I'm heading to Fort Wilderness in a couple of weeks and the wife and kids will meet me there after I arrive. That means that I'll have to unhook my toad and back this 45 foot monster into a camping site all by myself.I've done this before with my old 31 foot coach, but the process took a while with me stopping every few feet, checking everything and backing up a few more feet.Do you have any tips that could help make it more efficient and safe?Update Sunday, Feb 1st: Goldencrazy met me at the unhitching area of Fort Wilderness and helped me back into my spot safely.

My family leaves the area when it's time to back in, this is by design. Just line it up on the left side, keep it straight, and back it in. I don't worry about the right side if the site is clear and wide enough you only really need to get the left side lined up, the right side will be where it needs to be. And then it's just a case of how far back you go which may require a couple of tries. I think many people try to make this process harder than it really is...

That's been my process when backing by myself. I scout the site first to look for low hanging limbs and things that might hit my slides. If possible I put a chock block down where I want the back of the tire to be and then I start backing. I will get out and check if I think I'm getting close to something. So far I haven't hit anything. The only problem I seem to have is people who want to walk or drive behind me as I'm backing.

Ask the folks at the gate if they can provide an escort back to your spot. I'm sure they will help. If not RVers are pretty helpful, ask someone. I would help if I saw you in need!PS, that campground is very crowded and the drive seems narrow. Be careful.

clickI found this useful on the geometry of backing in. Talks about a spotter, but skip to the 2 minute mark and it shows how to mark the reference point and how to use it to back in. If I were doing this by myself, I'd find the "8 foot spot" and hopefully there would be something protruding from the coach at that point. Then you could use a cone or a triangle safety reflector in place of the spotter and make the turns as explained in the video. Hope this helps you.

Any tips for backing into my camping site solo?

45 Replies

Goldencrazy
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
holstein13 wrote:
Thanks Goldencrazy for spotting me today at Fort Wilderness. I definitely felt more comfortable backing up with your guidance.

With that gorgeous coach we had a small crowd. I think had it gotten close to anything they all would have screamed. It sure is a beauty.
xctraveler
Explorer
Feb 02, 2015
bsinmich wrote:
You should also have sound on your backup cameras. That would be one additional warning to stop. Lifting the tag would make it a little more maneuverable for tight turns.

I have audio on my backup camera, I can hear the engine fans just fine, nothing else gets through. that is with a DP. On my old gasser the audio worked fine.
holstein13
Explorer
Feb 01, 2015
Thanks Goldencrazy for spotting me today at Fort Wilderness. I definitely felt more comfortable backing up with your guidance.
holstein13
Explorer
Jan 18, 2015
Goldencrazy wrote:
If you are arriving after Feb 1 I will e-mail you my telephone so you can text me and I would be happy to come and help.
Thanks, I got your PM and will definitely call you on Feb 2nd.

I am definitely not comfortable backing up this sized coach into most sites at Fort Wilderness. I'm sure I could do it with enough care and attention, but why take the risk?
AllegroD
Nomad
Jan 17, 2015
Bottom line is, if you do not feel comfortable backing the rig without a guide, then don't do it. There are likely a number of folks at your destination that will help you. Walk the sight and communicate with whomever helps you. Communications is before and during the backing.
et2
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
BurbMan wrote:
I thought all the new rigs that big had multiple cameras on the back and sides?

Many do. But they only show you what you can see. Not what you can't, especially stuff you might be turning into or backing into. It's usually one picture at a time. So scrolling through screens show you some, but not all the picture.

It's a huge false sense of security. I'd bet many have been bitten by depending on them. Getting out and looking or having a spotter is the best practice, in my opinion.
two-niner
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
Backing up (or in) without a ground guide is akin to a pilot being blindfolded one minute before landing. JMHO.

Kerry
Playtime_II
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
It just takes practice and patience. To put this in perspective, it is 100 times harder to back up a lawn tractor with a utility trailer unless you use the same concept--make corrections early and in small increments. Watching your neighbor backing a small Uhaul trailer into their driveway will offer hours of entertainment. To be fair, they get even when they watch me backing an empty towdolly with my pickup.

I'm much better with the 43' MH using the video suggestions (without a spotter).
Goldencrazy
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
Good feature on the tag. Have watched some lose some rubber who forgot to lift it. I have watched a lot of people squeezing into campsites at Ft. Wilderness. Even the easy back in sites attract attention. I think it is close to becoming a Disney Exhibit. In some cases they get more help than they need or want. With that gorgeous new rig you will get a crowd of willing helpers. Your task will be directing them to be your eyes for specific tasks otherwise I have noticed it can be a lot of competing hand waving and yelling. If you are arriving after Feb 1 I will e-mail you my telephone so you can text me and I would be happy to come and help.

holstein13 wrote:
BurbMan wrote:
I thought all the new rigs that big had multiple cameras on the back and sides?
Yes, I've got 5 or 6 wonderful cameras and I can even remotely control the direction of the rear camera. But the field of view from each individually is not sufficient to rely on when backing up. In real life, I occasionally use the side cameras when changing lanes and the sun is in a bad position and I use the rear camera so see if my toad is still there and to see my spotter when I backup if she's no longer visible in the mirror.

Also, the tag axle raises automatically when the coach is in reverse.
holstein13
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
BurbMan wrote:
I thought all the new rigs that big had multiple cameras on the back and sides?
Yes, I've got 5 or 6 wonderful cameras and I can even remotely control the direction of the rear camera. But the field of view from each individually is not sufficient to rely on when backing up. In real life, I occasionally use the side cameras when changing lanes and the sun is in a bad position and I use the rear camera so see if my toad is still there and to see my spotter when I backup if she's no longer visible in the mirror.

Also, the tag axle raises automatically when the coach is in reverse.