Perhaps one should practice a little.

[Ralph_Cramden]

That's Entertainment. A huge shiny Airstream arrived being pulled by a new GMC 2500 Duramax at the campground shortly before dark. They had reserved a pull through dorectly across from us. Nothing is close to level in the campground.

10 trys to get the trailer on some blocks to do his side to side leveling. Its tough when you pull up with the truck at a 45 degree angle to trailer, set the blocks, then attempt to back onto them. I offered to help and was told no thanks, rather unpolitely I might add.

So after 11 tries and much husband and wife arguing, they gave up and switched sites to a back in. A half dozen tries and a full hour and a half after arrival later. Oh brother. This guy is actually on the highway with other vehicles around?

[SoundGuy]

Ralph Cramden wrote:
I offered to help and was told no thanks, rather unpolitely I might add.

Some in their criticism of Ralph's post seem to have missed this very important point. :S We too have been in similar situations over the years - a camping neighbour struggling for one reason or another, my wife or I offering assistance, only to have our heads bitten off for our efforts. :R Now we just watch and enjoy the show. :B

[Crowe]

Well, aren't we all super cool, and all that smug, and such experts?

and....haven't we all been there when we first started? I sure can remember way back, when I did my very first back in to a difficult site. It was a disaster and the wife and I got grumpy.....

But, how easily we do forget.
It's all part of the adventure.

Absolutely. The smugness and condescension here is not good. Even as experienced RVers my husband and I sometimes had trouble. It happens. The fact that so many delight in other's difficulty is disheartening. Yes, I often watched others who were having trouble but from a sympathetic point of view. Captnjack is absolutely correct that it's a learning experience. I have my doubts that many, if any, of us just hopped in our rig and had no issues.

[donn0128]

Always loved pulling into a small cramped canp ground with my 36 foot fiver, put truck in reverse and back into a way too tight site while all the neighbors stared in amazment.

[captnjack]

How will they ever learn if they don't repeatedly try on their own? I think they deserve credit for their perseverance. Rudeness not so much but we can all agree it can be frustrating at times, especially in the beginning. So we may not see the best manners in such a situation. I wouldn't take it personally and I wouldn't make a judgment in those circumstances.
Many times I've had park hosts "guide" me in only to have to re-position. Even after informing them where I need space and how much.
Those of you who revel in other people's difficulties really need to do some self-evaluation.

[valhalla360]

Could be a case of...

No one around, I can put exactly where I want it in a tight tricky spot first try.

People sitting there watching and I'll struggle with a straight shot into a pull thru spot.

Maybe this was the practicing. If he had you do it for him, he might never learn...as long as he doesn't appear to be at risk of hurting someone, let it go.

[toedtoes]

TurnThePage wrote:
I'm pretty good at backing and leveling, even at angles, but every so often it's just not in the cards. And then there are those times when for whatever reason tempers are already short before even getting to the campsite. Just give 'em some time and leeway.

X2.

I'll add that as a solo camper, I am better at backing myself up than having someone else direct me, so thank you no, I don't want your help.

Once, I was backing my old TT into my driveway. A man in a car pulled over, jumped out and started directing me. He was being helpful of course. I ended up backing in then waiting for him to leave before pulling out and doing it all over. He had directed in such a way that I couldn't access the TT when it was parked. I knew exactly how to back in and was doing fine - his "help" created more work for me regardless of his opinion.

[TurnThePage]

I'm pretty good at backing and leveling, even at angles, but every so often it's just not in the cards. And then there are those times when for whatever reason tempers are already short before even getting to the campsite. Just give 'em some time and leeway.

[Grit_dog]

Yup, do it all the time. Don't camp much, but bet I end up backing someone else's trailer in or off the launch ramp a couple times a year average.
Depends on the person. New lifted Durastroke with a flashy boat and 6 surfboards in the racks and it ain't even a surf boat? Probably going to pass as the Bro knows how to do it....
Normal dude or lady who is just trying to get their Bayliner in the water behind a 2006 minivan, more likely to accept some direction or assistance.

[Artum_Snowbird]

I was walking past a struggling couple with a fifth wheel trying to back in. They asked me if I could back up a fifth wheel? I said sure, and was handed the keys to the truck. First try, parked it right where they wanted it in their spot.

They were over the moon and carried on with their enjoyment.

[MetalGator]

I have never enjoyed watching other peoples misery, although I don't offer to help anymore. Some people welcome the help but others seem to be offended when offered help so I stopped offering. I will always help if asked.

[azrving]

I just mind my own business and don't even get up to look out the window to enjoy others misery. I have had people come over to ask about my lack of generator noise or where I got my fancy steps etc and I'm glad to talk to them.

If I was having trouble with something I would ask someone. I was at Betties in Louisiana and a guy came and asked me if I knew anything about electricity and getting his DP running. As i started looking at it with him a few clowns showed up with two of them insisting that the six volt batteries needed to be removed and charged. Voltages were ok so I said we needed to be sure the normal things were covered first before assuming it's broke. It ended up being a heavy duty switch near the door that he said was on. I turned it off and on and it started working.

Busy bodies stay home. If others misery is fun to you get a hobby or seriously look at your life.

[2oldman]

Ralph Cramden wrote:
That's Entertainment. A huge shiny Airstream arrived being pulled by a new GMC 2500 Duramax at the campground shortly before dark.

I see a lot of newbies and do get a kick out of watching them. Shortly before dark doesn't help.

[Old_Days]

Owning a truck camper isn't bad to level, I only have to worry about four tires. Camping in the Rockies I have never had a level site, I see a lot of trailers backing in, and it does look like a challenge.

[JoeH]

dodge guy wrote:
Yep, love watching when they don't want help but desperately need it. Still not as good entertainment as a boat launch at the end of the day!!!

That used to be one of my favorite entertainment venues.. the boat ramp on a weekend.

[colliehauler]

downtheroad wrote:
Well, aren't we all super cool, and all that smug, and such experts?

and....haven't we all been there when we first started? I sure can remember way back, when I did my very first back in to a difficult site. It was a disaster and the wife and I got grumpy.....

But, how easily we do forget.
It's all part of the adventure.

I disagree, we all didn't act that way.

I wasn't to proud to talk to the long term RV'ERS and gleaned a lot of knowledge from them. I was already decent at backing from years of boat ownership before the RV. The older people were more then accommodating sharing their knowledge with me over a cup of coffee. I also found out about good restaurants and things to see in the area. I enjoyed listing to their stories about travel to other destinations. That's one reason I enjoyed RV'ING the camaraderie.

I have tried to be helpful as well to obvious New RV'ERS. Most are receptive and very greatful. Last month I showed a person how to winterize their new trailer.

If I see a person struggle I will offer assistance, it's up to them to accept or decline. I know I was greatful for other RVer's that shared their knowledge with me. Like you said we all started somewhere.