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01-03-2011, 03:08 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
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It finally happened to me
Well, after years of weaving my fiver up and down my tree lined driveway, I finally had my first accident. I was backing the fiver onto the parking pad that runs perpindicular off the windy driveway. After getting a little off kilter I went to do a pull up, and my wife yelled at me to stop. I got out and looked, and saw the top corner of the roof leaning against a tree. My only way out was to back up.
I got the rig parked without any further mishaps, and went up to inspect. I bent the rain gutter pretty good, and stuffed some tree bark into the seal between the rubber roof and the rain gutter. The plastic cover on the awning motor is shattered. I don't see any tears in the rubber roof, and it doesn't look like I damaged anything structural. I'm just hoping this wasn't an expensive lesson on backing at the end of a very long day.
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01-03-2011, 03:56 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 427
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That's the thing that still bother me about pulling my 29 foot TT... Once I get the license plate on it I plan on taking down into Riggins, ID where there is a big dirt lot and I can practice backing up and parking it.
Also waiting for the ICE to leave the yard...
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01-03-2011, 06:35 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
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Bummer. Do you guys use walkie-talkies? It sure makes it easier to communicate! Good to hear you guys didn't have worse damage. We actually have a tree branch we have to trim before spring so we don't go through the same thing as you
__________________
Denise, DH, grandkids, and two rescue pups
-2016 Jay Flight 29QBS Elite
-2016 Ford F-250 XLT 4x2, 6.2L EFI V8, 4.30 Elec Lock, Heavy duty Alt
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01-03-2011, 06:45 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: PNW
Posts: 5,195
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Sorry about your damage, but don't feel bad. You're not the only one. I haven't even had my trailer 4 months, and when I was backing it in to my current spot, the side above my holding tank valves kissed the concrete shelter. Didn't do a whole lot of damage, mainly superficial.
But I learned I need to jump out of my truck more often and check the trailer progress (I'm doing this solo).
__________________
Bill
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 HEMI Quad Cab
2011 Jay Flight 26BH
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01-03-2011, 06:47 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 54
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I suggest you go to a large store and practise backing up in their docks. Just don't go in the morning when they get the majority of their deliveries.....larger stores usually have at least 2 docks (Super Walmarts 3 or 4), there's plenty of room to maneuver and most docks have painted lines so you will be able to tell if you are 'off', you don't need to back all the way in, stop before touching the dock, you'll practising backing and judging distance at the same time. After I got my cdl I used to take a 53ft tractor trailer and practise docking it, I would go to different stores as some docks are more challenging than others. It gets easier, in no time you'll be popping that trailer in first time with your eyes closed (not literally..lol) Good Luck
__________________
Tom & Sarah
1999 Eagle 269 5W
Ford F150 XLT SCAB
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01-03-2011, 07:15 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 427
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grncrdbrit
I suggest you go to a large store and practise backing up in their docks. Just don't go in the morning when they get the majority of their deliveries.....larger stores usually have at least 2 docks (Super Walmarts 3 or 4), there's plenty of room to maneuver and most docks have painted lines so you will be able to tell if you are 'off', you don't need to back all the way in, stop before touching the dock, you'll practising backing and judging distance at the same time. After I got my cdl I used to take a 53ft tractor trailer and practise docking it, I would go to different stores as some docks are more challenging than others. It gets easier, in no time you'll be popping that trailer in first time with your eyes closed (not literally..lol) Good Luck
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That sounds like a wonderful idea... But I hate to say it I'm 3.5 hours from a large store with a dock...
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01-03-2011, 11:41 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mopar1973Man
That's the thing that still bother me about pulling my 29 foot TT... Once I get the license plate on it I plan on taking down into Riggins, ID where there is a big dirt lot and I can practice backing up and parking it.
Also waiting for the ICE to leave the yard...
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Most highschools have parking lots and are usually empty on the weekends. Fair grounds also are good places to practice.
Mopar I think that ice will be with you for a few more days.
__________________
2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
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01-04-2011, 06:57 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Fayette Ridges of PA, USA
Posts: 5,252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by healthi
Bummer. Do you guys use walkie-talkies? It sure makes it easier to communicate!
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Yeah, we have walkie-talkies. But we rarely use them because by the time I'm about to whack something with the trailer, my wife is screaming so loud to stop that I can hear her crystal clear without them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by clutch
Most highschools have parking lots and are usually empty on the weekends. Fair grounds also are good places to practice.
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And most schools also have loading docks that, most likely, are not used on weekends.
I'd be a little hesitent about using a store's loading dock for practice unless it was closed. I know that if it were my son's store and we were open, I'd be asking you to go somewhere else just due to the liability and safety issues it would cause.
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MODERATOR
TV: 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD | Crew Cab | Std. Box | 4WD | Duramax/Allison
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PREVIOUS: 1986 Coleman Laramie pop-up -- Still in the family!!!
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01-04-2011, 08:17 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 427
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clutch
Most highschools have parking lots and are usually empty on the weekends. Fair grounds also are good places to practice.
Mopar I think that ice will be with you for a few more days.
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Our high school is so small you can even turn a bus around without backing up 3-4 times. Our rodeo ground are tiny... The whole town of Riggins, ID is about 1 mile long and 1/4 mile wide...
Here is the entire town of Riggins, ID
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01-04-2011, 08:26 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 524
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Quote:
Originally Posted by healthi
Bummer. Do you guys use walkie-talkies? It sure makes it easier to communicate! Good to hear you guys didn't have worse damage. We actually have a tree branch we have to trim before spring so we don't go through the same thing as you
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If you use the walkie talkies, just tell the other person that they have to push the switch prior talking............. do I have an expensive story!!!!!!!
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01-04-2011, 08:42 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 795
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We tried the walkie talkies but found the bluetooth phone in DH truck and me on my cell on speaker phone we get the job done. We have done this 3 times now and it just worked out better, like it was stated, you need to hold the button in to talk. Don't ask me how I know.
Mary Anne
__________________
Joe and Mary Anne
1 20 yr old DD
2014 Ram 2500 Diesel Laramie Mega Cab 4 X 4
2011 Jayco Jay Flight 26RLS-Sold
2014 Jayco Eagle 298 RLDS
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01-04-2011, 10:46 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Albertaguy
If you use the walkie talkies, just tell the other person that they have to push the switch prior talking............. do I have an expensive story!!!!!!!
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LOL! We (as well as several other campers who were lazying around on a warm summer's day) were entertained when a couple pulled into a site near us. Apparently the lady was law enforcement and used to talking on a radio. The DH appeared to be learning. He had the volume cranked up, and you could hear DW's voice consistently (but amazingly patient) reminding DH to click first then talk!
The funny thing was he eventually remembered to click first, but then would forget to release the button when he was done talking ! They worked well as a team otherwise
__________________
Denise, DH, grandkids, and two rescue pups
-2016 Jay Flight 29QBS Elite
-2016 Ford F-250 XLT 4x2, 6.2L EFI V8, 4.30 Elec Lock, Heavy duty Alt
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01-04-2011, 11:29 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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The walkies are also GREAT when convoying with a buddy
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Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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01-08-2011, 08:20 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Blackstone Valley Massachusetts
Posts: 196
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I almost hit the basketball hoop on the side of my driveway the FIRST day I took my new Class C home. I drove in watching trees and eves on the house, said I made it home safe and sound with no problems. When I got out, I looked to the side and there was the hoop 2" from the slide awning! Just missed it. Now she sits on her RV pad behind the house. We had 14 trees removed when we built the pad. I am not taking any chances. I did hit my antenna on electric wires a year later and had to have it replaced. oops
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