Geoff Bell Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 I havent done it yet, but i am interested in all your natty foolproof systems to prevent yourself driving off whilst still connected to the site hook up. Is there really a foolproof one, I'd like to hear your story. I promise I won't laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudeNJem Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 There is always so much to do before "take off".........if something goes wrong, just blame the OH!! We both do that, and it works OK *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowan Lee Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Write out a checklist, get it laminated at your local Staples or printers, and keep it in the cab. Then use it! I speak from experience. Even though we have had our van a couple of years now, I recently set off through Sandringham C&CC site with the TV aerial fully elevated. Fortunately a warden spotted me before any damage was done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 A checklist is an excellent idea, but distraction/hurry overides its effectiveness and the only genuine foolproof solution is to side-step the problem by never using a 230V hook-up. Normally a hook-up lead has some sort of device that 'locks' the supply end into the motorhome's 230V input socket. You might consider disabling this locking mechanism so that, in the event of you driving off still hooked-up, the cable has a sporting chance of pulling free of the vehicle without causing damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidRon Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 I always position the empty cable reel along with the steady winder(if they're down) in front of the foot pedals. Worked fine until one day my wife thought she'd be helpful and moved them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Yes, that's the killer! I normally stick my check-list between the steering-wheel and instrument panel - except when I don't. Nowadays, owning a motorhome with a Dometic Powerfridge with invisible-in-daylight LED switch readout I'm finding that I forget to switch the thing from gas to 12V before I drive off. (I suppose the only saving grace is that it can't run on both.) In the past I've been openly dismissive of AES-type fridges but I'm definitely beginning to have second thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docted Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Don't drive off! If you don't do it it cannot happen! Docted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesandy247 Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 If you hear a strange grating sound when driving along, check your mirrors, it could be a site hookup dragging behind!! Seriously though, I tend to find that checking the rear view mirrors is useful to check all windows are closed and all leads are away. Also, make sure you take the chocks away before driving off, they work better than a handbrake, and make you look like a wally when you have to get out to put them away after trying to drive off (I'm experienced in this!). :-> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnP Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 The easiest foolproof solution is to walk around the 'van and check both sides,back, front and check the roof for open vents and that TV aerial you left up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chas Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Agree with John P, the only way is to go around the van and check that every thing is in order, its a thing that is so easy to get into the habit of doing, its surprising how some things can be left under the van, or even someones pet or God forbid a child, If airline pilots do it why not motorcaravaners. Chas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Brand new motorhome, second day of ownership. Take it to work to show the lads. I did it. drove off while hooked up!!!. Backed it into the drive lunchtime and into a tree bending the rear steel bumper I had specially made for it from new. Good start!! I have a camera now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 I notice that the July 2006 Caravan Club magazine's test report of a VW California mentions that this has a system that warns if a mains hook-up cable is still connected if you start the vehicle's engine. Presumably this involves some sort of switch in the hook-up cable socket. In fact, my Hobby has a mysterious arrangement of blue plastic bits inside the socket that apparently do nothing when I insert the 'standard' 230V plug but look they might if a specialised plug were used. There seems to be no electrical connection present but the potential appears to be there. I originally thought it was a socket locking device but, if it were, then I couldn't work out how one would unlock the thing. Anybody got any ideas on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 If the industry had chosen a hookup connector with a couple of spare poles these could have been linked in the loose plug so that a warning light on the dashboard would illuminate if the key switch was turned ON. Simple if they had thought about it first!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bell Posted June 29, 2006 Author Share Posted June 29, 2006 I can beat that Clive. Brand new M/H , first day home, backing in, hit a tree and I HAD a rear camera, AND the wife was directing me to. Luckily no damage, only just tapped it. You win on the hook up lead though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Sykes Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 The fire service use one that self ejects when the ignition is turned on. It works every time. Do you want the manufactuers name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted July 1, 2006 Share Posted July 1, 2006 That comment reminds me about our local Doctor when I was a child living at home. The Doctors house was oposite. Doc drove a Mayflower and always backed it into his garage leaving the front doors always open. He had a special connector mounted underneath the rear bumber into which he plugged a loose mating connector which was attached to the garage wall with a length of chain as well as a cable to the mains. The supply provided by this connector did two things, it float charged the battery and also ran some heaters in the sump and also in the bottom of the radiator. When Doc got a late call he was always off like a rocket, jump in, start up and go. 2 pin plug from memory!! Now for me when the van is hooked up at home I have a long enough lead to be able to drape it over the offside drivers external mirror. Its difficult to miss. Speaking about hookup leads, its easy to spot Brits on French camp sites, they are the ones with orange leads!!! Everyone else uses mostly black or white. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan Posted July 2, 2006 Share Posted July 2, 2006 Clive Mines Blue Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnP Posted July 2, 2006 Share Posted July 2, 2006 Gloster Javelin All-Weather Fighters also had a plug arrangement when they were sitting ready for scramble in 1960/1. Pilots did not have to get out and disconnect the lead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bell Posted July 2, 2006 Author Share Posted July 2, 2006 Well I've listened to all your advise,and today have been experimenting with what I beleive could be a groundbreaking idea. It involves a small piece of plastic explosive placed between the connectors and wired into the ignition switch. Should you try to start the engine and drive off, an electrical chrarge automatically sets the explosive off causing the plugs to disconnect. It is quite important to get the exact right size of explosive as overdoing it may damage your motorhome. I am carrying out a live experiment to-morrow. Should you hear nothing after today just assume it wasn't sucessful. I FEEL IT IMPORTANT TO CLARIFY THIS IS IN FACT A JOKE AND READERS SHOULD NOT TRY THIS,BUT THEN YOU WOULDN'T, WOULD YOU?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted July 2, 2006 Share Posted July 2, 2006 [QUOTE]spartan - 2006-07-02 1:23 AM Clive Mines Blue Pete[/QUOTE] Oh you naughty boy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Sykes Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 Every on ein the EU should be using a blue lead for mains, yellow for 110V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest starspirit Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 Try using a 'Terry' type sprung steel tool rack clip with 'LEAD' written on it. Clip it on your mains lead when stored and then clip it on your steering wheel when lead in use. I don't use electric but the principle works for me regarding fridge, step and skylights and never fails to remind me before moving off. Simple init Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemoss Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 Thanks Starspirit - that's a really brilliant idea. Just happen to have a couple of Terry tool clips hanging around. Now I now exactly what to do with one of them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 What's a Terry tool clip ... anything to do with Terry's nappies!!!???? The blue thing - this reminds me of a story my Mother in Law told me about my husband when he was 2 years old, it involved him playing in the corner with a box of paints, his favourite colour was blue and he was painting everything he could that colour ... oh, forgot to mention, he'd just had his bath so was in his birthyday suit. I'll leave the rest to your imagination!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasmineAnders Posted July 4, 2006 Share Posted July 4, 2006 I did read once of a van driving off with the mains leads still plugged in. As the lead tightened it took the electric point post with it which still had another vans lead connected to it. Result was that the connecting assembly on the other, innocent, van got pulled right out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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