Answer to Putting Holes in my Canopy

[slammer]

So I posted yesterday on "a certain subject" and the thread got deleted because some people were somewhat... flamish but during that discussion there were questions on how I put holes in my canopy from a road sign. So here is how that happens. If you happen to be leaving the Monte Sano state park campground in Huntsville Alabama on the road out (there is only one) you will go down a dip in the road, on the right is a dirt bank, there is a road sign about half way up that bank with a diamond shaped sign on it. this sign is WAY too close to the road and the left side of that Diamond sticks several feet (at least 2 to 3 feet) into the road. Because the sign is half way up the bank the sign is very high off the ground so most everything short of an 18 wheeler (or camper) goes well under it. But if you don't happen to notice it, that sign will clip the side of your camper and as it happens, it's right at the level of your rolled up canopy.

So if you still think I'm a moron... whatever. but just know that Murphy's law applies to everyone and you never know when your day will come.

[Roberte52]

I use my mirrors constantly, watch for overhead issues and turn as wide as possible around all obstacles.

[Sunseeker16]

Originally Posted by slammer

So I posted yesterday on "a certain subject" and the thread got deleted because some people were somewhat... flamish but during that discussion there were questions on how I put holes in my canopy from a road sign. So here is how that happens. If you happen to be leaving the Monte Sano state park campground in Huntsville Alabama on the road out (there is only one) you will go down a dip in the road, on the right is a dirt bank, there is a road sign about half way up that bank with a diamond shaped sign on it. this sign is WAY too close to the road and the left side of that Diamond sticks several feet (at least 2 to 3 feet) into the road. Because the sign is half way up the bank the sign is very high off the ground so most everything short of an 18 wheeler (or camper) goes well under it. But if you don't happen to notice it, that sign will clip the side of your camper and as it happens, it's right at the level of your rolled up canopy.

So if you still think I'm a moron... whatever. but just know that Murphy's law applies to everyone and you never know when your day will come.

I destroyed my bedroom slide in a state park in missouri lake of the ozarks last year and didn't even realize it until I took it out for the next trip. This park is in a natural setting and trees are sometimes difficult to maneuver around. It happens and nothing to be ashamed of. Just fix it and move on.

[Sunseeker16]

Originally Posted by Sunseeker16

I destroyed my bedroom slide in a state park in missouri lake of the ozarks last year and didn't even realize it until I took it out for the next trip. This park is in a natural setting and trees are sometimes difficult to maneuver around. It happens and nothing to be ashamed of. Just fix it and move on.

Oops. I meant to say bedroom slide topper. Sorry.

[Jeffjeeptj]

Good judgement comes from experience.

Experience comes from bad judgement.

I have a lot of experience. Some has been more painful than others.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by slammer

So if you still think I'm a moron... whatever. but just know that Murphy's law applies to everyone and you never know when your day will come.

I actually read your post that explained how the canopy was damaged.

I know how stuff like this happens. I even managed one year to smack the back of my old TT with a backhoe bucket while doing some "landscaping". Stuff happens.

As for signs that are too close to the road I witnessed an instant cure to the problem. Sign was ridiculously close to road and a trailer was having a bad time making the turn. 4 guys piled out of the truck and "adjusted" the sign. Metal pole had a 30 degree bend in it at the ground level and the sign metal itself was now at a much more practical distance from the road. Back in the truck and on they went.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by slammer

So I posted yesterday on "a certain subject" and the thread got deleted because some people were somewhat... flamish but during that discussion there were questions on how I put holes in my canopy from a road sign. So here is how that happens. If you happen to be leaving the Monte Sano state park campground in Huntsville Alabama on the road out (there is only one) you will go down a dip in the road, on the right is a dirt bank, there is a road sign about half way up that bank with a diamond shaped sign on it. this sign is WAY too close to the road and the left side of that Diamond sticks several feet (at least 2 to 3 feet) into the road. Because the sign is half way up the bank the sign is very high off the ground so most everything short of an 18 wheeler (or camper) goes well under it. But if you don't happen to notice it, that sign will clip the side of your camper and as it happens, it's right at the level of your rolled up canopy.

So if you still think I'm a moron... whatever. but just know that Murphy's law applies to everyone and you never know when your day will come.

When I asked that question in the other thread there were NO implications you were a moron. I simply wanted to know how it happened, so myself and others could use that knowledge for things to be on the lookout for.

