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RV boo-boos: Oops! Bad parking job: “How do I get out of this mess?”

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Nanci D. bravely steps forward to share her experience. Here they were, brand-new Class A motorhome, pulling into the driveway. “It was a little too tight,” she relates. If you didn’t know better, you might think the rig had been parked long enough for the trees to grow up next to it. Nope! How do you get out of this mess?

Engineering types might envision pulleys and cables. Heavy equipment types could be thinking about suitable cranes and rigging. Nanci and crew took a quicker route out of this mess. Cut down two trees and drive away.

“No damage to motorhome, but pride,” Nanci sums up. We thank her for swallowing some of that pride and sharing her story with us!

And if you’re worried you might get into this mess—here’s a cordless electric chainsaw you can keep in basement storage!

If you’ve seen, witnessed, or had your own “RV boo-boo” moment and have a photo to share with others, let us know. Fill out the form below, and put “boo-boo” on the subject line. Be sure to link your photo with the attachment tool on the form. 

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Other stories by Russ and Tiña De Maris

##RVT1045

Russ and Tiña De Maris
Russ and Tiña De Maris
Russ and Tiña went from childhood tent camping to RVing in the 1980s when the ground got too hard. They've been tutored in the ways of RVing (and RV repair) by a series of rigs, from truck campers, to a fifth-wheel, and several travel trailers. In addition to writing scores of articles on RVing topics, they've also taught college classes for folks new to RVing. They authored the book, RV Boondocking Basics.


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Richard Hughes (@guest_173467)
1 year ago

We had a retaining wall built and leveled the ground for our Winnebago motorhome. It was easy to park and I added an outlet on our carport post to hook up. Then we purchased a 30 foot trailer and a Ram 3500 with an 8 foot bed and double cab. The first time parking took nearly 2 hours to squeeze it into the slot. I cut one section of the carport roof and now it is much easier to park.

Vanessa (@guest_173385)
1 year ago

Don’t touch my trees! You got in you get out…too bad so sad about your damage.

Lil John (@guest_173343)
1 year ago

One thing I’ve learned after 60 years of driving everything from motorcycles to big rigs. If you were not there, then you really don’t know what the situation was. Have seen rigs in situations I would never have believed! I always hold my opinion until I know EVERYTHING about what happened. Glad you did not tear up the new rig!

Gene Bjerke (@guest_173201)
1 year ago

Should be able to get out the same way they got in.

Tom (@guest_173693)
1 year ago
Reply to  Gene Bjerke

That’s what I thought, and probably where the real story is.

Crowman (@guest_173195)
1 year ago

The best way to get out of this situation is not get into it in the first place. You could have pulled out of there easily with the room you had. Just an article to push buying some China made junk.

Scott (@guest_173890)
1 year ago
Reply to  Crowman

JEEZ, take it easy Crowman. Have you never made a stupid mistake ? These situations can be avoided BUT we all need to lighten up. It is somewhat comforting to know that even an experienced RVer can get into a tough spot, there is still hope for the rest of us. As for the china junk, do you carry a gas powered chain saw in your rig?

The Lazy Q (@guest_173156)
1 year ago

I’m just sitting here scratching my head.

Larry (@guest_173121)
1 year ago

I have a similar photo taken at a state park. Pulled into an assigned tight spot on a mild drizzly day. After getting in a ranger came by and suggested I move to a larger site nearby. When I went to pull out the tires spun and the rig slid down to a tree with inches to spare. The tree was marked for removal so they just cut it down and I was able to get out. Now I’m very careful about parking on wet grass.

Donald Schneider (@guest_173116)
1 year ago

Know the width of your RV AND carry a 25 foot tape measure! Be sure to measure from outside of your mirrors to outside! When in doubt….measure before you enter the assigned site! If it looks small….it probably is!
There is a toll bridge here in Texas across the San Luis Pass that is 10 foot wide with a toll booth on one side and a big steel post on the other. They show lots of scrape marks. Our RV mirrors are 10 foot 10 inches wide so we would not attempt to cross this bridge.

Last edited 1 year ago by Donald Schneider
Mojo (@guest_173111)
1 year ago

Unauthorized cutting tree(s) on another’s property is prohibited in many states and is backed up with legislation specifying treble damages or more. Just a reminder !!

Bob p (@guest_173097)
1 year ago

How do you consciously get into that situation?

Rick (@guest_173117)
1 year ago
Reply to  Bob p

Here, hold my beer and watch!

Wally (@guest_173147)
1 year ago
Reply to  Rick

🙂

Jesse Crouse (@guest_173120)
1 year ago
Reply to  Bob p

Being in the construction industry whenever you enter a construction site get out first and walk the area your RV will be traversing. Stomp, jump up and down and ask if there has been recent rain. General contractors and RV park owners are notorious for LYING THEIR BUTTS OFF about conditions. I have REFUSED to go on to a site I don’t trust to be able to negotiate and get back out of. Don’t like it – get someone else.

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