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Old 02-20-2022, 02:34 AM   #1
Beernutzbob
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New member and new camper

Hi all. My wife and I recently purchased a 2019 Outback Ultra-Lite 240URS and though we're spending only our second night in it we love it. Of course backing it in a campsite for the first time was an adventure but no relationships were permanently damaged. The bunkhouse/toy hauler setup with king bed slide-out is perfect for us and our two pups.

I have to give a shout out to the great team at Great American RV in Grand Bay, AL. They were a pleasure to do business with. Insert no affiliation disclaimer here--just a satisfied customer.

I just retired in January and we've got plans to camp a lot.

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Old 02-20-2022, 03:59 AM   #2
JimQ
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Congrats on the Outback and on your retirement! You are going to love it! Welcome to the forum!
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Old 02-20-2022, 04:18 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beernutzbob View Post
Hi all. My wife and I recently purchased a 2019 Outback Ultra-Lite 240URS and though we're spending only our second night in it we love it. Of course backing it in a campsite for the first time was an adventure but no relationships were permanently damaged. The bunkhouse/toy hauler setup with king bed slide-out is perfect for us and our two pups.

I have to give a shout out to the great team at Great American RV in Grand Bay, AL. They were a pleasure to do business with. Insert no affiliation disclaimer here--just a satisfied customer.

I just retired in January and we've got plans to camp a lot.


Welcome and Congratulations on the trailer

You may already be doing this but if not…I have my wife use her cell phone and call me while I’m getting ready to back up as she is getting out of the truck…answer the phone on my hands free calling so I don’t have to hold my phone and I can talk and hear her while maneuvering

I also bought these 2 way radios and they actually work pretty good … (when we aren’t both trying to talk at the same time)
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Old 02-20-2022, 05:31 AM   #4
Beernutzbob
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Originally Posted by jasin1 View Post
Welcome and Congratulations on the trailer

You may already be doing this but if not…I have my wife use her cell phone and call me while I’m getting ready to back up as she is getting out of the truck…answer the phone on my hands free calling so I don’t have to hold my phone and I can talk and hear her while maneuvering

I also bought these 2 way radios and they actually work pretty good … (when we aren’t both trying to talk at the same time)
Thanks for the tip. We were using cellphones and mine was handsfree but I think we're going to try some Walkie-talkies in the future.
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Old 02-20-2022, 06:15 AM   #5
Gegrad
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Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania. Congrats on the retirement!
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Old 02-20-2022, 07:04 AM   #6
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Welcome from south Georgia and congrats on the Outback.
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Old 02-20-2022, 08:12 AM   #7
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Welcome and enjoy. As for backing up it takes practice. I took my 5th wheel to a church parking lot and practice backing up between the lines. Once I learned a few things on when and how much to turn it got easier. The main thing is don’t let others make you hurry. Take your time you will lean and become quicker over time.
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Old 02-20-2022, 09:15 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jasin1 View Post
Welcome and Congratulations on the trailer

You may already be doing this but if not…I have my wife use her cell phone and call me while I’m getting ready to back up as she is getting out of the truck…answer the phone on my hands free calling so I don’t have to hold my phone and I can talk and hear her while maneuvering

I also bought these 2 way radios and they actually work pretty good … (when we aren’t both trying to talk at the same time)
We were at a park in Texas sitting outside enjoying an adult beverage, the escort led a motorhome next to us, the driver opened his window to talk to the escort while the wife jumped out to the rear & immediately started giving directions, the driver leaned out the window & asked the escort "would you mind going back there & tell her to turn the walkie talkie on?", we about wet ourselves laughing.
From our experience save the $$ on the walkie talkies & use the cell phones, my DW would never let go of the button for me to ask questions or comments.
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Old 02-20-2022, 09:21 AM   #9
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Welcome to the forums, and congrats on the new camper. And congrats on your retirement.

