I need a pep talk! How to Camp alone

Verna

Would you believe the T@B 400 Boondock Lite is easier to back up than the T@B S Max?  It’s true!

And, you know those free with coupon blue flashlights from Harbor Freight?  Lay one of these lights on the ground about 5’ from the T@B on each side if backing in at night. Just back in between the lights and you’re n your campsite. Voice of experience....

jkjenn

Verna said:

Would you believe the T@B 400 Boondock Lite is easier to back up than the T@B S Max?  It’s true!

And, you know those free with coupon blue flashlights from Harbor Freight?  Lay one of these lights on the ground about 5’ from the T@B on each side if backing in at night. Just back in between the lights and you’re n your campsite. Voice of experience....

Yes, the longer the trailer, the easier to back up, as was told to me when I started with a tiny M416 military trailer. That was a real piece of work to back up 

ChanW

Love the flashlight idea @Verna!

Verna

@ChanW, I told two owners of 30’+ travel trailers that this is how I do it, and they both looked at each other, laughed and told me I just saved them the eventual marital argument that happens every time they back up at night!  I was surprised that a former semi truck driver didn’t know about it, but he said he always had the lights of the business’ truck dock to back up to. I’ve done it for a few years and it just works very well. 

ChanW

Perfect independence. I like it.

And the "helpful person" that @jkjenn mentioned, is always going to screw me up - even though I've been backing trailers for 50 years! (Kind of like screwing up my pool shot at the local pub!)

Verna said:

@ChanW, I told two owners of 30’+ travel trailers that this is how I do it, and they both looked at each other, laughed and told me I just saved them the eventual marital argument that happens every time they back up at night!  I was surprised that a former semi truck driver didn’t know about it, but he said he always had the lights of the business’ truck dock to back up to. I’ve done it for a few years and it just works very well. 

Homebodyatheart

@Verna I used two Luci lights at the shed doors the only time I had to push Bug in after dark. Made life much better easier!

Photomom

We don’t back in at night since we follow the 330 rule, but I do carry some small orange cones, which work in the daylight.

N7SHG_Ham

If you have a spotter, the best thing for them to do is simply be a safety lookout AND let the driver know to stop before hitting something!! Let the driver do the backing, and for goodness sakes if there is more than two of you, all the other onlookers need to stay out of it. Nothing like getting conflicting directions and advice from everyone in the crowd!

Photomom

N7SHG_Ham said:

If you have a spotter, the best thing for them to do is simply be a safety lookout AND let the driver know to stop before hitting something!! Let the driver do the backing, and for goodness sakes if there is more than two of you, all the other onlookers need to stay out of it. Nothing like getting conflicting directions and advice from everyone in the crowd!

When we bought our T@B I drove it home and we have a long driveway that goes uphill and curves. I had no idea what I was doing and neither did my husband so the directions he was yelling made no sense. At some point my son came out of the house and also started yelling directions and the dog came out and started barking. Then neighbors started coming out to see what was going on. Cars that drove by couldn’t pass because I continually had to pull back into the street to try to straighten out so the drivers watched too. After about 30 minutes of this we finally got the trailer into an acceptable location and I went inside for wine.

pthomas745

I'm not very practiced with backing, but I can do it.  The biggest problem with helpers or being a helper is trying to explain what the driver needs to do.  It is easier for everyone to be quiet and use hand signs to point or signal.  Just stand where I can see you in the mirror and point the direction the back of the trailer needs to go.  Yell only to stop.

Something like this!

Marceline

Would you believe the T@B 400 Boondock Lite is easier to back up than the T@B S Max?  It’s true!

And, you know those free with coupon blue flashlights from Harbor Freight?  Lay one of these lights on the ground about 5’ from the T@B on each side if backing in at night. Just back in between the lights and you’re n your campsite. Voice of experience....

Luci lights work great for this, too.

Homebodyatheart

Shhhhh! Don’t tell him, but I almost completely ignore DH when backing the 320. I always thank him, it’s just easier to go with what I know. My sense of spatial relations is much better...

pthomas745

Shhhhh! Don’t tell him, but I almost completely ignore DH when backing the 320. I always thank him, it’s just easier to go with what I know. My sense of spatial relations is much better...

It is a tale

  ------- full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing.

ScottG

I think it is particularly hard for someone who doesn't have their own experience or intuitive sense of backing a trailer to try and direct the driver. I agree with N7SHG_Ham's idea that best help you can get is just having someone watching make sure you don't accordion your T@bby into a nearby tree. Unless you are backing straight up, you are usually limited to seeing only one side of the trailer at a time. 

Homebodyatheart

@ScottG I’ve found that adjusting the passenger side mirror to point downward allows me to see what I need to miss better. Many sites I stay in use large rocks at the drive entrance. 

N7SHG_Ham

If at all possible always driver (sight) side back vs blind side backing. GOAL often if unsure. https://youtu.be/cMjxnVp0wvs

ericnliz

@Homebodyatheart, I know all about the ignore & thank you thing. I had good seats the first time at Lincoln Rock.

Homebodyatheart

@ericnliz I had forgotten about the time I was brand new and you helped direct me. Guess Mr Homebody isn’t the only one I’ve ignored to some degree...