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Perhaps one should practice a little.

Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Explorer II
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?
Too many geezers, self appointed moderators, experts, and disappearing posts for me. Enjoy. How many times can the same thing be rehashed over and over?
68 REPLIES 68

jplante4
Explorer II
Explorer II
LOL This is like 6 different threads all going at once.

And now they're all CLOSED
Jerry & Jeanne
1996 Safari Sahara 3530 - 'White Tiger'
CAT 3126/Allison 6 speed/Magnum Chassis
2014 Equinox AWD / Blue Ox

Oldmaple
Explorer
Explorer
Have had a travel trailer for over twenty years. Been working in a business that uses trailers (all bumper pulls) for over 35 years. I am very good at backing up trailers. Looking to switch to a fifth wheel for our retirement trailer and I understand that backing up a fifth wheel is different than a bumper pull. Will definitely do some practicing before heading out. Don't want to be part of the show. If you see me swiping my fifth wheel down the side of a tree, come help, please. I might not be in a very good mood though.

toedtoes
Explorer III
Explorer III
et2 wrote:
toedtoes wrote:
No one is injecting assumptions. No one knows how the OP approached the person or how they responded. The above were examples of personal experiences explaining why someone may not be appreciative of "help".


LOL. You talk in circles.


Nothing circular about it.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)

mdcamping
Explorer
Explorer
rockhillmanor wrote:
ReneeG wrote:
In my opinion, one of the worst things one can do is offer help in a situation like this,

unless you are at an RV park and you are guided to your spot. ""Sometimes"" these people are very helpful. Each has to learn on their own and make their own mistakes. .....



Respectively disagree with you on that one!! :B

Pulled into Kentucky Horse Park late at night MH towing, They gave me an RV park guide. Pitch black out. He was on foot walking and I faithfully followed him like a puppy dog right into a campsite meant for a 10 foot popup! AND there after I turned was a concrete bumper at the end of the site staring at me!

I ended up with my 31ft MH, and toad at a 45 degree angle pins jammed tight. Couldn't move forward and couldn't back up.

He did apologize and then offered to help me. Can't all remember what I said to him I'm sure it wasn't nice cause he disappeared into the night in a nano second.

That was the night I learned about what an extended socket wrench
and a hammer can be used for. :B


With every example where a guide doesn't work there will be one that does. :C

I have poor night vision, about 10 yrs ago we got in late to a campground that was hilly, had tight turns and was heavily wooded.
If it wasn't for the guide no way in hell would I have made the site. For us we had a straight pull through site... that worked out well.

Mike
2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost 4X4 Supercrew GCWR 19,500 157WB
Payload 2476 Maxtow 13,800 3.73 Equalizer 4 Pt Sway Hitch
2017 Jayco Jay Flight 24RBS
Old TV, 07 Toyota Tacoma, Double Cab, Factory Tow Pkg, retired towing at 229K. (Son now owns truck)

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
ReneeG wrote:
In my opinion, one of the worst things one can do is offer help in a situation like this,

unless you are at an RV park and you are guided to your spot. ""Sometimes"" these people are very helpful. Each has to learn on their own and make their own mistakes. .....



Respectively disagree with you on that one!! :B

Pulled into Kentucky Horse Park late at night MH towing, They gave me an RV park guide. Pitch black out. He was on foot walking and I faithfully followed him like a puppy dog right into a campsite meant for a 10 foot popup! AND there after I turned was a concrete bumper at the end of the site staring at me!

I ended up with my 31ft MH, and toad at a 45 degree angle pins jammed tight. Couldn't move forward and couldn't back up.

He did apologize and then offered to help me. Can't all remember what I said to him I'm sure it wasn't nice cause he disappeared into the night in a nano second.

That was the night I learned about what an extended socket wrench
and a hammer can be used for. :B

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

et2
Explorer
Explorer
toedtoes wrote:
No one is injecting assumptions. No one knows how the OP approached the person or how they responded. The above were examples of personal experiences explaining why someone may not be appreciative of "help".


