Forum Discussion

Jayco-noslide's avatar
Apr 30, 2014

Watch your rear.

Just got a 30 ft. class C last fall and had to learn the hard way to watch the rear end swinging out when you make a sharp turn. Most of you probably know. I kind of did but forgot to watch. I needed to make a pretty sharp, left U-turn to re-enter the state park campground. My right side was a foot or less from a log fence so the rear, side scraped the logs ($2,300 damage). Had a 5th wheel for 10 years and never damaged it but what you have to watch for is different in a 5th wheel.
  • I gave a parking meter a rub, but luckily no damage done.
    Brian
  • I was a private pilot and I do make and use check lists. At my age, I have to sing "Happy Birthday" to myself to remember my own name.
  • It is easy to misjudge clearance of top, right side and rear of your rig. When in doubt, have somebody guide you or get out and look before you back up or maneuver into a tight spot. Then there's the unretracted TV antenna and cable TV cable. We ought to use check lists like pilots.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    I uprooted a site number post in a storage lot when I first got involved in RVing and I've backed into a couple things since. Really try not to select "R" unless somebody's back there.
    Campground Story: Man pulled out of the dump station in an older Class A and snagged a fencepost with the rear bumper. There was minor damage but it pulled the bumper back around three feet, revealing a storage tray. Owner exclaimed "Wow, didn't know it had that!" So, it's all in your perspective...
  • Happened to me too while exiting a gas station and turning to sharp when leaving. I left it alone for 2 years, but now it is fixed for $200. My original bid was for $1,500. In January, parked in front of our house, we were loading the last few items before heading out the next morning for Arizon. Although we live in quiet nice neighborhood, and idiot sped around a corner and hit our RV head on. $23,000 later, we got our RV back. Oh, the painter touched up the damage from my tail wag so cheaply because he was already painting the front end, so he did the rear end damage for $200.
  • My "oops" involved my rolled up awning and a tree that leaned farther into my campsite than I could see at the top in my rear view mirror. My roller's big aluminum tube now has a flat spot.
  • Yep, our Southwind has a couple scratches and a replaced side light because I didn't watch my tail swing.
  • I "adjusted" the angle of the left rear bumper on an unforgiving concrete post a few years back on my 'C'. It didn't chip the paint, doesn't have any effect on handling, and its a nice visual reminder. :)