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?

[2012Coleman]

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. 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?

When this happens to me, I get in my truck and continuously drive around the campground...

[RGar974417]

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.

That's true.But when you offer to help and they tell you no in a not so friendly way, that's not right.

[mosseater]

The only help I'll offer or accept is an extra pair of eyes. If they ask for more, I'll give more. Otherwise, I'll watch from the comfort of my own site. I would not pretend to help someone learn something that experience teaches so well.

[FLY_4_FUN]

The only time I will help now is if I am directly asked...or I see something REALLY unsafe or a rig about to get damaged by tree/building etc!

I'm the nerd that bought a dozen cheap traffic cones and set up "camp sites" at a gravel parking lot to practice backing up. Still had some bad experiences after that but with time were now smooth operators.

I feel horrible seeing or hearing heated conversations while parking especially with kids in the tow vehicle. It does take time, and weve all been there...done that.

This summer I walked over to a neighboring site (uninvited) as a fellow had the back wheels of his truck off the ground and the front of his TT jacked to the sky and the ball still connected. I asked if I could assist as nobody was with him (he was on the phone to his father seeking guidance that hadn't helped). I had him remove the cribbing, cranked the tongue down and flipped the lever FULLY up releasing the ball. He was a happy guy, I was happy to help this new rv owner and life was great. My humanity could not allow him to struggle any longer and it was a simple mistake weve all made getting the ball free from a stubborn hitch still under pressure.

I say offer to help and take no offense when the offer is declined...were all in it together

[Yosemite_Sam1]

Walaby wrote:

JAC1982 wrote:
We also purchased tree trimmers and put a taller step ladder in the trailer.

Most places I've been to frown on trimming the trees.

Mike

In Yosemite, you got to cut the whole tree -- and you'll end up either in jail, heavily fined or banned for life, lol.

[Walaby]

JAC1982 wrote:
We also purchased tree trimmers and put a taller step ladder in the trailer.

Most places I've been to frown on trimming the trees.

Mike

[Lantley]

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.

I agree no one wants to be spoken to in a condescending manner/tone.
However you are green and inexperienced vs. the older seasoned campers.
Don't take it personally. Learn to ignore the infuriating tone and listen to the message. Listening is the key. Focus on what they are saying, not necessarily how they are saying it.
There is a certain wisdom in life that you only achieve through age and experience.
There is no substitute for experience or aged learning.
I was 30 once and considered myself a wise person and to some degree I was. But boy did I have a lot to learn.

[Veebyes]

Nothing beats a busy boat ramp at the end of the day when they return with empty coolers & lines of boats waiting to get in.

I did not watch, but had a very early arrival today who woke me up. Took what seemed forever to back into an easy angled site. Back & forth he went, in the rain, then finally setting up, engine running all the time while the DW sat in dry air conditioned comfort. My DW was watching the show.

Gotta have sympathy for him. The trailer looks new. No road dirt on frame yet & stickers all fresh. Guess we all went through it. Some of us were lucky enough to have the help of the DWs from the beginning.

[JAC1982]

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.

[All_I_could_aff]

The boat launch is best early in the season around Memorial Day, when the guys who may not have towed since last year load up the cooler of beer and head out. Worst are the guys who just bought their first boat and taking it out for first ride.

[AJR]

I try and help people if I can or am asked for help, but…

One time the grass was saturated. The gravel was fine. A young man (most folks are young to me) tried a simple trailer back in and missed. I could not see them while sitting outside. What got my attention was the motor revving and the wheel spinning. By that time it was not the time to offer help.

Another time I was walking to check in and heard a pounding in the campground. As I followed the instructions to my campsite I passed a brand new looking Class A with a brand new looking toad. The older gentleman was whacking at the pins holding the toad to the MH with a huge hammer. Not a neighbor outside in site as I drove by. But the place was tightly pack. That was a no, no, no don’t go there.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

Been there and from time to time I still have difficulties backing on the right side of a slot.

Got offer of help from time to time and took it with much appreciation.

[turbojimmy]

I drive a motorhome and over the years have learned to park it in some really tight spots. But...I often toy with the idea of getting a TT so I have something to drive when I get where I'm going (yeah I could tow our Wrangler behind our rig but that gets complicated).

I've towed a TT and U-haul car haulers in the past and the experience frankly terrifies me. I have a really hard time with the backing. I may be the exception to the rule, but if I were struggling I would welcome some help!

This past weekend I saw a guy back a monstrous TT into a tiny spot across from me. When I saw him roll up I thought to myself "oh boy - this should be good." Nope. Backed that thing in there like a boss. One and done. Comes with practice I guess.

[aftermath]

I too did not like the OP's position on this. Hey look, there are all kinds of people out there, some need help and some will offer help. Sometimes those offering do come across as know it alls and can put off the person needing help. Sometimes it goes the other way.
I do not offer up help generally but I have and I am very careful as to how I do this. Being polite and humble will get you a long way in this world.

And then there is this. I have been trailering for more than 30 years now and I am pretty good at it. I have experienced something that some of you might relate to. I can back into spots 20 times in a row without any trouble but on the 21st time, it is like I forgot how to do even the basics. It doesn't have to be a tough spot either. Right becomes left, angles escape me and centering on the pad is almost impossible until I retain my concentration. If someone were to come up to me with a "superiority attitude" and offer help I would mostly decline. I do know what I am doing. Every person is different, read the situations as unique and tread lightly.

[azrving]

SoundGuy wrote:

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

But the question is why did you think it was any of your business in the first place. Then you left with vengeance on your mind and hopes of them having more trouble. Strange.