At what point do you step in and offer help?

[hershey]

A nice nearly new Newmar was backing into a space just across from me. He and the wife have wireless mikes and earphones so there is a lot of communication between them both by voice and by arm movements (and the slamming of the tranny into reverse and drive and extremely jerky movements).
He has little problem getting into the space which is nice and wide but works very hard at getting his MH across the space in the opposite direction that it should be in. It has a patio so its a no-brainer. But, he's kinda straddling a corner of the patio. This goes on for about 15 minutes and there was a lot of hand waving and yelling besides the communication devices.
Now he's on his belly, crawling under the MH to insert the dump end of the sewer hose into the sewer inlet. Its about 2' under the MH at this point. He has a FMCA number that is not nearly a new one so I'm assuming this isn't his first rodeo...maybe the number plate came with the MH? Who knows.
I feel a bit like a jerk for not pointing out some of the obvious things that would simplify his parking and utility hookups but he doesn't look like the type that would see my effort as intended...more like an intrusion.

[B_Sjulestad]

minutes after I pushed to button on my auto level a good ol boy came over and said son, if you ever need help getting this here rig leveled again you just give me a holler 😉

[kelly94942]

I can drive & set up our travel trailer just fine (drove it about 5000 miles this summer) but I rarely have to back it up. I took it out on a girl's weekend this fall and knew it would take me a long time to back up, but that I could get it done. About 5 minutes or so into backing, a gentlemen walked up to me and asked if I wanted help, and I said absolutely! He hopped in, backed it right in, and we were good to go. I was very appreciative!

[Lantley]

Jean S wrote:
We were at a park last summer. I was trying to guide DH into lot #26 while he was diligently trying to back into lot #27. The clerk has mentioned one number to him in the office but had written another on the card that I saw. If a stranger had tried to "help" 15 minutes into that episode, he would have been lucky to escape alive.

Or maybe the stranger would have put you guys on the same page before you eventually figured it out!

[Jean_S]

We were at a park last summer. I was trying to guide DH into lot #26 while he was diligently trying to back into lot #27. The clerk has mentioned one number to him in the office but had written another on the card that I saw. If a stranger had tried to "help" 15 minutes into that episode, he would have been lucky to escape alive.

[Jarlaxle]

Wadcutter wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:
Just what everyone wants to see after driving all day. Another know-it-all who thinks he can do everything better than everyone else sticking his nose in where he's not invited.

Wow. The next time I see you backing into a tree, or leaving with your antenna up, I promise to keep my mouth shut.

Don't hold your breath waiting.
And not hardly the same as sticking your nose into where it's not asked. But I'm sure you're an expert at backing someone else's rig that you've never driven before. Would you trust some stranger you've never met who just walked up back your rig? Yeah right. The world is full of half-wit hooligans who are barely able to walk and chew gum. And you think someone else would let you back their rig? Not hardly.
If they want your "expert opinion" they'll ask for it.

I love how the condescension just DRIPS off every word!

And actually, yeah, I can put pretty much any motorhome ANYWHERE it will fit! I put 45' highway coaches into many tight places, I have threaded 26' trucks through Boston. I have gotten into places tight enough I had to pull mirrors in to fit.

The only one I trust to spot for me is my wife.

[topflite51]

Never offer assistance unless asked. Fast approaching 39 years of marriage, I follow only her directions. If I hit something she is financially responsible for any and all damages incurred. For the record, haven't hit anything but sure have gotten lost. 😛 😛 😛

[Dog_Folks]

hershey wrote:
I think that this thread has gone astray from the original posting. The MH got into the space fairly easily, not real obstacles in the way. They just were clueless about how the MH should be positioned in the space so that they could easily hookup the facilities. Like I said it was parked over the front corner of the patio instead of parallel to the patio, thus the sewer inlet was a couple feet UNDER the MH instead of just outside the left rear wheels. Just by common sense, one could easily tell where the MH should be positioned.

Maybe they were not "clueless." It is possible, although unusual that they parked it the way THEY wanted it. If they seemed happy, then all is good, and they don't need any help.

