Tough Lesson Learned, And SO Embarrassed

Yeah i know what you mean, I had that happen to me after I was driving for a year and I swear it was the worst feeling on the planet at the time, but its a good thing to learn. One thing I do now is I'll see if the locking handle is in, then I push on it, if it doesn't go in after a few pushes the jaw is all the way in and locked, but if it pushes in a bit more, then I know that it wasn't in all the way. It's saved my rear end many times doing those little pushes.

Yeah i know what you mean, I had that happen to me after I was driving for a year and I swear it was the worst feeling on the planet at the time, but its a good thing to learn. One thing I do now is I'll see if the locking handle is in, then I push on it, if it doesn't go in after a few pushes the jaw is all the way in and locked, but if it pushes in a bit more, then I know that it wasn't in all the way. It's saved my rear end many times doing those little pushes.

Great idea! May add that to my checks.

I know I am not immune to mistakes, and distraction over screwing up (along with the resulting anxiety) can certainly cause a snowball effect. I'm trying to learn from them and move on. I am undoubtedly my worst critic.

The PAL and LAP thing might help. My trainer taught me to either go forward (air lines, pin, landing gear) or backward and to do it the same way every single time so as not to forget something. Not checking the pin was a result of consciously skipping the visual based on a tug test...which I never should have done. Maybe I need to use my original routine and just take nothing for granted.

Yeah and it's bound to happen, hell I still lock my keys in my truck. It's just one of those days, but yeah always go over with a visual check, I don't get under the trailer and check but I do the tug test then push the handle. But I'm gonna try that pal lap thing and see how that works too

Yeah i know what you mean, I had that happen to me after I was driving for a year and I swear it was the worst feeling on the planet at the time, but its a good thing to learn. One thing I do now is I'll see if the locking handle is in, then I push on it, if it doesn't go in after a few pushes the jaw is all the way in and locked, but if it pushes in a bit more, then I know that it wasn't in all the way. It's saved my rear end many times doing those little pushes.

Great idea! May add that to my checks.

I know I am not immune to mistakes, and distraction over screwing up (along with the resulting anxiety) can certainly cause a snowball effect. I'm trying to learn from them and move on. I am undoubtedly my worst critic.

The PAL and LAP thing might help. My trainer taught me to either go forward (air lines, pin, landing gear) or backward and to do it the same way every single time so as not to forget something. Not checking the pin was a result of consciously skipping the visual based on a tug test...which I never should have done. Maybe I need to use my original routine and just take nothing for granted.

It was pounded into our heads at school to get out and make sure the locking jaws are locked behind the king pin when hooking up to the trailer. Being in a hurry is our biggest enemy and it's worth a few extra minutes to get out and check.

There are so many distractions when transitioning. Glad it turned out well for you.

That's good they are teaching that, it would've saved me the headaches I had. I'm just weird, I never hurry when getting a trailer but I just hate the fact I keep bumping my head trying to get out from under it 😂

It was pounded into our heads at school to get out and make sure the locking jaws are locked behind the king pin when hooking up to the trailer. Being in a hurry is our biggest enemy and it's worth a few extra minutes to get out and check.

There are so many distractions when transitioning. Glad it turned out well for you.

There is an advantage to having mild OCD. Routines are done in steps. Those steps are done in a specific order. I don't deviate from that order. Like getting out of my truck. I always check my pocket for my keys. They are always in my right front pocket, nowhere else. That is the last step before shutting my door. Having mild OCD isn't bad, but there are things that do get to me. Like my speedometer. It is 2 mph off. It reads 65 when I am going 63. It should read 63. I like 65 because 65 is a multiple of 5. I like 5. I have 5 digits on each hand and foot. 5 is good, but I am going 63. It should read 63. This drives me so batty. The shop people doesn't deem it worth their time. Although I ask them to fix it every time.

There is an advantage to having mild OCD. Routines are done in steps. Those steps are done in a specific order. I don't deviate from that order. Like getting out of my truck. I always check my pocket for my keys. They are always in my right front pocket, nowhere else. That is the last step before shutting my door. Having mild OCD isn't bad, but there are things that do get to me. Like my speedometer. It is 2 mph off. It reads 65 when I am going 63. It should read 63. I like 65 because 65 is a multiple of 5. I like 5. I have 5 digits on each hand and foot. 5 is good, but I am going 63. It should read 63. This drives me so batty. The shop people doesn't deem it worth their time. Although I ask them to fix it every time.

Rick

Oh that's great hahaha

There is an advantage to having mild OCD. Routines are done in steps. Those steps are done in a specific order. I don't deviate from that order. Like getting out of my truck. I always check my pocket for my keys. They are always in my right front pocket, nowhere else. That is the last step before shutting my door. Having mild OCD isn't bad, but there are things that do get to me. Like my speedometer. It is 2 mph off. It reads 65 when I am going 63. It should read 63. I like 65 because 65 is a multiple of 5. I like 5. I have 5 digits on each hand and foot. 5 is good, but I am going 63. It should read 63. This drives me so batty. The shop people doesn't deem it worth their time. Although I ask them to fix it every time.

Rick

That LAP/PAL suggestion is a great idea! I don't use that personally, but it's basically the same thing I do. I remember that there are always three things to check when hooking/unhooking: (1) Fifth wheel, (2) Air/electrical lines, (3) Landing gear. I always do everything in the same order, but every once in a while I'll screw up and do it in a different order--I am not immune from distractions either. But my process never fails me because I usually count the three things aloud before taking off. If I get distracted during my hook/unhook process, I'll recheck the three things one more time to make sure I got them all. It's really dependable and takes hardly any time at all.

I love the second pic, Rick. Sadly it is so very true!!