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04-11-2010, 11:46 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 53
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how to save your back?
Like alot of people, I have a weak lower back, and hitching up is a real pain in the back. Its the bending over that does me in. Getting ready for the new camping season, and already not looking forward to the hitching up,I have even resorted to pull throughs to avoid the unhitching and hitching up at times, not always what I want because I like to camp in the forest service campgrounds that are smaller, and to not extend out of my site with the TV, I need to unhitch and move the TV. So this year I intend to use a sit down stool to help me when I hitch up and not bend over so much, it may or maynot help a little. I know I am not the only one out there with a bad back and that deals with this, anyone out there with good ideas? My AS is 22ft long, TV a Ford F150 super cab. Thanks!
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04-11-2010, 11:53 AM
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#2
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Naysayer
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville
, earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,954
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One option would be to replace the jack with a power one. I sometimes wish mine was a power jack, and lately I have been looking at the old one wishing I had a way to attach a connector for my power drill. I don't really mind the cranking so much except when I am in hot and humid areas and end up needing a shower after jacking the camper up.
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04-11-2010, 11:59 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
1973 27' Overlander
1963 19' Globetrotter
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,259
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I carry a gardeners knee pad,use it on my knees to hook up bars etc.I do have the power jack so that`s no problem. Dave
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04-11-2010, 02:25 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2000 31' Land Yacht
Central
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,489
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I like the majority of people also have a bad back, found a simple sneeze or wrong move can cause pain for a long time. The worst move is bending over and trying to move something at arms length side to side (inside the trunk of car). Aligning trailer with aligning rods with the electric jacks, chains to lighter safety cables not much else to be done. I have found I get relief with a teeter hangup at home but haven't figure how to travel with it;-(
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04-11-2010, 04:10 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
2007 19' Safari SE
Seal Beach
, California
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 220
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Yeah, my back and knee joints always take a beating getting ready for a trip. I now use a gardener's pad or knee pads to avoid squatting or bending. And I take it slow, very often dividing up the strenuous chores between successive days before a trip, instead of trying to do all the heavy lifting over a couple of hours. After all, camping should be all about pacing yourself, and leaving the rat race behind.
__________________
"I have found through trial and error that I work best under duress. In fact, I work only under duress." -Ed Abbey
Jerry & Susan
2007 19' Bambi SE; 2018 Ford F-350 5.4L SuperCrew 4x4
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04-11-2010, 05:01 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,060
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Limbering up - walking, stretching, some mild isometric clenches always help, also dry practice runs stepping though the real 'dance' before expecting that great ape in us to let us get away pain-free when tackling jobs...
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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04-11-2010, 06:18 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 811
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Teach your wife how to do it.
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04-11-2010, 06:19 PM
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#8
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,694
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I understand. I injured my lower back 26 years ago and was told I was 20% disabled, but I refused to act my age. This injury forced me to exercise a lot and that has kept me going. Knees are bad too (skiing is not meant for human knees—years afterward you may pay the price).
I use a stool to sit on when doing some of the things, or a plastic container that I store things in, or sit on the ground. It also helps to have a wife who is younger and also exercises and will help with things like the stabilizer jacks and hitching. The stabilizer jacks are really hard on my back because there's no way to avoid bending. I look for somewhere I can take on of the tension off my disks by holding myself with one hand while doing something with the other—sometimes squatting just doesn't work so some bending is inevitable.
There are lots of things that require bending or squatting (knees don't like that)—attaching TV cable, water lines, sewer, etc. Inside, a lot of things get stored down low and can be hard to get. The oven can't be lit without someone sitting on the floor.
The best thing is a wife that helps. I know there are some women who think this is "men's work" and won't have anything to do with it, but helping each other makes our relationship stronger. Exercise to strengthen back muscles is very important, but not as much fun as a good wife.
Gene
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04-11-2010, 07:00 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
.............................................
The best thing is a wife that helps. I know there are some women who think this is "men's work" and won't have anything to do with it, but helping each other makes our relationship stronger. Exercise to strengthen back muscles is very important, but not as much fun as a good wife.
Gene
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I found that it helps if I tell her that I don't think she can do it.
(it doesn't matter what the task is, it almost always works)
The downside: She usually does it better that I can.
Regards,
Ken
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04-11-2010, 07:09 PM
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#10
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What's a rivet?
2008 23' International CCD
Napa
, California
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 29
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Baaaaad Back
I have had two surgeries on my lower back and I have found this great thing at garden centers. It has a rubber pad to kneel on and two handles about 30 inches high to help you back up and totally open in the front. It even fits on top of the battery box with a bungee cord. I feel your pain and good luck.
Daniel
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04-30-2010, 05:51 PM
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#11
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1972 Travelux Princess 25
Cobourg
, Ontario
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,059
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This may help some of you who have back and knee problems. I have been plagued with lower back and knee pain due to worn joints for years, this is because of worn and stressed joints, a natural result of being over 6 feet tall and weighing 250 pounds.
A few years ago I started taking Sam E for my nerves. Not only did it cure my depression after about 3 weeks the pain in my knees and back went away. That was almost 10 years ago and I am still pain free as long as I take the Sam E.
This is a non prescription diet supplement you can buy at Walmart, health food stores and drug stores. It is a natural chemical you already have in your body.
It is the only thing that will regrow worn joints. It is also good for the nerves, depression and liver disease.
I have recommended it to others who found it helped their carpal tunnel syndrome and other joint pains. As well as making them feel better.
