Parking the 5er

[bluegrass_smoke]

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.

[Veebyes]

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]

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]

Pull down further than you think you need to, then back slowly.

[ependydad]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!

[MarkTwain]

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!

[Tvov]

Good job! And I thought the ending of you post was going to be; "And we found that we were in the wrong parking lot..."

[valhalla360]

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.

[Strabo]

I'm a natural at backing up our hauler. As long as I can see, so the more light the better. You just need experience is all, then you will get it.

🙂