tiptoe tommy
Seattle
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Joined: 06/01/2007
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My wife is very good at hooking up. And my son--12--has been learning as well. We try to involve the whole family in packing up. The kids actually fight over the crank!
And my wife is far better at backing up than I am!
Family that loves to camp 30 days a year! Two kids, 13 and 9
1999 Coleman SeaPine PUP
GO COUGS!
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R N R
Denver area
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Joined: 06/15/2003
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Yup. My wife could.
Matter of fact, she towed our PU from Denver to VA and back with our daughter and grandkids as passengers last month. She's not the best backer, but she can do everything else.
Steve & Sharon + 2 dogs
'99 ZR2 Blazer
'03 Chalet Arrowhead w/ bunk bed option (makes a great dog house)
Pics of our adventures.
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Veronica
Virginia
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Joined: 07/04/2003
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I can pack up and take the camper down by myself with no problem. I've driven the camper for short periods. Hubby hooks up, but I know the mechanics of it and I could do it. It would take me a while to get it lined up, but I could do it if necessary. My biggest problem would be backing it into the driveway when we got back home. Backing up isn't my strong suit even without a camper attached.
'98 Suburban
'73 Apache Roamer (hard sided popup)
"You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children."
~~Madeleine L’Engle
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garana
burbank, ca
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Joined: 07/25/2007
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If I'm incapacitated the trailer is irrelevant. If injured I can instruct my wife on what needs to be done. Some things I have always left to my wife. She actually does a better job of backing with a trailer than I! But on other things she is dependant on me. For example she lacks the strength to latch/un-latch the trailer to the hitch. If the situation arises I hope there are other campers around to help.
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-O-U-
Sarasota, FL
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Joined: 06/26/2005
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I have always made a point of knowing how to do everything with the camper. DH usually takes care of the outside, but I watch enough, and help occasionally, that I'd feel confident doing it myself. I learned that as a boater - if there are two people on the boat, both of them better have enough knowledge of the equipmment and surroundings to get back to safety. It always amazed and scared me how many women I knew who were boating with their significant others all the time and had no clue how to even start the boat. That's just not safe, no matter how you look at it. And blame should be on both the guys and girls for not recognizing that. I used to tow our 26' boat, with no problem. First time I pulled the 20' camper with an F150 and had to stop rather quickly, I had a whole new respect. I drove so slowly after that I was making my DH crazy - but I was safe!
Me, the DW Forum addict
DH, "He who can fix anything"
Abby, the camping wonder dog
Harvey, the "Happiest Dog in the Whole USA"
2003 Thor Wanderer Wagon 207 Toy Hauler,
Reese 12,000lb WD hitch
2005 Ford F250, V-8, SuperCrew Lariat Superduty
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Hot-Rod
California
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Joined: 09/02/2007
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Well for me I know I'm on my own. The DW has no interest whatsoever despite my pleading for her to learn the "how-to". She likes watching me do all the work. In an emergency she would drive me to the ER and leave the pup. If the worst happened - I might get lucky if someone else found my body, I'm certain of it. She would probably shout "FINALLY", post a "YOU CAN HAVE IT" sign on the pup, and take off in a trail of dust. But don't get any ideas! I'll give you a better deal on her than I would my pup! Should I say I'm just kidding?
I remember my dad telling me how he cut three fingers off his right hand with a band-saw while working on the farm. Since he was the only one there, he drove himself 50+ miles to the nearest hospital. They saved two of the fingers - the third became known as "stumpy". Different era - things were farther away back then. Oh - and he also walked to school through four feet of snow...barefoot...uphill...both ways! He's my hero!
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gcandcc
Upstate NY
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Joined: 03/28/2005
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It's always a good idea to have two adults who know how things work. When hubby is with me he takes care of all the outside stuff but we level it together, hitch it together, and tear down together. I paid close attention to everthing he does so I know how things work and I can do it myself. A few weeks ago I took it out by myself and my DD, DS and DD's friend. They were all interested in helping and did a great job. I'm teaching DD so she knows...she's the next oldest in line on any given trip. She and I will be going out together end of October.
I think it's important to pass along to my DD the attitude that there is nothing she can't do if she puts her mind to it.
CC
Cynthia & Gary
Jeffrey 25
Angel 14
Aaron 6
99 Explorer EB
98 Expedition EB
93 Palomino Filly
04 Fleetwood Hemlock
http://community.webshots.com/user/cynthiacook777
34 Nights camping in 2008
37 Nights camping in 2007
26 Nights camping in 2006
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PattieAM
Maryland
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Joined: 08/03/2005
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I broke my leg when doing a light check before leaving a campground off season - stepped down off the bumper and the knee didn't go forward, but rather sideways. Anyway, I did have GoodSam EA, but, couldn't access it, my cell phone, etc. at the time.
The Good Sam EA would have gotten my vehicle, pop up and dog safely home and monitored my care. I learned from that experience (I'm still recovering) and have the numbers programmed into the cell phone and have a case on a string for around my neck - never go anywhere without it any more. I know there are other programs with basically the same purpose, but don't know their names.
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alaskasafari
Fairbanks, Alaska
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Joined: 08/09/2007
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DW isn't quick but she could certainly do it. She hasn't pulled it yet but seeing as how it just follows the truck that would be the easy part. Backing up... well, we won't even go there. Always a good idea for everyone to know how things work... just in case.
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essie
Massachusetts
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Joined: 01/21/2006
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Since we put it up and down together, I am sure my dh could take it down and put away the pup by himself. He knows how to hitch it to our tow vehicle. The only thing is he doesn't do is drive, so he cant tow it home, I would have to drive if not, I am sure someone from my large family would help us with that.
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