How do you park?

[drafthorsecrazy]

When you are at FW do you back your RV all the way into the site onto the shell/sand bed? Or do you keep the RV wheels on the concrete pad?

We all know that FW was designed back in the day to accommodate 30' or smaller RV's. Many of us complain about the small sites and the difficulty getting into the sites with our modern (35'+)RV's.

Its bad enough some Disney engineer who had never driven an RV in his life designed the loops and placed all those trash barrels, recycling bins and site markers in the worst spot possible. Here's one of my pet peeves: Watching someone struggle for 15 minutes to get into a site because their neighbor across the street has his tow vehicle, toad, golf cart etc. parked right at the end of his drive because he didn't back into the site as far as he could go. I'll look behind the neighbors rig and see all kinds of room back there.

I guess my question is.....why are so many campers unwilling to back up into the shell/sand bed? It would make it so much easier for the person across from them. Granted it may take a few minutes longer to level your rig---but today thats not a big deal.

I realize there are exceptions when backing off the concrete isn't desirable ( setting up tents, or if your entrance door is to the rear--no one wants to track the dirt inside a camper)

[Us3]

We were in the 400 loop and did leave some (not all) of the sand pad behind us because the site was SO narrow. I'm sure 400 loop is much more cleared out now and we may not have that same problem. We were able to get the awning out, but it was on the edge of trees and brush and not extended completely. We didn't have room for the long bed truck, so we had to park sideways in the front of our trailer. Even if the camper was all the way back over the sand pad, I don't think we would have had room....and our trailer is only 33ft. The space behind the trailer was the only place the kids had room to play....see the pic on my signature...but it wasn't much though. This was just our particular site. (But note that we were smart enough to stay off the road as much as possible, not sure why others are not as considerate??)

We're hoping for a larger site this April! We'll have the cart with us this time, so my fingers are crossed! :)

[Colson39]

We've backed into the shell bed before, but not by much, normally never really had to. But I agree, it seems that people are afraid to come anywhere near the shell bed, like it's quicksand or something (which technically it could turn into with enough rain, but if you're towing that shouldn't matter).

[lawnspecialties]

This last trip we parked the TT right at the very edge of the concrete. A few days later, I asked myself why I didn't use my 2"x8" boards to allow the TT to drive onto the sand? That would have made it much easier up front; especially with the truck and the golf cart.

I always keep about 4 2"x8" boards approximately 4 feet long to use if my site isn't level. Next time, I'll think about using them also to extend our site before I get everything set up.

[daddyscooltv]

I agree with the agravation of having a hard time getting into a site because the guy across the street has either his car parked halfway in the road or thinks he is special and can have two cars at his site. I have never had to go and ask anyone to move there car but the first time I do I will have to send the wife over to ask because at the time I would be so pi$$ed off that I would probably say the wrong thing.:mad:

As far as backing onto the sand part usually I have to go as far as I can to be able to get my drivers side slide to go out and not hit the fake tree/water hookup that for some reason are in the middle of most of the sites:confused3

Chris

[stacktester]

When we stayed in 1400 last year I saw an occupant running the hose into the sand area until it became a soup bowl. This was done to let their kids play in. We may have found the village idiot.

[Gatordad]

:cool1: :banana: you could have talked to me in private before calling me an idiot on the open internet...... the kids needed a place to play.

[Colson39]

When we stayed in 1400 last year I saw an occupant running the hose into the sand area until it became a soup bowl. This was done to let their kids play in. We may have found the village idiot.

In the Southwest that's called an outdoor pool ;)

[des1954]

It depends on the site we are assigned to, how long we're staying, and if we bring our SUV (we don't bring it on a short, weekend trip).

Some sites (like 360) are shorty's, and even thought our MH is only 33', we have to back all the way in to comfortably accomodate our SUV & GEM Car.

Our last stay we were in site 341 and if we needed space for the SUV, we would have pulled all the way back into the site. As it was, we parked on the pad cause all we had was the GEM.

In Nov/Dec, we were in site 1735 (?) & the back wheels of the MH were in the shell.

When we had 40' & 45' MH's, we always backed as far into the site as we could, for obvious reasons!

Deb

[RvUsa]

Last time we were there, we had a 30' tt and back it up till the bumper was about a hair away from a tree. Then with the truck (a extended cab not crew) the front bumper of the truck was almost at the road. There was NO way to park cross ways like us3. So I am sure I got a few grumbles by others. This trip, we have new 34' trailer and longer truck, I hope we can park the truck on the site. LOL

We were sitting there one evening, bs'ing with relatives, and a guy comes in to the site right before us, on the other side, now my truck was no where near being in his way. But it took him about 30 minutes to get in, I asked him to help, but he looked at me like I was crazy. So we sat there drank a few more beers and silently chuckled at his parking skills.

