Clearance at Gas Stations

Well I finally picked up our rp179 last week, we had it for a while but then had to acquire a truck to pull it....   we'll need to figure out where to park it some day...  anyways driving back from dealer I set my gps to get me home - almost an hour drive. It was rush hour around Portland, OR & instead of taking me on a highway (26) it took me on a very winding, hilly 2 lane road where speed limits are always ignored. Surprisingly I didn't find it stressful or that tough at all even though it was the first time I pulled the thing. Just got back from a parking lot and driving it around before I get brave enough to try to turn it into our back alley and see if I can back it up into the spot in front of our garage - which leads me to clearance requiring a little trimming but your tip on getting a wheel for the tongue I think will due the trick if it gets to tight for me. Do any of you have experience with tongue jacks & wheels? Specifically do some roll / turn easier than others / are they all solid wheels and is there a better brand?  I purchased a fastway flip jack - but haven't installed it yet... I figure I can just throw the wheel in the truck & use in a pinch.  Thanks for your suggestions! Hopefully I can pass down some wisdom in the not to distant future

Originally posted by techntrek And when you back up, put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel.  If you want the pod to go to your right, move your hand to the right.  If things start going wrong, it is almost always better to just pull forward a few feet and start over.  Never take your eyes off of your mirrors or you will jackknife faster than you can sneeze.  There is more discussion on this in the link in my signature. As for maneuvering in parking lots and gas stations, a lot of that just comes with experience.  I always look ahead and figure out how I'm going to move before I do it.  I have even gotten out and walked around to be sure.  At the very worst you could unhitch the pod and turn it around manually (you can't do that with bigger campers), but once you are comfortable backing up that won't even be necessary.  And all of this becomes much harder with a longer camper, so be happy you have a pod to learn on.

Good tip!!

Originally posted by Rustler Originally posted by Mountainrev Originally posted by furpod Yep.. turning radius, curbs,and those idiot poles protecting the pumps, THOSE are the dangers. That will ruin the rest of your day.  Or so I've heard.  *AHEM* Thanks to all of you for the feedback. That brings to mind another question - really a fear: How in towing a travel trailer do you avoid getting in situations where you are stuck, so to speak? By this I mean getting into a narrow street or parking lot where you can't go forward or easily back up. I guess that comes with experience. But I would hate to have the experience where I can't make a tight corner in a parking lot and can't back up because of cars behind. Any thoughts or words of wisdom in this regard?

We have used the suction cup mirror ext. They have safety cord and suck on the mirror. Good for us on freeway, dirt, gravel etc. As to tight spots. We may drive around the block, send the messenger to look to make sure it is a drive around or oops. IF in the tight situation as said most folks will help get you out of the tight spot. In the forest however we mark places to turn around and check odometer. Then you will know how far you may have to back up. North