Watching them back-in.

[Scooterfan]

That was an entertaining post...thanks

 

[FL-JOE]

Setting up and tearing down are a part of RV'ing and I enjoy the work of it. Some days, I am the one taking 45 minutes to back my 40' into my site. Other times, I seem to do it with my eyes closed...never know which version I will be till I put it in reverse. I do like seeing the rigs come and go and usually that is a good time to introduce myself and offer to help. Gets that comradery going. I'm down in Louisiana so we visit parks that may have 20 pipeliners come or go in a day. Luvin it!

When we arrive at a site, or make the final preparations to pull out, we have a system. She has her responsibilities and I have mine. We do it the same every time and double check each other. We adopted this type of a system early on and have yet to damage any of our equipment or run over anyone or anything, so it is working pretty well.

If someone walks into our site to be sociable and wants to help we have a system for that also. First of all there is no way we are letting a stranger help us set up camp or tear down camp, it is both dangerous and to be honest stupid on our part. A stranger does not know our equipment nor the way we do everything. Of course we don't want to be rude and point this out to a newcomer who is bored and just wants to help. So the DW will engage them in a conversation to keep them out of our hair while I take over setting up. This has worked well numerous times over the years.

 

[FL-JOE]

Actually, there's room for the mirrors out...problem is the "shute" is only about 20 feet from the road. Which means there's no straight back in. It's about a six point turn just getting lined up. That's the part I'm mentally planning? Once lined up it should be "doable" as you say. Just to be clear, I'm not really worried because I do take things slowly...but the purpose of bringing this up was to ask if anyone uses walkie talkies / or other communication device (never thought about phones when available) . Really don't want to kiss a (really) big redwood tree!

We use our iphones. I put mine either on speaker or BT and she simply goes outside with her's up to her ear. She knows that even if she has to move around the site to get a better look at something she always needs to stay in view in one of my mirrors. If I can't see her in one of my mirrors I stop until I can see her again. So far since 2011 we have been lucky I guess because we have never been anywhere that we did not have good enough verizon phone reception to accomplish this.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

We have a set of Midlands we use with ear buds and mic so nobody else can listen in while I rant .

We have a set too. we don't use the ear buds though. I'm hard of hearing and Saundra just got tired of having me yell at her, and having to yell at me. I have to admit now that I think of it, by getting them we reduced the impact of the show.

On another note. I work camped at a members camp when we first started full timing. First thing we got told was to not offer to help. Yah you heard that right. Seems the insurance liability was to much to make that offer.

 

[sanda]

We are pretty good at backing in- lots of practice over the years. Last summer we were in a very congested and tight campground. Wife got out with the radio and we started in. Large crowd gathered to watch what they thought was going to be a good show. We backed in the first try which is un-usual when a crowd is watching. When I got out one lady said "how did you do that?" I told her I just go where my wife tells me to go, as long as its not vulgar.

 

["EZ"]

My wife and I wear the headsets you see the sports referees wear. They make a network, are always connected to each other, no buttons to push to talk, crystal clear, long range and they were inexpensive.

That's cheating!!!

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

On another note. I work camped at a members camp when we first started full timing. First thing we got told was to not offer to help. Yah you heard that right. Seems the insurance liability was to much to make that offer.

Everyone who purchases a RV should receive a camping etiquette 101 single page - on that sheet should be to not try to talk to people setting up or tearing down. Nor try to help them back in.

 

[Semper5]

When i was a child, camping with the family was fun; watching others back their trailers into spots was even more so. Watching the actions, antics, and emotional states of people made me laugh. Listening to colorful language that sometimes was thicker than smoke from the campfires was funny to me, much to my mother's disappointment. I recall once watching other campers attempt to assist a new inbound camping neighbor, after all was said and done, those that assisted were blamed for minor damage that was actually the fault of the operator who backed it up. A few weeks later, my uncle suggested to my dad that he go and assist yet another in-bound camper. My father informed him the liability of doing so can create a bad situation, and potentially remove the comedic antics we otherwise might enjoy.

I will never assist unless major damage or life is at peril. Instead, I will drink peanut-butter whiskey from afar and smile.

