Dear RV park owners,
Why, why, why (!!) do you put things in campgrounds right where I’m trying to turn my RV that are completely out of my line of sight? Is there some conspiracy between the RV parts suppliers, RV insurance companies, and the campgrounds?
Every RVer here knows exactly what I’m going on about. Rocks. Stumps. Power pedestals. Water spigots.
In so many RV campgrounds it seems there are things that are well below where I can see them that pose an imminent danger to either my RV or tow vehicle.
For example, I was recently staying at an RV park that was best suited to small RVs. There were the usual pedestals and other obstacles in my site, which I walked before backing. But there were also boulders on the other side of the street for some reason that were just low enough that I couldn’t see them no matter what.
So, my solution here was to move a bit, get out, and then move some more, lest I leave a permanent reminder on my pickup truck that the RV park owner in question had it out for nice paint and wrinkle-free fenders.
I’m really surprised I’ve never seen anything even in social media forums about this. But it’s something that bugs me almost any time I check into a new park. There’s that rock or those posts in the ground and they always have some paint transfer on them.
Now, I’m fortunate in that I’m really, really good at backing up. Where my RV sits when it’s at our home is down a long driveway and then it has to be navigated around a sharp 90° bend. I’m not trying to brag, but I can usually make this target by myself in one shot. But I also don’t have anything below the sightline of my truck that’s going to leave a reminder of that time I didn’t make the turn.
Solutions
If you share my feelings about this, there are actually a few solutions to the issue.
I always encourage anyone, even if you have a great co-pilot, to walk the place where you’re going. They should, and you should too, keep an eye out for rocks, stumps or anything else that could leave a mark on the truck or trailer.
I also use this opportunity to plug in my power protector so I can determine if the power at the site is worth my backing into anyway.
If there is a particular nuisance item that might represent a challenge to get around, one of the options might be to take those tennis ball markers that you can get for aiding in hitching up a trailer and place those where they extend into your line of sight. Usually, you don’t have to put more than the two that come in the package to let you know where the obstacles are.
Another way to handle this is to take note of where the obstacles are and put red solo cups right before the place where you might contact the obstacle. While you’ll still not be able to see the item, the sound of a red solo cup meeting its demise is pretty distinct and certainly a much better sound than sheet metal (or fiberglass) against a rock.
I also have some cones that we bring with us that can denote those annoying out-of-site items. But the cups are my favorite just for the sound they make.
I have been to many RV parks where I watch folks backing in and just wait for “that sound.” More often than not they don’t want my assistance and then won’t look me in the eye after they’ve hit something at the site.
Easy solution
What would really make me happy is if RV parks invested in golf flags and put them as site markers rather than things that were below your line of sight in an RV. The flags could even have your site number on them. They would also help you find the site, especially at larger parks.
A flag at the pedestal would also help show where that was for a lot of reasons, including the parks likely having to replace far fewer of these. As it is now, I challenge you to go to any RV park and not find at least one pedestal that’s been the loser at a game of RV fender contact.
Another option is portable golf flags. I found sets of these on Amazon that were under $25, which is certainly far less expensive than resolving any unplanned contact. These flags are also portable and compact and, should you choose to do a bit of digging, you could bury the cup that comes with them and practice some putting.
No matter what, in the hundreds of RV parks that I’ve been to as I traverse this wonderful land, it’s the minority that doesn’t have something that’s going to cause damage to the unsuspecting RVer. I could excuse this if some RVs were skateboards or something like that, but the fact that all RVs are larger vehicles with blind spots makes me wonder why RV parks haven’t done something other than creating the most hazardous situation a paint job could possibly encounter.
And let’s not even talk about seeing people knock the ends of their black tanks off. Yikes.
##RVT1019
Tony, I either must be very lucky, or you must be very unlucky, when it comes to this topic. I have been RVing since the 1970’s and have never run into anything that I would consider a problem when backing into a spot at a campground. Actually, I didn’t see anything in any of the pictures you provided, that I would consider a threat to my RV when backing in. You have a backup camera and if you don’t, you should get one. A lot of times the owners will put objects in places to ensure that an RV isn’t parked far enough back as to be partly in the campsite behind their own space. I don’t find that odd at all. You probably haven’t heard much on this topic because most people don’t have a problem backing in sites. Now if you want to talk about Campgrounds that have “super narrow” sites to back into, I am all on board with that topic. There are plenty of those.
I haven’t run into them either. But they’re there and it just seems frustrating how these low-lying obstacles are right at a place where they’re difficult to see.
I have to admit I park my rig down a long driveway and have to back around a blind turn no less so backing isn’t an issue for me, but it is more challenging when I know that rock or low-lying post is there. Somewhere. And I can only imagine the newbies.