LOL. You talk in circles.

toedtoes
Explorer III
Explorer III
No one is injecting assumptions. No one knows how the OP approached the person or how they responded. The above were examples of personal experiences explaining why someone may not be appreciative of "help".
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)

et2
Explorer
Explorer
toedtoes wrote:
JAC1982 wrote:
2gypsies wrote:
JAC1982 wrote:
When we first got our 5er (our second camper, previous was a bumper pull), we took it on a maiden voyage to a campground not too far from our house. Getting into the pull through spot was not an issue, but getting out sure was, because of some ill placed boulders and a tree. The older folks at the site next to us just sat there staring at us struggling (I literally used our dogs leashes to pull a tree branch down to try to avoid as much damage on the camper as possible). Then when I looked over at him he offered to help, but also laughed and said that was why he kept his old (which was a 1960s tiny bumper pull) trailer. I declined his assistance because I thought he was being a jerk.

So, maybe it was your approach. We are younger (mid 30s), and I've found many older RVers have a holier than thou attitude when talking to us, like we somehow are stupid because we are young.

And, as mentioned, that trip was a learning experience, as it was intended to be. We learned what kind of sites would work, and how to scope them out ahead of time to know what we could handle with our size trailer. We also purchased tree trimmers and put a taller step ladder in the trailer.


I can't see why the old guy offended you. He sat and watched at first as many of us of all ages would do because nowadays folks are afraid to intrude. Many people don't want to admit they need help. Then he offered his help and you refused. He laughed and said that's why he keeps his old RV. That had absolutely nothing against you. He was trying to help and then tried in include some humor.


It was the way/tone he offered the help. Just like this OP may have offered the help in a condescending way. Just saying, I know how it feels to be on that end of things, and it's not fun, and having someone approach you sounding "holier than thou" doesn't help matters.


And when you're already stressed, it's hard to ignore a condescending attitude and feel grateful.


So now you inject assumption into the scenario? People are just making stuff up... Let it go.

Lantley
Nomad
Nomad
JAC1982 wrote:
2gypsies wrote:
JAC1982 wrote:
When we first got our 5er (our second camper, previous was a bumper pull), we took it on a maiden voyage to a campground not too far from our house. Getting into the pull through spot was not an issue, but getting out sure was, because of some ill placed boulders and a tree. The older folks at the site next to us just sat there staring at us struggling (I literally used our dogs leashes to pull a tree branch down to try to avoid as much damage on the camper as possible). Then when I looked over at him he offered to help, but also laughed and said that was why he kept his old (which was a 1960s tiny bumper pull) trailer. I declined his assistance because I thought he was being a jerk.

So, maybe it was your approach. We are younger (mid 30s), and I've found many older RVers have a holier than thou attitude when talking to us, like we somehow are stupid because we are young.

And, as mentioned, that trip was a learning experience, as it was intended to be. We learned what kind of sites would work, and how to scope them out ahead of time to know what we could handle with our size trailer. We also purchased tree trimmers and put a taller step ladder in the trailer.


I can't see why the old guy offended you. He sat and watched at first as many of us of all ages would do because nowadays folks are afraid to intrude. Many people don't want to admit they need help. Then he offered his help and you refused. He laughed and said that's why he keeps his old RV. That had absolutely nothing against you. He was trying to help and then tried in include some humor.


It was the way/tone he offered the help. Just like this OP may have offered the help in a condescending way. Just saying, I know how it feels to be on that end of things, and it's not fun, and having someone approach you sounding "holier than thou" doesn't help matters.

What your saying is he offered to help in the wrong tone?:h
19'Duramax w/hips, 2022 Alliance Paradigm 390MP >BD3,r,22" Blackstone
r,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego
BakFlip,RVLock,Prog.50A surge ,Hughes autoformer
Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan, Sailun S637

toedtoes
Explorer III
Explorer III
JAC1982 wrote:
2gypsies wrote:
JAC1982 wrote:
When we first got our 5er (our second camper, previous was a bumper pull), we took it on a maiden voyage to a campground not too far from our house. Getting into the pull through spot was not an issue, but getting out sure was, because of some ill placed boulders and a tree. The older folks at the site next to us just sat there staring at us struggling (I literally used our dogs leashes to pull a tree branch down to try to avoid as much damage on the camper as possible). Then when I looked over at him he offered to help, but also laughed and said that was why he kept his old (which was a 1960s tiny bumper pull) trailer. I declined his assistance because I thought he was being a jerk.

