LI Happy Camper 0 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 I camped at Fort Wilderness this past summer and stayed in the 700 loop. I have a 40 ft 5th wheel and had a hard time getting into my site. I had to ask the people in the campsite accross from me to move there car so I could swing into my site. Fortunately they were there and not in the park. Are there certain loops that are more big rig friendly then others? I think part of the problem was that my site was in a turn which made it more difficult to get in. I noticed the 600 loop had easy sites to get in but were not tree covered. My next trip is during the summer again so i would like shade. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stefa70 205 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 Welcome to the group LI! I can't help you too much as my little TT is only 23 foot long. I'm sure someone else with a big one will come along and answer better. What I can tell you is that the Fort is very good about letting you move if you're not comfortable backing in or don't think you will fit in the site they assigned. Just ride through the loop and find a better one, call the front and ask to move. Done it many times with no problems. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LI Happy Camper 0 Posted March 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 Thanks. If it comes to that I will do that. I just found this site when I was on rv.net earlier. My son just turned 5 so we will be going to Fort Wilderness every other year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 Glad to have you here. We have a 36 ft. MH I think my husband likes the 500 loop best for backing in. I could be totally wrong though :popo: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy and Grandma 739 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 I think you will find easy and hard sites in just about every loop, 600 may be the exception since it is fairly straight road vs a circle/loop.We were in 400 in Jan and there are some very large, easy to manuver sites in that loop as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
devores 382 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 I have a 40ft fiver pulled by a dodge ram megacab. So I know your pain. But you will find every loop has good and bad big rig friendly sites. I found sticking to the premium sites makes your chances of getting a big rig friendly site better. I will tell you to stay away from the 300 loop. Although some sites are good in that loop, the loop as a whole is not easy to navigate with a large fiver. We almost ended up divorced just from driving around it.If you find a site hard to get backed into, you can request another one. They have never denied that request. Also, take your time and do not be afraid to ask for help. Welcome to the site, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mrstnbob 39 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 I camped at Fort Wilderness this past summer and stayed in the 700 loop. I have a 40 ft 5th wheel and had a hard time getting into my site. I had to ask the people in the campsite accross from me to move there car so I could swing into my site. Fortunately they were there and not in the park. Are there certain loops that are more big rig friendly then others? I think part of the problem was that my site was in a turn which made it more difficult to get in. I noticed the 600 loop had easy sites to get in but were not tree covered. My next trip is during the summer again so i would like shade. We stayed in the 600 loop over the 4th of July 2010, but we were in 635 I think. Lots of trees and the way the loop road runs it was very easy to get into. This was a very shaded spot and had lots of room. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
devores 382 Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 The 600 loop is actualy divided into two sections. The first part of the loop as you enter it is relativly new. Thus, the lack of trees and shade. The second half (distinquished by passing the bridge leading to the campfire singalong) is older and has been around longer. This is why there is more shade and trees. I loved the 600 loop when we stayed there. We were in the newer first half, but the view of the lake out our back window was worth it. We were two sites down from the bridge (sorry, cant remember site numbers) and backed up to the lake. Also made setting up the dish easier. No trees to block the signal. I love that Disney has "cable" in the campground, but we all know how worthless that is. Disney propoganda 24/7. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
campingmommy aka Kelli 7 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 We were in the 700 loop last summer. We have a 33ft. And DH had a hard time backing in. Those spots are tight! I think I like the 600 loop better...they do seem easier to get in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AuburnJen 771 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 I don't know if you are opposed to the full hook ups, but the 1700 inside portion of the loop is very spacious. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Otter Spotter aka Debbie 58 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Backing a MH into a site & backing a 5'er or TT into a site are two completely different things. MH's of any length can get into just about any site if you know how to properly back it. 5'er's & TT require "wiggle room" for the truck and can be difficult to back in to a site even for the most experienced driver. For premium loops I agree with others regarding the 600 loop. It's probably the easiest loop for a 5'er to back into most sites. Other premium loops for easier navigation and backing are 400, 700, 900, 1000 & 1200. The 500, 800, 1100 & 1300 loops have tight turns and sites that are really difficult for the most experienced driver to back into.Do not even attempt 100, 200, or 300. As Devores said, 300 especially, is just a challenge to drive thru, let alone try to back a rig into. 100 & 200 are tight loops as well.Full hook up loops I would recommend 1700 & 1800. 1600 has a few difficult sites. 1900 is like being in the ghetto. When the refurbishing was done in 2008/09, they filled in the vast "trenches" in 1900 with SAND!!! I've seen a few people go off the pads when backing into their site in 1900 & darn near get themselves stuck.I hope this helps and not confuses!! :dance: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AuburnJen 771 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Deb forgot to mention that they also have to rebuild the sites in 1900 when that happens... :DI shouldn't laugh, however, I am laughing at the stupidity of the construction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dblr....Rennie 224 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 We were in the 800 loop this past 4th of July and did not have any problem, but I drive tractot trailers for work, and our friend was there also and he did fine. We did see a gentleman in a very large mh rub the low lightpost all the way down the side of is coach when he was leaving, never even stoped even with all the noise itr made. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