I just know that my backup camera shows me everything behind me and I angle both of my side mirrors down when backing in, so I can see how close to anything I am on the side. It has never been a problem for me. Thanks for the response and keep writing articles. I read them. 🙂
We have had a problem with those “decorative” boulders, too! Trying to back a 40’ fifth wheel into a spot with boulders on each side defining the entrance to the site, and trees across from the site further restricting the turning radius was more of a challenge than either of us wanted. Not a relaxing way to start a trip!
I agree. The boulders, defining how far back they want you, is not my biggest problem. It’s the narrow roads with trees and rocks and bushes bordering the opposite side that are. It’s amazing the amount of swing you need for the front end of the truck to get into some sites. Many CG roads were designed 50 years ago when rigs were much shorter.
And if anyone is still reading, it’s not a 5ver, it’s a 5er. You don’t see a San Francisco 49ner.
Excellent article. It is obvious that the people that design campgrounds have never been in one.
The best campgrounds are those in which Mother Nature has done most of the designing. RVs should invade as little as possible. Otherwise, the nice, paved, parking lot type campgrounds work better.
Well said.
What do you think would happen to those golf flags if an RV park invested in them to mark what you may consider a hazard? Vandalism, that’s what would happen, just a waste of money for the park that some punk will steal or destroy. But you said it, and should happen every time you back up. Get out and walk around to identify everything you may hit and if you have to stop and look a hundred times before you are safely in your spot…so be it. I know I do. And the one time I was stupid enough to not get out and look one final time because a person walking by said “you’re good “, yep, a nice gouge in the roof from the cut limb that I was aware and I was trying to avoid. Never again will I listen to a stranger I don’t know without looking myself.
I am fortunate to be one of a couple who are equally adept at getting out and guiding the other into a site. The one serious hit was many years ago when parked in an open spot with “no” obstructions present. In backing out to line up to hookup the tow’d I turned the wheel hard right and hit the only thing sticking out of the ground, the hose bib. I have never told my wife “I’m good” since that one experience. She won’t back the coach without me on the ground looking either. Our “home” site may be the toughest spot to get into, but either of us can do it with ground guidance without hitting the awning that extends over the roof of the coach or its posts.
Great humor Tony.
I dislike where the sites are lined where you have to back in on the blindside. Though I don’t have the problems of a large 5th wheel, seems some parks will say a 35 foot will fit the site, but watching them try to get in there is only enough backing room for a 12’ teardrop to back up. Watched last month where one had to lift the marker post across from him to squeeze in. Then he just put it back up once in his site.
Our 2017 Rockwood mini lite 2504s has a delaminated front on it. The black moldings on all four corners cracked and fell apart two years ago. We bought new ones and fixed it with sealant but these bubbles started. Awful. Forest River said they would not fix it because warranty was off. $1700 to fix if we take it to their factory. Terrible. No more Rockwoods☹️
I’ve found that a yellow extension cord can be helpful when backing into a difficult site. It’s hard for me to judge the trailer’s angle if the site doesn’t have a distinct boundary. The yellow cord becomes my boundary line.
We’re a big 5ver. We find the most over used campground phrase is ” we git rigs yer size in here all the time “. A 45ft 5ver is at least 60ft with the truck. We carry soccer cones, reflector rods, walkies and good ole’ communication.
And way too much “well sh-t, now we know not to do THAT again!”
Just for a laugh, true story. My father in law hit a large rock damaging the front right corner of his class a motorhome when trying to back into his drive way. Where was the rock, it was in the neighbors front yard across the street. At least 6 feet into the yard off the driveway. Just when you think something is impossible someone does it.
In my experience, the “obstacles” are never in the spot the RV is supposed to drive thru or park in. If you hit something, you are a lousy driver.
Ah no, you’re just a troll, in my experience.
You obviously don’t back up a trailer by that comment.
I had small scrape down side of camper passenger side, I was watching driver side tires and rims coming out of National campground that used to only allow tents . I didn’t take into account the snake from dump station to gates to leave park. If that gate had been all the way open by two inches it wouldn’t have done the damage if I was watching both sides at once might have saved by backing to straighten out some ,but things happen ,I’m fixing myself took damage part off went to metal shop had new section cut. After I get home for the holidays it’s the next project. I blame me for not noticing gate wasn’t fully open . Hope this help someone else!
You are spot on Andy.
Thank you! Your suggestions would be helpful even if you are helping someone back up. Might save a Marriott partnership lol. After 6 years, one back bumper repair, and too many scrapes or dings, my husband a pretty good team. He backs and I spot. However, you can’t be in 2 places at the same time 🙄
Work at the State Park for 10 years. The Campers park over areas where water lines are under ground and pressure on the old pipes start to leak. The rocks in place keeps this from happening.