If you are going to take the Sam E it works better if you also take vitamin C, B6, B12 and folic acid.
__________________
Living in the trailer park of sense, looking out the window at a tornado of stupidity.
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05-01-2010, 08:47 AM
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#12
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,694
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I didn't know anything about SAM-e, so I looked it up: S-Adenosyl methionine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
We take glucosamine/chondroitin and it has helped alleviate joint pain.
Gene
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05-01-2010, 10:49 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2005 19' Safari
GLENDALE
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,453
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It's hard kneeling down on old knees. While looking for the little gardening pads that kept getting lost in our pickup bed, I found a larger closed cell foam pad that we use as a water floatie and picnic bench seat pad. It's big enough to get both knees on, or to sit on, if necessary. It's about 18x24x1.5 inches, looks kind of like a flattened stadium seat, and was only a few dollars.
As for the electric tongue jack, I didn't think we needed one, as the old hand crank one really wasn't very difficult to use. However, since I do the backing and my wife does the cranking, and we are nearing retirement age, I wanted to make her job a little easier; also, anticipating that one day we might really need it.
When it's 110 degrees here, that thing is worth every penny. Not that cranking is overly strenuous, but it's just one little thing that helps us get out of the heat and on the road faster. Also, we don't think twice about disconnecting while on the road. Before, we'd debate whether this was really necessary, and often just take the Airstream to dinner with us. Now, it's not a big deal to drop it at the campsite.
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05-01-2010, 12:19 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1979 30' Argosy
Havelock
, where we park it
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,652
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Annie doesn't have much trouble, once in a while I have to give her a pep talk, she don't like hooking up on a hot day when it is like 90 degree so when it is going to be like that we leave early in the morning and she likes that better.
Marvin
__________________
Marvin & Annie
Niki (fur baby)
1979 Argosy 30 (Costalotta)
WBCCI 10103
"Happiness is a warm Puppy" Charles Schulz
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05-01-2010, 12:20 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1970 27' Overlander
Espanola
, Full Timer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,753
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The fat in my body settles in my stomach area...so bending or kneeling over can be a real task! Also get heartburn if I had just eaten and bend down or over...
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05-01-2010, 08:44 PM
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#16
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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1) Get the two-balls-and-sticks hitch aligner so you don't have to get in and out of the cab so much.
2) Get a power tongue jack put on if you don't already have one.
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05-05-2010, 01:24 PM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
2004 28' International CCD
Maple Plain
, Minnesota
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 61
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tomp
I was telling my wife: "See, other guys have back problems and this is important to read." I told her others suggested you "get the wife to hook up."
She responded: ""hitching up would be simple if you just brought along a twenty-one year old (and I began to get all excited) ........ guy along."
They have a way of knocking the wind out of your sail.
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05-05-2010, 04:26 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1969 23' Safari
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 699
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J Goertzen
Like alot of people, I have a weak lower back, and hitching up is a real pain in the back. Its the bending over that does me in. Getting ready for the new camping season, and already not looking forward to the hitching up,I have even resorted to pull throughs to avoid the unhitching and hitching up at times, not always what I want because I like to camp in the forest service campgrounds that are smaller, and to not extend out of my site with the TV, I need to unhitch and move the TV. So this year I intend to use a sit down stool to help me when I hitch up and not bend over so much, it may or maynot help a little. I know I am not the only one out there with a bad back and that deals with this, anyone out there with good ideas? My AS is 22ft long, TV a Ford F150 super cab. Thanks!
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I had such bad lumbar problems that I eventually agreed to surgery (a laminectomy) and the consequent "six weeks prone on the floor" recovery like to cost me my sanity (wife and 2 yr old depending on me, etc)...
the ONE thing I can honestly say has improved my back to the point I no longer worry about it is to adopt a daily workout (mornings only, if I wait I won't do it) of stretches, yoga, and calisthenics (pushups, jacknifes (like situps but better)...this workout has basically saved my arse and my back and my mind.. the increased muscular strength enables me to carry my weight and reduce pressure on the joints...it really works...PM me if you'd like the full routine I do... a lot of it I got from the Wii Fitness/Yoga machine...
good luck! (I say a lotta Our Fathers and Hail Marys too ;-)
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09-12-2010, 12:27 PM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
1969 21' Globetrotter
Seattle & Olympic Peninsula
, Washington
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 88
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My back is all out of whack as well and I've discover a couple of things that really seem to make a difference on our road trips...
Keeping the seat warmer on low all the time helps keep the muscles limber.
The electric tongue jack. It's one one of those small luxuries that you really appreciate after a long day on the road.
Stretching during pit stops.
Backup camera for hook ups. Best investment ever!
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09-12-2010, 01:45 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,743
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Over the years I had a few sporadic instances of lower bike pain. It would come on for the most stupid ofreasons, sometimes, I woudn't even know what brought ut on.
Typically it would leave me in serious pain for a few days and barely able to walk.
I had done a reasonable amount of exercise for many years of my life but that ddn't seem to keep it at bay.
After I took early retirement about ll years ago, I was able to step up the amount of daily exercise to about two hours a day in two one hour sessions split between a treadmill and a weight bench.
I still would get lower back pain sessions now and then.
About four years ago, I searched the internet and came up with a half dozen or so mat exercises specifically targeted to strengthen the lower back.
I changed my exercise routine a bit - still doing about 2hrs a day in total, but now I finish each session with about ten minutes worth of the lower back exercises - so far it has worked for me. Probably jinxed myself now!
Brian
__________________
Brian & Connie Mitchell
2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
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