Solo RV'ing
I am less than a month away from hitting the road. Doing this solo and concerned about driving and parking. I have barely driven it since I bought it. I've been living in it since April. I know I ...
Forum Discussion
I'll assume that "it" is either a travel trailer or a 5th wheel since you mentioned "pulling".
Advice I've always given to someone with little pulling experience is to find a nice large parking lot without any vehicles. Practice backing and tight turns. If you have something like an empty box you can use that as a "tree" or something to practice backing around.
Always start with your wheels straight if possible, keep your right hand at the 12 o'clock position and back up, noticing how a slight turn is accomplished. For tighter turns learn to give yourself plenty of room getting around that "tree", but be careful to know where that hidden corner of your trailer is. You may have to stop & get out to check from time to time since you don't have a spouse to confuse you. (That's a joke, but not really.)
It's not illegal to ask for assistance when pulling into a campsite. Sometimes the RV park will have someone help, but at state/federal parks you might want to ask one of your neighbors if one is available. I know I've helped many-a-camper back into a site.
Experience is your best teacher, but you'll gain confidence by practicing in a nice open area. And if you accidently turn your steering wheel the wrong way while backing into a spot don't feel bad, we all do it. I've done it plenty of times and I've pulled an RV for over 20 years. And one last thing - USE YOUR MIRRORS.
Happy travels!
Advice I've always given to someone with little pulling experience is to find a nice large parking lot without any vehicles. Practice backing and tight turns. If you have something like an empty box you can use that as a "tree" or something to practice backing around.
Always start with your wheels straight if possible, keep your right hand at the 12 o'clock position and back up, noticing how a slight turn is accomplished. For tighter turns learn to give yourself plenty of room getting around that "tree", but be careful to know where that hidden corner of your trailer is. You may have to stop & get out to check from time to time since you don't have a spouse to confuse you. (That's a joke, but not really.)
It's not illegal to ask for assistance when pulling into a campsite. Sometimes the RV park will have someone help, but at state/federal parks you might want to ask one of your neighbors if one is available. I know I've helped many-a-camper back into a site.
Experience is your best teacher, but you'll gain confidence by practicing in a nice open area. And if you accidently turn your steering wheel the wrong way while backing into a spot don't feel bad, we all do it. I've done it plenty of times and I've pulled an RV for over 20 years. And one last thing - USE YOUR MIRRORS.
Happy travels!
