Issue Backing into Camping Spot

[RobWNY]

Last year was our first year with our camper (27ft. Heartland Trail Runner). Although we didn't have any major issues that weren't easily corrected, I found that I struggled in one area and likely will again this upcoming season. When I pull past our campsite upon arrival, I can't judge when I've gone far enough so I can stop and then begin backing in. I can't see well enough with my mirrors to know for sure where the back of my camper is in relation to the campsite entry and of course the camper blocks your view. I either pull too far past and have to back up some before starting to turn and back in, or I haven't gone far enough. I end up having to get out of my truck, walk to the back of my camper to determine if I'm in the right spot to begin backing. I love my wife dearly, but she is no help whatsoever for this task so it's all on me. If I could back in where I could look out the drivers side window, I wouldn't have nearly as much trouble but every campground we've been to have you back in like in the picture below. Is there a general rule of thumb or something you have learned to determine when you're in the right spot to begin backing and turning into your campsite? thanks in advance for your expertise!

[Campin_LI]

2-MTnesters wrote:

GordonThree wrote:

BenK wrote:

Also, if an automatic...worst condition for any automatic while unlocked and can burn up the tranny in a hurry (minutes to seconds)

First time I've heard about this... there's no warning in my truck's manual about reverse gear burning out the transmission.

can you elaborate?

X2, really lost me on this one.........

I believe, in general, the theory behind this is that when you are backing up, the torque converter in the transmission does not lock up, therefore as you back up, the tranny fluid heats up excessively (in the torque converter) and because you are not moving fast, the fluid is not being cooled by your tranny fluid cooler. There is another factor related to the pump pressure too.

Towing around town, in traffic and backing up are hard on transmissions because the fluid is not cooled as well as when you are driving on the interstate (not in traffic).

[_tpc_]

Lets see..tips...well you have already received some good advice but I'll add my 2 cents.

Practice. I'm not saying you need to go out and practice as each site is different so its just something you gather over time.

Good mirrors.

Take your time, regardless of people watching you. Even if holding up traffic for a minute. Happens everywhere, and everyone has to deal with it.

There is something about gripping the steering wheel at the bottom and turning the direction you wan the trailer to go..or something like that. Honestly, I never remember it, and I find it easier to just "figure it out" as I am doing it.

Have the DW only pay attention to one thing....whether or not your going to hit something with trailer or truck, or jackknife the truck into the trailer. Other than that, don't say anything at all.

That last part is my own personal mantra. I can see when I move the trailer the wrong way. I can see just about everything as I am doing it. I can't see things I might hit with the trailer or if its going to jackknife and cause damage. Actually with the backup cam I can see a lot of the possible jackknife..but not all. I also might not be paying attention to the vehicle.

Thats pretty much how I do it. It is 10 times more frustrating to hear "to your right...to your left...blah blah..other left...blah blah". I get it. I can see it. Just tell me if I am going to break something! lol

[2-MTnesters]

GordonThree wrote:

BenK wrote:

Also, if an automatic...worst condition for any automatic while unlocked and can burn up the tranny in a hurry (minutes to seconds)

First time I've heard about this... there's no warning in my truck's manual about reverse gear burning out the transmission.

can you elaborate?

X2, really lost me on this one.........

[rhagfo]

GordonThree wrote:

RobWNY wrote:
LIf I could back in where I could look out the drivers side window, I wouldn't have nearly as much trouble but every campground we've been to have you back in like in the picture below. Is there a general rule of thumb or something you have learned to determine when you're in the right spot to begin backing and turning into your campsite? thanks in advance for your expertise!

Rob,

This may help you out... A lot of the campgrounds have sites on both sides of the road. If it's open, pull forward into the site across the road from yours, and then back into your site. I find this helps a lot, since I'm not trying to back in blind at a 90 degree angle.

Don't be afraid to leave the payment temporarily either, on either side of the road, if it helps you line up better.

Neither are good solutions, practice, and learning to back both ways, you will not always be able to get a drivers side camping, and the Premo spot might be on the passenger side.

[GordonThree]

BenK wrote:

Also, if an automatic...worst condition for any automatic while unlocked and can burn up the tranny in a hurry (minutes to seconds)

First time I've heard about this... there's no warning in my truck's manual about reverse gear burning out the transmission.

can you elaborate?

[GordonThree]

RobWNY wrote:
LIf I could back in where I could look out the drivers side window, I wouldn't have nearly as much trouble but every campground we've been to have you back in like in the picture below. Is there a general rule of thumb or something you have learned to determine when you're in the right spot to begin backing and turning into your campsite? thanks in advance for your expertise!

Rob,

This may help you out... A lot of the campgrounds have sites on both sides of the road. If it's open, pull forward into the site across the road from yours, and then back into your site. I find this helps a lot, since I'm not trying to back in blind at a 90 degree angle.

Don't be afraid to leave the payment temporarily either, on either side of the road, if it helps you line up better.

[rhagfo]

ScottG wrote:

stickdog wrote:
Five years fulltiming sometimes I look like a pro others like a newbie.
Some days are diamonds and some days are stone.

