Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Everybody's has to mess up once.
| Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108228] |
Sat, 11 December 2010 17:52  |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Well I screwed up. This has been a beautiful day in South Georgia and I decided to try and hook up my new-to-me tow dolly. Of course that required a trip to Ken Hendersons and find that everything I had done had to be re-done. The good news is that I now have everything but brakes on my tow dolly - lights, action, camera.
The bad news is that I took a different "slant" on my approach to my house and my more-than-adequate parking spot.
Navigation to my parking place requires coming down an old city service alley. It is rarely used and a bit overgrown. I decided to go to the end of the alley and turn around to make a wider approach to my parking spot. Well, I took out a fairly large chunk of my neighbor's wooden privacy fence, ripped everything to do with with the Zipdee main awing off the rear of the coach and destroyed my water tank fill.
Then the bumper caught.
OK, so I'm trapped in the coach with dozens of yards of canvas and springs keeping me from opening the door and my bumper is about to take out the 3rd incarnation of a fence that is built way too close to the alley and property line. Finally, I managed to push my way out, remove the right half of the rear bumper and proceed to pull forward. Then the dolly snagged the fence! Not good.
I unhooked, parked, let the Zipdee do whatever disconnected awnings will do and pulled the trailer up into the yard.
What a day! Beer! Beer!
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108233 is a reply to message #108228] |
Sat, 11 December 2010 18:14  |
storm'n
Messages: 492
Registered: April 2007
Location: Ont. Can
Karma: 0
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Now---- how much do you want for the coach?
Norm.
Well I screwed up. This has been a beautiful day in South Georgia and I decided to try and hook up my new-to-me tow dolly. Of course that required a trip to Ken Hendersons and find that everything I had done had to be re-done. The good news is that I now have everything but brakes on my tow dolly - lights, action, camera.
The bad news is that I took a different "slant" on my approach to my house and my more-than-adequate parking spot.
Navigation to my parking place requires coming down an old city service alley. It is rarely used and a bit overgrown. I decided to go to the end of the alley and turn around to make a wider approach to my parking spot. Well, I took out a fairly large chunk of my neighbor's wooden privacy fence, ripped everything to do with with the Zipdee main awing off the rear of the coach and destroyed my water tank fill.
Then the bumper caught.
OK, so I'm trapped in the coach with dozens of yards of canvas and springs keeping me from opening the door and my bumper is about to take out the 3rd incarnation of a fence that is built way too close to the alley and property line. Finally, I managed to push my way out, remove the right half of the rear bumper and proceed to pull forward. Then the dolly snagged the fence! Not good.
I unhooked, parked, let the Zipdee do whatever disconnected awnings will do and pulled the trailer up into the yard.
What a day! Beer! Beer!
--
Stick (I used to be skinny) Miller
'78 Royale
Americus, Georgia
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=35133
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| Re: Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108235 is a reply to message #108228] |
Sat, 11 December 2010 18:38 |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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At 4 am in the morning once after not sleeping for 24 hrs (we were loading up the u-haul to move) and a 250 mile drive, I pulled into a hotel with a u-haul. I pulled into a back lot thinking it was safer and well light. But I forgot I was towing a car trailer and got it stuck in a really small, narrow lot.
I feel for you bud! Hang in there....
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108252 is a reply to message #108233] |
Sat, 11 December 2010 21:24 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| storm'n wrote on Sat, 11 December 2010 19:14 |
Now---- how much do you want for the coach?
Norm.
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With a new awning and (probably) new paint, the price just went up!
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108254 is a reply to message #108228] |
Sat, 11 December 2010 21:29 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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I pulled a beautiful 25' Airstream around a flat bed trailer, 1/4 inch too close. The way the offending trailer was made, and the height of it put two long dent/scratches and a tear, on either side of the center horizontal rivet line of the Airstream, so every panel on the drivers side had been damaged. Over 1000 rivets to replace, and all four panels. The insurance company totaled the rig out. Was very sad day for me.
We all feel for you Stick.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108258 is a reply to message #108228] |
Sat, 11 December 2010 21:38 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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With all these confessions, I'll have to pitch in: That 40' Safari I've
mentioned recently? Bought it off the floor at the Tampa RV show in '97.
The next day I drove it to Tyndall AFT, FL (Panama City) and parked in the
back side of the campground. The next morning I moved to a better site near
the front of the area. Being regulars at that FamCamp, "everyone" gathered
on the 50' long front porch of the clubhouse to watch our new treasure go
by.
