RV'in for Dummies!

[MSHappyCampers]

You'd think I wrote the book!

Last month we went up to Virginia and West Virginia and decided to see the New River Gorge Bridge on the way back. As we were getting close to where we thought the bridge was, I turned down a road that I thought went to it.

WRONG! We drove for several miles down a narrow road through a residential area and finally came to the end of the road and the LOCKED gates of a National Park closed by the government shutdown!

OK, get this picture. We're at at end of the road in a 40' MH pulling a toad, with absolutely no place to turn around! After sitting there a while feeling stupid, I decided that the only thing to do was unhook the toad and start backing the toad AND MH back up the road hoping to find a driveway wide enough to turn the MH around! Believe me, that's a sick feeling!

I've always believed that the Lord takes care of those too dumb to take care of themselves, and I found out it was true! As we got out of the MH to unhook the toad a man and his wife walks up. They were volunteers at the park and were RV'ers! They had seen us drive up and knew right away the trouble we were in!

They unlocked the gate and let us drive on in to the parking area where we could turn around! I really think they were Angels in disguise!

I have learned my lesson. I will NEVER, EVER turn on a road unless I'm sure where it goes and what's at the end!!!!!!!

[t55watson]

If you never turn down a road that you don't know where it goes you will NEVER have another RV war story. What a boring happy hour that would be.

[WesinRockies]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I've always believed that the Lord takes care of those too dumb to take care of themselves, and I found out it was true! As we got out of the MH to unhook the toad a man and his wife walks up. They were volunteers at the park and were RV'ers! They had seen us drive up and knew right away the trouble we were in!

They unlocked the gate and let us drive on in to the parking area where we could turn around! I really think they were Angels in disguise!

He is good!

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by WesinRockies

He is good!

All the time!

[Pigman1]

It's happened to all of us one time or another. Just think, if it hadn't happened to you, you wouldn't have met such a nice couple of workkampers. Enjoy the trips, wherever they lead.

[Pepper2]

Similar story. We were returning from Maumee State Park in Ohio when the road we had used going in had closed for a street festival on our way out. No where to turn around. Had to turn into an urban neighborhood with cars parked on both sides of the street. There wasn't even enough room for two cars to pass each other. Now I'm sure I had no more than 12 inches on either side of the MH as we crept down the 3 blocks. It was such a tight fit that people were coming out of their houses to watch. I don't drink and drive, but I was ready for a few snorts after those three blocks. Oh, and my DW keeps repeating "oh my God" for those three blocks.

[Cooperhawk]

The DW and I were on our way to Northern Wisconsin to do a little fishing. Had our boat in tow. Okay, I was using the Garmin and all those roads up there are NN, or PP or QQ or something like that. Anyway they are set up in a kind of grid.

Missed my turn. DW likes that when I mess up. Okay, I'll just take the next road over. No problem. Turn on the next right turn expecting to go to the next crossroad and jog back over to the right one. No problem.

Nice road........for a little way. Then asphalt becomes gravel. Okay, we'll just go slow. Now gravel becomes dirt road. Well no place to turn around..press on. It'll be fine.

Gravel ends. Yikes! Just then a bear walks in front of us. Okay the trail in the woods is ending. Gotta turn around. I think I can back the boat into a gap in the forest and then head back. Ask Wife to go out and watch for me. Are you kidding? Bear???????? Okay, then go in bedroom and watch out back window. Yell If I turn the boat to sharp. Okay.

I am backing slowly angling the boat to the right where I can see it. Not too sharp yet as DW hasn't warned me.

CRUNCH!...........STOP!!!!!!!!!

Okay, wrong order. Stop should have come prior to crunch.

Major repair bill. DW still says it was my fault.

[DGBPokes]

Oh, but that is what RVing is all about!

