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

Veebyes
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2016
Charley67 wrote:
Pull down further than you think you need to, then back slowly.

Always a good one. Can't make it look easy if you start in the wrong place & don't have enough room to get the turn going.
tegu69
Explorer
Nov 20, 2016
I got to where it was just natural to back our fiver into a spot, usually in one try. Had several people comment that I looked like I had done it a time or two. We just got a class A and I keep wanting to turn the wheel the wrong way, so now I'm a novice and need some practice.
Charley67
Explorer
Nov 19, 2016
Pull down further than you think you need to, then back slowly.
ependydad
Explorer
Nov 18, 2016
Horizon170 wrote:
One thing for Newbies to remember about backing a trailer is to place the steering hand on the BOTTOM of steering wheel and move it in the direction that you want the rear of the trailer to travel.

That's my favorite one. I have a few more suggestions for newbies here:

Tips and Tricks to Backing Up
noplace2
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
voodoo101 wrote:
our best bet is for me to survey the site and for DW to just alert me to any impending danger such as too close to a limb.

Yep. We've been doing it that way almost from the beginning 16 years ago. No need for her to give directions nor for me to try to follow them. It's rare that I don't nail it 1st try.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Nov 16, 2016
If you want to get good at reversing never go to CGs where there are pull throughs. The secret to good reversing is good communication from the spotter & cool heads.
drsteve
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
voodoo101 wrote:
I place a couple visible guides such as leveling boards next to where I want my drivers side RV wheels to be.

+1. This is the number one easiest way to park your rig.
Horizon170
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
Only on an occasion did I ever need a spotter but the wife and I had hand signals that we used. I have been pulling and backing trailers since 1956 which helps now.
One thing for Newbies to remember about backing a trailer is to place the steering hand on the BOTTOM of steering wheel and move it in the direction that you want the rear of the trailer to travel.
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 16, 2016
djgarcia wrote:
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!

That's fine but even then it's important to have clear predetermined signals (ie: when the spotter says "turn right" is that turn the truck steering axle to the right or swing the rear of the trailer to the right)

I would still recommend the rule that if you can't see the spotter, the rig stop.

Nice thing about hand signals is you don't have to worry about dead batteries or where did the unit go. Also, the extraneous commentary is limited to the "your #1" hand signal.

Most of all take your time and don't worry if you have to pull forward and take another try at it.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
djgarcia wrote:
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. Walkie Talkies or 2 cell phones works too. Yelling directions can be confusing, difficult and also provide great campground entertainment for RVers around you:)
Breaker! Breaker!

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Parking the 5er

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