Loop Recommendations needed: Big Rig + dog

[hsmytwins]

I need some guidance on selecting a loop to request. This is our first visit to FW.....and our first trip in our Big Rig (45' Prevost). My husband is very nervous about trying to back in to a lot (he is concerned that everyone will be watching him and laughing if he makes mistakes.) I want this to be a good experience for him. We need a lot that will make this as easy as possible -- but still be a nice lot.

We will be at Ft. Wilderness April 17-27. Being near a comfort station is not a high priority. Since we have never been there before, I'm not sure what IS a priority.

We will be traveling with twin 12 yr olds and a dog. He is a super friendly dog, but it will be a big distraction to have everyone else walking their dog right past us...so I'm not sure that being right on the dog walk is a good idea.

We will not be renting a golf cart - but will have bikes along.

Thanks for any suggestions you can give.

 

[Boopuff]

Sounds identical to our situation as well! However my MH is a bit smaller 38'. I'm hoping to get in the 700 or 800. According to my "research" those loops have easier to maneuver sites.

 

[PaHunter]

I would recommend a premium loop. I had 45 ft Motorhomes next to me in the 100 loop, but the preferred loops are tight. It took me 5 tries to get my trailer backed in to it's home, while not hitting the car parked across the street or the electrical boxes also across the street. My truck and travel trailer are just about 53 ft long. There are no terrible loops at the Fort.

 

[hgarnes]

I usually don't post (garneska, my better half, takes care of that), but I'm the driver of our class A and had some thoughts for you. Kris and I have only had our 41' class A since July 2014, so learning to drive it was a challenge. As a (relatively) new driver, here are my thoughts:
1. Yes, people are going to watch you back in. It's a fact of life in campgrounds. Most of us won't be judging you - mainly because we've been in your shoes before, trying it for the first time.
2. When backing in, don't be a hero. You don't get style points. My first experience backing into a site involved me smacking the entry door into a tree. Thankfully, there wasn't any damage - it was very low speed. That being said, take it slow. When in doubt do the following: 1. Stop 2. Exit the rig and see exactly where you are 3. Formulate a plan - even if that plan is starting over.
3. Backing into a site can be trying on a marriage. Keep calm. Kris does a great job keeping an eye on any hazards around me while backing.
4. Again, just take it slow and when in doubt, stop, look, plan, and restart.
5. Other campers may try and help you if you seem to have issues, if you don't want their help, just be polite. I tend to find it distracting rather than helpful as Kris and I have our methodology.

As for loops, I would say from experience that 700 is easy to get into, although the turn coming out can be a bit tight. 800 and 900 were doable as well. From just walking the loops, 600 appears to be the easiest, plus you see big rigs (45') there all the time. 400 and 500 seem tight to me (plus we saw an Essex clip a car in 400).

Dogs are another question. Yeti (look at the January trip report if you want pics) barks at everything. So it doesn't matter where you go. Dogs are always being walked by your site - dog walk or not. The difference between being on the dog walk and not being on the dog walk is minimal from that perspective.

All that being said, welcome to driving a big rig and enjoying learning to drive it. I will say, it does get easier, but it's taken me a year and a half of driving (and ~5,000 miles under my belt) to say that.

Bert (garneska's DH and driver)

 

[Boopuff]

Great info! What's with people watching other people park their rv's? I just never found it to be terribly interesting or entertaining (unless it's a rental unit! then it's fun to watch the people try to figure out how to plug it in and Lordy! is that where the poop goes?) If someone pulls into a spot in a beautiful class A then I stare in total and absolute jealousy!

 

[garneska]

Hsmytwins, we will actually be arriving on April 16. Let us know if we can help.

 

[hgarnes]

Boopuff, For whatever reason we (garneska and I) watch people park. Sometimes it's because they just pull up and back in. That I can't understand - We need to scope out the site, see where we want the rig and what hazards are around. Other times it just to see how someone else does it - maybe I'll learn something.

Bert

 

[bama_ed]

I am going to spoil my own joke by saying that I have made a joke of people backing into their sites before.

Yep, I am guilty - I am one of those great unwashed.

I usually use a couple funny GIF files but I'm not really putting anybody down since I have as much trouble as any of you with a long wheel base vehicle and small trailer.

But here they are: feel free to use them at will.





But remember: I'll be in the woods watching.

