Back it up

[Number 4]

Oh sure, he's good but add in some one-way campground loops, trees, boulders, campsite markers and something longer than a single axle pop-tart TT and let's see how he does!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHcSTMFRG_g

[Cbrez]

Most impressive is the performance is in front of hundreds of spectators. I forget my name if I’m backing into a site and more than 3 people are watching. DW has to get some smelling salts under my nose to get my head back in the game ��

[sourdough]

I suppose anyone could take a TV, tiny trailer and just whip through things when there is absolutely no danger to the RV, car or occupants. Add some trees, short steel posts, peds, a 200' straight drop off dictating the placement of the tires......you won't see this.

[chuckster57]

The fact that he didn’t touch a single cone tells me he either practiced until it was “muscle memory” or he really does know what he’s doing.

Then again it could be a her.

[Logan X]

Originally Posted by Cbrez

Most impressive is the performance is in front of hundreds of spectators. I forget my name if I’m backing into a site and more than 3 people are watching. DW has to get some smelling salts under my nose to get my head back in the game ��

Backing in in front of a crowd is the worst. Especially when everyone has been drinking and wants to give you advice!

[JRTJH]

I consider myself "fairly competent" at backing an RV. After 50 years, I'd hope so !!!

That said, the only way I'd attempt something like that is after a "big jug" of my favorite adult beverage and a beer in my hand so I could give it to someone while saying, "Here, hold my beer and watch this"....

Oh, and only in someone else's tow vehicle and trailer, certainly not mine !!!!!

[kjohn]

When I was much, much younger, I used to haul cattle part-time, usually with a neat 900 Fargo LCF with a tag axle and a 42' or 45' open trailer. Worst times were hauling to and from community pastures out on the Saskatchewan prairie. Always had an audience, always a tight spot to get in and out of. Being a young guy and a bit sharper back then, I was lucky to not have any colossal screwups.

It is more trouble backing these short little trailers than a 50' cattle van.

[travelin texans]

Let us see that person do that with a 40' 5er & a CC DRW long bed truck, then I'd be impressed.
We witnessed a couple pull into a park where all sites were wide enough to be comfortable but not huge, all were 90 degree back ins. They were in a DRW CC F350 towing a long 5er, he got out, the women all of about 4'6" tall about the size of a 10 year old girl, she got behind the wheel while he stood at the drivers side front bumper pointing (not shouting) to her directions, she never took her eyes off him & backed in perfectly 1st shot. We were very impressed!
Most of the time I can't tell what DW is signaling me or if she's just swapping insects, could never do what that couple did.

[GMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by Logan X

Backing in in front of a crowd is the worst. Especially when everyone has been drinking and wants to give you advice!

I've got a tricky spot to put my trailer away next to my house. Usually park in front of the house to unload, take the bars off, go around the block and take my time backing it in.

Was part way through unloading one day when the neighbors popped by to see when I would be done as someone was going to rent their house and was going to put their trailer in the driveway, but mine was kinda in the way. Was happy as theirs was in my way so agreed to move things at 2 (all done very nicely, no issues).

Come 2 and I pull my trailer and park on a side street. The guys tries for about half an hour, doing the same thing over and over again despite it never working and finally gets frustrated and lets me back in.

So crowd watching including this guy who is now pretty frustrated.

Yup. Nailed it first try. No pulling forward to adjust just scooted it in like nothing.

Guy coulda killed me and other neighbors could barely keep from laughing. He then went back to doing what hadn't worked and finally gave up after another half hour or so.

This was on a Sunday. By Wednesday his whole truck and trailer had been stolen. Felt bad for the guy. Also made worse because between the Sunday (when my trailer was away) and the Wed (when his was stolen) Google came by so Google street view showed his truck and trailer parked.

[CaptnJohn]

I never had trouble backing boats from 14' to 30', never had a problem with a TT of any size. Now on my 4th 5er and still can't back the damn thing in!

[Old Mustanger]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

I never had trouble backing boats from 14' to 30', never had a problem with a TT of any size. Now on my 4th 5er and still can't back the damn thing in!

You and I are in the same boat! Learned to backa car trailer and TT's with no troubles, now on my 2nd 5er and always take at least 2 tries

[CaptnJohn]

I'd be happy with 2 tries. 4-6 seems to be my average.

[MN-Clark]

So, y'all saying I'm not the only one that takes a couple of tries to get my 5th wheel backed in?

Wheeew, that makes me feel better!

Still, my beautiful bride thinks I do an excellent job driving and in particular, backing up. And she's the only one I really have to impress!

[jsmith948]

Pull-ups DO NOT COUNT! The goal here is to position your camper in the campsite without any damage to the trailer or the campsite. If you can't see - or if you aren't sure of your clearances - Get out and Look (GOAL). As to the looky-lews that seem to be having fun at you expense - well - insecure buttholes have to denigrate others to make themselves feel superior - Just Sayin'

[CaptnJohn]

I just tell them if they can do better to get in and do it.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

I just tell them if they can do better to get in and do it.

I wonder what would happen if instead of inviting them to try, you simply said, "I get nervous when people are watching, if you all would turn around, I'd get in it position on the first try".....

[GMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

I never had trouble backing boats from 14' to 30', never had a problem with a TT of any size. Now on my 4th 5er and still can't back the damn thing in!

Maybe it's a trailer vs. 5th wheel thing, but I have more trouble with the smaller trailers than my 34'4" trailer.

Got this little 8 ft utility trailer and I can't see the damn thing in my mirrors until it's swung too far.

[rjrelander]

My neighbor across the street is a retired teamster. I'm a lot better at backing into my driveway now but I gave him and his buddies hours of entertainment early on.

[EDIT] You can actually see his open garage doors in my signature picture below. He's got the full man cave thing going on over there.

[rhagfo]

Well in the winter we "Host" at a closed park on the Oregon Coast. It is closed due to occasional flooding during extreme high tides. The winter host site is angled the wrong way for incoming traffic. This year the floods came early and driving into the park to use the turnaround at the far end was out of the question. So pulled into the day use and backed in about 200' to 300'.
When it come to backing, I wish I had the link to the video of the guy who drove down a dead end street in Cannon Beach, OR tried at least a dozen times to get turned around in the street, without success. Then finally tried backing out, he did it straight as an arrow.

[johnlewis]

Backing a 37' 5er seemed a lot easier to me than backing a trailer with a 15' boat.