Before I retired, we had scheduled a weeks vacation, so let's leave Friday night after work. Had a 38ft motorhome and a tow dolly with a small car. Thought we could drive three plus hours and camp over night at a little park on the river in a town off the interstate. I had lived in the town about 10 years before.
1. We were about an hour into the trip, and thought we would eat dinner at a great little resturant in a small town up the road. The exit into the town is about 3 miles from town. As we drove in, there were lots and lots of people on the road, then the street. As I looked in the mirror, I saw two or three police cars with red lights going....what is going on? Seem like they were starting their local parade an festival. We had gotten in just before the police blocked the street. So we drove real slow, and just waved at everyone like we belonged there. Needless to say, we didn't stop to eat, just kept driving. :-)
2. Same night, hot summer about 95 degrees, we get to the town with the little river campground, about 10:30, dark. The little river campground is gone, but they have a new bridge. Drove on a couple of miles and knew I would have to turn around. Saw a supply company business, looks like I can turnaround there, WRONG. It had a big ditch running beside it. So in the dark, and hotter than you know what, I get out, unload the car, disconnect the dolly, push it around, then backup and hook it all back up again.
3. Ok, river park is gone, about 8 miles on the other side of town, in the country, are some Indian casino's we can stay there. Off we go, now after 11:00 pm. We go thru town, I turn onto what I thought was an access road going to the casino...WRONG. It goes to the Indian tribal headquarters building, and you guessed it, small parking lot, no where to turnaround. One more time, I am unloading the car, disconnecting the tow dolly, pushing it out of the way, and turning around. It is now midnight. Now the casino I was looking for, I can see it about a mile away. I am not hooking things back up, just the tow dolly. The wife can follow me in the car.
4. We get to the casino, about 10 gravel pull throughs with electricity ( it is still about 90 ). We pulled in to an open slot. We level the rig, put out the slides, hook up electricity,and go inside to pay to camp. We get a break, the manager says no problem, free camping just come in tomorrow. We get back to the rig, and the A/C had not come on. I fiddled, checked all in the dark with a flashlight, and determine no power at the space. So, slides in, jacks up, and move spots.

I had been up since 5am, worked all day, and got to,bed about 2:00 am. Enough to make you think you want to sell it all, but then we wouldn't have the wonderful fun an adventures that the couch potatoes have. Oh, and when we got home, I sold that tow dolly, I now tow four wheels down.

[kayakcrazy]

Try this one for a thought: we pulled into a Regional Campground here in Saskatchewan with a 1996 GMC ½ ton pulling a 20 foot Travelaire 5’er, pulling a 15 foot Lund fishing boat (about 45 feet bumper to motor with two pivot points). We registered, got our directions to our campsite and information on what the fish were biting on and headed towards our campsite. After a considerable amount of time my DW reaches over and turns off the radio and starts rolling down the window. She says she can hear somebody yelling. Here comes the fellow who registered us saying we can’t continue as the road is flooded ahead and not passable. Not wanting to unhook the boat without trying it first, I started to reverse myself out of this place. I backed that train out over a mile and a half just like we were going forward. Our camp host praised my backing up skills and I in turn thanked my grandfather for all the times he made me back the hay wagons up to the barn (Minneapolis Moline tractor with no seat and a hand clutch pulling two huge hay wagons). Everything happens for a reason and it was the guidance of my of my heavenly Father and grandfather that got me through this one.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by DGBPokes

Oh, but that is what RVing is all about!