Bama Ed

 

[garneska]

Bama Ed, so glad we get to GSP before you, but we have gotten a lot better and don't care if we entertain people. Just ask Tltay2005, she watched us back in to a hell spot because of overcrowding at other sites. Took us a few tries but we did it.

 

[hgarnes]

The real fun is watching garneska attempt to setup the brake system on the toad. That leads to a few $#%& being said, and is good fun.

Bert

 

[garneska]

Agreed, I hate setting up the patriot. I can do everything else!

 

[bama_ed]

For those of us poors who only pull a little ol' pop-up, all this rich folk talk is over my head. Bama Ed

 

[FtW Mike]

Hsmytwins like you I are a newcomer here but have seen that people posting in this forum are the same sort of people you will find in the campground, FINESTKIND. We took our 37 ft Holiday Rambler down on our 1st trip to The Fort 2 years ago with our 2 dogs. Our TA got us into the 1800 loop site 1811which is right in front of dog walking area. Now ours are older and think what they see is theirs and heaven help anyone or thing that doesn't know that. They ended up doing fine even though the entrance to walking was directly in front of our site worst problem was when they came around to collect the trash.
There were a lot of larger units in the loop as well as the other loops off the main entrance to them from the road that runs to it. They are the 1600 1700 1800 and 1900 loops all of which have sites that held units as big as yours. Plus they are about middle of campground so not too far from anything.

 

[whiplash]

Ok, here's my two cents worth, we have a 36 ft, Fleetwood Bounder. We have stayed in the 600, 700 and 800 Loops. The 600 was very easy to get into but does not have much "cover" (trees, bushes, etc). The 800 was ok........700 definitely our favorite, easy in, easy out, trees/bushes...close proximity to trading post, Trails End and the boat launch. Last time down we had our two dogs with us and experienced no problems at all. Even ran into garneska and their sweetie Malory. We will be back in June and hoping to be in 700 once again.

 

[Boopuff]

I'm always amazed at how quick and easy some folks can back in and get set up in no time. My Dh has me get out, look over the site (sometimes he also does) then zip he backs in. Now that was with out travel trailer.... Things may be different now!

 

[Corgidad]

Bert that is great advice to anyone since most campgrounds today are pull through and most of todays RV drivers are excellent at going forward but do not have much backing experience. I will add that backing in any site is also about the approach you make when pulling up to the site look at everything around you including across the street. Will see you, Kris Yeti and of course Mallory when you get to the Fort.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

concerned that everyone will be watching him and laughing if he makes mistakes

1) Fort people are usually quit kind and understanding . . . most were in that same boat at one time or other.
2) So do not worry about laughter.
3) However, there is always a chance of some light giggling.

 

[tiggerdad]

I have to stand (or sit as the case may be) with Ed on this one. Watching other campers back in is sorta entertainment / learning experience. Not making fun of anyone (except maybe a few of you, but hey, you'd do the same to me) for having trouble backing in. I'm always willing to help if asked, but I learned the hard way once when I offered to help someone and he became a (barnyard animal often used to pull plows and know to be stubborn). Since then, I watch, often drinking a beer, or, even worse, a Mountain Dew. I can remember once sitting down at a picnic table eating shrimp with Ed and watching a monstrous toy hauler try and back into the site next to me, in the dark, around some bushes. Our wives couldn't understand why we wouldn't offer to help. We tried to explain, but I don't think they understood.

On a side note, last year at GSP, right after I got myself backed in, a lady came in backing her camper in the site behind me. While I was hooking up my water, she got out of her truck and asked me if I would mind helping. "Absolutely" I told her. "Good, the keys are in the ignition" was her reply. She also forgot to mention the wire haired terrier in the passenger seat who wasn't overly aggressive, but trying to back that camper in while listening to a growling dog was a bit unnerving. So, when asked, I never have a problem helping. Until then, it's GAME ON!

I think Bert gave you some of the best advice on the sites. None of them at the Fort are bad, but I would probably agree that 600 or 700 might be your overall best bet. While you are there take time to look around at the other sites and loops and see if maybe something else is appealing for your next visit.

 

[KristinU]

Here's my secret: at the Fort, if you come in late-morning through mid-afternoon, there's a high chance of everyone being out and about at the parks or pools - less audience!

 

[tiggerdad]

Here's my secret: at the Fort, if you come in late-morning through mid-afternoon, there's a high chance of everyone being out and about at the parks or pools - less audience!

Booooo!