Campground this weekend required, I backed my 5er in from the blind side. I avoid this any way I can. But this was the only way. DW did a great job on her radio. She only knows 3 commands. Driver side, Passenger side, STOP. She knows nothing about backing a 5th Wheel. Those 3 commands are all she knows. And all she needs to know.
I leave my radio on, but do not talk on it. It's there for me ONLY to listen to her. If I have a question about her commands, I stop and get out and look. She has guided me into some pretty tight places. And backing down our 500 foot winding driveway. With trees and rocks on both sides. She amazes me, at how she does it.
Backing in is one thing. But, sometimes a spotter is also needed when pulling out, too. Seems a lot of drivers don't think about that part of it. Just scrape the side of your rig, on somebody elses rig, and then it's a lesson learned.
2006 F350 V10 4X4 SC SB SRW 4.30 22,500 GCWR
Keystone Sprinter 33'9" 12,500 GVWR
Pullrite Super Glide 18K
Super Duty, Super Cab, SuperGlide
I don't think the guy that hit him on accident was an "inconsiderate jerk", as somebody mentioned. Accidents happen. unfortunate but, they do happen.
I'll tell you why I think he is even worse then an "inconsiderate jerk". According to the OP the guys wife stated "HE" hits things all the time. The first or even second time is an accident, after that he's an all out danger to others. If you have a pattern of hitting things, you owe it to others to take precautions, learn to drive or just plan stay off the road...
I don't think the guy that hit him on accident was an "inconsiderate jerk", as somebody mentioned. Accidents happen. unfortunate but, they do happen.
I'll tell you why I think he is even worse then an "inconsiderate jerk". According to the OP the guys wife stated "HE" hits things all the time. The first or even second time is an accident, after that he's an all out danger to others. If you have a pattern of hitting things, you owe it to others to take precautions, learn to drive or just plan stay off the road...
Not sure I would call him a jerk...he is just not thinking. A jerk would not agree to pay the damages. I agree that he is "using the Force" a bit too much and needs to get out of his seat (or train DW) and look around.
I have had a couple of scrapes with the occasional tree limb or fence hidden under a ton of ivy but I am very careful about other people's RVs and TVs. Even when they park their TV out in the narrow road which is the only exit out of the campground. It makes for some interesting manuvers trying to dodge TVs, cars and motorhome mirrors in tight campgrounds.
There is no substitue for common sense. If you are not sure you can make a turn or get in or out of a space...STOP and get out and look. I would rather wait for a guy to get out and look to make sure he could make a turn than wait while he sorts out the damage.
2008 42' Tiffin Allegro Bus, Xantrex RS3000 Pure Sine inverter, Garmin 2730 GPS, Cobra CB, Toad-2001 Acura MDX, Blue Ox base, Blue Ox Alexus LX towbar, SMI Silent Partner.
Reminds me when we went to the garden of the gods CG in Colorado Springs.... Got there like 9pm and they had 2 spots left.... He took me on a golf cart to show me the spots.... man it was tight in there..... I had only several inches between camper and trees on both sides, and then people parked their tow vehicles in the street because there wasnt enough room in the spots for both..took awhile but got it in..... Opended the slide and it went right up to the neighbors fire pit..Glad they didnt have a fire....
The next morning there were alot of open spaces, so we changed to a very nice spot...
2007 GMC DURAMAX,LBZ,4 by Crew, Allison
Magnaflow Turbo Back Exhaust
Predator Tuner
18by9 Helo's on BFG's
5year old boy
3 year old baby girl
Sea ray boat
Wilderness 5th wheel
SandRail
HD WideGlide
FORD Expediton
honda Eu3000
Craig P. wrote: ...PLEASE use a spotter if one is available...
Even if you don't have a spotter with you, ask a fellow camper if they can spot for you. All a spottrer has to do is 'Yell Out' if you are going to hit something. It is up to the driver to know where he is putting the unit.
DW, 2 girls, and me
07 Freestar
76 Parklane Tent Trailer
08 Minn Kota 30 lb Troller
56 Featherlite 10' Cartopper
Nights camped in 2007: 14
Nights camped in 2008: 10
17 years Professional Driving accident free all over North America
Your experience is why I'm outside and watching when my campsite neighbor is arriving and leaving. Especially, when they are not using a spotter. Better to be safe than sorry.
Travel safely and have fun.
"ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE"
...OoRah...Semper Fi
The Fireball and Missy
Furkids - Skippy & Skeeter
2006 Monaco Knight 38' 4-slides, 330 Cummins
2006 Jeep Wrangler dingy
We have radios but trying to talk and drive can be hard. Where cell phone reception works good we use our cell phones and I put on my wireless “blue tooth” headset so I can drive and listen/talk at the same time.
I just pray for patience. More for the other campers than for me. I am REALLY SLOW when it comes to backing in my TT. I am still a rookie at it and have to make many corrections. But I personally would rather it take longer and be accident free than try to hurry and hit something or someone.
2005 Keystone Outback 28RSS, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Tekonsha Primus Brake Control
Offline
and Missy 
& Skeeter 