You could walk by and ask; "How are you doing?" If he needed or wanted help, at that point he could say so. If he says"I'm Good," you can wish him a nice stay and keep on walking.

[hershey]

I think that this thread has gone astray from the original posting. The MH got into the space fairly easily, not real obstacles in the way. They just were clueless about how the MH should be positioned in the space so that they could easily hookup the facilities. Like I said it was parked over the front corner of the patio instead of parallel to the patio, thus the sewer inlet was a couple feet UNDER the MH instead of just outside the left rear wheels. Just by common sense, one could easily tell where the MH should be positioned.

[bsinmich]

After we unhitch the car DW gets out to help me back in. I have sound on the backup camera so I can hear her directions. Fortunately she can't hear my responses. She still doesn't keep left & right separate. When I am hooking up all of the hookups I use my walker to get around. That usually gets a few distant watchers. Usually by the time I have everything in place someone will come by and offer to help. DW & I have this down pretty good o don't usually need help, but the thought is nice.

[CavemanCharlie]

Vulcaneer wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
Sometimes it is the CG staff giving instructions. Very rare. That person is ignored anyway. The DW is talking to me on the radio. She is the boss & is very good at looking out for stuff that can be expensive. If you do damage listening to CG person all you are going to get is "Sorry".

Same with the camper who offers help,

Happened to me years ago. Campground escort backing me in. I can see him easily out my driver side window. "OK pull up here and back in while cutting it hard. Watch me, I'll guide you back. OK...cut it hard. Cut it harder. Watch me. Great back it up. Keep coming."

***CRUNCH***


I looked out the passenger side window (the blind side). My side passenger mirror had hooked a steel light pole and bent the mirror 180 degrees to the front. I pulled up and straightened out. And back in without paying any more attention to the CG escort.

When in position, I suggested to the escort..."Next time you back someone in, you might want to make note of the possible obstructions. And warn the drivers."

His response..."I didn't know that light pole was there." My response..."Backing the truck and trailer in is MY responsibility. I get that. Shame on me for trusting someone else directing me that doesn't know what they are doing." His response..."Yeah...I'm sorry."

New replacement mirror...$1202.48. Lesson learned...Priceless.

About the mirror. Call to Ford dealer...Bob "Yes I need a new passenger side mirror for my 2012 Ford F350."

Parts person..."Can get it tomorrow. Price...Holy Cow...$1202.48." "Wait a minute that can't be right. Clickity click clik. Nope...That's right."

Bob...What??? That's NUTS...Can't be."

Parts person..."Ok...here's the deal. That mirror you got there...Got remote control, right??? Got in and out auto collapsible..Right? Got 2 way extendable...Right? Got defroster heater...Right? Got memory...Right?" Got chrome cover...right? No...wait... The chrome cover is $36.00 extra.

Bob..."Uhhhh....Yeah...Got all that....Right" "But my cover is fine."

Parts person..."Yeah...Ummmm...Twelve hundred two dollars, and forty two cents." "We'll install it free if we can do it in less than a half hour. We cannot guarantee we can remove your cover without breaking it. We can have the mirror here by 9:00 AM."

Bob..."I guess it's for things like this that justifies a $65,000 price for a new truck. Book me in for tomorrow morning."

Never another escort for me. Or anyone else helping me either.

:E My insurance would have covered part of that. If not I think I would have found a junkyard one or maybe even some glue and duct tape. lol

[lfcjasp]

When we first brought our MH home, DH practiced backing it up...into our driveway. Our maiden trip involved a pull-through, but we first parked the rig where we wouldn't block traffic (unless another camper came in), studied our site and then pulled in. DH still had to tweak it so we were nice and level. Another campground we were backing in and the host who showed us to our site also helped us get parked just right...and we appreciated his help!

