Ok, so I have been researching RV'ing for 2-3 years. I have never had an RV before, but feel pretty certain that I want a 5th wheel, no larger than 32" and no smaller than 28' (anything smaller doesn't provide the amenities I want). I have camped twice in an RV and think I'll love it. Even drove my brother-in-laws for about 70 miles over 4 lane divided highway and mountain roads and did most of the setup. No problem, no sweat.
My nagging concern is traveling long distance and getting into a spot I can't maneuver out of. My backing-up was shaky, but that was before I saw the tip of putting your hand on the bottom of the wheel which should eliminate the nagging opposite wheel turn for backing. Other than the initial investment cost I worrying about my ability to handle the rig.
Anyone out there help me with this worry? How much training did everyone have or get before jumping in? I am not really interested in starting small. My goal is to travel the country, using the RV as my base of operation.
cheryls-other-half said
01:35 PM Oct 27, 2014
Cheryl insisted that we both go to RV DRIVING SCHOOL.
here' what they said after about 4-5 hrs of practice
good job, you aren't perfect, but you can't expect to be after 1 day..
pactice, practice, practice (see malcolm gadwell) and it'll get better.
GENECOP said
05:42 PM Oct 27, 2014
Many of us out here....can't be that hard, have fun, go for it....
Terry and Jo said
09:19 PM Oct 27, 2014
Do the schooling. If you don't do that, if you know anyone with a pickup and fifth wheel, ask if they would help you get a little experience. If you don't know anyone, practice after you get the rig. Practice in a big empty parking lot somewhere using something for cones into which you want to back the rig or maneuver around.
Lots of folks have started RV'ing without experience, so don't sweat it too much. Besides, if you let a little fear hold you back, you'll never get to experience the joy of RV'ing and seeing the country.
Oh, and if you make mistakes backing and have to keep trying, don't worry about it. The rest of us promise to not laugh too hard.
Terry
MarkS said
09:51 PM Oct 27, 2014
Stop worrying about something that might not even happen. Get behind the wheel and do it. You will never be able to back up until you get some experience. To get confident, you will need to experience it. None of us came out of the womb driving large vehicles in all kinds of places. We all started as beginners. You should see some of the places I take an 18 wheeler. Proceed slowly while you get your legs. I am still more careful pulling my 40' fifth wheel than I am pulling a 53' reefer. I don't want any scratches on my RV.
2riker2go said
02:04 AM Oct 28, 2014
We know how you feel! After two years on the road, we worry about it a lot less. But our first few months on the road, there were several times that we got ourselves into our spot, and then, Harry especially, would fret about how we were going to get out. There might have been a sharp turn going out, or a tree by our site, or etc etc. But we got out every time. :) I always just tell Harry that we will take our time and back up to adjust if we need to. And experience has helped a lot, but there's only one way to get it!
jdh6862 said
08:01 AM Oct 28, 2014
Thanks for the comments I've received so far. Some of you said do the schooling. Can you tell me where I might do that?
el Rojo and Pam said
08:22 AM Oct 28, 2014
It's not uncommon for me to get out of the truck and look 2 or 3 times when backing into a spot. I don't get in a hurry backing in. Most people don't try to rush you when parking and when they do I just let them pass so I can concentrate. It's not hard to do if you take your time.
Red
BiggarView said
08:52 AM Oct 28, 2014
If it takes a pro 1 minute to back into a space and a rookie seemingly forever but in reality 15 minutes or so... OMG, it's the end of the world!!! Remember, all pros were rookies at some point. The "pros" have earned the right to pull up lawn chairs, pop a beer or two, and quietly chuckle at your predicament. Been there done that sorta thing. For you, when in doubt, get help or in the absence of it, start over. Caution is your friend, embrace it. ... and ignore the snickers over yonder Soon enough, you'll be the spectator and not the spectacle. My guess is that most RVers will pay you no adverse attention in the spectator sport of "RV Backing".
Me, I plan on wearing a clown costume the first time I attempt to back a huge 5er into a campsite.... tickets will be "pre-sold" for this, sure to be comical, event!
Cindi, may decide to run the concession stand, any profits or proceeds going to the "bent RV fund" or barring that, the "Whew, we made it!" party that will be held later that night.
Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Wednesday 29th of October 2014 11:52:16 AM
Diana and Jim said
09:14 AM Oct 28, 2014
Check with Howard about RV Driving School. They were at the Fall Rally. A lot of folks really liked them. Jo and Craig used them.
WestWardHo said
10:58 AM Oct 29, 2014
Second RVDrivingSchool.com, they have drivers all over the country. I took the class and Jesse (experienced driver) even learned as he could ride along with me. Our good friend Greg just became and instructor in Livingston. Wish I'd thought of the clown costume! Take it slow, very slow and don't worry about the others. Generally there will be someone in your campground willing to help if you want it.