[2goofycampers]

We agree,its tough enough to park in the little sites out having to deal with other folks car or CARS out in the road.Because we have our buggy,we park our truck/car at the main parking lot.When we want to leave the Fort its really not that big of a deal to ride the buggy to the main lot to get the truck.That leaves us plenty more room for moving round AND WE'RE NOT STICKING OUT IN THE ROAD to be in others way.Course,some folk do not have a buggy,need their car,but could take a little more care in the "gett'n the camper backed in far enough."

[CCIntrigue]

we have our buggy

Assume you're referring to a golf cart. The only other people I've heard call a golf cart a "buggy" is some dear friends from Montreal that we've lost contact with!

We were in 1600 last month and had to park in the sand because our 50' power cable wouldn't reach otherwise.

[2goofycampers]

Assume you're referring to a golf cart. The only other people I've heard call a golf cart a "buggy" is some dear friends from Montreal that we've lost contact with!

We were in 1600 last month and had to park in the sand because our 50' power cable wouldn't reach otherwise.

We call it a buggy,cause our neighbor says "we dont play golf ".

[Shannone1]

Last time we backed it up until the wheels were at the back edge of the cement. It was only our second trip in the motorhome and I wasn't sure how firm the shells were. I was a bit afraid of sinking. :confused3

We didn't park the minivan at the site. We left it up at parking area and had the golf cart in it's place at the site. It worked out just fine and made our site seem roomier. The people across from us had plenty of room to back in and our of their site. :thumbsup2

[4mickey2]

we park ours on the asphalt. the camper comes off the truck and we can back our truck bed under the over-hang of the camper.

sorry, but we don't like the sandy shells. you get soo much of it dragged into the camper. as it is i think we vacuum the camper every other day. :rolleyes:

[nascar-j]

My 5er is only 31 ft long but our last trip down, we were in the inner loop of 1400. I had to run the trailer wheels about 4ft onto the sand. I stacked my boards so it was level with the pavement and didn't sink. This just let me back my truck in far enough so I wasn't sticking out in the street.

j

[LONE-STAR]

We call it a buggy,cause our neighbor says "we dont play golf ".

Some times we refer to our cart as a buggy.

[bradisgoofy]

Our last trip was our first with the 38' motorhome ( but we had a 36' fiver ). You can see it in my signature picture that we had the wheels part way in the shells. I think we stopped there so the driver side slide would just clear the hookups "stump" and we were on the edge of the pad to give more room for the awning. There was lots of room in front of the motorhome for our rental van, too.

[big kahuna1]

Actually, the sand area is where the picnic tables generally were placed in the past but with the bigger rigs these days you have to take that space up with at least part of the rig. I prefer the table on the side anyway and not in the dirt. I have had one (the rear wheel) of my 3 wheels on the dirt as the site I was on had the stinkin' electrical all the way back edge of the dirt and my electrical cord would not reach. Otherwise, I usually back all the way to the edge of the concrete pad.

[ynottony99]

I like to go back as far as possible. Have to consider the slide. Have to consider if there is going to be a tent set up. If the door opens out on the shell bed, we through down a 5x7 outdoor rug. I have to say I have had much more trouble with the trash cans, site markers and the little lamp posts than with neighbors vehicles.

[clkelley]

Even with my teeny camper, my truck goes out in overflow. Also, when I was just tenting it, my truck went out to overflow. Driving and the truck are for everyday stuff. I much prefer to let Disney do the driving when I'm there!!!

[Gatordad]

I just pretty much give up trying to park after an hour, and where it is, is where it stays..... usually by then i'm on the verge of divorce with the wife, and the kids are ready to kill me.

to quote my daughter

"Yeah dad, we knew you weren't done parking because we were at the campfire and could see lights going back and forth for an hour"

[PolynesianPixie]

Oh brother, that sounds familiar. What gets me, is he'll back it in. I say, "that looks great!" He gets out, looks at it, "no. Not perfect" After 20 more tries, he gets it back in the exact spot that I said was good to begin with! There, he says, "That's what I'm talkin' about!" :headache:

[BigDaddyRog]

Pete, here's your chance to get even with me for ribbing you on the standard transmission issue.......

This week Ive driven a utility trailer from here to Bham, AL and back.....woke up the next morning and drove the same trailer from here to Tylertown, MS and back........looked for and found every possible way and reason not to have to back the vehicle up..................I have NO CLUE on backing a trailer up, none what so ever. Even if it takes you an hour or two....at least you got it in there......not sure I could.

[RvUsa]

I got an 750' long drive way, up hill, I back off the road with a 90 degree turn, then I back my trailer up the driveway it has 2 curves, then 90 degree turn left to park in front of the garage. I have done so many car shows with so many different types of trailers, its second nature to me. You want hard, park a 48' gooseneck on a 30x50' spot at the back with people on every side of you, and they are all a bunch of car guys like you who are watching your every move.... thats pressure.

[PolynesianPixie]

I got an 750' long drive way, up hill, I back off the road with a 90 degree turn, then I back my trailer up the driveway it has 2 curves, then 90 degree turn left to park in front of the garage. I have done so many car shows with so many different types of trailers, its second nature to me. You want hard, park a 48' gooseneck on a 30x50' spot at the back with people on every side of you, and they are all a bunch of car guys like you who are watching your every move.... thats pressure.