Then we have closed this area from camping. They usually do care about the grass area or someone Camping site
So the State Parks puts logs or rocks in place to help the park with this issue.
I suggest you either learn to drive or hire someone to do your driving
Really? We are all new at this at some point and could use a few tips. Grow up
Did you read the article or just react to the hero image? I challenge anyone who claims to be adept at backing a trailer to back down my driveway, make a 90° turn and park a trailer where I keep mine. I’ve turned a tour bus out of a parking lot that a professional driver said couldn’t be done. I’ve got this driving and backing thing down but also try to provide information and tips for people of all skill levels.
I’ll take that challenge. I’ve been RVing for 32 years, and have only hit 1 single low post at a campsite. I back a 20′ enclosed trailer with a 30′ class A into a narrow parking space onto my property every single time I go out.
As others have said; if you can’t drive it to don’t buy it. At the very least, don’t write articles blaming your lack of skills on campground owners.
Such a kind person. Obviously you’ve not been to Virginia Beach and you’ve seen some of the parks here you would know exactly what he’s talking about. I don’t care if you’ve been driving 50 years. It doesn’t excuse your arrogance.
Sell the RV and go find a hotel. The joys of nature are obviously too much for you.
The guys just giving a few tips, calm down.
Apparently you missed the point. There is no reason to have these items where they are.
Many park owners have NEVER been RVing. It’s an easy problem to solve that the RV parks have created in the first place.
Also, I go to these places to enjoy nature but I also used to own a B&B resort. You clearly misunderstood the intent of this piece.
Or, perhaps, you were posting a reaction only after looking at the hero image and not bothering to read the actual article.
Really! Perhaps you may want to avoid rustic or rural campgrounds and stick to those asphalt parking lots
Wow! Overreacting to a guy just giving a few tips? Why?
RV park owner in rural campgrounds don’t “put the rocks, stumps etc. there. They are part of the rustic environment. So no, they don’t purposely put a rock in your way.
Some people complain the park “turns off Yosemite Falls” in August too.
If you can’t drive it don’t by it
I just wish parks private and public would keep their trees trimmed up to at least 15ft. along roads and spaces. Taking out an A/C shroud or tearing a nice long hole in a $10K EPDM roof is not my idea of a good time. Unless you carry a 13’6″ pole with you it’s often pretty hard to judge the height of overhanging branches.
My biggest peeve. “Look up”
I agree. I usually carry a pole saw, but most parks won’t let me use it.
We cut first, apologize later. Owners should maintain their campground and trim foliage that will damage an RV
ditto
This is the truest comment on this old thread. All over the country, parks are letting the class As and 5ers do their ‘trimming’ by snapping off branches and getting damaged. In towns, the cities, which have maintenance departments, let the UPS truck handle the chore.
So sad to see the lack of civility that seems to have become so pronounced in the last four years. Many need to go back under the rock they crawled out from.
Amen to that
Wow. Soooo many useless comments, from soooo many pro-fessional RV jockeys.
Yeah and sewer connections 12” off the ground.
2019 Montana 5er
2019 Ram dually
I adjust my mirrors so I have visual reference to what’s immediately behind my trailer. When I pre walk the site I make mental notes of how far apart obstacles are, I know the width and height of my unit and I know if I’m going to clear on my viewing side I’ll clear on the blind side. If I have to do a blind side back G.O.A.L.(get out and look) many times, it’s cheaper than hearing crunch. If you can’t remember GOAL decals are sold at most truck stops to put on your mirrors. The biggest problem I see with trailers is the pilot doesn’t know which way to turn the steering wheel to turn the trailer in the proper way. To make matters worse the shorter the distance between the rear tires of the tow vehicle and the trailer axles the quicker any movement of the steering wheel makes the trailer turn. It’s easier to back a 53’ semi trailer than a UHaul.
LOL… I drove semi 24 yrs. I back up the RV as if you were going forward. But Please don’t make me back up a 8 foot U haul… It goes every direction but where it is intended to..
Kind of embarrassing isn’t it? 48 and 53 back up much easier… short utility trailer oversteer
I had a 10’ long dump trailer I use to back thru my basements 8’ wide door with no problem. I have a hell of a time backing up my present 6’ long dump trailer. I have some difficulty backing up my 33’ travel trailer, but getting better.
Interesting. I’ve been RVing for 32 years. And in all that time, I’ve hit only 1 post at the corner of an RV camping space. Perhaps the writer should learn to drive a bit better, or stop driving an RV. Maybe hotels are more his style.
