davelinde
Freehold, New Jersey
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Joined: 11/02/2003
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I've learned from the misfortune of others on this forum... so I figured I'd offer this back in the hopes others may learn from mine.
This weekend we were able to get a last minute spot in a campground we've been to dozens of times with our previous (smaller) rig. Several of our friends were there and we were happy to be able to go over for Saturday to join them. This CG (Turkey Swamp in Freehold NJ for those who know it) is pretty tight - narrow one way roads that snake through dense forest, but I've always gone slow and done fine - even 4 years ago when I was just learning to navigate a FW.
The CG is a set of 5 "loops", each one-way with sites left/right that you pull off the loop to pull through. To get your utilities on the correct side you may need to go the wrong way down the loop to pull through - the rangers will tell you. A and B loop are more for tents and the sites get larger as you go to C, D and E loop. To get to specific sites or the dump station I've taken all five loops and KNOW that you need to watch the trees - especially on A and B loop. C and D are not so bad, and E is the easiest.
Happily I was on D loop, but to get my utilities right I needed to run E loop backwards, then make a sharp turn backwards up D to get in the first site. I was a little worried about the turn... but hey, if I couldn't make it I couldn't make it and we'd figure something out.
I drove off to pick up the new (bigger) FW and run some errands leaving the family at the CG with our friends. A few hours later I called to ask DW to meet me to help guide me in, but she was a few miles off hiking in the woods... so I said I could do fine alone, I'd just go slow.
Coming in I adjusted my mirrors up so I could watch the trees along the roof line of the FW and began down E loop, dreading the turn back into D without a spotter. However, I was happy that E-loop was wider than B and was not too concerned. Then... about half-way down the loop I heard a crunch and checked my right mirror... sure enough I'd just brushed a tree! In fact, I'd done more than brush it - I had drug the awning along the tree for almost two feet!
I got out to survey the damage and to figure out how to back off the tree without making the damage worse. Just as I realized the awning was probably a total loss the first helpful person showed up and the first thing she said was "do you know you are driving the WRONG way on this road". I'm not sure how I had the self control to remain polite but I told her that this was the way I HAD to go to hook up my utilities, thank you... the rangers TELL you to do this. Then when I explained that I was a LITTLE upset and just trying to figure out how to back up without doing more damage, she told me she would get her husband to help me. By the time he showed up I had determined that I had enough room to swing the tail back as sharp as I wanted so I could just ease off the tree, back up 30' and swing wider on the next try. Helper husband then and proceeds to tell me that if I steer opposite of how I want the back of the trailer to go it will be fine... OK- whatever... I EXPLAIN that since I hit the tree in front of the axle I actually want the back of the RV to go TOWARDS the tree so the front will move off... so I begin to ease the FW off the tree and at one point look back over my shoulder to see how jacked the FW is, and what I can aim for as I start to follow... at which point helpful husband tells me "don't look back, use your mirrors, if you would LEARN to use your mirrors you'd do much better". At this point I don't remember what I said... it was basically still civil but this guy got the message I was done with his help. And about that time a THIRD guy shows up (oh well... guess the whole CG knows I'm an idiot now). The third guy said something to the effect that with a tall rig and tight roads it was easy to make a mistake and did I want him to spot for me.... AWESOME! real help. He backed me up a little more then just walked ahead of me watching the rest of the trees which I navigate without incident
I did the rest of E loop fine and made the turn into D-loop with a few feet of clearance (and in one shot). Once I was in the site my helper excused himself and I set up.
The awning is shredded and the center roller bent. I did not try to operate it since I don't know if it will retract and didn't want to get it stuck.
I walked that darn road a few times afterwards and I would not have noticed that tree as a hazard. I figured out that there was a pair of close trees flanking the road left/right just before the road widened up. I was able to hit the center of those trees going into them and then as the road widened I was anticipating a tree about 50' ahead very close on the left. I just began to ease right too soon and did not think about the tree I'd just cleared as a hazard until it was too late. Ironically, since the road was wider I "forgot" how narrow it was 30' behind me and paid the price.
So... if anyone has read this far - what are the lessons? Well... even if you have been navigating tight spots for a while and are cautious but confident - remember that just one lapse and it can happen to you too.
ALSO... if you decide to help someone who just hit a tree - HELP them, don't lecture them.
Dave Lindemulder
Tammy, Mark & Kirsten
04 Dodge 2500 4x4 SLT QC/SB
HO-CTD/48RE - Graphite: Raptor SS nerfs, Prodigy, Reese 16K Kwik-slide, BD X-Monitor, PML Trans pan, PML Diff cover, Firestone Airbags
09 Heartland Cyclone 3210
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LadyRVer
Florida
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Joined: 09/04/2007
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Real sorry to hear of your misfortune... know it had to hurt the pride, along with the damage to the new fifth-wheel. Thank you for telling your story, know it will help me to be a little more careful. I just got a new fifth-wheel (not my first), but boy did I forget a lot.. like watch "everywhere!" I almost clipped a lot number post a week ago yesterday. Tire tracks showed about 8" maybe from sign post. Someone else got the number sign... I was so busy watching the front right of the truck to keep from hitting a tree and the back came in to close. Hopefully you can fixed it fixed without a hassle and have lots of good camping trips from here on out!
