One of the most intimidating tasks awaiting any new towable RV owner is backing into a campsite. The process is counter-intuitive. When traveling in reverse, you’ll find that the trailer responds to steering inputs in a fashion that’s completely opposite to what you expect. Sometimes back-in campsites can be narrow, and require the type of precision usually reserved for LASIK eye surgeons.
But we’ve learned a few techniques over the years. Here’s one of the best. If you perform this maneuver we call “the scoop” (TM) you’ll find that back in campsites are really nothing to worry about. Armed with this knowledge, you will tackle back in campsites without fear!
Note that the degree of angle of “the scoop” (TM) represented in the video is a bit exaggerated for emphasis. You just want to scoop the tip of your rig into the campsite, and then scoop it back out. This little wiggle gives you the angle adjustment you need.
Of course, there’s more to backing up a travel trailer than doing “the scoop” (TM). But I think you will discover that this little tip can be INVALUABLE when you’re faced with a “back in” campsite.
Before I knew about “the scoop” (TM) we suffered more than a few nasty episodes. One of the most extreme was at Walt Disney World’s Ft. Wilderness. After about 30 minutes of frustration, we finally called the front desk and requested a different campsite. I was ready to label Disney the Most Frustrating Place on Earth.
But since we learned “the scoop” (TM) our problems with backing up the Airstream melted away. Now I feel confident that I can back our Airstream into a shoebox, if necessary.
The key upside of doing “the scoop” (TM) is that your angle of entry is improved. It gives you that extra few degrees of movement that you need to slip into the campsite.
Of course, as always you must proceed slowly. Whatever you do, don’t get in a hurry. If you’re gonna screw up, you want to do so in slow motion. If you back slowly and carefully, it’s easy enough to make small corrections as you go.
Oh Man!
I started giggling as soon as I saw the high tech matchbox array. I think they’re matchbox? Not sure. Doesn’t matter.
Not really up on the latest stop action props.
So now, do I have to put (TM) every time I use the word “scoop”? er….(TM)…sorry.
What if I want an ice-cream “scoop” (TM)?
Anyway, not that I have to back up a trailer a lot, but it seems that whenever the event is about to take place, there are always neighbours watching. What’s with that?
Similar situation to a campground I guess, but at least there they’re all strangers.
I’ve managed to not embarrass myself up to this point. Trouble is, it’s easy to get rusty.
Now, I thought when you were talking about the “scoop” (TM) you were going to talk about the technique of placing your palm under the bottom of the steering wheel, so that whatever direction you hand goes, THAT will be the direction of your trailer. That’s the mental image I use when I’ve just pulled up in front of our driveway with a borrowed trailer and have to do a mental image of where I want it to go. Of course, this is after I’ve done a ….well, it’s more of a “ladle” as opposed to that other word…
Btw, that was an utterly horrible crash. I think I may be traumatised.
Stuck accelerator?
Didn’t think there was a recall out on Porsches..
Keep it between the ditches.
Bob.
Bob, we considered a few different names for this technique before deciding on “The Scoop” (TM)… The Dip, The Duck, The Wiggle, The Michael Maneuver… All fine names to be sure, but none with the gravitas of THE SCOOP (TM). Although now I kinda like THE WIGGLE, too.
Either way, I feel confident that the terminology (and accompanying hand motion) will catch on, and may even become a dance.
Yes, pretty much whenever you are faced with a back in campsite, you will “enjoy” an audience. The probability of fireworks is always high.
I am pleased that my cutting edge stop motion animation techniques are already receiving critical acclaim. I’m eventually going to produce a DVD on the process of backing up a travel trailer. But of all the tips, this is among the best! Respect THE SCOOP (TM) and you too can be King of the Campground.
I’m an American and I will freely scoop whenever and wherever I feel the need…the need to scoop!!!
I would be remiss if I did not point out that towing an Airstream with a Porsche is in conflict with your towing vehicle video. We your loyal followers keep notes in our personal Bible of RVing Do’s and Don’t’s as you speak them!!!
Now I know why my DHL package never arrived. He went camping for a week and some RVer did not scoop!!!
I love fireworks as long as it’s not my propane tank fully engulfed crossing the moon like some Elliot and ET!!!
Ray
Ray, the Porsche Carrera cabriolet in the video has been heavily modified for towing purposes. It’s equipped with a 6.0L diesel engine (you can hear it rumbling in the video) and the underlying frame has been reinforced such that the car now weighs 3/4 ton. Finally — a Porsche that handles like a truck! 🙂
We are Canadians and we will “scoop” from now on. I only wish I had this information 2 months ago. Sigh……. while not the disaster that the Porsche had in the first example, it was not pretty. We will try it out in St. Augustine in 3 weeks and report back.
Restless, I hope this tip saves you a lot of angst. You don’t need to scoop quite as drastically as what you seen in the video. On the other hand, there’s no harm in doing so.
The upshot is that a slight SCOOP gives you that extra angle you need to get into the campsite smoothly.
Sometimes you’ll have issues from across the road. For example, there will be trees, other campers, fire hydrants, etc. You should still do the scoop! A little SCOOP goes a long way. It’s all about giving you a better angle of approach once you start backing the RV.
Let me know how it goes! I look forward to hearing your report.