First outing of the year, damage to truck, lesson learned

[LouSlugger]

Arrived at campsite in Land Between the Lakes in Western Kentucky last week. Site I had reserved online appeared to be in a prime spot (according to the site map). What the map didn't show was a tree close to the left side of the site entrance and a drain culvert on either side. Bad news on opposite side of road as well (drainage ditch). And I had to back in to the spot. After multiple failed attempts, neighbor came over and talked me in. What I didn't realize at the time (I was focused on watching his commands as he stood in front of my truck) is that the RV tires on passenger side dipped down into culvert, causing the rig to lean at such an angle that it pressed down onto the rail of my truck bed on passenger side (in two places), causing the metal skin on outside of bed to bow out. Lesson: unless I have personally scouted the site in advance to make sure getting in and out will not be too difficult, I will reserve only pull-through sites. (None of those available at this campsite, though). I'm fairly new at this but it's not worth the stress (and expense) to gamble that there won't be obstacles like trees, ditches, etc. that can get a trip off to a bad start. Aside from that and the flash flooding that happened on day 3, it was a great start to the season!

[gman1966347]

Oh man!! Sorry to hear that buddy! You will have way better trips for sure!;)

[nano]

Ugh, that sucks. :( I hope things improve!

[Brantlaker]

When I go to a new campground I Google map it and satellite view it and if i'm lucky they have a street view of it. Sorry about the damage to the truck Happy Camping.

[Bigsky3625]

When I go to a new campground I Google map it and satellite view it and if i'm lucky they have a street view of it. Sorry about the damage to the truck Happy Camping.

X2. Though the views can be older and not reflect current state. But at least you can also see what is in the local area to avoid getting a spot in an unfavorable location.

[Rusty]

Sorry to hear of your trials and tribulations.

Sure you can check out satellite images but a lot of those pictures are so old the sites could have changed drastically. I am sure you can still see satellite images of my backyard without a fence, although I put the fence in a few years ago!

[Poppy's 5th Wheel]

Sorry to hear that but hey, misery loves company so to help ease your pain .... I will share that our first trip out with our new 5th wheel, 2 years ago now, I impaled it on a huge tree limb. The park service had cut a huge branch off a rather large oak tree but it still stuck out into the roadway right on a turn which I took too close. It took me over an hour to untangle the trailer and tree. My sympathetic wife managed to convince me to remain at the campground for the planned stay and then I took it for repairs. $15,000 and 3 months in the shop later and all was new again.

Anyway, I think these kinds of things are bound to happen. Some worse than others. I hope your truck gets fixed good as new and at least all were safe.

[DK Henry]

Man sorry to hear about your trouble. Sometimes when someone is trying to help, we do tend to focus too much on them. It is also very frustrating to try a few times and not get in the spot. Were you at Hillman , Piney or the Canal? We live in Murray and keep our camper on KY Lake when we are not on the road. Man did we ever have the rain! The lake is four foot over summer pool so it is starting to get interesting. Just remember go slow and don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with. Most of all don’t worry about it. We have all caused some damage to our rv or tv.

[LouSlugger]

We were at Piney. It was raining so hard as we broke camp that I had to change into a whole new set of clothes before driving off.
Lots of good sites but only about 8 with 50 amp service. Thanks for the good advice and sharing of pain. The dents in the truck don't bother me as much since the first one I made last season. Nothing major got broken so I'll count it as a victory.

[theeyres]

After years of such woes I've learned a few things. First you do at times have to reserve sites unseen, that is just the way it is. Second, both my wife and I always scout the site before I ever start backing up. That includes both sides, the back, and UP. Boy have I forgotten UP and hit branches more than once!
Third, I never, never take directions from another person--they just don't do it the way I do. My wife always watches for me--doesn't do too much directing but is ready to yell STOP when I'm going the wrong direction or am getting ready to hit something.

Sorry for the mishap. My rails are a series of dents! That's camping and it's just a truck. LOL Just enjoy the experience and don't get to uptight as s...t always happens.

[crash]

I too have dw watch and yell for me ,I know people mean well and all and they maybe come great friends in the end ,but when I am backing a $80,000 camper I dont listen to no strangers cause when its said in done they just say oh well and walk away and leave you with your screw up,jm2cents.

[LouSlugger]

That's camping and it's just a truck. LOL Just enjoy the experience and don't get to uptight as s...t always happens.

Amen......

[CUFFS054]

Crash, right you are sir! Plus you can throw it up to the wife every time she gets the upper hand in an argument.

[BOBYT1630]

Arrived at campsite in Land Between the Lakes in Western Kentucky last week. Site I had reserved online appeared to be in a prime spot (according to the site map). What the map didn't show was a tree close to the left side of the site entrance and a drain culvert on either side. Bad news on opposite side of road as well (drainage ditch). And I had to back in to the spot. After multiple failed attempts, neighbor came over and talked me in. What I didn't realize at the time (I was focused on watching his commands as he stood in front of my truck) is that the RV tires on passenger side dipped down into culvert, causing the rig to lean at such an angle that it pressed down onto the rail of my truck bed on passenger side (in two places), causing the metal skin on outside of bed to bow out. Lesson: unless I have personally scouted the site in advance to make sure getting in and out will not be too difficult, I will reserve only pull-through sites. (None of those available at this campsite, though). I'm fairly new at this but it's not worth the stress (and expense) to gamble that there won't be obstacles like trees, ditches, etc. that can get a trip off to a bad start. Aside from that and the flash flooding that happened on day 3, it was a great start to the season!

Check out the website campsitephotos.com, It may give you a better chance at seeing what your reserving.

Not sure if your campground is listed, but I have seen most of the sites I have reserved before reserving them.

Sorry about the truck, did anything happen to the trailer?