 

[Hillman]

When i was a child, camping with the family was fun; watching others back their trailers into spots was even more so. Watching the actions, antics, and emotional states of people made me laugh. Listening to colorful language that sometimes was thicker than smoke from the campfires was funny to me, much to my mother's disappointment. I recall once watching other campers attempt to assist a new inbound camping neighbor, after all was said and done, those that assisted were blamed for minor damage that was actually the fault of the operator who backed it up. A few weeks later, my uncle suggested to my dad that he go and assist yet another in-bound camper. My father informed him the liability of doing so can create a bad situation, and potentially remove the comedic antics we otherwise might enjoy.

I will never assist unless major damage or life is at peril. Instead, I will drink peanut-butter whiskey from afar and smile.

I was interested in this thread because I keep watching youtube videos where people complain over and over about folks trying to help them back in, but now I know that peanut butter whiskey is a thing, and it seems like that's the big take away for me.

 

[Semper5]

I was interested in this thread because I keep watching youtube videos where people complain over and over about folks trying to help them back in, but now I know that peanut butter whiskey is a thing, and it seems like that's the big take away for me.

Skrewball. Very good. Neat or with 2 cubes tastes good.

 

[GeoKat]

Give me a site that has driver side back-in and I'm fine. I still need a load of practice with the passenger side back in. Granted that one time it was my first, I had 4 cars waiting to get by which, I know I shouldn't but, I felt really guilty holding up their path. And I had my boyfriend (no longer a boyfriend) "helping" me. But yeah, I've had to back out of a pull-through site due to trees and it was a smooth exit. This 40' 5th wheel has a lot of blind space on the passenger side.

I was at one spot where a couple came in. I couldn't see their site from mine so when they pulled back around the first time I didn't think anything of it. The second time they pulled around the lady was driving. The third time they pulled around I couldn't help but take the short walk to see what they were dealing with. The fourth time they went around the owner of the park was standing out shaking his head. Apparently they thought if they just approached the space at the correct angle they would just back in easy peasy. Round #5 they pulled back up to the office and the owner gave them a pull through site. It was interesting.

 

[billnourse]

I am not the best backer in the world, but with the help of my wife on speaker phone I usually get it done. Best experience I ever had backing was this winter in Brenda, Az. at the Desert Gold RV Park. A park employee led me to the space in his golf cart and then proceeded to instruct me exactly where to position the trailer, the direction and how much to turn my wheels and when to stop. He had me in a space and ready to set up in 5 minutes all while standing by my driver's door giving instructions.

 

[rjwilliams11741]

I always carry a supply of business cards from a divorce attorney who I have a finders fee arrangement with. RV Parks / Campgrounds are pretty lucrative but Boat Ramps are by far the best.

 

[GeoKat]

I always carry a supply of business cards from a divorce attorney who I have a finders fee arrangement with. RV Parks / Campgrounds are pretty lucrative but Boat Ramps are by far the best.

It becomes very clear very fast who is content with themselves and who isn't when you travel in an RV.

I'm now fully onboard with the thought that RVing full-time should be a prerequisite for marriage. If you still like each other after six months than you're golden.

 

[NGC 613]

Give me a site that has driver side back-in and I'm fine. I still need a load of practice with the passenger side back in. Granted that one time it was my first, I had 4 cars waiting to get by which, I know I shouldn't but, I felt really guilty holding up their path. And I had my boyfriend (no longer a boyfriend) "helping" me. But yeah, I've had to back out of a pull-through site due to trees and it was a smooth exit. This 40' 5th wheel has a lot of blind space on the passenger side.

I was at one spot where a couple came in. I couldn't see their site from mine so when they pulled back around the first time I didn't think anything of it. The second time they pulled around the lady was driving. The third time they pulled around I couldn't help but take the short walk to see what they were dealing with. The fourth time they went around the owner of the park was standing out shaking his head. Apparently they thought if they just approached the space at the correct angle they would just back in easy peasy. Round #5 they pulled back up to the office and the owner gave them a pull through site. It was interesting.

Yeah driver side backs are a cake walk. It's them blind side back in's that make ya think a little and play with the mirrors. I hate parks that are set up as blind side back in. It's just plain poor planning. Heck even some truck stops are poorly done this way. The Pennsylvania turnpike 76 has nothing but blind side backs for trucks at their rest stops. I always tried to make sure I could cross it with out stopping if I could.