Steps

[thecatsandi]

what model trailer do you have?

[cooperhawk]

Originally Posted by GlenCoombe

Checklists are only as good as the pilot using them. I for one will admit to going through the checklist and having the big fan turning up front. When I release the brake nothing happened. A little more power, ...wonder if the brakes are stuck?..... then as I popped up over the chocks I knew what I had forgotten. At least I had remembered to untie the little C150

Not as bad as forgetting to remove the gust locks from the elevators. Can be FATAL! WHOOPS! Or forgetting to untie the blades on a turbine Helicoptor. Full idle rpms and the blades aren't moving. Very embaressing.

I made up a check list which I hang from the rear view mirror in the motorhome. My wife was upset with the last item "Check wife and dog on board". Didn't like being listed with the dog I guess.

[richinny]

Originally Posted by cooperhawk

My wife was upset with the last item "Check wife and dog on board". Didn't like being listed with the dog I guess.

you did point out that she was before the dog?

[cooperhawk]

Didn't seem to matter. Women, how can you tell what little thing will upset them?

[ralley]

I can (just) see that my predicament has provided the required amusement for all. A comment or two:

Although I prefer to think think I am not a complete dufus, I am unsure that a checklist would have made any difference. I walked completely around the vehicle, checking for loose hatches and doors, tie downs on the cargo carrier in the rear hitch, etc. What I failed to LISTEN FOR was the motor retracting the steps when I closed the door. Period. The only other thing I could have done was to adjust the shotgun side mirror to actually see if the steps were retracted once I got into the driver's seat, since the switch leaving the steps down was activated--ie., the steps were down, regardless of whether or not the door was closed. There is no warniing light if the switch is activated.

I was hot and tired. Fatigue will cause most failures.

I have managed, through too much effort, monkey wrenches, come-alongs, and big cheaters, etc. to get the steps to retract manually, although I don't think they will ever be pretty again without application of fire, anvil, and hammer. A family conference has determined that new steps should be purchased for safety and reliability. Suggestions as to a source, and reasonable price??

Best to all,

R

[Chaplain Kent]

Originally Posted by jking

Lest y'all feel bad ...
Some time ago I had to back out of a wooded parking place. Taking up the approved position (head out window, neck twisted around to see backwards) I backed up ... not seeing the open bathroom window and extended driver side awning. Needless to say, they encountered a tree trunk almost immediately, with awesome consequences. Moral: Murphy is most definitely alive and well.
Empathetically,
Jamie

This reminded me of a time several years ago when I was helping a friend with his hot dog truck at an event on the lake front in Milwaukee. After we were all done and had cleaned up I drove the hot dog truck back to his house. It was not until I was carefully backing it into his driveway that I realized the awning was still extended and the lights remained flashing all around. I drove through the city in this fashion. There were quite a few people waving at me and I thought it was just because I was driving the hot dog truck.

[str8strm]

we had the vacuum steps which retract when the ignition is turned on. we replaced them with a 2 step kwikee electric step hoping to make it easier for our basset with bad acl's to get in---------BUT they are still to high for her to take the first step. the kwikee has a switch to lock the stairs in the down position but no matter what position the switch is they always retract when the key is turned. to do it again we would go with the 3 or 4 step kwikee step.