Trailer maneuvering room on the Midway

[mooserider]

I offered to tow a trailer behind my RV to my regional group. Now I'm wondering: would there be space to back and maneuver that trailer down by the planned Midway location to unload my group's sideshow gear, or should I restrict said trailer to just camp supplies? It's hard enough to backup steer a trailer behind a normal car or light truck; it would be insane behind a motor home because of the long wheelbase. I have been informed that the group doesn't have reserved theme camp space, so I'm assuming our camp would be further out where there might be maneuvering room.

[Meat Hunter]

Generally speaking, the further you camp out from the center of the city, the slower the area is apt to fill with other campers.

In my opinion, depending on when you arrive and how much open area there is around you, you could pull in where you wished, drop the trailer and then orientate your RV to suit yourself.

[VultureChow]

If you are referring to the Midway that will surround the Man this year, you should contact the person in charge of that.

[Dr Helix]

Towing a trailer behind an RV? That's a lot to ask of anyone. Hope that RV's got the motor to handle it. I've seen it done but usually it's behind a rig that's got a serious engine in it. And I don't even want to think that you might be coming over the Sierras. Long pull up and you better have trailer brakes for the decent. I see 'em by the side of the road every year. Most people just ask too much of them. But if it can handle it, please be careful as we want to see you there!

[skippy3k]

Regardless, just think of the entertainment value you will be providing to your neighbors as they watch you try to back it up and park. That alone is worth it.

[mooserider]

Regardless, just think of the entertainment value you will be providing to your neighbors as they watch you try to back it up and park. That alone is worth it.

Yeah, as many laughs as my instructor had at truck-driving school watching the students learn to alley-dock big trucks (me included). Actually, it was easier for the tractor-trailer students than for me as a straight-truck student; tractor-trailers bend in the middle. Of course, they can overbend, too.

[mooserider]

Towing a trailer behind an RV? That's a lot to ask of anyone. Hope that RV's got the motor to handle it. I've seen it done but usually it's behind a rig that's got a serious engine in it. And I don't even want to think that you might be coming over the Sierras. Long pull up and you better have trailer brakes for the decent. I see 'em by the side of the road every year. Most people just ask too much of them. But if it can handle it, please be careful as we want to see you there!

it better be able to handle it. The owners manual claims up to a 10,000 pound trailer with the correct weight-distribution hitch. At least it's a class A with a 600hp diesel bus chassis underneath. I'll just use up the fresh water and dump the black and grey tanks before I reach serious mountains.

How bad is it coming from the east? The last time I drove through those mountains was over 40 years ago (and I didn't have a driver's license then).

[LowePro]

Depends what day and time you intend to arrive and where you want to camp. On opening day and at night, backing up might be very difficult due to the initial pulse of vehicles and people all around staking their claims, and poor visibility and general state of chaos. Closer to the inner rings of the city are similarly busy and congested. Monday or Tuesday during the day might be a slower time for traffic. From Thursday on, the city is getting pretty full. Have a backup plan whatever you decide. Your initial plan will probably have to change.

[Meat Hunter]

Deleted.....

[skippy3k]

How bad is it coming from the east? The last time I drove through those mountains was over 40 years ago (and I didn't have a driver's license then).

Would you come through I-80? The bad news is the mountains are still there and just as big as they were 40 years ago. The good news is for the most part, the drive is pretty simple. There isn't much to deal with going through Wyoming or Nevada. It only gets congested when heading into Salt Lake City, especially last year because they were doing miles and miles of road construction, so it was all down to a single lane. But I imagine they are done now.

[Zubeneschamali]

Timing and preparation is everything. Well, there's 2% luck also. Not quite sure if I'm reading your post correctly and if you're planning on dropping your haul in a camp or our near the man. Each require a similar yet separate plan and coordination. I've hauled a trailer out to the man before but never with a motorhome. All I can say is watch out for objects both stationary and moving.

There is a heightened level of stress when driving a 30 ft long RV with a 20 ft trailer hitched. Sounds like you're going to be doing some serious highway miles.

I'd recommend going directly to camp. Shake the road out. Hug everyone you see and park that RV. Unhitch the trailer and use another vehicle to move it if needed.

[Captain Goddammit]

If you have a 600 hp bus chassis RV (really?!) and a commercial drivers license, the mountains should be zero problem and taking a trailer full of stuff out to the man should be zero problem.
This is a whole lot of discussion over nothing.

[Fan C]

Just remember you can go around the block and come back from a different angle. I try to avoid reversing a trailer if I can.

[Captain Goddammit]

You can get through a tight spot easier in reverse. When you are backing up, you can see in your mirrors exactly where you are. When you go forward, you have to guess exactly how close you are, especially on the right side, and hope you don't hear a crunch.