Campground Funnies

[David 70]

Learning to back arm wagons at 10 years old helped a lot. Now I just back the coach in while the sits in the passenger seat. The biggest problem is trying to keep her from trying to look out the right hand mirror and putting her head in the way so I can't see.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by David 70

Learning to back arm wagons at 10 years old helped a lot. Now I just back the coach in while the sits in the passenger seat. The biggest problem is trying to keep her from trying to look out the right hand mirror and putting her head in the way so I can't see.

I'm guessing you meant "farm". Or you had a very "Halloween" childhood.

[VolDawg]

On our first outing with our Pop-up I almost got divorced. It was 100+ degrees out with 100+ humidity. We were setting up and trying to set the stupid bag awning. You would have thought this was a critical part of set up, nope just a little awning. My wife and I provided entertainment to the entire campground with our cursing, yelling and disdain for each other at that moment.

Finally got it set up and laughed our asses off at ourselves over a cold beer. Camping, good times.

[Capt Steve]

The nautical equivalent is to sit on your boat anchored in a nice spot and watch an incoming boat try set their hook. It's amazing how so many people just have not got a clue {much like what you see at a CG dump station... but I digress}. The only problem with watching folks anchor is if they get it wrong it can quickly become your problem if they drag down on top of you

I made a lot of money teaching folks how to handle their new {to them vessels}. Help with docking and anchoring were two of the most common subjects but the safe overall operation of their boats was always a common theme. Just as with backing an RV none of us are born with these skills and the smart folks out there either practice, practice practice or seek expert instruction.

The other nautical entertainment treat comes on Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor day weekends at the boat ramp. We used to keep our boat on Shelter Island in San Diego right across the street from the large public boat ramp. We would set up beach chairs overlooking the ramp, pass me a beer and the show was on... Did we ever holdup numbered cards like the judges at the Olympics... fraid so.

My all-time favorite were three guys on large {3 passenger} jet ski that they beached at the top of the ramp and sent one guy off to get the truck and trailer. He came back shortly with the truck but no trailer. He then proceeded to back that new Dodge pickup far enough in so that they could drive the jets into the bed. I'll never understand why it didn't stall... by the time they had it loaded the water was up above the drivers side windows and their exhaust looked like and outdrive.

They pulled up the ramp and water poured out of places God and Dodge never intended. We concluded that it was probably a borrowed truck.

[Newmar2856]

Originally Posted by dizcom

It really isn't funny. Everyone has had a first time out. We've been out with all kinds of rigs and the first few times out can be frustrating and stressful, even for the experienced driver and guide. When we see folks struggling, we offer to help. We don't gawk and we certainly don't laugh. We've been in their shoes.

X3 - We help if we can or we are asked. Sometimes people have had a rough day on the road dealing with terrible traffic, other drivers or mechanical issues and don’t need a bunch of people snickering at them when they finally get to their spot.

We all were new at this one time or another.

[Mudfrog]

Not sure I've ever laughed but it has been amusing at times watching people do things at the campground. I really do try to realize that some are brand new but at the same time, wonder why on earth they hadn't researched and/or practiced some before coming out to a public campground. Of course, a lot of this relies on common sense which seems to be a lacking component for some.

As mentioned though, seeing people do things at the boat ramp is more entertaining. A little bragging here but it's always a good feeling seeing other men's faces watch my wife back the boat trailer down into the water in one swoop. Like at the dump station, our system is quick, easy, and doesn't hold anyone else up who might be waiting.

[David 70]

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

I'm guessing you meant "farm". Or you had a very "Halloween" childhood.

Yep, forgot to proofraed. Stikcy kyes.

[DR60]

My wife is a little anxious. The first time I had her help back our boat I just told her to stop me about 3 feet before I hit anything. The boat had to come up our driveway , Dogleg to the left to get alongside the garage, back between the fence and house. I can back a trailer very easily but because of the narrowness I could not see behind the boat. So I start up the drive, make the dogleg, and am straight to pass through the gate and my wife says STOP! So I park the truck and go through the garage to see what is the matter. [ the boat was in the drive gate]. When I get back there she says "I can't see you". I assured her that it was OK, that I could see that I was centered in the gate, and as long as I continued straight back It would be OK. So I start backing again, and again she says Stop! This time I have to go through the house because the boat is now between the fence and chimney. I get to the back yard and she says you are within 3' of the chimney. And I tell her the 3' rule is just for what is behind the boat. When I get back out front the whole neighborhood has turned out to see me back the boat in! I back in another 25 feet or so , Disconnect the boat and drive out to a standing ovation.
To which my wife said, Don't ever expect me to do that again. I just knew it was going to hit the house, take out the powerline and set the whole neighborhood on fire!
I'm pretty sure that was the one and only time she has ever helped me back in.

Now we are in a new stage, and the TT will be a new challenge. She is now legally blind, so I won't be asking her to watch.