One thing you might do, if you have opportunity, is to take the camper to an empty parking lot and practice backing into parking spots, simulating campground sites. Get some orange soccer cones or even some wooden boards to use for markers, lay them out and then attempt to back in between them from different angles. This exercise will benefit you tremendously and give you greater confidence. There are several YouTube videos giving instructions on how to do this and set up a parking lot to make your moves repeatable. Here's a pretty good one I stumbled into. It's 27 minutes long, but well worth watching.

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Old 02-20-2022, 01:00 PM   #10
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Welcome from South of StL.

We normally use our cell phones. But a handheld CB (Have one mounted in both of our trucks.) We have hit a couple of places with no cell service. So handheld CB or walkie is our only option.

Plus, if you are unsure of the directions or feel it's not correct. Stop, get out, go look for yourself. We've had times it just didn't feel right to whoever was backing. The person in the back was correct, but it's always better to double-check what you think/feel than have them miss something.

Congrats on your retirement!! Enjoy your camping trips.
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Old 02-20-2022, 01:26 PM   #11
Beernutzbob
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Originally Posted by Camping family View Post
Welcome and enjoy. As for backing up it takes practice. I took my 5th wheel to a church parking lot and practice backing up between the lines. Once I learned a few things on when and how much to turn it got easier. The main thing is don’t let others make you hurry. Take your time you will lean and become quicker over time.

Thanks that tip makes a lot of sense. My first time backing up into a site on Friday even with my wife's help and taking my sweet time was a comedy of errors and took at least 15 minutes and five tries and redos. And I own both a utility trailer and a 22 foot center console but the Outback was a whole nother animal.

However Saturday afternoon I decided to dump my tanks at the station and after that I backed it back into our site on the first try.
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Old 02-20-2022, 01:30 PM   #12
Beernutzbob
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Originally Posted by SandyBurg View Post
Welcome from South of StL.

We normally use our cell phones. But a handheld CB (Have one mounted in both of our trucks.) We have hit a couple of places with no cell service. So handheld CB or walkie is our only option.

Plus, if you are unsure of the directions or feel it's not correct. Stop, get out, go look for yourself. We've had times it just didn't feel right to whoever was backing. The person in the back was correct, but it's always better to double-check what you think/feel than have them miss something.

Congrats on your retirement!! Enjoy your camping trips.

Thanks, that point about stopping and getting out so see for myself makes sense and I'll try to keep it in mind.
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Old 02-20-2022, 06:49 PM   #13
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Hello and welcome to the forum!

Backing up and placing the trailer exactly where you want it does take some practice,
and the video Dutchman posted is a great way to learn the details.

Have fun and stay safe!
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Old 02-21-2022, 05:30 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by Camping family View Post
Welcome and enjoy. As for backing up it takes practice. I took my 5th wheel to a church parking lot and practice backing up between the lines. Once I learned a few things on when and how much to turn it got easier. The main thing is don’t let others make you hurry. Take your time you will lean and become quicker over time.
Backing up is best done very slowly and without witnesses. I was told it gets easier with time but after quite a few years I am only marginally more proficient.
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Old 02-21-2022, 06:08 AM   #15
flybouy
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Best thing I ever did was install a camera on the back of the trailer. Before the camers the DW would stand back there arms flailing like a child that fell through the ice. Then she'd dissapear ouut of my view. Bought radios and I could see her lips moving but hear nothing. She either wouldn't have the button pushed down or she would push the wrong button and change the channel.

After the camera install here's what we do. I pull up to the site and stop. We get out and I get the dog out. I eyeball the site, move the table and fire ring if it's really close and tie the dog to the table with a short leash. If it's a particularly tigh spot spot I get a rope out from the back of the truck. This rope is bright yellow, the same length as the trailer with lengths of rope tied perpendiculer to where the slideouts are. Those attached peices are the same length as the slideouts are deep. By laying them out I know if the slideouts will clear trees or power pedestals, water spigots, etc. The rope also gives me a line of refrence in the mirror.