I'm sorry your thread got closed (not deleted) but please do not jump to conclusions when someone asks a question that it was asked for any other reason than knowing what happened.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I'm sorry your thread got closed (not deleted) but please do not jump to conclusions when someone asks a question that it was asked for any other reason than knowing what happened.

Correct. Your thread was closed, NOT deleted. It is still viewable to anyone.

[PJSNorwood]

Ha! I never up mess.

[The2002Wanderer]

I've discovered, through similar experience, another hazard to RV appendages. Twice so far I've had my awning "attacked" by those basketball backstops (the ones with the water-filled bases) set in the street. They don't look like it but the edge of the hoop projects almost a car width into the road; just enough to snag the rear cap on the awning of my Isata 3 as I try to negotiate around the hoop on an otherwise standard width residential street. That cap is darn expensive ($48) for a piece of plastic!
Like others, I just put it down to a continual learning experience being a newish RV owner.

[slammer]

Originally Posted by 5picker

When I asked that question in the other thread there were NO implications you were a moron. I simply wanted to know how it happened, so myself and others could use that knowledge for things to be on the lookout for.

I'm sorry your thread got closed (not deleted) but please do not jump to conclusions when someone asks a question that it was asked for any other reason than knowing what happened.

I realized the question on the canopy was curiosity, The moron statement was for those who chose to flame me for not being mr super paranoid OCD locker upper of things most dangerous. Might as well come clean, I had razor sharp kitchen knives in there too. and some red pepper, and a fly swatter, all sorts of dangerous implements, I'm surprised anyone survives in my presence.

[myxkp]

Similar experience
A sign sticking out taught me about trailer swing
My trailer has enough length behind the tandem axles for a lot of movement left and right as I steer the truck left and right in close quarters. Very minor damage to the paint so an inexpensive lesson.
I swear I could hear Bugs Bunny saying
What a maroon

[Cabinfever97]

Going to our favorite October destination is a turn that is about 45 degrees. Right there is a stop sign, for on coming traffic. There are stop signs on both sides of the rode for the intersection. Its edges are even with the white line on the pavement. Tight turn and watching oncoming traffic I scraped the awning on our old TT. Put a small rip about 1.5 inches and 12 inches of "wrinkles". The problem is the slope of the road closer to the edge, it leans the top of the camper in many more inches than at the road. It happens. Was easily fixed with awning tape.

[rsdata]

I did something similar to my awning, quite innocently and never thought it would be a problem...

I parked on a side street in Bardstown, KY towing my Shamrock hybrid. Plenty of room to park, not a crowded street or heavy traffic. I pulled up to the curb, angled my mirror down so I could see where the trailer tires were in relation to the curb. I kept about 6 inches between curb and trailer tires and parked.

When I pulled away, I could pretty much drive straight as nobody was parked in front of me, but I angled into the traffic lane just a bit and pulled forward. Then I heard this noise of something dragging so I stopped. I had snagged a rectangular No Parking sign (From here to the Corner) which was just the right height and close enough to the curb to scrape against the rolled up awning. I had stopped just short of the end of the awning tube. My buddy got out, stood at the sign and pulled it toward the sidewalk enough to clear the rest of the awning.

I did not see any damage until we rolled out the awning and sure enough the metal on the sign had gouged about 10 small 1/4 inch size holes in a straight line about 4 inches from the top of the awning. Now when the sun is up I can always see those holes and remember the lesson I learned... the rear of the camper swings into the sidewalk area just a bit when pulling away from a curb, AND NEXT TIME, don't park so darn close to the curb.

Fortunately the awning material is some tough stuff and I see no tendency of that material to tear at those gouge marks, and mostly, I am the only one that notices them in the day light because the sun shines through.

[Sunseeker16]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Correct. Your thread was closed, NOT deleted. It is still viewable to anyone.

So what is the criteria for a thread to be closed? I must have missed something.

[BillyBass]

It can happen to anyone just like me. Pulling in my backyard I had a pine tree that rub a hole in mind.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Sunseeker16

So what is the criteria for a thread to be closed? I must have missed something.

Please review the Forum Community Rules:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ork&page=rules

[Sunseeker16]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Please review the Forum Community Rules:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ork&page=rules

Thanks. Pretty complicated rules.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Sunseeker16

Thanks. Pretty complicated rules.

Pretty standard internet Forum rules.

[BDenn]

Thanks for sharing the embarrassing moment. It is a good heads up. I could see me do this in a class C especially Not paying attention far enough down the road. Then have the over cab block your view. My paranoia is limbs that angle up when I back up, worry about backing into lower part mostly at night. A few feet short of doing that one night. Always checking for them.