devores 382 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Im sure he stopped once out of view of those who witnessed it. He was probably too embarased to think about getting out right then and there. And before you ask, no it wasnt me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy and Grandma 739 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Im sure he stopped once out of view of those who witnessed it. He was probably too embarased to think about getting out right then and there. And before you ask, no it wasnt me.Or he didn't hear it and is one of "many" who should not be driving a large MH or towing..And yes I'm a little prejudiced since I have a Class "A" CDL... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
devores 382 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 I do not have a civilian class A CDL, but my military job involves driving large vehicles carrying hazardous cargo. So Im a little prejuduice as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy and Grandma 739 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Thanks for your service! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Roller ... aka Ed 351 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 I also had to get a Military License - now I have a Class B with Air Brakes, Passengers & Haz Mat endorsements .... I get a good laugh watching some people try to back a trailer. I also think that a regular License should have a trailer endorsement - and have a special license to drive the Class A RVs that are as large as the Class B's I can drive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
devores 382 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Dont give the government more reason to nikle and dime us. I do think that a course should be mandatory for anyone who buys a camper for the first time. I had my course when I got trained on tractor trailer for my job. It was actualy pretty extensive and had to do more than a civilian course would have required. So Im pretty comfortable towing my rig around. A 40 footer is not that big a deal for me. Though some of the sites at the fort challenged my backing skills some. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dblr....Rennie 224 Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I agree with people getting trained when they purchase, after all in some states you have to take a course to get a motorcycle license.On another note have you ever had to put someone's camper in their site for them, I have 1 friend that at least once a year that i will have to back in for him, really pisses him off because he always says that I make it look easy, he forgets that I back up sometimes20-30 times a night. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
devores 382 Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Ive had to help some folks back in, but never do it for them. If you cant back the thing up, you shouldnt have one. I do know some people who will not stay in any site other than a pull through. I do agree pull throughs are easy, but you will have to back that thing up one day, and if you do not have experience it could end badly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dblr....Rennie 224 Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I agree if you can not back it up you should not own one but remember salesmen will sell you anything look how many sell folks campers with vehicles that should not or can not pull it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Otter Spotter aka Debbie 58 Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Ive had to help some folks back in, but never do it for them. If you cant back the thing up, you shouldnt have one. I do know some people who will not stay in any site other than a pull through. I do agree pull throughs are easy, but you will have to back that thing up one day, and if you do not have experience it could end badly.After getting cussed out one time for offering to help someone back their MH into a site (this was after about 15 minutes of watching him attempt to do it) we don't even offer anymore. My DH says if they own it, they need to learn how to do it. Dblr - you are so right! In Florida you have to take a motorcycle class so you can get either a motorcycle only license, or a motorcycle endorsement on your license. Hmmmm.... a special license to drive a vehicle 600-1000lbs, but absolutely no training for a 32'-45' foot - multiple ton motor home. It's never made any sense to me. For the record - I took the 1 day driving course at Lazy Days just so I could learn the proper way to do things. I opted for the course rather than having my DH teach me because I knew Barney at L.D. wouldn't yell at me and call me by my secret name: "Dammit"!! :rofl2: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 My wife took the Lazy Days course. She described it to me and I didn't recognize any of the techniques, but it made her feel comfortable behind the wheel. I think what is very useful is just go to an empty parking lot and practice turns, parallel parking, backing into a sites. Practice, practice, practice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Otter Spotter aka Debbie 58 Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 My wife took the Lazy Days course. She described it to me and I didn't recognize any of the techniques, but it made her feel comfortable behind the wheel. I think what is very useful is just go to an empty parking lot and practice turns, parallel parking, backing into a sites. Practice, practice, practice.Actually - what was taught was mostly what I already knew - especially how to make proper turns. I can't tell you how many MH's in our development have damage to their basement doors and wheels because enough turning clearance wasn't allowed for. (They should have taken the course!)What Barney taught about how to back a rig made perfect sense. I was the only one in our group that he allowed to back a rig into a site. (Brown-noser here!!) His advice on how to use your mirrors and how to adjust them was spot-on!! Mirrors are your friends!!He also said NOT to rely on your rear camera when backing - as it can be deceptive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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