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09-04-2012, 03:13 PM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Spartanburg
Posts: 24
M.O.C. #12401
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I learned a Lesson
I was through camping for the labor day weekend. Closed everything up and backed the truck up to the king pin and latched it in place. Some small kid came up and wanted to check out the rig, so I showed him a few things about the 3700RL and finished pulling chocks. Well got into the Truck and pulled off when I heard a LOUD CRUNCH!!!! The pin wasn't completely in and although it still locked it was not attached to the truck. Needless to say it was A VERY EXPENSIVE LESSON TO LEARN. The tail gate in buckled and the last foot of the bed rails are smashed. Felt like getting sick.
One suggestion to all is paint the latching mechanizm white so you can tell itis locked and properly secured.
Very Sad day!!!!!!! One good thing no damage to the Montana! good news.
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09-04-2012, 03:24 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Aside from kids, that is why there is an unspoken RV tradition of oldtime rv'ers of not interfering with folks when they are doing their hitching and unhitching. We all have our routines, and interruptions that impact focus can be expensive. Sorry about your mishap.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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09-04-2012, 03:33 PM
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#3
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Spartanburg
Posts: 24
M.O.C. #12401
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Yes, I agree I had a process and steps to be followed in the process and it was interupted however, very innocent. I will infact improve my process and apply some lean six sigma principles so it will no happen again.
Thanks for your thoughts
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09-04-2012, 03:36 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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If you remember the thread from last spring about bed savers and folks saying they didn't need them. Only takes once and whatever you paid for Butch's or Blue Ox was very well worth the money.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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09-04-2012, 03:48 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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we all can make mistakes and we all do.The bedsaver is what that kind of mistake is for.
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09-04-2012, 04:05 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,155
M.O.C. #6433
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Tim denkers
...............
One suggestion to all is paint the latching mechanizm white so you can tell itis locked and properly secured.
.................
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My Pullrite Super 5th hitch on my previous truck seemed as near foolproof as you could get. But the Reese Elite on my new truck is even better.
When you back into the hitch, the handle slams in (like the Super 5th) with a loud noise you can easily hear. The latch is the wrap around kind that encircles the king pin. The large lower part of the king pin pushes a metal tab at the front of the hitch that in turn pushes a silver colored "flag" out at the base of the handle that shows the king pin is properly seated to the front of the hitch. And only after that "flag" is showing can you put in the locking pin to secure the pull handle. The locking pin has a firm spring catch that must be released to pull the pin, so it can't fall or bounce out.
If you somehow got it high hitched, the flag would not appear and you could not get the locking pin in the handle.
Time will tell.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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09-04-2012, 05:20 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Billings
Posts: 698
M.O.C. #12641
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Oh Tim_Denkers I just wanted to cry when I read your post! We haven't had any damage (yet?) but definitely moments when we wished we could just take back the last 20 minutes and get her done correctly!
Maybe it is a sign that it is time for a new truck!
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09-04-2012, 06:08 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
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Tim, Bill, Carol and Keith-- All is well UNTIL that big thing comes down on the bed of your truck and tailgate! As Dick stated that is why we have the Blue Ox Bedsaver and Butch's Bedsaver. They are totally two different designs and two different prices. I've had the Blue Ox model now for three plus years and so far have not had the "drop problem" (knock on wood)!
Bill-- I've seen the new Reese hitch and it sure looks foolproof but I will never say never. Like Tim there is always the first time when someone distracts you and down it will go!
If you come to the Fall Rally in Goshen, Blue Ox will be there and giving a discount on their model and will even install it for FREE!
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09-04-2012, 06:13 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Walla Walla
Posts: 141
M.O.C. #12821
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Ouch , sorry that happened, but I bet it never happens again. So far for us so good, but you never know what will happen someday. I alway's do a walk around double checking everything. but I do know how easialy you can get distracted by something. We keep our montana in a building at our place and have an extra shore cord plugged in to it and keep another one on the truck and I alway's worry someday I am going to forget to unplug the darn thing before pulling it out. Ron
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09-04-2012, 06:19 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bella Vista
Posts: 472
M.O.C. #12223
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Tim, A black belt in Six Sigma can do no better than one having a complete and accurate checklist and an unbroken routine IMHO Of course, I once left the drain plug out of my boat but that only happened ONCE. Experience is a cruel teacher...sorry to hear about your accident.
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09-04-2012, 07:42 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,284
M.O.C. #11675
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So sorry to hear about that happening Tim. Appreciate you sharing as a reminder to us all.
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09-04-2012, 08:57 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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I learned the hard way too but fortunately for us it did minimal damage. Nothing had to be repaired. I bought a bed saver after that incident and haven’t been sorry. Even if I don’t have a problem and need it, it’s a good feeling knowing that extra catch is back there while going down the road.
__________________
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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09-04-2012, 09:14 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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Tim,
So sorry to hear of the mishap and want to thank you for sharing. Good luck and maybe it is time for a new truck. Dennis
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09-05-2012, 07:38 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 908
M.O.C. #7915
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Old aviator habit, if you get interrupted in the middle of the check list, go back to the beginning and start again.
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09-05-2012, 02:07 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location:
Posts: 310
M.O.C. #12816
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Thanks for sharing your story. I know it must be hard to even talk about it much less type it out. But what a great lesson to share with us newbees. Sorry it happened but thanks for the lesson.
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