Then I get back in the truck, the DW calls me on the cell phone and watches my blind side. This system works well for us. I think the camera system saved our marriage, probably my life.
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Old 02-21-2022, 12:29 PM   #16
Beernutzbob
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Originally Posted by flybouy View Post
Best thing I ever did was install a camera on the back of the trailer. Before the camers the DW would stand back there arms flailing like a child that fell through the ice. Then she'd dissapear ouut of my view. Bought radios and I could see her lips moving but hear nothing. She either wouldn't have the button pushed down or she would push the wrong button and change the channel.

After the camera install here's what we do. I pull up to the site and stop. We get out and I get the dog out. I eyeball the site, move the table and fire ring if it's really close and tie the dog to the table with a short leash. If it's a particularly tigh spot spot I get a rope out from the back of the truck. This rope is bright yellow, the same length as the trailer with lengths of rope tied perpendiculer to where the slideouts are. Those attached peices are the same length as the slideouts are deep. By laying them out I know if the slideouts will clear trees or power pedestals, water spigots, etc. The rope also gives me a line of refrence in the mirror.

Then I get back in the truck, the DW calls me on the cell phone and watches my blind side. This system works well for us. I think the camera system saved our marriage, probably my life.

I did install a camera on the back of the trailer but I couldn't get it powered on using the 4 pin trailer hitch back there. Very likely that was not the fault of the camera but was due to operator error as I was futzing with the setup in the parking lot of the RV retailer in order to get on the road to a campsite.



However I'd thought ahead and had purchased a small 12v lawn tractor battery which I quickly wired up to power the camera. I attached it to the unit using industrial velcro and it worked a treat. This is the camera and monitor I bought:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H3PGBYB...roduct_details


Watching the traffic behind me while driving was a big relief.


Thanks for all the suggestions - those are golden!
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Old 02-21-2022, 01:07 PM   #17
flybouy
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Most folks wire the camera to the center clearance light. You must have the truck lights on for it work. There are lots of discussions on here concerning back up cams.
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Old 02-24-2022, 04:40 AM   #18
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Welcome from northern MN.
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Old 02-24-2022, 04:22 PM   #19
Awinkle
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Congrats on your Outback. Looks the same as our first one which we loved. We found using the Garmin backup camera and cell phones made backing into our tricky storage place much easier. Also found that when backing into camp site be sure you have sufficient space between the camper and any trees to open the back bed slide out and any side slides. Our mantra - measure 5' to the back and 3' to the side. PM if you have any other questions.
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Old 02-24-2022, 04:30 PM   #20
jasin1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelin texans View Post
We were at a park in Texas sitting outside enjoying an adult beverage, the escort led a motorhome next to us, the driver opened his window to talk to the escort while the wife jumped out to the rear & immediately started giving directions, the driver leaned out the window & asked the escort "would you mind going back there & tell her to turn the walkie talkie on?", we about wet ourselves laughing.
From our experience save the $$ on the walkie talkies & use the cell phones, my DW would never let go of the button for me to ask questions or comments.
Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy View Post
Best thing I ever did was install a camera on the back of the trailer. Before the camers the DW would stand back there arms flailing like a child that fell through the ice. Then she'd dissapear ouut of my view. Bought radios and I could see her lips moving but hear nothing. She either wouldn't have the button pushed down or she would push the wrong button and change the channel.

After the camera install here's what we do. I pull up to the site and stop. We get out and I get the dog out. I eyeball the site, move the table and fire ring if it's really close and tie the dog to the table with a short leash. If it's a particularly tigh spot spot I get a rope out from the back of the truck. This rope is bright yellow, the same length as the trailer with lengths of rope tied perpendiculer to where the slideouts are. Those attached peices are the same length as the slideouts are deep. By laying them out I know if the slideouts will clear trees or power pedestals, water spigots, etc. The rope also gives me a line of refrence in the mirror.

Then I get back in the truck, the DW calls me on the cell phone and watches my blind side. This system works well for us. I think the camera system saved our marriage, probably my life.


If you look at post #3 the Motorola’s I purchased came in a pack of three…I wondered why an odd number at first but now realize it’s because either you or your spouse will smash one of them on the ground out of frustration
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