So, maybe it was your approach. We are younger (mid 30s), and I've found many older RVers have a holier than thou attitude when talking to us, like we somehow are stupid because we are young.

And, as mentioned, that trip was a learning experience, as it was intended to be. We learned what kind of sites would work, and how to scope them out ahead of time to know what we could handle with our size trailer. We also purchased tree trimmers and put a taller step ladder in the trailer.


I can't see why the old guy offended you. He sat and watched at first as many of us of all ages would do because nowadays folks are afraid to intrude. Many people don't want to admit they need help. Then he offered his help and you refused. He laughed and said that's why he keeps his old RV. That had absolutely nothing against you. He was trying to help and then tried in include some humor.


It was the way/tone he offered the help. Just like this OP may have offered the help in a condescending way. Just saying, I know how it feels to be on that end of things, and it's not fun, and having someone approach you sounding "holier than thou" doesn't help matters.


And when you're already stressed, it's hard to ignore a condescending attitude and feel grateful.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)

JAC1982
Explorer
Explorer
2gypsies wrote:
JAC1982 wrote:
When we first got our 5er (our second camper, previous was a bumper pull), we took it on a maiden voyage to a campground not too far from our house. Getting into the pull through spot was not an issue, but getting out sure was, because of some ill placed boulders and a tree. The older folks at the site next to us just sat there staring at us struggling (I literally used our dogs leashes to pull a tree branch down to try to avoid as much damage on the camper as possible). Then when I looked over at him he offered to help, but also laughed and said that was why he kept his old (which was a 1960s tiny bumper pull) trailer. I declined his assistance because I thought he was being a jerk.

So, maybe it was your approach. We are younger (mid 30s), and I've found many older RVers have a holier than thou attitude when talking to us, like we somehow are stupid because we are young.

And, as mentioned, that trip was a learning experience, as it was intended to be. We learned what kind of sites would work, and how to scope them out ahead of time to know what we could handle with our size trailer. We also purchased tree trimmers and put a taller step ladder in the trailer.


I can't see why the old guy offended you. He sat and watched at first as many of us of all ages would do because nowadays folks are afraid to intrude. Many people don't want to admit they need help. Then he offered his help and you refused. He laughed and said that's why he keeps his old RV. That had absolutely nothing against you. He was trying to help and then tried in include some humor.


It was the way/tone he offered the help. Just like this OP may have offered the help in a condescending way. Just saying, I know how it feels to be on that end of things, and it's not fun, and having someone approach you sounding "holier than thou" doesn't help matters.
2020 Keystone Montana High Country 294RL
2017 Ford F350 DRW King Ranch
2021 Ford F350 SRW Lariat Tremor

Yosemite_Sam1
Explorer
Explorer
dodge guy wrote:
azrving wrote:
Yosemite Sam
Yep it's been on an old thread. How about a topic on banging on people door to self enforce park rules. ๐Ÿ™‚


I think a topic on complaining about people that donโ€™t know how to knock on doors would be better suited to some of us!


It could be retitled, how to have your face blasted with a shotgun for being mistaken as a bear, lol.

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
azrving wrote:
Yosemite Sam
Yep it's been on an old thread. How about a topic on banging on people door to self enforce park rules. ๐Ÿ™‚


I think a topic on complaining about people that donโ€™t know how to knock on doors would be better suited to some of us!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

Yosemite_Sam1
Explorer
Explorer
azrving wrote:
Yosemite Sam
Yep it's been on an old thread. How about a topic on banging on people door to self enforce park rules. ๐Ÿ™‚


LOL! I would have suggested he bring a printer for a re-issue of camp rules adding his own.