Aint that the truth?
I routinely back into tight spots but there was one CG a couple of years ago that I just couldn't hardly make because I could not see the pass. side of the end of the trailer due to some bushes. Someone even asked my wife if I'd ever done this before :S

X3!


The percentage gets better with time.

One thing I learned years ago is steer from the bottom of the wheel. You push the wheel the way you want the back of the trailer to go, and don't go too far. When I do this I also "Palm" the steering wheel which I find makes it easier to keep track of which way I am pushing the wheel.

[wnjj]

NMDriver wrote:
WATCH the trailer wheels NOT the rear end. Put the wheels where you want them. Have a clear idea of where the wheels will go as you back in. Pre plan and visualize the path your wheels will take and mark where you want them to stop at. If the wheels deviate then you can correct before it is way off course.

Your assistant (if needed) must stay where you can see them and they can see obstacles on your blind side. Off to the side near the front bumper is best. If you cannot see them DO NOT MOVE the vehicle. This concept seems the hardest for my wife to grasp-she will disappear -I think to check the back for clearance- and then cannot understand why I stop moving.

X2. Great advice.

I also find it's easier to cut the trailer more rather than less. If it starts to cut too sharp, pull forward just a little while swinging the nose of the truck over before backing again. If start out not cutting enough you'll end up with the truck all the way against the far side of the road trying to play catch-up.

[ScottG]

stickdog wrote:
Five years fulltiming sometimes I look like a pro others like a newbie.
Some days are diamonds and some days are stone.

Aint that the truth?
I routinely back into tight spots but there was one CG a couple of years ago that I just couldn't hardly make because I could not see the pass. side of the end of the trailer due to some bushes. Someone even asked my wife if I'd ever done this before :S

[stickdog]

Five years fulltiming sometimes I look like a pro others like a newbie.
Some days are diamonds and some days are stone.

[mdamerell]

There are 3 types of backing:
Straight line - most preferred
Sight side - next preferred since you have a good view from the drivers window
Blind side - least prefer and what you describe. It is so problematic that some trucking companies forbid their drivers from performing a blind side back.

If you look on a truckers mirror you will often see a sticker "G.O.A.L." for get out and look. It's often the best method.

There is one CG we frequent that requires a blind side back but at least the sites tilt at a 30 degree angle to the road which helps. The swoop method works well but remember you won't "lose points" if you get out an look. My partners job is to sit on the picnic table and tell me when the sewer pipe lines up with the CG's connection and to watch clearance behind the trailer. Everything else is on me for the sake of our relationship and my sanity.

Good luck and practice makes perfect.

[toedtoes]

I second on the side view mirrors and using the "swoop" method and practice. I don't have someone else in the vehicle with me to help me back up, so I had to learn how to do it myself. I learned how to use the side mirrors extensively, I learned how to use the swoop to help line things up, and I learned that getting out once at the beginning to "check things out" helped a lot. It took multiple tries to get comfortable with it, but I got to the point that I could back my trailer into my narrow driveway (at a 90 degree angle to the road) in the dark with no street lights and not hit the fence, house, etc.

One thing to remember is that there are other things you can use as a guide than what seems obvious. If there is a tree 5 feet in front of the space, then you can use that to help determine if you're in position. Learn how far windows, awning supports, etc. are along the sides of the trailer. If the rear awning support is 2 feet from the end of the trailer and is in position next to the tree, then you are 3 feet past the front of the space. It's not a perfect science, but it does help.

[dieseltruckdriv]

Your wife actually can be a big help. Get some of those cheap FRS radios and give her one. Then her job is to tell you to stop before you hit something. That is a lot of help.

The rest is just practice. Check out that swoop too. Almost all truck drivers do it.

[jtfcons]

I drive a MH but in general the principles are the same, I think. This is what I do:

Learn to visualize, with practice and experience, where the rearmost wheels are located relative to the space.

Pull forward to the point where the rear wheels are near the point where you want to begin to make the turn into the space. Normally pull forward no more than a few (3-5) feet ahead of that point. Stay close to the side of the driveway that the space is located rather than the opposite side (which alot of folks think).

With this in mind, begin to make the turn immediately to direct the vehicle into the space. Usually try overdoing the turn and assess quickly whether this is enough to direct the unit into the space (getting out to take a look is not a bad idea)

At some point here pay attention to where the tow vehicle is relative to obstacles that might interfere with the ability to complete the manuveur.

Yes, sometimes this sequence takes a couple of tries untill the obstacles present are assessed, and adjustments made.

The more practice the better so if this is really a problem, go to a place where you can set up cones or whatever and practice.

[Houston_Remodel]

I too recommend pylons or markers on the drivers side to indicate where you need to be. Placing them takes practice too.

My DH is easily distracted by pert near everything. His only job is to make noise if I am going to smash something. Walkie Talkies, a whistle, or standing in ear shot helps. Getting out of the TV as often as needed has saved many a close call.

I have no shame in asking other campers for help guiding me in. If I see a fellow RVer having problems the first offer is to assist (teaching) if they want me to get behind the wheel that's plan B.