Backing into A Blind Spot

Wide and straight.

I remember a situation where the road was right next to a lake and I could create the angle but couldn't straighten the truck out because my front wheel would go into the lake. I had to swallow pride and ask the campground manager to back in for me. (Only time that has ever happened!) Seems that he had backed others into that site many times and knew just how to do it.

If possible, it's always easier backing in from the (left), driver's side. But if you have to back in from the passenger side, have a good spotter.

So, if the spotter is truly on the blind spot, and truly blocked by trees, you have a couple options.

1. Use walkie talkies or cell phones and communicate, communicate, communicate! You, as the driver, absolutely do not get in a hurry or try to out-think your spotter. Your spotter can guide you without them being in your physical view (at the end of the trailer behind the bushes). But you MUST follow their directions.

My wife is my spotter and I've instructed her to tell me which way the back-end of the trailer needs to go, not which way I have to maneuver the truck. This simplifies tremendously. She says, "left, left, left!" I know which direction I have to maneuver the truck. We've successfully backed into completely dark spots and between trees in absolutely unknown new campgrounds many times. It's not easy, it requires a 100% dependency upon the spotter and it means .... GOING VERY, VERY SLOW!

2. The second option. First... you as the driver MUST still follow the directions of the spotter. And you, as the driver, maneuver the rig only a couple feet at a time. VERY, VERY, VERY slow. Meanwhile, your spotter is running behind the trailer, then back into your view in your mirrors. You back up a couple more feet, they check and come back. It means a lot of running back and forth for the spotter, but it does work. And yes ... you'll be sweating bullets when you finally get backed in.

3. Remember.... not only do you have to back in, but you also ... eventually have to pull out! Sometimes this is not so easy either. Your spotter is essential then too, especially if trees are close. Your trailer end can swing and hit something, long before you realize you just taken out the end of your camper. So your spotter is your best friend.

Together you can do it. Just get the commands down so you clearly understand each other.

(It's because of the many times we've arrived after dark at so many different campgrounds, we've made a commitment to arrive before it's completely dark. This makes for a shorter driving day ... especially between December and March when we like to do our best Southern USA camping. But's my wife has really become great with the instructions. We now use walkie talkies. They are are much louder than the cell phones and work in areas where cell phone reception is questionable.)

As you back and turn, your rigs wheels will be in the tightest corner, and then your back wheel and your front wheels. So when you set up to turn into your site, you want to have your rigs wheels closest to the inside of the turn.

So, to answer the question, pass the site and have your rig on the side of the road closest to the campsite. As you back up the truck will need to go to the side of the road furthest from the campsite.


It might help to imagine driving into the spot truck first. To make the curve, the truck has to take the outside curve, so the trailer wheels don't run over the inside curb.

I try and have the 5er rear end already angled toward the space a bit by the time I put it into reverse for the first time. The smaller the turning angle the better. A 90 degree angle is normal. If you can get the angle to be less, it will help.

I try and have my inside 5er tires near the space and my truck front end on the other side of the road when I start backing.

Is it possible you could come in from the opposite direction?

I carry a orange extension cord and I have laid it out and used it as a guide to back up in tight spots.

Thanks again for the response. a couple ideas here i hadn't thought of.

I wish i could come at another angle, however its just set up this way.

I take no shame in getting out and looking, and taking my time when backing, however this spot is going to be as tight and unusual as anything i've gone into. Our FW is essentially new to us, and about 7 feet longer than our old TT.

My saving grace is, we are going out Thursday, so i'm hoping for a light audience.

Hadn't even thought about getting out. It'll likely be easier backing in than driving out.

Start the whole thing by doing an "S" turn.
This is assuming your site is on your left side of the road. If it is on the other side then just reverse the directions.

1. Work you way to the left side of the road before you get to the site.

2. When the front of your truck is near the corner of the site, turn right so you start across the road. Watch the tail swing of the trailer so you don't sideswipe anything near the edge of the road.

3. About 1/2 way across the road turn left so the front of the truck just misses the things on the other side of the road.

4. Stop when you reach the left side of the road. Your truck should be facing the left side at an angle and the trailer should angled back towards the site.

5. Start your back into the site and follow as necessary with the truck.

After a few tries doing this, you will know just how to and when to start the maneuver and how far and tight to make the turns.

The track you just made looks something like the letter S and will position your trailer just right so you can usually back right in without the front of your truck hitting anything on the right side of the road and will allow you to jacknife your trailer just about as tight as needed to get in. You may have to pull ahead once or twice to straighten up once you get in the site.
It sounds harder to type and read than it really is to do.
Good luck. :)
Barney

if in doubt, ask for a better site