Watching people hookup

[RVJayhawk]

Back in my flying days my landings were almost always perfect if there were no spectators. But they were a little bouncy if I was being watched.

[JKyle]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

I just use my quiet power drill....My biggest Pet Peeve is when a Class A Diesel Pusher fires up at 5 in the morning and idles for 45 minutes. Then they pull out of their campsite and spend another 20 minutes hooking up their Toad.

I use my regular 1/2" drill. As far as noise...I do not believe we (me and daughter are noisy) but if you're near us you're going to hear my daughter ask at least 50 times during the day, "You go home? All done camping?" Hence, one of the reasons for moving up from a tent camper to a solid wall camper.

[norty1]

I usually don't offer advice unsolicited unless there is a danger of personal injury.

[Janet H]

Watching people park: A few years ago I had one of "those" back in spots at a state park.
The park was old, the spaces were at right angles to the loop road and there were boulders on one side and a giant tree on the other right at the entrance to the site. Trees also on the other side of the loop road - parking hell.

I pulled up to the site and got out to consider my options. As I was screwing up my courage, a fellow on a mobility scooter wheeled by, pulled off the loop road, got out a beer and sat back to enjoy the show. Grrr....

[Markb5900]

Originally Posted by Janet H

Watching people park: A few years ago I had one of "those" back in spots at a state park.
The park was old, the spaces were at right angles to the loop road and there were boulders on one side and a giant tree on the other right at the entrance to the site. Trees also on the other side of the loop road - parking hell.

I pulled up to the site and got out to consider my options. As I was screwing up my courage, a fellow on a mobility scooter wheeled by, pulled off the loop road, got out a beer and sat back to enjoy the show. Grrr....

Don’t think I’ve ever been that obvious. lol

[harryjr]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

My biggest Pet Peeve is when a Class A Diesel Pusher fires up at 5 in the morning and idles for 45 minutes. Then they pull out of their campsite and spend another 20 minutes hooking up their Toad.

I posted that question several years ago. Half the people agreed with me. The other half said I was just stirring the pot because I was jealous. I'm not jealous. If I really wanted a diesel pusher, I'd get one. But my tastes are more simple.

I just wondered why it was necessary to idle for 30 minutes before waving good-bye?

Standby & BOHICA.

[Jagiven]

I've had the diesel pusher issues a few times. Probably why we never stay at an rv resort.

Generally I never offer assistance, I've offered in the past and always been told no help is needed.

I've seen a LOT of crazy park jobs. I've commented to the DW that I would love to mount a high quality PTZ camera on the front of the trailer to record some of the things we have seen. I'm sure on YouTube they'd have a few million views.

[LuckyDuck]

I’ll keep my distance but if someone looks like they are really in need of a spotter or help, I’ll saunter over. I started keeping a closer eye on things last summer after a fellow was pulling in to park in the site next to us. He didn’t look all that experienced and the road is narrow with our TVs parked parallel along it. Glad I watched this time, as he got closer and closer, not paying attention to his rear. When he got to this point, I screamed and he stopped…with an inch to spare.

[norty1]

Most would assist if asked!

When it that close to my rig, I would be insisting he stop and look at his insurance policy!

[Riich]

My wife and I watched from a distance as 2 women struggled to back a small travel trailer into a spot at a state park and after about 15 minutes my wife insisted I walk over to help them. As I approached them I casually mentioned they had a difficult (it really wasn't) site to get into and I could help if they would like. I received a curt reply "we will manage" so I sauntered away with a smile on my face. They eventually got into the spot but if I had a dollar for every time the steering wheel went through the motion of full left to full right and back again I could have paid for my site for several nights.

We also watched an older couple struggle to back into an easy spot in a SD campground. The wife was doing the maneuvering while the husband did the guiding and they were having absolutely no success whatsoever. I was watching out the window and was about to go offer help but then the cursing started, mostly from the woman, and the entertainment that followed was just to good to miss. That woman could out curse most of the men I know. I had the giggles every time she moved her lips. Even my wife had tears running down her cheeks.

I have seen two folks back into trees and one sideswipe a tree. Camping can get mighty expensive for those who are in over their head and are too proud to let someone assist them. I've resorted myself to just minding my own business and let things play out. When they damage their campers and it sits at a dealership for weeks on end, it opens up camping spots for myself and others so it's not all bad.

[JDug66]

Originally Posted by us71na

I hate the people with the impact drivers that they use to lower their stabilizers. Even more I despise the early risers that want to get on the road early to beat the traffic using the same impact driver to raise their stabilizers at 6:00 a.m.

I must be missing something by not using an impact driver. My 21V cordless drill has always seemed to work well for me.

