-20' and then dropped off about a 45 degree slope and gone careening through an occupied tent camp sight, where I'm sure it would have killed someone, and of course destroyed itself.

I learned to be more methodical about set up and tear down, and to walk around the camper to make sure it's safe.  Hopefully this will keep me from pulling a wavery and driving off with the stabilizers down (sorry to hear that happened Wayne) or the door step out, or the refrigerator outside louvered door unlatched, etc., etc.

[Gracy]

How about when packing up remembering to take the bed poles down BEFORE you pack the floor all the way to the door!  :eyecrazy:

[CajunCamper]

How about when packing up remembering to take the bed poles down BEFORE you pack the floor all the way to the door!  :eyecrazy:

That's funny. I still catch myself on that one.

CajunCamper

[PattieAM]

Lessons Learned:

-Remove door before attempting to lower roof.
-Level PUP side-to-side before disconnecting.
-Chock PUP tires before disconnecting.
-Read the owners manual to refresh memory.
-Disassemble bunks before storing stuff in the aisle.
-Disassemble the glide out dinette before attempting to push in/lock.

-Engage brain before opening mouth!

[Shredder]

When you hear heavy rain in the forcast lower the awning, no matter how many times you have gotton away with not doing it in the past. Close the vent BEFORE sliding in the bunks and taking down the top......Shredder

[OC Campers]

Always do a safety check before you leave.  I can't tell you how many times we left the trunk lid open on the popup.  
Also, make sure you make a wide turn when entering the gas station.:yikes: . There is a reason they always have a cement post in front of the gas pump.

Jacqui

[JohnandLeann]

Learned this one last time.
Make sure ALL of the bunk supports are in place BEFORE calling it a night!

 and this one

remembering to take the bed poles down BEFORE you pack the floor all the way to the door!  :eyecrazy:

[austinado16]

Cajun, this is turning into a fun thread.  Now, if we only had some video footage to go along with all of these lessons!

[JohnandLeann]

Oops forgot about the time we forgot to put down at least one rear stabilizer when in the pup.  We found this out the hard way but we were only in the driveway and I don't think anyone saw us. :yikes:

[Dee4j]

Oops forgot about the time we forgot to put down at least one rear stabilizer when in the pup.  We found this out the hard way but we were only in the driveway and I don't think anyone saw us. :yikes:

I was just going to post that...otherwise know as a PU wheelie..unfortunetly we did it at a rally :rolleyes:

[austinado16]

I was just going to post that...otherwise know as a PU wheelie..unfortunetly we did it at a rally :rolleyes:

LOL....I'm glad I'm not the only one!  Pulled mine off in Camp Backyard, with my DD inside.  Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :yikes:

And I swear, I'm still leaving the door down and trying to crank the roof down...
"Why won't the :swear: roof come down!!!??"

Oh, and having to crawl back in over the top of the bunks to close the vent... another one of my personal best, time and time again.

How come no one's admitted to taking off without charging the battery, huh?

And one final one; when the hitch is mounted in the receiver on the TV, pay attention to where you're walking.  Nothing will bring you to your knees faster than walking into the hitch. :%

[wavery]

LOL....I'm glad I'm not the only one!  Pulled mine off in Camp Backyard, with my DD inside.  Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :yikes:

And I swear, I'm still leaving the door down and trying to crank the roof down..." :swear:  why won't the roof come down!!!??"

Oh, and having to crawl back in over the top of the bunks to close the vent... another one of my personal best, time and time again.

How come no one's admitted to taking off without charging the battery, huh?

And one final one; when the hitch is mounted in the receiver on the TV, pay attention to where you're walking.  Nothing will bring you to your knees faster than walking into the hitch. :%

Ya......and how about the hitch ball?? How many pair of pants do you have with a black stain, right at that level??

We now put a tennis ball on ours. .......most of the time.... :J