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Thread: Beware of the Tail Swing!
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03-11-2019, 12:18 PM #1
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Beware of the Tail Swing!
As the title says, BEWARE of the tail swing in tight places!
Audrey and I spent the weekend at a Thousand Trails campground in Palm Desert CA. The campground was very tight with palm trees in the worst locations imaginable. The campground itself was okay, nothing special, but it is NOT big rig friendly. Had we known this we would have never booked a spot there. I pride myself on my ability to maneuver the 5'er in seemingly tight quarters but even I had a heck of a time getting in to the space. On a side rant, Thousand Trails (we got a 1 year free membership when we bought the 5th wheel) campgrounds are first come first served. You cannot reserve a specific spot. There were many small campers and camper vans set up in huge pull-thru's. People, leave those for people who need them... Anyway, as we were leaving, I was trying to make a right hand turn to exit the campground. I positioned myself as far left as I thought I needed to be, pulled forward as far as I could, and started my turn. I was so close to the tree on my left, I has to back up a little, cutting my wheels to the left to keep the trailer positioned. As you can see from the tire marks in the pics below, I still darn near hit the tree on my right. As we pulled forward, a fellow camper started flagging us down. Yep! My tail swing hit a parked car on my left.
Of course, we were very apologetic and gave them my insurance information. We also filed an insurance claim as soon as we arrived home and forwarded this on the the other party. He was very understanding, although a bit upset (who could blame him). He told my wife that this happens often in this park because it is so tight. What really scared me was the fact that I didn't hear or feel the impact. Had the other camper not stopped us I would have never known I hit somebody. If I do something to damage your property, I want to make it right. This could have easily been an unintentional Hit and Run! That scares the bejesus out of me!
If you look closely at this pic, you can see how close my tires were to the tree on the right. Also, look on the ground in front of the tree on the left and you'll see marks where I turned my wheels from hard right to hard left to back up a bit.
You can see how close I was to his car when I started my turn. I should have paid more attention to how far left I was, but at the time, I was more concerned about the trees.
The damage to his car is significant, unfortunately.
Very minor damage to the left rear corner of my Momentum.
Just another pic to show the perspective.
Lesson learned, when in such tight areas, have someone walk me out and keep an eye on clearances.
JohnLast edited by LV Naturist; 03-11-2019 at 12:35 PM.
2018 Silverado LTZ 3500HD CC LB 4X4 DRW Duramax/Allison
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2017 Can Am Outlander 1000 XT-P
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03-11-2019, 12:23 PM #2
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John
Great write up, and plenty will learn a lesson from this.(sorry it had to happen to you).
Brian
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03-11-2019, 12:53 PM #3
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Even in the civilian world, a ground guide is always a good thing.
Sorry to hear about the accident.Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran - UMICH BBA, M.B.A.
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03-11-2019, 02:02 PM #4
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Great write up and pics. I'm still a newbie at this towing stuff and am also afraid of tail swing. This is a good lesson/reminder for us to use spotters in tight places.
I'm sorry for your accident, but am grateful that you shared it with us. ThanksVince and Peg
Kennedy (Bernese Mountain Dog)
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03-11-2019, 02:53 PM #5
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Thanks for sharing this with us John. Having an extra long RV does make things much more challenging.
Brian & Kellie
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Previous setups:
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03-11-2019, 03:04 PM #6
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2018 Silverado LTZ 3500HD CC LB 4X4 DRW Duramax/Allison
2019 Momentum 381M w/Full Body Paint
2016 Can Am Spyder F3 Limited Special Series
2017 Can Am Outlander 1000 XT-P
2016 Wrangler Hard Rock Unlimited
1997 Bayliner Capri 1950 affectionately named Skinnydipper
MSgt, USAF (Ret)
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03-11-2019, 03:05 PM #7
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Brian & Kellie
2020 Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, 1,460w solar, 540ah BBGC3, MORryde IS w/disc brakes
2020 F-350 Platinum SRW Powerstroke Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
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03-11-2019, 03:43 PM #8
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Can happen to anyone. I have been in this situation a few times in our many years full time. Fortunately the occasional things I've bumped or grazed weren't owned by anyone and didn't cause any damage but the potential is there for sure and every single one of us can have this happen.
I try and take every inch the road gives me because of how long we are and the back end lagging towards the turn. Our owned lot is in a very tight park. I'm kind of grateful I got broken in moving in and out over here. It was a PIA to get used to but it has helped build my comfort up now that i'm used to it.
Fortunately it was minor damage. Now I'm going to go knock on some wood and hope I don't ding anything on our next trip.2019 Momentum 395
2018 Ram 3500 DRW 4.10 AISIN
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03-11-2019, 09:05 PM #9
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Been there, while coming into a truck stop in Denver a fellow in a TT was blocking the in side of an RV gas island, I tried to thread my way past him and get into the gas island without hitting anything, didn't work. I had a MC rack on the back of my 5th wheel, it caught the guys TT, another 3 inches and I would have cleared, but I didn't. The guy was totally cool about it, he knew he was parking in the incorrect spot, his wife, not so much. Doesn't matter, I hit their trailer with mine. We exchanged information, he was quite apologetic about blocking the incoming fuel lane, I was apologetic about clipping his trailer. Insurance fixed his trailer.
Events occur.
You do need to look out for tail swing.Dallas
2017 Momentum 376TH, 2019 Ford F450, Dual Rear Wheel, 4x4, diesel.
2015 Harley-Davidson Street, XG750
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03-12-2019, 06:19 AM #10
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I'm just curious, even if you had a spotter, would there have been a way to approach that turn any differently?
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