This may fit more appropriately under Community Chat, but I've got a pet peeve. When a park states that it is 'big rig friendly', you really should be able to get into the site without having to bite nails. We're going to have to ask the next door neighbors to move their vehicle and have someone help us watch the trees as we creep out of our spot tomorrow. Even then, we may have to back out of the site rather than pull forward. The sites are plenty long, but the driveways are extremely narrow and the sites are extremely close together making the turns extremely tight. We check RVParkReviews, but the problem seems to be with the variable definition of 'tight but o.k. for big rigs' remark from the reviewers. Just venting here, but we always ask ahead about site availability for a big rig when we call and the folks ALWAYS say yes. This park has some sites more suitable for big rigs, but they are not using them in the 'off-season'. Why can't they be more honest and just say up front that their big rig sites aren't available?
jagco said
03:05 PM Mar 21, 2010
Would you mind naming the park for the rest of us? Then we can know where the situation exists for future reference.
Thanks.
Racerguy said
06:39 PM Mar 21, 2010
I think we do our part by stating on Rvparkreviews that we feel they really are not THAT big rig friendly.Tight to some is plenty of room to the next guy but if enough of us state we feel it is hard to navigate at least we have a heads up and can decide based on that. Some places think big rig friendly means if your rig fits you can put your truck somewhere else.When I call now I ask not only how long the site is but how wide then if they have a web site I look at the map of the layout and decide if I want to try it or not.
Luvglass said
07:39 PM Mar 21, 2010
Difficulty in driving comfortably and parking your rig is definitely in the "eye of the beholder".
What is easy for an experienced driver, is heart stopping to a newbie, or someone who is naturally very cautious and careful.
I think of myself as fairly comfortable with my rig after all these years, but am still amazed every time we go to a truck stop and I see all the big rigs lined up at the back with only a few inches between them.
I guess, in the end you just have to grit your teeth and go slowly.
KarenInTheWoods said
12:52 PM Mar 22, 2010
It also depends on your *rig*
Fifth wheels and travel trailers "bend" in the middle so they can back into a site from a narrower road. But a 40 ft long motorhome don't "bend" so we need the swing room at the opposite side of the road for the front of the coach to be able to get backed into a site. So many parks have trees close to the edges of the roads opposite of the campsite.
We have gotten into some tight situations, but we learned to go slow and take our time and we use hand held CB's to eliminate the hollaring and waving of arms.
retread said
05:22 PM Mar 22, 2010
Well, we made it out of the campground without any damages to our rig, the trees or the parked cars. Apparently, others were worried about our rig squeezing through as we had about 10 spectators openly (outside their rigs) staring at us during our departure. My dh maneuvered quite expertly through the maze, with me watching as a precaution at each of the turns. When we were 'in the clear', I looked and saw the spectators were still there...so I gave them a big wave goodbye and they all waved back - hilarious! Our neighbor (the one that had to move his truck for our exit), said they were going to watch our way out to plan their exit as well.
We're not the most experienced in the world, but we've been at this for 14 months and over 50 campgrounds in that duration. I won't name this particular park by name b/c I don't want to complain about them specifically (we'll present our honest assessment in RVParkReviews). My beef is broader, with the more the 1/2 dozen or so parks that have presented this problem to us during this year.
I believe that if the park promotes itself as Big Rig Friendly, there should be no cause of nail biting, teeth grinding or other various forms of anxiety management. We all have a responsibility to learn to handle our rigs safely and efficiently. The park owners also must realize that the rigs keep getting bigger and bigger - requiring more turning radii for maneuvering to, into and out of the sites.
Thanks for the feedback and patience with the vent! Linda
Speedhitch said
07:00 PM Mar 22, 2010
Sherri and I have the same feelings that you do. We have been so disapointed when pulling into a C/G and find out that we cannot fit. I hope that the people in RV Review are honest in their assesment of these parks and give everyone the heads up if it is hard to get into. I know Fred Wishnie assesed a park in South Louisiana that Sherri and I later visited and he said not to park in certain spaces due to the fact they were hard to get into. We all have to stick together in this and even if you are a veteran RVer make sure you let those that are not know what to look for. Good luck and we look forward to hearing more about the parks you visit.