Today we washed the Bighorn and got it ready for its winter nap at the local RV storage lot. We hooked it up and drove it down to the wash station provided by the lot, took our time and gave her a good bath. Then it was time for what the DW and I hate most about rving, backing into a parking space. We have only had the Bighorn since January and to be honest we suck at backing up! We have been to CGs were people came to help us because we would get mad at each other, but today we finally figured it out. It was our second time backing into the parking space. We were giving each other high fives after we parked in one try. I was so proud of us that I had to share it....sorry. This was a huge hurdle for us. Come on next February for our next trip.

bluegrass smokers wrote:Today we washed the Bighorn and got it ready for its winter nap at the local RV storage lot. We hooked it up and drove it down to the wash station provided by the lot, took our time and gave her a good bath. Then it was time for what the DW and I hate most about rving, backing into a parking space. We have only had the Bighorn since January and to be honest we suck at backing up! We have been to CGs were people came to help us because we would get mad at each other, but today we finally figured it out. It was our second time backing into the parking space. We were giving each other high fives after we parked in one try. I was so proud of us that I had to share it....sorry. This was a huge hurdle for us. Come on next February for our next trip.Good on you:) After going through the same process with my Big Horn, I finally figured out that the trick is not to use verbal commands of "turn right" turn left", we use reference points on the right side and left side like " move towards the fence on the right or move left towards the house!!!! The reference points will obviously change depending on where you are located:):)

Congratulations! We've had our FW since 2010, seasonal travelers and it's taken several years to figure it out. DH has even had me back it up to understand what he's going through as I direct him. We've even got the hooking up part down too.

Here is what happened to us after we had an end of season easy backup job. First off, I enjoyed an entire off season thinking that I had finally figured it out, and my wife was proud of me for that entire time also. But after our first next spring requirement for a tricky back up, I realized that the end of last season's backup success was only a fluke and there is still plenty to worry about. But, the key was that I enjoyed an entire off season without any worry what's so ever.:B

We are 16 years into this adventure with a fiver. After several frustrating years with radios, misunderstandings and bruised feelings I learned that our best bet was for me to survey the site and for DW to just alert me to any impending danger such as too close to a limb. I place a couple visible guides such as leveling boards next to where I want my drivers side RV wheels to be. I then park and we have a drink.

I imagine a line I want the tires to follow. Might even put a rock or something next to it. Makes backing a cinch.

Parking the 5er | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

MarkTwain
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
valhalla360 wrote:
Well of course it was easy...no one was watching. ;)

Consider setting up hand singals and no discussion unless the spotter (who is really the one in charge) walks up to the driver's window to confer in a normal tone of voice. The driver's only right is to stop if they think there is a problem or they can't see the spotter.

My wife uses a hand held CB radio and talks to me with my CB radio in the truck when I backing the 5th wheel into my site. Yelling directions can be confusing, difficult and also provide great campground entertainment for RVers around you:)
Breaker! Breaker!
Tvov
Explorer II
Nov 16, 2016
Good job! And I thought the ending of you post was going to be; "And we found that we were in the wrong parking lot..."
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 16, 2016
Well of course it was easy...no one was watching. ;)

Consider setting up hand singals and no discussion unless the spotter (who is really the one in charge) walks up to the driver's window to confer in a normal tone of voice. The driver's only right is to stop if they think there is a problem or they can't see the spotter.
Strabo
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
I'm a natural at backing up our hauler. As long as I can see, so the more light the better. You just need experience is all, then you will get it.

:)
hbillsmith
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
I have her drive while I walk around and lean in the cab from time to time to adjust the steering wheel since its easier for me to see the front wheel angle.
azdryheat
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
I imagine a line I want the tires to follow. Might even put a rock or something next to it. Makes backing a cinch.
voodoo101
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
We are 16 years into this adventure with a fiver. After several frustrating years with radios, misunderstandings and bruised feelings I learned that our best bet was for me to survey the site and for DW to just alert me to any impending danger such as too close to a limb. I place a couple visible guides such as leveling boards next to where I want my drivers side RV wheels to be. I then park and we have a drink.
korbe
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
Here is what happened to us after we had an end of season easy backup job. First off, I enjoyed an entire off season thinking that I had finally figured it out, and my wife was proud of me for that entire time also. But after our first next spring requirement for a tricky back up, I realized that the end of last season's backup success was only a fluke and there is still plenty to worry about. But, the key was that I enjoyed an entire off season without any worry what's so ever.:B
ReneeG
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
Congratulations! We've had our FW since 2010, seasonal travelers and it's taken several years to figure it out. DH has even had me back it up to understand what he's going through as I direct him. We've even got the hooking up part down too.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
bluegrass smokers wrote:
Today we washed the Bighorn and got it ready for its winter nap at the local RV storage lot. We hooked it up and drove it down to the wash station provided by the lot, took our time and gave her a good bath. Then it was time for what the DW and I hate most about rving, backing into a parking space. We have only had the Bighorn since January and to be honest we suck at backing up! We have been to CGs were people came to help us because we would get mad at each other, but today we finally figured it out. It was our second time backing into the parking space. We were giving each other high fives after we parked in one try. I was so proud of us that I had to share it....sorry. This was a huge hurdle for us. Come on next February for our next trip.

Good on you:) After going through the same process with my Big Horn, I finally figured out that the trick is not to use verbal commands of "turn right" turn left", we use reference points on the right side and left side like " move towards the fence on the right or move left towards the house!!!! The reference points will obviously change depending on where you are located:):)

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Parking the 5er

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