[Lynnmsa]

Exactly

[Bippygma]

Originally Posted by Markb5900

Sitting out watching a couple pull in.
He got out, hooked up the electric and water first, unusual, but to each his own.
See him get out with what had to be a 6 foot pry bar, runs the jack down to just touching the block he put under it.
Takes the pry bar and forces his bars off with a thud!
Then raises the trailer and uses the pry bar to force the truck forward and the truck drops off the coupler.
He gets out what appears to be a 1/2” impact gun, walks around with a four foot level and proceeds to use the impact gun on the door side stabilizers and raise the unit about 2”.
But wait, it’s not over yet.
I notice the slide moving out and the top and inner seal moving with it.
The wife comes around the corner so I mention it to her, she smiles, says thanks and goes inside.
Hubby comes out with the pry bar in hand, I tell him I have a step stool if that would help. Smiling he tells me it started that a couple days ago and he just uses the pry bar to push it back in.
I’m really trying to not be insulting but mention if it rains it’s going into his unit because of the seal hanging there.
He’s polite says thanks they will be good.

When do YOU jump out of your chair and offer unsolicited advice about setting up or a problem you see?

I must speak out about laughing at others while setting up their rig. It seems to be a bit unkind. You have no idea what is going on with those folks and I daresay that we have all been there at one time or another.

I happen to be a female senior who travels solo. I appreciate all those folks who have offered to assist and to share their wisdom. It's also a good way to make friends.

So, to you I say You do You and let everyone else do Them.

[Jamnpete]

That's why we decided on the motorhome...back in, plug in, level, water and sewer hookups if available, dinner in 15 minutes!

[Ausves]

Need to establish a code whereby everyone accepts at least the first instance of assistance, and from there it can be a civil, polite "we're fine - no help needed"....

[Camper_bob]

I think a lot of these issues would resolve themselves if everyone would just relax, take a deep breath, and have a little slice of Humble Pie. We (especially us men) are terrible about letting our ego get in the way...

If I'm a beginner at something, and someone who is more experienced offers advice, I will certainly listen to what they have to say. Problem these days is there aren't many more experienced than me out there, especially with my own rig. But local intel can be SUPER valuable, so I'll usually stop and listen. I'll certainly offer if I think I can be helpful to someone else, and I'll certainly speak up if they're about to do damage.

But then I also take the time to research and understand everything I possibly can about something like boating or RVing, LONG before I ever tried to actually do it. Seems that's somewhat uncommon these days. The other thing I learned long ago is that getting angry or agitated solves nothing. STOP, take a deep breath, identify the problem logically, and determine if you have the skill or ability to solve it, then concentrate and get to work.

Watch me all you want, every now and again you'll get at least a mildly entertaining show; no one is perfect. And when I watch others (which can be equal parts frustrating and entertaining), I try to reserve judgement (I've probably been there, and my experience was earned, often the hard way) and learn from what I'm seeing.

These days, watching us set up camp is pretty boring. We all move about like a well-trained and practiced team. Of course, the motor home makes things a bit easier too... I can't imagine taking 20 minutes to hook up the toad. I've never timed myself, but I'm pretty sure it's well under 5 minutes...

[JKyle]

Holy crap! (photo of near miss)

[Toad]

Never give advice... It's more fun watching...haha

Originally Posted by Markb5900

Sitting out watching a couple pull in.
He got out, hooked up the electric and water first, unusual, but to each his own.
See him get out with what had to be a 6 foot pry bar, runs the jack down to just touching the block he put under it.
Takes the pry bar and forces his bars off with a thud!
Then raises the trailer and uses the pry bar to force the truck forward and the truck drops off the coupler.
He gets out what appears to be a 1/2” impact gun, walks around with a four foot level and proceeds to use the impact gun on the door side stabilizers and raise the unit about 2”.
But wait, it’s not over yet.
I notice the slide moving out and the top and inner seal moving with it.
The wife comes around the corner so I mention it to her, she smiles, says thanks and goes inside.
Hubby comes out with the pry bar in hand, I tell him I have a step stool if that would help. Smiling he tells me it started that a couple days ago and he just uses the pry bar to push it back in.
I’m really trying to not be insulting but mention if it rains it’s going into his unit because of the seal hanging there.
He’s polite says thanks they will be good.

When do YOU jump out of your chair and offer unsolicited advice about setting up or a problem you see?

[Poppyof5]

As a backing impaired ever I could almost take offense. How ever I have also watched and maybe smiled a little.
I get why some would rather not walk by and say hi and is there anything I may help you with. Not everyone is an Asshat. I for one am always willing to hear someone’s advice.

[Jagiven]

We do something I suspect most people think is funny. We have an HTT. When we make the bed, I unzip the bunk end windows. I help from the outside.