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Old 11-03-2011, 06:34 PM   #1
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Backing Your Class A in Alone

Parking Your Motorhome Alone - Better RVing
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Old 11-03-2011, 06:53 PM   #2
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Though I do have a partner.. Sort of... "Alone" is how very close to how I have to do it all the time.
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Old 11-03-2011, 07:05 PM   #3
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Good post. Knowing exactly what your mirrors are telling you is an essential tool. As with all things, practice is what it takes.
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Old 11-03-2011, 07:31 PM   #4
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I noticed in that lead-in paragraphs the words "under good conditions" - an important caveat. Not so easy when you've pulled in after dark & in the rain or when you're in a crowded campground where people park their toads/tow vehicles in the right of way on the camp roads.

I took an abbreviated women's driving course at the FMA Rally in 2010. I say abbreviated because I can drive forward no problem, but I wanted to learn how to back up so I only did half the class. Many of the instructions in the link above were part of the course. After a couple hours of practice, I was able to back our coach into either a driver's side or passenger side campsite & back 200 ft, slalom-style missing 5 traffic cones using only my mirrors (the instructor put a towel over my back up camera - she said that was cheating). The best training EVER!

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Old 11-04-2011, 05:01 AM   #5
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I was a single fulltimer, so I backed in alone all of the time.

If there was any doubt about clearances, I got out and looked.
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Old 11-04-2011, 05:08 AM   #6
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Having driven tractor trailer for over thirty years and having backed into some pretty tight places, the advise given by Route 66 is the best. Even with a spotter, get out and look for yourself.
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Old 11-04-2011, 05:39 AM   #7
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My DW has never even considered that a spotter may be helpful. I back in alone. Getting better at it. Will read the link above. After dark is tough. I will read the link above. Seriously considering cutting down the old basketball hoop on the side of my driveway. anyone know where I can get a pass side tail light lens for an 08 Knight?
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Old 11-04-2011, 06:39 AM   #8
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When I was 17 driving my Mom's car I had a friend direct me through a tight space. I was ready to start over & backup but here comes the words; your good-your good-your good...oops.

I always park my rig by myself and like Route 66 I just get out and look if need be. I bet on some of the tighter spots I've walked around the rig 8 times.
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Old 11-04-2011, 06:43 AM   #9
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For the really tough back-up, I lay white water hose on the inside curve where I want wheels to go. Double check ground space and overhead and back up using mirror.
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Old 11-04-2011, 09:47 AM   #10
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opps!!!

Well, I read the article by Barney and Bob, went to the store and bought frisbees, but they were one short so I asked my DW to be frisbee #2 and when I got to instruction #7 from Barney and Bob.........OPPS....
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Old 11-04-2011, 10:23 AM   #11
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Alone Works, Most of the Time

DW and I have a 4-point arrival procedure for backing in off the street, down the driveway, angling into the garage.

She still struggles with backing into the driveway off the street; but, she's fine doing the rest. While she is not comfortable doing it solo, I'd done the procedure no less than forty times without a problem, even at night.

Then, came Number 41... after I touched the back shell to the doorframe of the garage backing in after maintenance one afternoon (it'd been pulled out just a few feet!), we pledged to one another to always back in as a team.

In the age of cell phones, the driver puts his/hers on speaker and lays it on the dash. The marshaller stays visible to the driver, and gives updates.

After two friends damaged their rigs on different occasions pulling out of sites, we've begun doing that as a team, too, albeit without phone contact. Standing 150 in front of the rig, the marshaller can see that sides and bottom are configured, check for approaching traffic, call the earlier safe turn point, assure clearance on both sides. Heaven forbid a cable or hose remains attached, the marshaller would spot it right away, as the rig starts moving and call for a stop. I've begun marshalling, letting DW take the first shift. It's really boosted her confidence, manuevering in tight spaces. At the ABQ Balloon Fiesta, I looked over next door and saw a Country Coach team doing the exact same thing!



Today, with me leaving the country, she's off on her first solo trip with a TT-owning girlfriend. She's already said that it'll sit outside facing in until I get back (using only 48 of the 72 hours our HOA allows MHs to be left in our driveways).
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Old 11-04-2011, 01:40 PM   #12
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Always use a ground guide unless going into a familiar parking spot. That spot for me is our coach's garage. I painted two solid white lines down the length of the garage, each about a foot outside the coach's sides. When I back in, I lower the outside mirrors so I can look down both sides and see the lines. As long as I am between the lines I know I'm okay. As for how far back, I have two long 6 x 6s where the back tires stop.
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Old 11-04-2011, 02:06 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sdennislee View Post
Hi..I actually attended a seminar this past October here in Winston Salem. Barney had a handout about the DOTS which I can scan and send to anyone who is interested. Send me a PM and will handle..

Take Care... Back up Slooowly...

FYI..
RV Driver Confidence Course: Part 1 - Better RVing
RV Driver Confidence Course Chapters

Part 1: Adjusting Mirrors
Part 2:Your Front End Blind Spot
Part 3: Negotiating Curves
Part 4: Marking Your Back Tires
Part 5: Turning in Your Motorhome
Part 6: Your Rear View Monitor
Part 7: Backing into a Campsite
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Old 11-04-2011, 05:10 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cat320 View Post
I painted two solid white lines down the length of the garage, each about a foot outside the coach's sides. When I back in, I lower the outside mirrors so I can look down both sides and see the lines. As long as I am between the lines I know I'm okay.
I'm having a new garage built to house the MH. I will use your suggestion of the white lines on the floor in the MH bay. Great idea.
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