This was mentioned by me, somewhere in another thread, around a year ago. But, here goes, anyway.
Not long after we bought our new motorhome, I decided to back it onto the new concrete pad, in the back yard where we had recently installed a new fence with a rolling gate. Nice! We love the setup. I was to do it alone, as DW was ill and wanted to go to bed, immediately. And, I had done it alone, several times, successfully. :
I badly misjudged the tail-swing/overhang! Took out the brand new rolling gate and most of the street side of the new fence. Destroyed it!
Did only $2,000 worth of damage to the rear end of the MH. Worse, as I started backing, a city bus approached and not to delay him unnecessarily, I picked up a little speed. :-[
I developed an aircraft pilot type checklist for starting, stopping etc, with separate lists for different types of stops and starts. I go through the start-up list, three times, checking as I go - on every start-up. If I am interrupted, I start over, at the beginning.
Different types of start-ups: Starting from a full service campsite - or my back yard is different from starting up after stopping for a rest break or after refueling. ;D
Checking three times for start-up: Full check of everything before starting engine. Walk around and touch everything I can reach, as it is checked. Start engine and check again - second walk around - no touching required. Third check is done from driver's seat, requiring moving/adjusting/readjusting mirrors to assist in the check. I am not inspired to skip any of the check-list. Too expensive.
Or, restated - first check is to actually do the required adjustments - pull in the slides - disconnect the shore power - store stuff etc. Start engine and let it warm up while doing the check, again, and any corrections as necessary. Third check, using mirrors, is a kind of sort of comfort check and to make me adjust the mirrors, everytime, whether I want to go to the trouble or not. Getting used to adjusting the mirrors for each new activity, now. Used to be too lazy! A mirror adjustment might have saved my fence!
Might have saved two $500 deductibles, one on the coach and one on the fence!
Ray D ;D