So, the naughty campground owners and park rangers decided to use rocks instead of concrete curbs, and do not have ten foot tall spring loaded pillars in bright paint for connections? Are you demanding movable trees that won’t touch your RV, but will move to shade it from the sun? Nasty folks use boulders and logs to keep you on the road and in your rented site, and not in a ditch or grassy area ! As for your free roaming dogs whose waste you do not clean up, I hope someone returns the waste to your campsite.
What a jerk
I hope that your not referring Donald N Wright as to being a jerk! If you are, count on me being a bigger jerk. Take care of your dogs and learn how to navigate your rig! Maybe you should use a tent or go to a hotel!
Lots of nasty comments! Why? I wish I was as perfect as some of these commenters.
I appreciate the author’s observations. I have always wondered at why a camp owner/operator places rock boulders around the turns. Maybe the TTs and the 5ers can easily see and navigate these, but in my DP, these can be very tough to see (especially in the front when backing or tight turning). Thanks again for the article. I am not sure I want to see a campground full of golf flags (lol), but sometimes these owners don’t take into account what these 45′ rigs need to safely back into these spaces.
Hi, Nick. Thank you for your thoughtful comments. If you think the ones in there are nasty, you should have seen the ones I trashed. 😯 Take care. 🙂 –Diane
You should leave the one you trashed for us to read. We need a good laugh every now and than.
Ha! That was almost a year ago. And if I trashed them, they were really nasty and in no way acceptable for our family-friendly website. I’m much more lenient than the other moderators, so they must have been really bad. Have a good night, Bob. 😀 –Diane
Another idea would be those driveway markers with the round red reflector on them. You can get them at the dollar store.
These people are correct just stay home
Totally agree! It’s as if many (most?) RV park managers and owners never drove, let alone had to safely park and hook up an RV at 12 midnight in the rain after an 8 hour, all day drive. My experience at the KOA in Athens, GA is a case in point. First the live-a-aboard riff raff was so thick and congested along the road to my site I had to get out and ask people to move their trucks and motorcycles. When I got to the site, it was little more than a mud puddle with an unmarked ditch on one side. No lighting, no reflectors. Only by sheer luck and the grace of god did I spot the ditch in time to navigate around it. Comments to both the local office and KOA corporate were neither addressed nor responded to. Just a simple traffic cone or reflector would have prevented what could have turned into a major accident.
The moral of the story? Don’t push yourself. You might want to plan to leave earlier so that you can arrive while it’s still light out and there are staff on duty to assist you. Arriving at midnight is actually quite rude – and as you point out – can be dangerous. If you could just get on the road at 10am, you would make your destination by 6pm – or even better, break up the trip into 2 days of driving. It’s the old ‘plan ahea … d’ joke. FWIW, a lot of parks honor quiet hours and lock their gates at 10pm – for obvious reasons. There’s nothing worse than waking everyone up because you ran over the water line and now have to get the maintenance staff up to tamp down Old Faithful.
Spanish Trails RV Resort in Moab Utah has boulders all over the place. I hit one with the front of my truck. I didn’t see it, but certainly heard the crash. I saw no reason for any of these boulders to be placed throughout the resort. I won’t use this place again. Please remove obstacles. There are so many things to watch when parking a 5th wheel,especially after a long day on the road.
I think it’s a law that directly across the entrance to your site there must be a lot of large brush or at least one tree. All entrances must be 90 degrees to the road rather than ,say 45 or 60 degrees. And don’t forget there is a tree or boulder preventing you from backing in all the way so you must unhitch your trailer. At least in Wisconsin state parks!
As unfortunate it is to have boulders and stumps in the way, those obstacles are there to keep disrespectful folk from tearing up the place and keeping vehicles off the grass.ja
You tout the article about overlighting but have Several ads promoting brighter lights.
As drivers of RVs it is your responsibility to LEARN how to drive you rig, forward and backward! If you’ve never driven anything bigger than a Honda Civic then you need to go to a school parking lot on Saturday and learn, learn, learn. Yes campgrounds do put a lot of obstacles out, some are natural others are placed there to prevent damage to the property. I have seen numerous people who haven’t the slightest clue about off tracking or tail swing hit things in buildings, trees, etc. I don’t blame the campground owner, they are just protecting their property from the incompetence of their clients. There are many obstacles around truck loading docks but drivers negotiate around them all the time because they know how to drive their vehicles. RVers need to learn how your vehicle handles and how much room it takes to maneuver it.
The rocks, posts, are all put there because someone along the way has either parked where they were not supposed to, hit something causing damage. It becomes very expensive for a park to constantly fix irrigation, repair grassy areas from campers pulling off the designated area, knocking over electrical pedestals etc.