Sherry
NWescapee said
03:09 PM Oct 29, 2014
RV Driving school is very helpful! I had only towed small trailers with a mini van before school and now am more comfortable with the 5'ver. I still don't like the grades, especially the long ones, but I take it slow and am always happy when they are behind me. I will say that this past weekend's 18 miles of 4-6% downhill grade and Sherry (WestWardHo) emailing me about how they put their first travel trailer on it's side on that grade had me white knuckling the drive a bit, thanks Sherry!!
Just take it slow, don't worry about what others think. And, once you're proficient at it, you'll be told you're boring. The last group that thought they'd get a good laugh when we had to back into a particularly tight site told us we were boring when it was done. No yelling, hollering, just a couple of small maneuvers and we were leveling and unhooking, no drama. I think we disappointed that audience.
One tip Linda shared with us at an RV Dreams rally, the few times she's needed to back in and she's had an audience she rolls down the window, tells the audience she's new at this, then she gets lots of suggestions, spotters, and applause when it's over.
MarkS said
11:42 PM Oct 29, 2014
There isn't anything as satisfying as disappointing the audience. I remember when I first started driving, I wouldn't back up in a truck stop. Not because I couldn't but because it made me so uptight that I might make a mistake. Now, I only use my mirrors. The other day after backing in to a dock a guy came up and said, "you've done that before". I told him, "nope that was the first time... today".
Ok, so I have been researching RV'ing for 2-3 years. I have never had an RV before, but feel pretty certain that I want a 5th wheel, no larger than 32" and no smaller than 28' (anything smaller doesn't provide the amenities I want). I have camped twice in an RV and think I'll love it. Even drove my brother-in-laws for about 70 miles over 4 lane divided highway and mountain roads and did most of the setup. No problem, no sweat.
My nagging concern is traveling long distance and getting into a spot I can't maneuver out of. My backing-up was shaky, but that was before I saw the tip of putting your hand on the bottom of the wheel which should eliminate the nagging opposite wheel turn for backing. Other than the initial investment cost I worrying about my ability to handle the rig.
Anyone out there help me with this worry? How much training did everyone have or get before jumping in? I am not really interested in starting small. My goal is to travel the country, using the RV as my base of operation.
Cheryl insisted that we both go to RV DRIVING SCHOOL.
here' what they said after about 4-5 hrs of practice
good job, you aren't perfect, but you can't expect to be after 1 day..
pactice, practice, practice (see malcolm gadwell) and it'll get better.
Do the schooling. If you don't do that, if you know anyone with a pickup and fifth wheel, ask if they would help you get a little experience. If you don't know anyone, practice after you get the rig. Practice in a big empty parking lot somewhere using something for cones into which you want to back the rig or maneuver around.
Lots of folks have started RV'ing without experience, so don't sweat it too much. Besides, if you let a little fear hold you back, you'll never get to experience the joy of RV'ing and seeing the country.
Oh, and if you make mistakes backing and have to keep trying, don't worry about it. The rest of us promise to not laugh too hard.
Terry
We know how you feel! After two years on the road, we worry about it a lot less. But our first few months on the road, there were several times that we got ourselves into our spot, and then, Harry especially, would fret about how we were going to get out. There might have been a sharp turn going out, or a tree by our site, or etc etc. But we got out every time. :) I always just tell Harry that we will take our time and back up to adjust if we need to. And experience has helped a lot, but there's only one way to get it!
Red
If it takes a pro 1 minute to back into a space and a rookie seemingly forever but in reality 15 minutes or so... OMG, it's the end of the world!!! Remember, all pros were rookies at some point. The "pros" have earned the right to pull up lawn chairs, pop a beer or two, and quietly chuckle at your predicament. Been there done that sorta thing. For you, when in doubt, get help or in the absence of it, start over. Caution is your friend, embrace it. ... and ignore the snickers over yonder
Soon enough, you'll be the spectator and not the spectacle. My guess is that most RVers will pay you no adverse attention in the spectator sport of "RV Backing".
Me, I plan on wearing a clown costume the first time I attempt to back a huge 5er into a campsite.... tickets will be "pre-sold" for this, sure to be comical, event!
Cindi, may decide to run the concession stand, any profits or proceeds going to the "bent RV fund" or barring that, the "Whew, we made it!" party that will be held later that night.
Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Wednesday 29th of October 2014 11:52:16 AM
Sherry
Just take it slow, don't worry about what others think. And, once you're proficient at it, you'll be told you're boring. The last group that thought they'd get a good laugh when we had to back into a particularly tight site told us we were boring when it was done. No yelling, hollering, just a couple of small maneuvers and we were leveling and unhooking, no drama. I think we disappointed that audience.
One tip Linda shared with us at an RV Dreams rally, the few times she's needed to back in and she's had an audience she rolls down the window, tells the audience she's new at this, then she gets lots of suggestions, spotters, and applause when it's over.