Before I retired, we had scheduled a weeks vacation, so let's leave Friday night after work. Had a 38ft motorhome and a tow dolly with a small car. Thought we could drive three plus hours and camp over night at a little park on the river in a town off the interstate. I had lived in the town about 10 years before.
1. We were about an hour into the trip, and thought we would eat dinner at a great little resturant in a small town up the road. The exit into the town is about 3 miles from town. As we drove in, there were lots and lots of people on the road, then the street. As I looked in the mirror, I saw two or three police cars with red lights going....what is going on? Seem like they were starting their local parade an festival. We had gotten in just before the police blocked the street. So we drove real slow, and just waved at everyone like we belonged there. Needless to say, we didn't stop to eat, just kept driving. :-)
2. Same night, hot summer about 95 degrees, we get to the town with the little river campground, about 10:30, dark. The little river campground is gone, but they have a new bridge. Drove on a couple of miles and knew I would have to turn around. Saw a supply company business, looks like I can turnaround there, WRONG. It had a big ditch running beside it. So in the dark, and hotter than you know what, I get out, unload the car, disconnect the dolly, push it around, then backup and hook it all back up again.
3. Ok, river park is gone, about 8 miles on the other side of town, in the country, are some Indian casino's we can stay there. Off we go, now after 11:00 pm. We go thru town, I turn onto what I thought was an access road going to the casino...WRONG. It goes to the Indian tribal headquarters building, and you guessed it, small parking lot, no where to turnaround. One more time, I am unloading the car, disconnecting the tow dolly, pushing it out of the way, and turning around. It is now midnight. Now the casino I was looking for, I can see it about a mile away. I am not hooking things back up, just the tow dolly. The wife can follow me in the car.
4. We get to the casino, about 10 gravel pull throughs with electricity ( it is still about 90 ). We pulled in to an open slot. We level the rig, put out the slides, hook up electricity,and go inside to pay to camp. We get a break, the manager says no problem, free camping just come in tomorrow. We get back to the rig, and the A/C had not come on. I fiddled, checked all in the dark with a flashlight, and determine no power at the space. So, slides in, jacks up, and move spots.

I had been up since 5am, worked all day, and got to,bed about 2:00 am. Enough to make you think you want to sell it all, but then we wouldn't have the wonderful fun an adventures that the couch potatoes have. Oh, and when we got home, I sold that tow dolly, I now tow four wheels down.

And I thought I had an experience!

OK, you get to write the book!

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by kayakcrazy

Try this one for a thought: we pulled into a Regional Campground here in Saskatchewan with a 1996 GMC ½ ton pulling a 20 foot Travelaire 5’er, pulling a 15 foot Lund fishing boat (about 45 feet bumper to motor with two pivot points). We registered, got our directions to our campsite and information on what the fish were biting on and headed towards our campsite. After a considerable amount of time my DW reaches over and turns off the radio and starts rolling down the window. She says she can hear somebody yelling. Here comes the fellow who registered us saying we can’t continue as the road is flooded ahead and not passable. Not wanting to unhook the boat without trying it first, I started to reverse myself out of this place. I backed that train out over a mile and a half just like we were going forward. Our camp host praised my backing up skills and I in turn thanked my grandfather for all the times he made me back the hay wagons up to the barn (Minneapolis Moline tractor with no seat and a hand clutch pulling two huge hay wagons). Everything happens for a reason and it was the guidance of my of my heavenly Father and grandfather that got me through this one.

You did good!

[Mrchips]

Oh do I have a story to fit in here....LOL We try and camp all year long at least a weekend per month in the winter. While we were stationed in New Orleans (lived in Slidell) we would often just run into MS an use state parks, but we would not leave the house until 6PM or so once DW got home from work. That would always put us in the campgrounds after dark. Anyway we went to a state park (I think it was called Little Black Bear State Park)we had never been to (towing our car). We had called ahead and they told us to just pick any spot we wanted and then go tell them the next day. So we get in the park and decide to unhook the car and let DW drive around and find a good site and then drive back and lead me in. So I unhook the car and she takes off, BUT we never checked to see if the cell phones worked. So she is gone for what seemed like forever and then she finally gets back to where I am sitting with daughter and dogs in the coach. She is frustrated becasue it is PITCH BLACK outside and she can't figure out the campground or the sites. WELL I get aggrivated and say come on I will go with you. We leave the coach running, daughter and dogs inside. (daughter is about 14 at the time) DW and I start driving around the campground and did I mention it is PITCH BLACK outside and there are ZERO campers....NONE...LOL We finally just said to heck with it let's pick a spot and worry about it in the AM.......So we start back to the coach and guess what......we have no idea where the coach is, the park is HUGE with lots of roads in all directions and did I mention it was PITCH DARK outside. We could not find the coach, and we had no phone coverage to call our daughter to tell her to turn headlights on or something...LOL Almost an hour and a half later we stumbled onto our coach sitting there in the PITCH DARK.....LOL I got in and went to a site, backed in, plugged in, set up and spent the night. What we realized the next morning was that we had a great site and the weekend turned out to be one of the best weekend outings we have had. We had the entire state park to ourselves, the temps were cold, the fire pit was great, the skies were clear and we had a great time......EZCEPT for losing the coach, our daughter and the dogs for a couple hours.....LOL, Hey it happens.

