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09-16-2009, 03:53 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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**Safety Tips**
I know I posted this in another thread but I thought a thread about safety tips would be good. Here is something I do to help keep things safer while traveling. Perhaps you have some tips of your own you can add. They don’t have to be strictly related to driving but may pertain to anything that can make a person a safer camper.
When I’m towing I always drive with my lights on.
This serves two purposes.
1. I think this will help in keeping people from pulling out in front you.
2. It allows you to see at a glance the trailer lights that they are still on which verifies that the umbilical cord is still plugged in.
Ok, let’s hear from you!
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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09-17-2009, 01:47 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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I never thought about it in the way that you have described. Makes a lot of sense. I usually observe my brake controller and it it says "c" I'm pretty sure the cord is connected. Am going to give this some thought, leaning toward towing with the lights on. Oh what we learn from the experiences of those on this forum.
Orv
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09-17-2009, 02:46 AM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Moab
Posts: 316
M.O.C. #6756
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I agree, turn on the lights! Helps everybody see you sooner, the police like it and it does verify connection. Good one! I ride ATV`s alot and we keep lights on the make it easier to see the rider behind is following and upright!!
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09-17-2009, 03:14 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
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I like that idea. I have done it a few times, but not on a regular basis. Always figured that it was hard to miss a Montana in tow coming down the road in the middle of the day. However, it only takes once for something really bad to happen, and every little bit of safety helps.
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09-17-2009, 04:17 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by ols1932
I never thought about it in the way that you have described. Makes a lot of sense. I usually observe my brake controller and it it says "c" I'm pretty sure the cord is connected. Am going to give this some thought, leaning toward towing with the lights on. Oh what we learn from the experiences of those on this forum.
Orv
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Until recently I haven’t had the ability to look at the controller and observe whether or no the umbilical cord was connected. Many years of tailoring have taught me to use the lights. It is nice now that you can tell by looking at the controller as to the connection. It would be nice if the controller had a chime or something to let you know if it came un-hooked while in tow. I’m not aware if any of them do that or not.
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09-17-2009, 05:09 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,107
M.O.C. #8045
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Very good idea. Case in point, I hooked up and checked the Montana lights and everything worked perfect. I tossed a few blocks into the tv and began our journey. My SIL who was following hollered on the radio and asked my how I was able to go down those hills without using my brakes. I replied I have it in second gear, then realized I WAS using my brakes too. I had not noticed my new P3 was still showing the green indicator telling me I was disconnected. Fortunately the hills were not hazardous. I moved that P3 up to a more noticeable position on the dash when I got home and have made a mental note to check connections the LAST thing before moving. And check the brake monitor too. Lights are another good idea. Thanks Bill for your idea.
Now with my new TST tire monitor I have another readout to check which is a good safety check to inspect beofer moving.
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09-17-2009, 06:45 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Reading
Posts: 135
M.O.C. #8751
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I've always had the TV lights in the auto position. So, I've been driving safer than I realized. Another good safety practice is to tow with your slides in, which gives you better fuel mileage. Nyuk nyuk!
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09-17-2009, 08:10 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
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Also with your awning up and your antenna down. Both of which happens...
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09-17-2009, 04:16 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: North Vernon
Posts: 261
M.O.C. #9087
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A lot of truckingcompanies requirethier drivers to run with thier lightsonfor safety.
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09-18-2009, 05:16 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 248
M.O.C. #9068
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by dsprik
Also with your awning up and your antenna down. Both of which happens...
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Also with stairs, landing gear and stabilizers up. Almost learned about the stairs the hard way.. caught it on my FINAL WALK AROUND (my safety tip/reminder - always do one).
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09-30-2009, 02:03 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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When hooking up power, I always turn the breaker to the “OFF” position before making a connection. This may avoid an arc which can cause damage to the prong on the plug or on the receptacle, not to mention the danger if it’s wet outside. I always leave the breaker in the off position when we leave as well for the safety of the next camper.
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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09-30-2009, 02:37 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: haverhill
Posts: 182
M.O.C. #9546
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yup great call, I always have my lights on when towing.
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09-30-2009, 03:46 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Eugene
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #5091
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With your antenna in the up position, it will not cut thru power
lines and telephone lines. This on the second day of a 14 day trip
with rain. I had just been up on the roof sweeping off pine needles
but forgot to put antenna down.
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09-30-2009, 03:50 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: San Jose
Posts: 526
M.O.C. #6790
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Always drive with my headlights on even when not towing the Monty. Always do a walk around for safety check before pulling out of the space, lights working, hitch hooked up,safety pin in place, safety brake cable attached and to make sure everything is up, down, stowed and have left nothing out. Then out of the space I go. Then I test just the trailer brakes applying them a couple of time to make sure they are working.
__________________
2006 Montana 3650RK with Improvements.
2014 Ford 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LB Dually & Hadley's.
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09-30-2009, 04:56 PM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Snohomish
Posts: 46
M.O.C. #8618
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We also always drive with the lights on and I'm aware of the "c" on the controller, but that still doesn't stop those other drivers from racing around you and jumping in front of you only to slam on the brakes. Wish they would realized what danger their putting themself and us in when suddenly our stopping distance just got alot shorter, but that's a different subject for another day. One safety tip we learned on our POI was a suggestion from the service tech - once you've hitched up and the handle has snapped over to the locked position, put a lock somewhere on the handle to prevent it from accidently getting unlatched, like some kids walking thru a parking lot while your shopping in walmart and you don't notice it when you return to the rig.
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10-01-2009, 05:11 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Texas City
Posts: 5,736
M.O.C. #7673
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Before I drive off I do a walk around and check those things mentioned. Also, just before drive-off, Earlene get in my mirror and signals me as I go through all my light system. Twice in the past couple years the umbilical cord had to be re-inserted for the lights to work.
Make a safety check list for securing items: Put it on a cupboard door. Do the same for all outside safety and put it on the dash, or console. Review, review, review.
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10-01-2009, 05:19 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
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I do the same as Wayne. One caution... We have used our checklist for a few years now and we have modified it as needed. However, it is easy to become lax after a while. Check yourself and make sure you are not starting to shortcut your checklist procedures.
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10-02-2009, 02:30 AM
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#18
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: northville
Posts: 72
M.O.C. #8920
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I wrap some velcro around the lid to the umbilical cord connection to the plug inside the truck bed.Around the lid and plug to make sure they don't come apart.It has happened,spring on lid broke.It wakes you up when going down the road and you have zero trailer brakes.
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