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ReneeG
Meridian, Idaho
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Joined: 07/13/2005
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Thanks for sharing your story and sorry for the incident. It can happen to the best (and worst) of us. Yes, onc can become a little over confident as DH did the first year with our current TT - 32' in length and although our fourth, it was the longest. Fortunately for us, he only took out a KOA rubber mailbox and left a black streak down the side of our unit. Magic eraser took that out but nothing to take out his embarassment. Since then, no incidents. Hang in there and thanks for the last word of advice on helping and not lecturing. Sometimes that's hard to not do. I'm sure your last spotter did the same as you so was empathetic to your plight.
2006 282TS 32' Komfort
1999 Ford F250 4x4 XLT SD Triton V10 with Tow Package
Prodigy Brake Control
Magnaflow Cat Back Exhaust, FIPK, and TransGo Shift Kit
Hensley Arrow
Dave and Renee plus Champ, Molly (in spirit), Missy and now Maggie Along for the Ride!
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surveyorjp
Missouri
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Joined: 09/05/2005
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Man that had to hurt!!
I was just looking at your signature picture. That sure is a TALL fiver!!! Watch out for them poorly constructed bank atm drive thrus!!
Ah well, hopefully the rest of your trip went well. I have brushed a few tree limbs myself, but luckily no damage, yet!
2005 Surveyor SV-291 Tows smooth as silk!
1995 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT 4x4 5.9L V8 low miles, It ain't pretty, but it's paid for!
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Jornada
Pahrump NV & Anchorage AK
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Joined: 04/17/2008
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I can feel your pain!! BTDT!! Not exactly done that but I have had those times when I wish I could roll back time just a few seconds or minutes! Then to have someone "correct" you, you did well by staying calm! Hope you can get the awning fixed reasonable and are able to sit at a camp fire and chuckle about it some day. Happy Trails!!
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rconkin
Johnson City, TN
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Joined: 05/09/2007
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Dave,
Sorry to hear about the accident. I hope the rest of the weekend went well for you guys and you are enjoying the new 5er.
97 2500 CTD, US Gear Exhaust Brake, Prime-Loc, Silencer Ring removed
02 Jayco Eagle 305BHS
"For those that fought for it, Freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know!" Semper Fi
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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I came under some trees with our little TT that is already low-profile and I was sure I could make it. As I passed under the branch I was so busy watching the tree limbs that I didn't look down at the road in front of me. A big bump in the road was enough to push the trailer up and push the limb under the antenna and tear out the cable. I prayed as I climbed the roof that the rubber wasn't torn (mesquite tree).
Only the cable was damaged and I was able to go into the town, replace the cable and rethread it thru the antenna and roof and we were back in business. I think it cost me a couple of bucks.
I learned my lesson, never second guess. Stop, Look and Listen!
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
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Sar in Utah
West Haven UT
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Joined: 06/29/2008
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I can totally empathise with you. My husband and I go to the same camp ground every year. We picked up our new FW and headed out. I took the corners just like I always did. Not until later did I realize that the whole 34 feet on the drivers side had snags from a tree branch. Boy did that camping trip cost alot of money!!! They wanted to replace the whole roof. Finally, someone said he could patch it. You don't even know it is there. But, I sure do. I do not drive by a tree unless my husband is spotting.
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker
OrangeCountyCalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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Don't beat yourself up over it, it wasn't your fault. I have been trying to get video tape to prove my theory for at least 20 years, without luck. But then no one has got clear video of UFO's, Bigfoot, an honest salesman and the Loch Ness Monster yet either.
It's the tree's, they resent us, a lot! When you think you have plenty of clearance, and "got it made", they'll bend that branch down just enough to tear the top of your RV off! Bald cypress, tamarack, and larch, softwood trees are the worse, as they can bend their boughs down lower and more rapidly than, say a Oak or Walnut tree can.
I had a 150 year oak attack the top of my Jayco 5er in broad daylight, with my RV barely backing up, with my family directing me with watchful eyes (I think!).
Punched a hole in the top of my queen bedroom, but I got the last laugh. I cut the hole into a square and installed a needed vent! HAHAHAHAHA! And I got to watch while the RV park maintenance man sawed down that branch! We burned it that night while we roasted wienies and marshmallows...tasted great..the taste of revenge!
Don't get me wrong, I really like trees, just not the vengeful ones! 
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JudoJeff
Southwick, MA
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Joined: 08/06/2008
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Thanks for sharing, it can happen to anyone... I pulled into a tight driveway with snowdrifts at the end and took out the owner's mailbox. The old guy could not have been kinder to me, walked down and repaired that mailbox right away and told me not to worry about it. What a nice man! When I pulled out I crunched it again....
K1BE Jeff
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