Practice before you go

overtheridge · 02-24-2011, 08:16 PM

Have you made this mistake? Man it was so funny – but not at the time. My daughter taped me backing up the truck with the camper on the back with her phone. We went on a camping trip- just us girls (2 friends of mine and their daughters and me and my daughter).

I was the one with the camper so I drove the truck and pulled the camper. I was a bit scared so I practiced with my hubby. It was only an hour away – I mastered pulling the camper. I was impressed. I did not even practice backing it up (well a little I did but not into a narrow spot).

Wouldn’t you know it our spot was super narrow and I had to back the camper up into it. I probably pulled in and out about 23 times! I was getting mad and frustrated and teary eyed. I finally got it in good enough! My friends and the kids cheered! I was excited too.

I guess lesson learned! Please practice backing up your camper prior to going camping. It was a hoot to watch it on the phone (and then on facebook). It was NOT funny when I was doing it though!

Please tell me I’m not alone!

outdoorsy · 02-24-2011, 08:20 PM

Oh my! Nope this has not happened to me, then again I don't drive the truck either. If I went on a girls trip with the camper, I am sure I would have the same problems. I bet it was not funny to you when you were trying to back-up. I am super glad you found the humor in it though when it was all done.

Grandpa · 02-25-2011, 12:56 PM

Don't feel bad. It takes practice to back a trailer in a tight fit. We had a dock at work with a fence out there so It was tight for a 53' trailer to back in to the dock. After watching a pro trying to get in straight for 45 minutes, our cute little blonde driver walked out and asked if she should get it backed in for him.
Afterwards, as we all consoled him on the difficulty he admitted that was the most embarrassed he had ever been. He did feel a little better when he found out the little blonde had driven 'bull wagons" for eight years and could park anything on a dime.

(for the unknowing, a bull wagon is a large cattle hauler and the driver has to be able to back in to all those ranch chutes that just weren't made for big trucks.)

ChadTower · 02-25-2011, 01:26 PM

Hey, it happens. Just don't be that family that screams and yells at each other all afternoon while trying to get the trailer in and then screams and yells all night because you're ticked off about the afternoon. I hate those people.

Bud · 02-25-2011, 08:32 PM

It looks like it's a lot easier than it is, doesn't it? I feel your pain! But, hey---think of it this way---you just did your training at the campsite, that's all. Next time, you'll be ready!