Back-in from which direction?

[penguin149]

Is there a correct side (driver vs. passenger) from which to back into a camping spot? We went out this weekend and I backed in from my usual side....the driver's side. Saw others enter from the passenger side while others from the driver's. The spots were probably angled less to the passenger side but many would cause you to back up an incline in the road. I didn't notice any correlation between the angles and inclined road, so that didn't seem to make a difference.

Realizing that angle of entry, among other criteria, dictates which side to back toward; are there reasons to choose one side vs. the other?

[Lantley]

I get it that drivers side is preferred because you can see more of the trailer. However in reality you don't always have the luxury of backing to the drivers side.
In the end you must become proficient at backing in either direction.

[jake2250]

Spotters are very helpful,, but you have to have ground rules set forth prior,,,And you have to trust and get along with the spotter!! Who has NOT sat back and sipped a cold one watching that special family or couple back into a spot and it is a HORROR show?? Funny for us,, but just sets the tone fore the rest of their stay!!

[rhagfo]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Diver's side is preferred because you can see trailer tires and back them right in to where you want to be

Passenger's side has the handle of 'blindside' for a reason....


Practice and in time it won't matter
If you are fortunate to have a great spotter....it REALLY doesn't matter :B

Should be able to do both without a spotter!!

If you can back-in blindside w/o getting out of truck and w/o a spotter in the various places we have encountered across the USA.....you the man!!

But I doubt it!!

Good spotter makes driver look like an expert vs internet chest puffing

Never said without getting out and looking!!:)

That said I have done some nice placements without a spotter!

[Kevinwa]

rhagfo wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Diver's side is preferred because you can see trailer tires and back them right in to where you want to be

Passenger's side has the handle of 'blindside' for a reason....


Practice and in time it won't matter
If you are fortunate to have a great spotter....it REALLY doesn't matter :B

Should be able to do both without a spotter!!

It is much safer to back up with a spotter. At my place of work most trucks over one ton, even body job tank trucks, are not allowed to back up at all without a spotter. It is safety rules like that that ensures that everybody goes home to there family every night and property is not damaged.

[Old-Biscuit]

rhagfo wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Diver's side is preferred because you can see trailer tires and back them right in to where you want to be

Passenger's side has the handle of 'blindside' for a reason....


Practice and in time it won't matter
If you are fortunate to have a great spotter....it REALLY doesn't matter :B

Should be able to do both without a spotter!!

If you can back-in blindside w/o getting out of truck and w/o a spotter in the various places we have encountered across the USA.....you the man!!

But I doubt it!!

Good spotter makes driver look like an expert vs internet chest puffing

[jake2250]

As stated earlier, Drivers side is preferred,,Passenger side is called "Off Side Backing" I am a truck driving instructor (Class A) and we practice both drivers and off side backing to be proficient.. All of our literature states that Drivers side backing is the safest and preferred because you have better visibility.
With that being said you should be proficient with spacial awareness to be able to back off side. In order to be proficient you need to practice!! Its allot of fun!! Take your trailer, spouse and friends to an open parking lot,,,free of light poles. Borrow or rent 10 or more Four Foot tall delineators. and set up a few camp ground back ins!! Practice drivers side and off side!!
Truck schools spend up to three weeks of closed course driving before they head out on the road!! Parallel parking a tractor trailer is a requirement in most states,,, It is fun to do,, and I have done it only to slip a trailer in between two other parked trailers,, it takes practice,, but is allot of fun to do!! Have fun with your trailer and be proficient at backing!! It makes you a more confident driver and makes the trip allot more fun!!
Do Not Forget,,, Always "GOAL" if you cannot see,, Get Out And Look!!

[ktmrfs]

rhagfo wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Diver's side is preferred because you can see trailer tires and back them right in to where you want to be

Passenger's side has the handle of 'blindside' for a reason....


Practice and in time it won't matter
If you are fortunate to have a great spotter....it REALLY doesn't matter :B

Should be able to do both without a spotter!!

true, but a spotter can make it much easier. I do prefer the drivers side, but in reality, it's which way (a) I can get in, or (b) if a very few cases, which way traffic can go. I've found that in the vast majority of "one way" traffic, I've been able to and in a few cases instructed by the campground to go the "wrong way" for access.

[Terryallan]

rhagfo wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Diver's side is preferred because you can see trailer tires and back them right in to where you want to be

Passenger's side has the handle of 'blindside' for a reason....


Practice and in time it won't matter
If you are fortunate to have a great spotter....it REALLY doesn't matter :B

Should be able to do both without a spotter!!

Try putting a camper under my shed with out a spotter. You won't get far. Back out of the road between 2 trees 10' apart, turn while backing to go around, and back down the side of the house, turn again to back thru the gate, and turn again to the blind side as you go thru the gate to back under the shed. BTW. You will NEVER see the fence on the passenger side until the TV gets almost thru it. The TT has to be pointed at the shed before it gets thru the gate.

Yes I'm good, Real good. But even I can't do it with out DW. She lets me know when I'm fixing to hit the fence.

Friends that camp also. Ask. how do you get it back there? Again. I'm good, but not with out her.

[rhagfo]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Diver's side is preferred because you can see trailer tires and back them right in to where you want to be

Passenger's side has the handle of 'blindside' for a reason....


Practice and in time it won't matter
If you are fortunate to have a great spotter....it REALLY doesn't matter :B

Should be able to do both without a spotter!!

[Old-Biscuit]

Diver's side is preferred because you can see trailer tires and back them right in to where you want to be

Passenger's side has the handle of 'blindside' for a reason....


Practice and in time it won't matter
If you are fortunate to have a great spotter....it REALLY doesn't matter :B

[Terryallan]

penguin149 wrote:
Is there a correct side (driver vs. passenger) from which to back into a camping spot? We went out this weekend and I backed in from my usual side....the driver's side. Saw others enter from the passenger side while others from the driver's. The spots were probably angled less to the passenger side but many would cause you to back up an incline in the road. I didn't notice any correlation between the angles and inclined road, so that didn't seem to make a difference.

Realizing that angle of entry, among other criteria, dictates which side to back toward; are there reasons to choose one side vs. the other?

Yep there is a correct way to do it. you back in to the side with the sewer hookup, the electric hookup, and the water hookup on the back side of the trailer. That is what I look for. I don't have enough hoses to run them under the camper to the hookups.

[rhagfo]

Halmfamily wrote:

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
Makes no difference to me.

X2

X3 I seldom look back, I use my mirrors!

[Halmfamily]

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
Makes no difference to me.

X2

[Lantley]

mosseater wrote:
Eventually, you should get proficient at both. Campgrounds with one way streets and two way streets present different challenges.

Exactly. In the end it makes no difference

[mosseater]

Eventually, you should get proficient at both. Campgrounds with one way streets and two way streets present different challenges.