Worst Site to Back Into

[TaftCoach]

I was reminiscing about the worst site I ever had to back into. It was in Quebec and basically I had the last available site which was next to a building. Between the narrow road, trees, and the building , it was a blind turn. It was a very crowded private campground so the neighbor was as close as most storage facilities.

I'd like to say I nailed backing in. But actually a nice gentleman offered to back it in. He had the seasonal site across from me and I later learned he helped just about everyone.

Second worse was a lollipop loop with curbs that was built for small TT pulled by trucks with short beds.

[Rustic Eagle]

I believe we all have had tight back-in experiences....., and one of mine was in a rustic campground on the shores of Lake Superior.

Fortunately my prior Eagle TT didn't have any slides on the entry side, or they would have remained closed due to trees. Also, the bend in the tree in the pic allowed the driver's side slide to fully extend

I just had to be on the water



Bob

[Midnightmoon]

Site 111 at Disney's Fort Wilderness. I love the 100 loop. But, that one takes on a new meaning of tight access.

[THE MEEKER]

There have been many very tight campsites that I had to back into over the years. Sometimes I use small orange cones to guide me in. I take it slow and easy. Nothing wrong with getting out of the truck and looking around a few times. Nothing is worse than damaging the RV.

Unless I'm asked, I will not offer assistance to anyone trying to back in their camper. I have been asked quite a few times to back in someone's TT, but I have them do it and I'll guide them in.

The one piece of advice that I'm surprised alot of campers don't know about is keeping their hand on the bottom of the steering wheel when backing and turning it in the direction you want the trailer to go.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by THE MEEKER

Unless I'm asked, I will not offer assistance to anyone trying to back in their camper. I have been asked quite a few times to back in someone's TT, but I have them do it and I'll guide them in.

The one piece of advice that I'm surprised alot of campers don't know about is keeping their hand on the bottom of the steering wheel when backing and turning it in the direction you want the trailer to go.

x2 to both. My dad taught me that bottom the the steering wheel trick when he first taught me to drive in a large vacant parking lot when I was 14. I first backed in the 25' camper at 15 before I even had my driver's license.

Site 216 at Illinois Beach State Park has two large trees on either side of the site right next to the road and one across the street that made it all but impossible to back my 32' trailer in. The site has a max vehicle length of 48'. Hah! We were camping with friends with a tent and switched sites with them. I didn't even try to back in.

I think it was site 20 at Lowden State Park (IL) that is listed as a pull through site. Yes, you can pull in, but with the number of trees you can't pull out. I had to make a three point turn just to pull my truck out!

[Happy wife / happy life]

Home !!

[harryjr]

Somewhere in NC, it was a straight shot backing into the site. BUT, it was downhill and loose gravel. No traction pulling forward, and like an ice skating rink backing downhill.

There is a relationship between the number of attemps to back into a site and the number of people watching. Nobody there? First shot, everytime. Dozens of people? "Ah the hell with it, there was a better campground just 75 miles back."

[harryjr]

Originally Posted by THE MEEKER

Unless I'm asked, I will not offer assistance to anyone trying to back in their camper. I have been asked quite a few times to back in someone's TT, but I have them do it and I'll guide them in.

In Branson, MO the office had someone escort us to the site. Unusual layout with terraced, wooded hillside sites. Then he told us that he would guide us in. Not an offer or suggestion. "Don't bother to even look. Just watch me & do what I tell you to do." Yes, my manhood was insulted, but I did what I was told. And guess what? Perfect on the first try. Same thing with our travel partners. Guess he'd done it before. Don't let ego get in the way of experience.

[TaftCoach]

I forgot about the time I couldn't make it up a loose gravel road in Colorado and had to back up about 200 yards down and around a curve sliding all the way. Then I learned there was a much easier way into the campground. Me stupidly following my GPS and map.

[Old and soft]

Originally Posted by harryjr

In Branson, MO the office had someone escort us to the site. Unusual layout with terraced, wooded hillside sites. Then he told us that he would guide us in. Not an offer or suggestion. "Don't bother to even look. Just watch me & do what I tell you to do." Yes, my manhood was insulted, but I did what I was told. And guess what? Perfect on the first try. Same thing with our travel partners. Guess he'd done it before. Don't let ego get in the way of experience.

Shenanigans?
Koa, Williams,AZ. Not the one at the interstate 40 off ramp for the G.C, but the one 3 miles east on 40. Sites were so tight, the guy behind us covered our utilities when his awning was extended.

[GarlicDude]

Many National Forest sites have large boulders or trees right next to the in many cases narrow roads which make backing in difficult. Our California parks have the same issues.

[KCSA75]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

I forgot about the time I couldn't make it up a loose gravel road in Colorado and had to back up about 200 yards down and around a curve sliding all the way. Then I learned there was a much easier way into the campground. Me stupidly following my GPS and map.

GPS will get you every time...

[TaftCoach]

Originally Posted by KCSA75

GPS will get you every time...

I even double checked my paper map. It did look like the easiest route in. Lol oops

[GarlicDude]

My GPS tried to route us around the tunnel in Zion. What a nightmare!

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by GarlicDude

My GPS tried to route us around the tunnel in Zion. What a nightmare!

Ouch! Did you ignore it and do the tunnel? We found it super easy. Can’t imagine going around. Not any easy or quick options.

[kblast523]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

I believe we all have had tight back-in experiences....., and one of mine was in a rustic campground on the shores of Lake Superior.

Fortunately my prior Eagle TT didn't have any slides on the entry side, or they would have remained closed due to trees. Also, the bend in the tree in the pic allowed the driver's side slide to fully extend

I just had to be on the water



Bob

Well....Possum Kingdom, Texas.

[TaftCoach]

Wow. How many times did you need to adjust to fit the slide around the rock? Or did you just move the rock? Lol

[kblast523]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

Wow. How many times did you need to adjust to fit the slide around the rock? Or did you just move the rock? Lol

My spotter was "spot on". She was kinda proud of herself. Pictures taken June 2018 because I still had the F-150, the trailer was brand new (April 2018)

[Cincinnati Kid]

I don't know, I still struggle sometimes. There was one in the Outer Banks last year that sloped uphill off of a narrow street, with a building overhang at the back. Kids everywhere. It took me a while.
What always amazes me is when we go through all that drama, then break camp and drive out in one shot. If we can drive straight out, why can't we back straight in?

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by Cincinnati Kid

What always amazes me is when we go through all that drama, then break camp and drive out in one shot. If we can drive straight out, why can't we back straight in?

That’s funny. I have the same thought every time. 10 adjustments to get in. Then just put it in drive and pull out. WTH