The whole campground, including just across the driveway from the clubhouse
is covered in huge, low-hanging, oak trees. As I made the turn to pass
along the porch, I was carefully watching up to my left at the overhanging
branches to avoid scratching the new paint. Suddenly, the rear of the coach
lurched violently to the left with a loud bang and screech.
A glance in the right outside mirror showed the tall aluminum streetlight
pole swaying to & fro, and the rear arm of the awning banging against the
side of the post. I'd mounted the 18"-24" high concrete pylon on which the
pole is mounted and tried to snatch it down with the awning arm.
Unsuccessfully, fortunately.
Not wanting an more attention, I proceeded to my new site and parked.
Seeing no way out of it, I sauntered back to the club house. As I
approached the porch, I could see everyone trying to be nonchalant, but with
twinkles in their eyes as they composed their comments. My statement, "OK,
for your next driving lesson..." pretty well squelched their enthusiasm for
ribbing me. :-)
As it worked out, it the $500 repair didn't cost me anything. I had to take
the coach back to Venice, FL the following week for a long list of other,
warranty, repairs, which took FAR longer than reasonable. My tirades to the
owner of the dealership were impressive enough that he offered the bodywork
for free.
We all get our heads up now & then. :-)
Ken H.
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108271 is a reply to message #108228] |
Sat, 11 December 2010 23:09 |
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Three things...
1) You have pictures of how it used to look.
2) It helps to express your feeling through writing.
3) You're makin' me feel purdee smart rat now.
Byron Songer
1978 Royale by Coachmen
Louisville, KY
Personal - http://web.me.com/bnsonger
Eastern States - http://www.gmceast.com
Stick Miller wrote:
> I unhooked, parked, let the Zipdee do whatever disconnected awnings will do
> and pulled the trailer up into the yard.
>
> What a day! Beer! Beer!
> --
> Stick (I used to be skinny) Miller
> '78 Royale
> Americus, Georgia
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108287 is a reply to message #108271] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 08:09 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Yes, my day of good and bad was capped off with a rather stuffy party. Yes, Ken did call, but it was way past my bedtime (and I thought, his).
I don't think the awning is ripped. I don't think the arms are bent. The front end of the awning is still intact and on the coach. the rear end is my immediate problem.
So I'm skipping church to try and see if I can bungee or tie it to something on the roof. I need ingress and especially egress in order to manage the bitter cold weather that is headed this way.
I also have to try and fix the neighbor's fence. I think I need a comealong or a fence stretcher that will pull the wooden fence off the diagonal and allow me to sink a few strategic screws. Either that, or I'll just ram it with the GMC from the other direction!
Body damage is, I believe, confined to the actual place where the arm was attached, a bit of side trim and the locking door for fresh water tank fill. I'll just have to practice up or get some help with about a 4" square of fiberglass repair.
By the way, if you have never been trapped in your coach before, it is an eerie feeling. I could easly have cut the canvas, but didn't want to ruin the awning. As it was I just worked until I got my arm out and started lifitng.
Zipdee's are very heavy and I'm very sore. At least I didn't bend the bumper.
Oh, yes...Ken, I can always use some help.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108303 is a reply to message #108292] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 09:38 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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You bet! Just let me know. Thanks! Just let me know how much.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108310 is a reply to message #108287] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 09:57 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Stick,
I'll be leaving here in a few minutes for lunch at Magnolia Manor with
Mother. I'll stop by to survey your situation & come back later to help.
I've got come-alongs, chains, pickup truck, deck screws & driver, etc. We
can probably get you back in the neighbor's good graces before the day's out
-- If the temperature doesn't keep dropping too fast; down 4*F since I got
up this morning & still falling.
Ken H.
On Sun, Dec 12, 2010 at 9:09 AM, Stick Miller <stickmiller@gmail.com> wrote:
> ...
> Oh, yes...Ken, I can always use some help.
> --
> Stick (I used to be skinny) Miller
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108321 is a reply to message #108312] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 11:18 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Posted some pictures in my album entitled Bad day at Black Rock. Mr. Henderson has been over and I believe we have a plan. a plan, by the way, that does not include working in 19 degree weather.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Everybody's has to mess up once. [message #108324 is a reply to message #108321] |
Sun, 12 December 2010 11:25 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Gee - I hope when I hit something it will only be that bad. Not good Stick but it sure could have been worse.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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