:worship: :worship: :worship:

[homebrew2]

I got an 750' long drive way, up hill, I back off the road with a 90 degree turn, then I back my trailer up the driveway it has 2 curves, then 90 degree turn left to park in front of the garage. I have done so many car shows with so many different types of trailers, its second nature to me. You want hard, park a 48' gooseneck on a 30x50' spot at the back with people on every side of you, and they are all a bunch of car guys like you who are watching your every move.... thats pressure.

Try entering your state Truck Driving Championship in the "Twin Trailer"
Class, and struttin your stuff in front of 200 other top flight professionals:drive:
......THAT'S PRESSURE:stir:

Sorry, just couldn't resist:thumbsup2

[surferrat]

Oh I have so been there. Especially when it is a late check in and you wake the neighbors by yelling..."WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THOSE HAND SIGNALS. LIKE I CAN SEE THAT IN THE DARK!!!"



I just pretty much give up trying to park after an hour, and where it is, is where it stays..... usually by then i'm on the verge of divorce with the wife, and the kids are ready to kill me.

to quote my daughter

"Yeah dad, we knew you weren't done parking because we were at the campfire and could see lights going back and forth for an hour"

[4daubers]

I'm sitting here grinning. We have friends who are in the process of buying their 1st trailer of any sort, a 5th wheel. They've decided that they will go camping alone so they can "practice" backing in with no one watching them. I just laugh. They don't understand the rite of passage we all go through with "backing in". They also don't understand that all campers love to watch other campers com in....especially newbies. :lmao:

My kids tease us that the only time DH and I fuss is putting up Christmas lights and backing in the RV. I think my DH thinks he has to christen the whole pad by touching each and every spot. We travel with friends who never have a problem and zip in quickly, set up and a drink ready while we're stilling "moving over just a bit". I'm just glad there's not video of me running down the the side of the RV, shouting 'No, No, you're going to hit it" while DH is NOT looking at me but turned to look back through the middle of the truck. This has happened quite a few times.

In spite of his backing skills, I love the guy and I guess he's getting better. One time in Colorado, we were arriving late at night and a gentleman was "helping" us back in. We ended up right in front of the door of the RV next to us. The gentleman had had a few, my DH was travel weary and we all needed a few after the close call. :rotfl:

In seriousness about backing in at FW. Our first trip's arrival was during a rain deluge...not the afternoon showers but days of rain. We had a tight spot in loop 1600. We had barely stopped to make sure we were at the right site when a man from across the way, came out, offered to help guide us in and did. He could have easily sat in his RV laughing at us...but as a true camper, he was helpful. Our 2nd trip, we were in loop 1700 with a site that at first seemed very tight. The guy across from us was blocking the way, sitting outside and never once made a move to help or move his truck. We made it but one mor umph and our grill would have been in his front seat. We thought that was bad until the second night we were there, we came back to find strange vehicles parked in our site and our friend's site. That same man "had friends over". We just sat in the trucks with diesel knocking until I guess it bothered them and they moved all the trucks.

[PolynesianPixie]

Oh I have so been there. Especially when it is a late check in and you wake the neighbors by yelling..."WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THOSE HAND SIGNALS. LIKE I CAN SEE THAT IN THE DARK!!!"

I have a good hand signal for that moment!:lmao:

[loveDmouse]

We go to the edge of the cement pad in our motorhome. Our only other mode of transportation is our golf cart which we park along side.

[surferrat]

I am so sure it is just like DW's :thumbsup2 <<<< And it is not that 1 lol!



I have a good hand signal for that moment!:lmao:

[Gatordad]

Pete, here's your chance to get even with me for ribbing you on the standard transmission issue.......

This week Ive driven a utility trailer from here to Bham, AL and back.....woke up the next morning and drove the same trailer from here to Tylertown, MS and back........looked for and found every possible way and reason not to have to back the vehicle up..................I have NO CLUE on backing a trailer up, none what so ever. Even if it takes you an hour or two....at least you got it in there......not sure I could.

It's all good brother, i know i suck for not being able to handle the stick.

However, a short trailer is almost impossible to back up, so you are cool there.

[manning]

many of you know this trick, but newbies may not.

When backing up a trailer put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel.

You want the trailer to move to the right you move your hand right (in the direction you want the trailer to go).

When I first started out I had a heck of a time. I had my hand at the top of the wheel and had to stop and think which way to turn the wheel.

An old timer came to the rescue and showed me how to do it.

[LONE-STAR]

I have been pulling trailers since I started driving. At work I pull a backhoe.
So i have to say I am with RVUSA pulling and backing up trailers is just second nature to me.

[BigDaddyRog]

It's all good brother, i know i suck for not being able to handle the stick.

However, a short trailer is almost impossible to back up, so you are cool there.

Wow.....perfect opportunity to spear me in the gut....and you handle it like a gentleman...........WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE REAL GATORDAD???????? Man....you really are stickin to that new years eve resolution, aint ya!:thumbsup2