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04-07-2013, 06:03 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Green Planet
Posts: 40
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Help backing in?
As I've stated in previous posts, the DW and I are heading out across the country from Florida in a couple of weeks. This will be our first RV trip with the exception of two local weekend trips.
The DW, for medical reasons, cannot help me back the rig into a camp site. We've tried practicing it several times and she just can't understand the principal and confuses left and right. (And yes, I'm serious).
So, I'm going to be at the mercy of complete strangers I find around the camp site to help me back into a camp site and wanting some opinions from those with experience. Do you think I'll have any problem finding a helping hand? Would you even ask a stranger to assist you? What do solo travelers do?
I did observe on our two weekend trips that when a new rig arrives, people tend to come out to watch. Maybe just to be sure their stuff doesn't get run over? LOL. Anyway, how would you handle this situation?
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04-07-2013, 06:13 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner Georgie Boy Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Winnipeg Manitoba
Posts: 329
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Before you back in get out and have a look for what you could hit .I would still get your wife to watch ,if she thinks you are going to hit some thing holler stop .then you go back there and have another look . If you don't have a back up camera I recommend that you get one .
__________________
Excell
1999 Georgie Boy Landau 3512 on Ford F53
2006 Mazda Tribute ,2001 Goldwing
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04-07-2013, 06:14 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: https://binged.it/1KdDqKO
Posts: 2,428
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If she is unable to tell you what direction to turn your wheels. I would teach her to stay in site of your mirror and only to raise her hand if she sees a problem. Beyond that I would suggest you learn to trust your mirrors and practice.
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04-07-2013, 06:16 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,688
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By asking.
If I see a single driver is having problems, I offer to help. If I see they are going to clip something, I'll step out of my coach and give them a very visible crossed arms.
Most say they don't need help. Some say sure. I wouldn't be embarrassed. Its a helpful group. Just make sure you tell them what help you'd like.
Best time, when you get out of the coach to inspect the site. Which is a good practice to follow anyway.
__________________
Dave and Beth
2015 Cornerstone 45J
2020 Ford F-150 Lariat
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04-07-2013, 06:17 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Jamestown, NC
Posts: 1,579
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Lazydays has a driver confidence course that also gives very good pointers on backing in. Try this link:
RV Classes to Enhance the RVer
__________________
Gary and Kay & Chipper
2018 Thor Tuscany 38SQ
2019 Ford Ranger XLT Super Crew
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04-07-2013, 06:17 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Green Planet
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Excell
Before you back in get out and have a look for what you could hit .I would still get your wife to watch ,if she thinks you are going to hit some thing holler stop .then you go back there and have another look . If you don't have a back up camera I recommend that you get one .
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I do have a camera and find it helpful. I was getting out to look so much the last time out I finally just left the door open. Still, I'm not comfortable backing without someone guiding me.
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04-07-2013, 06:18 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club Carolina Campers
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Conway, SC, USA
Posts: 822
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We often ask for full hookup pull thru sites. Which helps, especially when we’re just staying the night.
I agree with the what the others have said about taking a walk around the site before parking, to check where the hookups are, and anything that might be of concern.
And some campgrounds ‘escort’ us to our camp site, and then assist/watch when we pull or back in.
DW is almost aways outside while I’m parking providing an extra set of eyes, just incase..
On some occasions, fellow campers have assisted as well…
__________________
George & Laraine
and The Golden Ones, Montana & Sierra
2013 Expedition 38s, 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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04-07-2013, 06:25 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 2,750
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Maybe carry an orange traffic cone with you and place it near the rear of the site where you want to stop. You can use your rear or side cameras and mirrors to align the motorhome to at least the general area, then get out and see how much you need to adjust your positioning.
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Burns & Diane
2005 Winnebago Aspect 26A/2012 Subaru Impreza toad
Illinois! - Where the politicians make the license plates......
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04-07-2013, 06:32 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,031
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Quote:
Anyway, how would you handle this situation?
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Best way to handle it, is to stay in campgrounds that have Pull through sites.
Many do. Call ahead to see if any are available.
I can back if needed. But it has been a couple years since having a back in.
When traveling just overnight stops. Pulling my toad I will not stay at a campground that doesn't have a pull through.
__________________
99 Discovery 34Q ISB
2014 MKS AWD EcoBoost Toad
Fulltime Since "99"
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04-07-2013, 06:33 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,193
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Because DW travels a lot for her work, the dog and I make many solo trips. When we first started, I took the driver's confidence course at Lazy Days and then set up cones in a vacant parking lot and practiced turning and backing. When I was first starting, I used traffic cones to help me back into a site. One thing I learned was to be slow about it. Do not be afraid to stop and exit so you can see what is going on before you continue backing. Personally, I would not want to use the campground lookers for help backing. There is no way to know their skill level, their communication skills, or their current sobriety.
Until you are more comfortable, why not stay where there are pull thru sites? Much easier for a novice to get into.
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04-07-2013, 06:39 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,289
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My wife and I have two way radios. No yelling and no misunderstood hand signals. I highly recommend. I haven't tried it solo yet.
J
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04-07-2013, 06:47 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seeing the USA
Posts: 2,646
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If you ask at check in for help, I'm sure most all parks will assist.
__________________
Neal and Deb + Mya and Gizmo, the pup's
2003 Winnebago Sightseer 30B
May the roads rise up to meet you, May the winds be always at your back...
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04-07-2013, 06:57 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Coastal Campers
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Marathon, Florida
Posts: 2,909
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My DW is very helpful directing my while backing in but sometimes left and right can be confusing in reverse. Instead she will just point what way I need to go. If we do get our signals crossed she will just stop me and walk up to the drivers window or call my cell phone.
Go slow is good advice. If you are holding someone up, well too bad. I'm sure they have been in that situation some time in the past and it is likely you will never see them again anyway.
You can also try asking when you check in if there is someone from the CG that can help. I bet most decent ones will be happy to send a helper. We have been in a couple that automatically send someone in a golf car to help if you need it.
__________________
Mark & Nancy
2004 Winnebago Vectra 40KD
Shep dog, R.I.P. Kenzie dog Toad 2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler
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04-07-2013, 07:15 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,495
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Stop in front of your site, get out and walk around the site. Look UP and to the sides for possible obstructions. Place an orange cone where you want the rear hitch to end up.
Have the DW stand where you can see her. She can tell you if you are close (no right or left) just by gradually bringing her hands together, simulating the hitch getting closr to the cone. Stop and then go out and verify location. If off you can then make finite adjustments.
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