RV Site Selection

[Endeavor2BnC]

Had a knock on the door this afternoon with the question, "Can you bring your rig over and help pull the MOHO out?" Well I went to look at the situation and decided to decline the offer. It seems that his DW was guiding the husband into the site. She claims to have not seen the "holes" and they are now with the passenger side axle on the ground and the drivers side is almost there. The frame from the back end of the wheels to the rear of the rig is on the ground.

I casually asked if they saw the holes when they walked the site? "We didn't check the site. It looked good from the street. OUCH! It's now wrecker time to get them out. I might have tried if they weren't buried to the frame.

Moral of the story: Walk the site and check it close. You never know what lurks beneath the grass.

[TXiceman]

Tim, you are right about walking the site. We always walk a back-in site and check for poles, rocks, wheel stops, pavement edge, trees and over hangs and encourage all newbies to do the same.t If it is a tight or small site, we will discuss where I want to position the wheels as I get into the site.

Pull-thrus can be bad as well, especially the curves ones. Some of them have a way in, but getting out can be a real challenge. We have had a few that I just positioned the rig and planned to back it out.

Seen too many folks in trouble for getting a little lazy.

Ken

[GaryKD]

I agree with the posts. Walking a site is part of my process. In addition, if it is a back in site, back in. Do not try to pull through from the site behind you. We were at Lakewood in Myrtle Beach recently. A guy decided to pull through the site behind him into his site. The rear of his coach ended up on the ground. He sunk in the sand!

I walked over, cause I was curious and tried to determine how he could have missed the soft sand. He did walk through the ensure his path was okay. I jumped up and down on the sand between the sites. I could not tell the sand would not support a coach. We surmised that if it is not driven on consistently, sand will be sand.

A wrecker got him out really quick.

[Endeavor2BnC]

They got him out with a BIGGGG RIGGGG Wrecker OMG!

[Still Working "NOT"]

Great move Tim. Just because we have HDT's does not mean that you can pull him out. It takes at least a 2" rope to pull him out and I would trust any hitch on the back of the truck to pull a MOHO out.

It's best to let the pro's do it. Plus the guy is a little wiser for the next time.

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD I agree with the posts. Walking a site is part of my process. In addition, if it is a back in site, back in. Do not try to pull through from the site behind you. We were at Lakewood in Myrtle Beach recently. A guy decided to pull through the site behind him into his site. The rear of his coach ended up on the ground. He sunk in the sand!

Trying to pull through a site from behind your's could really be a bad move. You don't know how the electricial and water system was laid out for that campground The weight of your rig could break a water line or cause damage to the electricial system costing you lots money to repair damages.

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Tim, good decision, you bought and built that truck for your use, not to tare it up pulling out motor homes. I am even at that point with jump starting others, I'll borrow them my cables but I will not use my truck for their power source. That is why AAA is in business.

[motojavaphil]

Words of wisdom and deeds of disaster! I hate it when I do something stupid. I just wanted to add something about soft soil. The lot may appear firm but that can be a major deception. We drew a lot that was firm in every area but where the driver's side rear jack goes down. Never did get it level. Seems the plumbing had been dug up in that spot, was like quicksand with 33,000 lbs sitting on it. Lesson is check around utilities. While there see if you actually got the 50 amp you paid for, (Raton NM KOA), power and water. I figure the sewer is a crap shoot! Thank you for the sound advice.
Moto

[Endeavor2BnC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Still Working "NOT" Great move Tim. Just because we have HDT's does not mean that you can pull him out. It takes at least a 2" rope to pull him out and I would trust any hitch on the back of the truck to pull a MOHO out. It's best to let the pro's do it. Plus the guy is a little wiser for the next time.

Thanks 'Still' .

All they had available was a good sized chain that looked to be rusted is several spots. I could just imagine me hooking up and putting a good strain on the chain and having it snap. No telling what the damage would be then. Like you said, "Let the pros do it". That's why we have roadside assistance.

[MakinSmoke]

Even on the Big Rig Wreckers the often rely on winches and use the truck as an anchor.

There is a reason they call these ROAD tractors. When I hit the lottery , I'm going to install a "deer-catcher" grill and a LARGE winch. I have been stuck far too many times. Last time I was able to use the car loading winch along with a snatch block to pull myself out. Would have been much nicer to have a big winch securely mounted on the front.

My point is, with a winch, I would have volunteered to help but without that, no way.

[motojavaphil]

What happens when you guys get stuck on wet grass or something like that. Should we call the tow truck.
Moto

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by motojavaphil What happens when you guys get stuck on wet grass or something like that. Should we call the tow truck. Moto

Moto, both Tim and Smoke have side winches and there is no way I would even try to pull a buried motor home.....about all that would happen would be pulling the trucks sideways....even if they had front or rear mounted winches I have seen the damages a winch will do when snapped under tension....
If one gets stuck and can not afford to pay to get unstuck....then I am saying one should not own a RV.

[MakinSmoke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by motojavaphil What happens when you guys get stuck on wet grass or something like that. Should we call the tow truck. Moto

Moto, I have been stuck "on" wet grass AND then pulled off by a 4 wheel drive pickup truck 2 times. It never takes much. I lost the ability to lock my rear axles when I had the truck singled. 99% on the otherhand can lock all 8 pulling wheels and have 6 more tires pulling than I can. There is something to be said for leaving these big trucks dual rear tandems. The one thing I miss most about my old pickup truck is the 4 wheel drive.

[motojavaphil]

I have read where the big trucks get hung up on wet grass and stuff like that. I think pulling a MOHO out would be a lot of weight best left to a professional, nor as a MOHO owner would I want just anyone latching onto it to pull it out. My point is as RVer's we try to help each other as much as possible and we all have things happen, be it by a fluke of events or our own bad judgement. Damaging one's own equipment is not part of the equation for me or anyone. Affording a tow truck and owning a motorhome, that would be a minor expense.
I do like the tags on the big trucks, makes sense. My dream big truck would be to have a pickup bed on the back of a KW, old school, flat nose truck, with a long hood, more custom than functional, but wow! Have a great RV Day.
Moto