Artie322
New Jersey
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Joined: 06/22/2008
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I'm planning on taking my maiden trip with my brand new Coachmen Freelander MH. It looks like French Creek State Park, PA would be just perfect as it's about a 2 hr drive from home. Is anyone familiar with this park? Any comments, good or bad, on my choice?
I'm probably going solo, which makes me just a tad nervous. Any suggestions or words of wisdom?
Reggie
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Joy
Henderson KY 42420
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Joined: 08/10/2001
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Just keep it between the ditches!!!!
See ya' down the road!
Don-SCPO USN Ret.Corpsman
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Tiger4x4RV
San Diego County, California
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Joined: 03/14/2007
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I've been going solo for 20 years. The first trip was torture. I forced myself to stay 24 hours in a campground I was familiar with. It gets easier. A year or two ago I was out for 32 days straight. There are many good things about going solo. Just think of them, and not of the not-so-good parts. Enjoy!
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Bearnkat
Fort Worth, Texas
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Joined: 07/30/2004
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Congratulations on the new Coachman and welcome to the world of RVing.
Make sure you take your time and don't get rattled. Since you don't have an extra set of eyes watching, double-check everything before moving on to the next task. Have a great time. I've done some solo trips and they were wonderful.
Happy RVing and we wish you safe travels.
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s1214
Vt
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Joined: 05/06/2006
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Going solo just means that you need to be extra careful before you do things. I always walk around twice before backing into a space and then walk around the entire rig double checking at least three times when I leave. If you don't feel quite right doing something, just take it slow and you'll probably be fine. There are usually other folks around to chat and be friendly.
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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You'll be able to do it! I can't comment on French Creek State Park, but we really enjoy the SP system overall.
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
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Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
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doc brown
Redondo Beach, CA,
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s1214 wrote:Going solo just means that you need to be extra careful before you do things. I always walk around twice before backing into a space and then walk around the entire rig double checking at least three times when I leave. If you don't feel quite right doing something, just take it slow and you'll probably be fine. There are usually other folks around to chat and be friendly.
I travel solo on many occassions. As said, take your time and triple check everything. Sometimes I think the constant rechecking is going to induce a permanent OCD condition! But on the road away from home it's good to be extra cautious.
Steve,Kathy,Josh & Morpheus the Basenji
2004 40' TSDP Country Coach Inspire DaVinci
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partsman01
Poco British Columbia
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Well I am sure you will do fine, I started out with small trips usually within an hour of the house or so, and on one solo trip to park the fifth wheel and then later gather the family I almost took out a picnic table while backing up, but because I did the slow and easy thing was able to see the danger in time.
Learn to look and if you need to, back up a bit then check to see how you are doing.
Don't rush it, at least double check things if by yourself and you should do fine, remember your height/clearance, low branches, stuff like that, and if you have push/slide outs, allow space to open them up.
I am still a relatively new person to pulling a fifth wheel, bought used in 2005 and have taken a total of probably five trips, it does get easier, but stay alert.
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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Joined: 08/15/2006
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Since your going solo and will be backing up solo - take a trip to your local soccer supply shop 
By yourself a set of those little orange cones soccer coaches use in drills. Now, when scouting your site, lay the cones down in a line of where you want to line up your moho. Now use those cones as "spotters" when you are backing in and line up one side of your moho right along next to the cones you put down.  This will make backing into a site quite a bit easier.
As always, before backing in make sure you look up for any low lying branches or anything of that nature that can damage the top part/roof of your rig.
Enjoy.
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Visited a lot of states, haven't camped in many...yet. 
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Artie322
New Jersey
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Joined: 06/22/2008
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Thank you, one and all for your advice and encouragement. I'm so glad I found this site. Makes me feel like I've got folks who'll "watch my back".
I like the idea of those cones or some kind of marker to set out to help when backing. I just happen to have a couple in my garage. Might just throw them into one of the storage compartments to have on hand.
Thanks again.
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