[Dutch Star David]

Originally Posted by Cooperhawk

The DW and I were on our way to Northern Wisconsin to do a little fishing. Had our boat in tow. Okay, I was using the Garmin and all those roads up there are NN, or PP or QQ or something like that. Anyway they are set up in a kind of grid.

Missed my turn. DW likes that when I mess up. Okay, I'll just take the next road over. No problem. Turn on the next right turn expecting to go to the next crossroad and jog back over to the right one. No problem.

Nice road........for a little way. Then asphalt becomes gravel. Okay, we'll just go slow. Now gravel becomes dirt road. Well no place to turn around..press on. It'll be fine.

Gravel ends. Yikes! Just then a bear walks in front of us. Okay the trail in the woods is ending. Gotta turn around. I think I can back the boat into a gap in the forest and then head back. Ask Wife to go out and watch for me. Are you kidding? Bear???????? Okay, then go in bedroom and watch out back window. Yell If I turn the boat to sharp. Okay.

I am backing slowly angling the boat to the right where I can see it. Not too sharp yet as DW hasn't warned me.

CRUNCH!...........STOP!!!!!!!!!

Okay, wrong order. Stop should have come prior to crunch.

Major repair bill. DW still says it was my fault.

Been there-done that too.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Mrchips

Oh do I have a story to fit in here....LOL We try and camp all year long at least a weekend per month in the winter. While we were stationed in New Orleans (lived in Slidell) we would often just run into MS an use state parks, but we would not leave the house until 6PM or so once DW got home from work. That would always put us in the campgrounds after dark. Anyway we went to a state park (I think it was called Little Black Bear State Park)we had never been to (towing our car). We had called ahead and they told us to just pick any spot we wanted and then go tell them the next day. So we get in the park and decide to unhook the car and let DW drive around and find a good site and then drive back and lead me in. So I unhook the car and she takes off, BUT we never checked to see if the cell phones worked. So she is gone for what seemed like forever and then she finally gets back to where I am sitting with daughter and dogs in the coach. She is frustrated becasue it is PITCH BLACK outside and she can't figure out the campground or the sites. WELL I get aggrivated and say come on I will go with you. We leave the coach running, daughter and dogs inside. (daughter is about 14 at the time) DW and I start driving around the campground and did I mention it is PITCH BLACK outside and there are ZERO campers....NONE...LOL We finally just said to heck with it let's pick a spot and worry about it in the AM.......So we start back to the coach and guess what......we have no idea where the coach is, the park is HUGE with lots of roads in all directions and did I mention it was PITCH DARK outside. We could not find the coach, and we had no phone coverage to call our daughter to tell her to turn headlights on or something...LOL Almost an hour and a half later we stumbled onto our coach sitting there in the PITCH DARK.....LOL I got in and went to a site, backed in, plugged in, set up and spent the night. What we realized the next morning was that we had a great site and the weekend turned out to be one of the best weekend outings we have had. We had the entire state park to ourselves, the temps were cold, the fire pit was great, the skies were clear and we had a great time......EZCEPT for losing the coach, our daughter and the dogs for a couple hours.....LOL, Hey it happens.

That's a good one!