If you ever want to get a snicker, Go to horse shows and watch the people try moving trailers around in a crowded parking lot. And then try to load horses in at the end of the day that don't want to get back in that trailer! Its pretty much like watching the boat ramps. DR

[wildcatter]

Originally Posted by ashman155

How many folks watch others trying to put their rigs or trailers into a campsite shaking their heads when the co-pilot jumps out to help guide them into their spot and you wonder what the heck are these people thinking when guiding the driver into the site.?
We just came back from Jasper NP Canada at Whistler's Campground. As we where leaving we had to wait while this couple where trying to back a Class C into their site. The co pilot was giving the driver instructions in which way to turn as if she was actually driving the unit herself. If he turned the wrong way she would be showing him to turn the other way by the motion of her hands as if she was driving. Now the guy he didn't attempt to look in his right mirror as to where he was and what he should do to correct the situation. If he was going the wrong way of course the hand signals would be the steering wheel effect, or the hand would come up for the driver to stop, or point go forward and then the steering wheel effect would come into play again in the direction to go. He was so focused in his left driver's mirror he didn't bother to look right in the mirror as his focus was so much on his co pilot. The folks at the next site at their table was shaking their heads in disbelief as to what was happening. The wife and I also where shaking our heads. Like where do they find these folks when trying to get their rigs in the campsite. talk about getting out the popcorn and watching what goes on and that the same as with the sani dump and boy are they head scratcher's in what folks do to dump their tanks.

Ok Mr perfect

[wildcatter]

It must be nice to be perfect.

[Alan_Hepburn]

Our submission to the entertainment happened with a little sailboat we once owned. It was a homemade 16' boat that we were trying to launch at a local reservoir. The launch ramp was fairly narrow, and the rocks on each side extended out into the water about 100 feet or so. The day we decided to go sailing the wind was blowing directly up the launch ramp - those of you familiar with sailboats probably know how difficult it is to sail directly into the wind - especially for novice sailors! It must have taken us close to an hour to get past the rocks on each side of the ramp so we could finally get the sail to work properly! The next time we made sure we had some oars with us!

[Jay D.]

i don't have a problem with backing into a site, i've driven just about everything on wheels from heavy equipment to a Volkswagen a lot with trailers on them. the only time i need the wife to watch sometimes is at the very rear of the trailer. i usually get out and check for tree branches and so on but its still blind back there ( i have a camera just have to get it installed yet) and i don't want to back into anything and damage my T/T. she gets out and stands at the rear of the trailer BUT ALWAYS out of sight of the mirrors. i have explained to her that if she can't see the mirrors, i can't see her. the camera was a no brainer. life will be good.
Jay D.

[FloridaSon]

Had a 25’ deep vee and would go to the keys a lot. Those ramps are difficult at best and we tried them all. But given the choice of drive the boat to the dock where we stayed or back up the trailer my DW chose trailer. She had some difficult ramps and always some guy would want to rescue her before seeing her drive. She declined and was that good!

We discussed the visual cues for how far into the water and showed her the hand on the bottom of the steering wheel trick. (You don’t have to reverse things in your head - but as mentioned above, does not work good when receiving directions from others.

Out best was a long narrow drive between a concrete wall and a bulding to the short ramp with a slight drop off. But the first two times we tried, the boat would not move off the bunks. There was a concrete bumper at the bottom of the ramp and it was low tide.

Of course in the keys, seems every boat ramp has a tiki bar next to it and a squad of early birds (9am) for commentary.

So I (on the boat) and she decided to try a last resort attempt that had her backing straight back with mirrors 10-15 mph and ‘hit the brakes at the waterline’. (I told her to roll the windows done in case she drove into the water and had to escape.)

I braced myself, she pulled forward, stopped (she may have even raced the engine for effect) and the tiki bar crowd held their breath. She hit it perfectly, hit the brakes and launched the boat like a torpedo off a PT boat rail! The entire tiki bar jumped up cheered and waved their arms. I think the boat hit the water about four feet from land. It was awesome.

We still laugh about it - and no other ramp was ever a problem again.

Now back to regular programming.

[ashman155]

I did not mean to stir up a hornets nest about how folks park their rigs. Been there and done that. I put cameras on the trailer for an extra set of eyes. If I can't see the missus I stop, get out look to see where she is and assess the situation and talk to her to make sure we are on the same wave length. I have asked if the person needs help but I usually get the good old stink eye, body language saying get lost but others are great full in wanting your help. So I just stay quiet continue reading or doing something else. So others that sit there staring probably had the same issue. Now this fellow not once got out to see what needed to be done nor look out to his right mirror to see he was doing the right thing when backing up. You are right take cones to a big parking lot to practice, but also take a training course from a trucking school or any company that will teach you, yes trial and error and experience will help you. I have had people drive around me impatient to get to their sites can't wait those few extra minutes. Don't know where the fire is but it sure gets me agitated when trying to park my rig. How many foreigners do you see with rentals and can't even park their rigs properly. There was an incident where a rental unit was backing up the lady standing behind the unit her driver couldn't see her for directions, she's giving him directions and when he couldn't see her she is pushing up against the rig to stop it, that didn't work she started banging on the back like crazy, he stopped, sure i could have went and helped but by the time I got out of my unit it would have been to late as they were in a hurry. Case in point when in Tofino at this one campground they packed you in like sardines and yes it was a challenge but I got in with a 30 FT. You have guys half on the road in front of the trailer, they watch you but have no common sense in moving their vehicle when trying to park, they just want to aggravate you. I had a guy in Whitehorse who had his truck still attached to his trailer and giving me the good old stink eye with his arms crossed making dang sure I didn't hit his truck with my unit. Talk about being a fool and stupid. Where I had to get into they had guys lined up against a fence with awnings out so that took some patience and planning in your head and the missus help. You think they would come over to help nope just stood there and watched and not even try to bring their awnings in to make it easier for a person. I had a rental unit back out onto a highway no spotter on a curve not more that 300 yds from me, I slowed down and next thing you know a logging truck came around that curve at highway speed around the camper into my lane almost a head on. Thank god I was smart enough to have slowed to a crawl far enough without a header. I guess my point is you try and help yes they may want you to but I found a good many times that most don't want your help, so my wife and I do the best we can and we do pretty good. Thank goodness for her help.