backing into tight spot

[jepalmer]

newbie question:
I am storing the rig (34 ft North Shore) at a storage center. Currently there are a couple of boat trailers which are too long for their space right across from my spot. Although I'm trying to have this problem removed, my question remains.

If you have to back into a slot and what is in front of the slot limits the swing of the truck, what's the best way to set up? e.g., should your start position be about half way between the front of your slot and the offending boat trailers? closer to the boats?

Although practice in a parking lot will help my ability to judge this, I'll still face a tight spot when I come back to the storage center.

(It was a lot easier when I could just pick up the tongue of the Skamper and swing it around!)

Thanks for the help!

[valhalla360]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
If this is a recurring event would consider a hitch on the front of the tow vehicle or one of those dollies that will spot a trailer apart from the tow vehicle. They are advertised on the back of camping magazines.

Fifth wheel hitch on the front of the tow vehicle??????..:h..:h

POST PHOTOS PLEASE !.:B.:?


BTW - "Wood Glue" has a TT.
"The Scoop" -convertible or not- is *not* for 5ths!
(OK for 31 flavors or Baskin-Robins)

The "Z" - is correct procedure.

Backing a 5er - see 4th post by DENNIS M M

~

Oops, I assumed since it was the 5th wheel forum that he had a 5th wheel.

Actually, I used the scoop (without realizing it) just last weekend. We were leaving the rig in a field out back of the campground for a couple of weeks. Since the field was probably 100yds wide with only a single row of stored RVs along one side, I just swung it around until she was nicely lined up and back in. But that's nothing like what the OP was asking about.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Dick_B wrote:
If this is a recurring event would consider a hitch on the front of the tow vehicle or one of those dollies that will spot a trailer apart from the tow vehicle. They are advertised on the back of camping magazines.

Fifth wheel hitch on the front of the tow vehicle??????..:h..:h

POST PHOTOS PLEASE !.:B.:?


BTW - "Wood Glue" has a TT.
"The Scoop" -convertible or not- is *not* for 5ths!
(OK for 31 flavors or Baskin-Robins)

The "Z" - is correct procedure.

Backing a 5er - see 4th post by DENNIS M M

~

[BigToe]

Tammy and Mike...

Very nice, very clear, unmistakable communication. I imagine you two will stay happily together forever!

I particularly like the "brake and stay still" method of gently reminding the spotter that all of their gesticulations are useless if they cannot be seen. Very gentle and patient method of solving that problem. I have done this myself, but I've never made a point to tell the spotter ahead of time that when I do that, it doesn't mean I'm taking a break from the toils of backing, it means I'm just waiting for the spotter to reposition themselves to find me in the mirror. I think I will formalize this technique as a communication policy ahead of time now.

I also like the hand chopping up and down to signal stay straight, instead of the waving of the arm in a "come here" or "come on back" motion, which can be misinterpreted for a directional cue, depending on the arc of the hand motion.

The karate chop massage gesture cannot be construed as a turning gesture at all. Very clever, and very distinct from a steady rotating of the hand for continuous backing.

All the other gestures I've made use of... but the above two will now be added to repertoire.

[valhalla360]

WoodGlue wrote:
Try this method!

The Scoop

WoodGlue

Where do I get a convertable sports car that will pull my 28'er?

The video is kind of right and works if there is plenty of open space but you will notice there are no obsticals across from the site. With a narrow driving area the "scoop" won't work.

A more through approach for a narrow site is a "Z" turn.
- Approach as close as possible to the side your site is on.
- As the rear wheels pass the site, turn hard away from the site and continue until you run out of space ahead.
- Turn toward the site and continue forward until rear of the trailer is slightly past the site.
- You may need to play with where to start and end the turn depending on the wheel base of the rig and how wide the road is.
- You should end up with the trailer angled toward the site and the truck angled to the trailer.

The biggest issue, I see with people switching from a bumper pull to a 5th wheel is the start of the turn is very slow by comparison. By doing a Z-turn, you prime the turn by having the truck already at an angle to the trailer.

Assuming you have mirrors and a spotter, I could care less which side I back into.

I do recommend setting up hand signals so there is no need for yelling between you and the spotter.
- If you can't see the spotter, you hit the brakes and don't release them until you see the spotter directing you. The spotter is in charge with your only authority being to stop if you don't feel comfortable.
- We use:
- Fist held up for stop.
- A steady rotating of the hand for continue back.
- Point left or right for where the BACK of the trailer needs to go.
- Hands held apart to indicate additional distance (when close)
- An up & down chopping motion to indicate straighten out.

This should help but if there isn't much room it can take a lot of back & forth and frustration. I would ask the owner to address the situation or ask for a refund and find another storage yard.

[MarkTwain]

Backing up into tight spaces-----
suggest you have 2 spoters, one for each side and use walkie talkies or CB radio for more accurate and clear directions. Different people use different handsignals:)

[aruba5er]

In fed or state campgrounds they always place trees across from you. Makes the whole process unnerving. How about the makers of the frames put an option like sliding axles like they have on semis. I'd be the first to buy one. Common courtesy of thinking of others and whats across from you would go a long way. Yah RIGHT.

[wittmeba]

Always try to back & turn on the drivers side (left) where your visibility is best. Spotter always helps to prevent an accidental bump of other property.

[Dave_H_M]

Try Happy's approach. Keep in mind that will give the suspension on the trailer a severe test.

[Endricken]

I'm in our third spot in our military onbase storage lot as Giant MHs have gotten spots in front of us (how they back in sometimes mystifies me). I just go to the office, complain about the inconsideration(I have to hookup at severe angle in that case), and choose one of the other currently vacant spots to move in. Once in a narrow spot I mistakenly chose, a huge Class C later parked so close to me I could only open the baggage door to access my landing jack switch a few inches and kissed his awning leaving. What are these other RV owners thinking???

[jepalmer]

thanks to all for the advice

will keep you posted on the storage center outcome

[DHCamper]

By all means have them find you another spot. Using your RV should not be that stressful, and you won't ever relax with that situation. Most proprietors will understand.

[Dick_B]

If this is a recurring event would consider a hitch on the front of the tow vehicle or one of those dollies that will spot a trailer apart from the tow vehicle. They are advertised on the back of camping magazines.

[WoodGlue]

Try this method!

The Scoop

WoodGlue

[Old-Biscuit]

If possible approach with parking space on drivers side.

When approaching, hug side of road that space is on. When trailer tires are even with leading edge of parking space turn away from space and when truck is at 45 degree turn back other way until truck parallel.

This will set the back end of trailer at roughly 45 degree to parking space.
Slowly begin backing up watching trailer tires. Wait for it...5'vr are slower to respond then quickly catchup. Back rig in watching where the trailer tires are going.

Spotters....watch front of truck.