I don't know that I'd be too comfortable if someone else offered us such help, esp. if they aren't a host like this guy was...we figured he had to know what he was doing. We're very careful with this MH...too expensive to trust to anyone not paying the mortgage;) We have a pretty good system between DH and I (we've both been cargo handlers) and we're both pretty fussy how we want our set up...so far it's working good:B

We've watched others park and set up, esp. those with trailers because we did have one for a few months and that's an interesting story there. It is entertaining, but also a little scary and painful. We also watch folks breaking camp and are so relieved we don't have the trailer anymore (we're not so old, but glad we don't have deal with a hitch). I doubt we'll ever stop learning from what we see!!!

ETA: Ooops, just saw the post just before mine about the escort messing up the guy's mirror...guess we'll be more careful and less trusting now! That's okay...this is still OUR camper and we like it too much to trust it to anyone else!

[noe-place]

I have my grandson back ours into our sites now that he's big enough to drive and all I do is stand back there and say turn this a way or that a way. He does a good job. :B

[Vulcaneer]

Veebyes wrote:
Sometimes it is the CG staff giving instructions. Very rare. That person is ignored anyway. The DW is talking to me on the radio. She is the boss & is very good at looking out for stuff that can be expensive. If you do damage listening to CG person all you are going to get is "Sorry".

Same with the camper who offers help,

Happened to me years ago. Campground escort backing me in. I can see him easily out my driver side window. "OK pull up here and back in while cutting it hard. Watch me, I'll guide you back. OK...cut it hard. Cut it harder. Watch me. Great back it up. Keep coming."

***CRUNCH***

I looked out the passenger side window (the blind side). My side passenger mirror had hooked a steel light pole and bent the mirror 180 degrees to the front. I pulled up and straightened out. And back in without paying any more attention to the CG escort.

When in position, I suggested to the escort..."Next time you back someone in, you might want to make note of the possible obstructions. And warn the drivers."

His response..."I didn't know that light pole was there." My response..."Backing the truck and trailer in is MY responsibility. I get that. Shame on me for trusting someone else directing me that doesn't know what they are doing." His response..."Yeah...I'm sorry."

New replacement mirror...$1202.48. Lesson learned...Priceless.

About the mirror. Call to Ford dealer...Bob "Yes I need a new passenger side mirror for my 2012 Ford F350."

Parts person..."Can get it tomorrow. Price...Holy Cow...$1202.48." "Wait a minute that can't be right. Clickity click clik. Nope...That's right."

Bob...What??? That's NUTS...Can't be."

Parts person..."Ok...here's the deal. That mirror you got there...Got remote control, right??? Got in and out auto collapsible..Right? Got 2 way extendable...Right? Got defroster heater...Right? Got memory...Right?" Got chrome cover...right? No...wait... The chrome cover is $36.00 extra.

Bob..."Uhhhh....Yeah...Got all that....Right" "But my cover is fine."

Parts person..."Yeah...Ummmm...Twelve hundred two dollars, and forty two cents." "We'll install it free if we can do it in less than a half hour. We cannot guarantee we can remove your cover without breaking it. We can have the mirror here by 9:00 AM."

Bob..."I guess it's for things like this that justifies a $65,000 price for a new truck. Book me in for tomorrow morning."

Never another escort for me. Or anyone else helping me either.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Veebyes wrote:

The point is that the DWs need to learn how to give directions either by radio or simple hand signals by staying in view of a mirror. No need for the dancing around & the shouting at a driver who can't hear anyway. That is entertainment.

I disagree.

"DW's" need to stop worrying about "DH's" ego, and take over the driving/parking. Period.

Case closed!

[Veebyes]

Sometimes it is the CG staff giving instructions. Very rare. That person is ignored anyway. The DW is talking to me on the radio. She is the boss & is very good at looking out for stuff that can be expensive. If you do damage listening to CG person all you are going to get is "Sorry".

Same with the camper who offers help, also rare, without being asked. Had a few here & there. They seem to think that women can't judge & give directions. These are probably the same guys whose DWs sit in the truck, holding the itty bitty dog, while he does everything. She does not get out till the shore power is connected.

The point is that the DWs need to learn how to give directions either by radio or simple hand signals by staying in view of a mirror. No need for the dancing around & the shouting at a driver who can't hear anyway. That is entertainment.