A little help please...for the the trailer backing challenged

[RocklandRVers]

Another tip is to take a minute, get out of the rig, walk around and try to visualize what the arc will look like as you back up. Also I find that the farther you pull past the site, the more room and control over the angle you give yourself. Finally don't let people waiting to go around you intimidate you. If possible, let them past somehow. Then take your time. You can do it. It is just like riding a bike. A very big one to be sure!

 

[ghester]

It's assumed that backing a 40' MH into a site is just routine if you've driven a bus. The reality is that WDW buses hardly ever need to back up. If I have any expertise in backing up, it all comes from backing the MH, which I usually have to do without a spotter. And the rear view camera is not much help. It looks cool in the cockpit though.

Magicbus,
speaking of rearview cameras.. we were at our local CG in our reg. spot when another semi regular decided to do a 3 point turn He was in the big motor home. well my van which was tucked away on my campsite is grey and the asphalt is grey His camera could not tell the difference between the two. he almost pushed my van into lake he said he never even knew he had hit it and only stopped when he saw me jumping up and down and waving my arms (no smile though) He was sorry and very nice. it was a pain but insurance did it's job and it all worked out. Sorry that was off topic I couldn't help but share

 

[Lil' Lisa]

...well my van which was tucked away on my campsite is grey and the asphalt is grey His camera could not tell the difference between the two. he almost pushed my van into lake ...

Holy Hannah!!!!

 

[Magicbus]

Magicbus,
speaking of rearview cameras.. we were at our local CG in our reg. spot when another semi regular decided to do a 3 point turn. He was in the big motor home. well my van which was tucked away on my campsite is grey and the asphalt is grey. His camera could not tell the difference between the two.

He must have been very new to the MH because if you've had the use of a video rear view camera for any length of time, you know you shouldn't rely on it. Even if it's color. It's a one dimensional view and you can't tell distances from objects that well. I use it as rear view mirror when on the road and that's it.

 

[des1954]

I get the concept of backing a trailer, but my brain won't process it while I'm actually backing up. You know....put your hand at the 6 o'clock position on the steering wheel and slowly turn the wheel the same direction you want the trailer to go in. My brain just doesn't get it. I'm no help at all in that respect.

Backing the MH....I totally get it!! Once I realized that you actually need to be on the same side of the road as your site, get the front wheels of your MH about 8-10 feet past the apron of the site, the rest was common sense. I am fortunate to have remote controls for the convex (bottom) mirror on the MH, and I turn those down so I can see the sides of the MH, and the sides of the site. Once I learned that trick, it made things a lot easier backing into a site on the outside of the loop. The sites on the inside of the loop are easy squeezy to back into because you have a good line of vision from the driver's window. That being said, my husband is still reluctant to let me take the MH over to the Fort without him being with me. He's no fun at all!!!

 

[ghester]

He must have been very new to the MH because if you've had the use of a video rear view camera for any length of time, you know you shouldn't rely on it. Even if it's color. It's a one dimensional view and you can't tell distances from objects that well. I use it as rear view mirror when on the road and that's it.

Well the truth is he said his wife usually helped him back up, but she ran off with another man There was not enough room to turn around. That old man has more money then he has sense, and pretty good insurance too

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

lol des thats what i was going to say. The best advise i was given is put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. Tilt it up if ya need to. The way your had goes is the way the trailer will go. Also dont over crank the wheel just make small turnes at a time. I've noticed the bigger the trailer the easier it is to back up. ENjoy your trip.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Find an empty parking lot and practice. Take your time and you will get the hang of it in no time.

Nothing gives you confidence like a whole lotta practice!

 

[caveat lector]

Having a good crew and keeping simple is very important. I never had any experience until my first trip to the fort with my new 30 ft tt. I'm one of the people that is comfortable with what I don't know. As in, "maybe I should practice and get a little experience before attempting it at the big show....nah." That being said, someone gave me the philosophy early on, "if someone else has already done it, it's obviously not impossible."

I position my wife and a kid on each back corner. The other kid is on my trucks front bumper. The only instruction they need to know is to yell "STOP." Other than that, I make it work. Once someone yells stop, I put it into park and adjust the plan appropriately. I'm on vacation, so what's the rush.

Obviously, all three folks are a safe distance from my vehicle.

 

[des1954]

Having a good crew and keeping simple is very important. I never had any experience until my first trip to the fort with my new 30 ft tt. I'm one of the people that is comfortable with what I don't know. As in, "maybe I should practice and get a little experience before attempting it at the big show....nah." That being said, someone gave me the philosophy early on, "if someone else has already done it, it's obviously not impossible."

I position my wife and a kid on each back corner. The other kid is on my trucks front bumper. The only instruction they need to know is to yell "STOP." Other than that, I make it work. Once someone yells stop, I put it into park and adjust the plan appropriately. I'm on vacation, so what's the rush.

Obviously, all three folks are a safe distance from my vehicle.

I like your attitude!!

 

[Miss Peach]

...campers are the nicest people.

Isn't that just the truth!!

Apart from a few ding-a-lings that were a little too far into their cups, I have yet to meet a camper that isn't willing to help out a fellow camper. From parking assistance to the ol' cup of sugar.

We love camping!!

Cathy

 

[jonimce]

So, I haven't stayed at the Fort for way too long now and the last time was in a 35'class A. Now I'm pulling a 39' fifth wheel and I'm not the best at backing the beast yet. BUT I'm really Jones'in to get back to the Fort. Are there any better loops than others that are easier to get into? I am assuming there are still no pull-thru sites. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

And here I am stressing about backing in our 24 ft TT. Piece of cake compaired to yours. LOL