Things we learned on our 2nd trip! - Page 5

Cowracer · 09-17-2019, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLdoc

A little trick for knowing where to stop when backing the trailer in, since depth perception can be tricky:
Put something on the ground where you want the tires to end up. Place it on the ground next to where the wheels will be so that as you back up you have a point of reference. I usually use something like an empty soda bottle. It’s much easier to look in the mirror and see when the tires are lined up with the bottle than to guesstimate when you’re in the right spot.

I had a wood block that I used as a 'parking curb' at my house. I got about 2 inches of leeway in backing up. Too far and I can't open the dining room slide because of the garage gutter. Not far enough and the hitch sticks out in the road and the head gruppenführer of the HOA complains about it being over the line. I'd leave the block in my driveway as both a target and a hard stop. It sat there for years, quietly doing what I wanted it to do.

We had friends along camping once. When we got back home, the husband gets out to "help me back up" into my parking space. Not that I asked him too, or needed him. He just wanted to feel helpful. So I am backing up with him giving me all kinds of indecipherable hand signals (that I ignore), lined up perfectly to hit my stop, when he starts shouting STOP STOP STOP! Of course, I stop and watch as he runs over, kicks my block of wood out of the way, and then goes "OK! COME ON BACK NOW!.

I could have strangled the s.o.b.

Luckily, I could see on the concrete exaclty where it was sitting and I put it back. Now I have a rubber curb, lag-bolted to the concrete drive way. Kick THAT one buddy.

Tim

Mrs.Shockley · 09-17-2019, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HankBear

We love the backup assist, but found it to be most useful in backing up in a straight line, once we got the camper lined up to where we wanted it to end up.

Ours will lose the sticker every so often, but not a lot. Make sure the camera lens is clean, and the sticker is clean, too. Also, be sure that no cable or other obstruction can interfere with the line-of-sight to the sticker from the camera. Worst case, try re-measuring and setting it up, again, or removing the existing sticker and finding a better location, if there is one. Good luck!!

Ours finds it fine. Tells us to put it in reverse. The minute we start moving it sounds the alarm and tells us the sticker is lost, put in park. We put in park, it finds the sticker and tells us to put it in reverse. Over and over. Rinse and repeat.

The only time it worked well was when we were in a completely shaded area and there were no shadows whatsoever anywhere. But looking at the picture, the shadows aren't over the sticker! There really isn't any other spot for it without moving our two, 30 lb, propane canisters.

There aren't any obstructions at all, but there is a weld right in the middle, so it drops slightly in the center. Still - it's slight and sometimes it works. There's also simply nowhere else for it to go that's not under the tanks or less than 7" from the ball.

babock · 09-17-2019, 12:03 PM

Make sure your camera is clean at the tailgate.

HankBear · 09-17-2019, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.Shockley

Ours finds it fine. Tells us to put it in reverse. The minute we start moving it sounds the alarm and tells us the sticker is lost, put in park. We put in park, it finds the sticker and tells us to put it in reverse. Over and over. Rinse and repeat.

The only time it worked well was when we were in a completely shaded area and there were no shadows whatsoever anywhere. But looking at the picture, the shadows aren't over the sticker! There really isn't any other spot for it without moving our two, 30 lb, propane canisters.

There aren't any obstructions at all, but there is a weld right in the middle, so it drops slightly in the center. Still - it's slight and sometimes it works. There's also simply nowhere else for it to go that's not under the tanks or less than 7" from the ball.

Can you post a photo of where you have it? We did not have a completely flat area to put ours on, so we were not sure it would work. However, it has been really consistent, with only losing the sticker a few times. I do wonder if the drop in the center is an issue, since it is trying to find the center of the sticker at all times, when it is active.

Mrs.Shockley · 09-17-2019, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HankBear

Can you post a photo of where you have it? We did not have a completely flat area to put ours on, so we were not sure it would work. However, it has been really consistent, with only losing the sticker a few times. I do wonder if the drop in the center is an issue, since it is trying to find the center of the sticker at all times, when it is active.

Won't be able to for a while. We store it when not using. But I will in a few days. Thanks.

Bev4banff53 · 09-18-2019, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmurph

You got to learn that #2 problem before you attend a rally. Some rally members have been known to rate your backing skills like it is some sort of a game. If backing is still too hard to learn then you will have to arrive at most campgrounds on Thursday. Less people to show off to.

This really cracked me up! I can relate...I have an 11ft one-axel trailer (which people tell me is even more of a challenge to back up) and most of the time it takes me several attempts to get my trailer where I want it. So, one time while camping in Utah, I watched another couple enjoying my parking activity and after I finally succeeded, I called over to them and said, "Entertaining, aren't I?" The guy laughed and said, "I can't back up either!"

I've been fortunate that sometimes some guy will take pity on me and back up my trailer for me, but I will admit, that when I am successful at backing up, I feel so proud of myself and feel like shouting to the world, "Yay! I did it!"

By the way, since my trailer is so small and light, if I am parking on a level surface, especially if it is asphalt, I can actually unhook my trailer from my TV, and push it into the parking spot! I only do this when I get absolutely desperate though!

JWood422 · 09-21-2019, 08:12 AM

We learned not to store a heavy baking dish in the microwave oven while traveling.

Tommuy6867 · 09-22-2019, 06:03 AM

I bought a 3” Latex topper off Amazon; and I have to say it is the BOMB.
Cost more than memory foam but it’s much cooler and you don’t get those impressions when you move around on the bed.

Mudbug · 09-22-2019, 10:37 AM

Thanks Mrs. Shockley for a great post. I like how you turn your troubles into a light hearted learning experience.

This post made my other half feel better. She now knows we are not the only ones getting frustrated with each other when backing into a spot.

Mrs.Shockley · 10-07-2019, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HankBear

Can you post a photo of where you have it? We did not have a completely flat area to put ours on, so we were not sure it would work. However, it has been really consistent, with only losing the sticker a few times. I do wonder if the drop in the center is an issue, since it is trying to find the center of the sticker at all times, when it is active.

At long last I have a picture. It's working fine...at night or in deep shade. I was wrong about the weld, it's why we put it where we did. It's as though shadows make it lose the sticker.

HankBear · 10-08-2019, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.Shockley

At long last I have a picture. It's working fine...at night or in deep shade. I was wrong about the weld, it's why we put it where we did. It's as though shadows make it lose the sticker.

Interesting! That's kind of where ours is. We have not really tried to use it much at night or even twilight, though. Ours can lose the sticker, at times, but it picks it back up pretty quickly.

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