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08-26-2012, 06:36 AM
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#1
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 10,530
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Backing Up Four Down!
I may have just watched the luckiest guy in the world pull in to camp here in Ottawa, Ontario.
We were sitting outside when this beautiful KSDP pulled in towing a small Ford crossover and headed for his pull thru site several down from us. I watched him stop on the access road and then saw his back up lights come on and heard his reverse beeper sounding.
My eyes got really big when I realized he was actually going to back up!
I couldn't believe it as, with no spotter or anyone in the toad, he backed up what I'd guess to be about 6' to 8'. Straight back... while the toad nicely tracked.
I don't think I'll run right out and try it though.....
Rick
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Rick, Nancy, Peanut & Lola our Westie Dogs & Bailey the Sheltie.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
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08-26-2012, 06:41 AM
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#2
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Community Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,539
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Interesting. Maybe he'll share his technique with you and of course you with us .
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Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
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08-26-2012, 06:55 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 3,469
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This sounds like a challenge. I pulled into a Flying J service bay with my Subaru still attached to have an air leak looked at. These bays are pull through but the pit is designed for the width of a truck and the car would not go across. So I had to back all the way out with the car attached, probably 60' or 70', before I could drive around the bay. Luckily it was a straight shot and the rear camera was working.
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John and Mary Knight
2015 Newmar Ventana 4311 - wheelchair accessible
2015 Cadillac SRX Luxury AWD
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08-26-2012, 07:17 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Full-timers - Home is where we park it.
Posts: 4,722
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Everybody says don't do it because it may damage the tow bar, but I have backed up a few feet on a level surface with with the toad sitting in a straight line behind the MH with no problems. You have to make sure the steer tires of the toad don't lock over to one side. Ours never have.
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08-26-2012, 07:30 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Surprise Arizona
Posts: 1,994
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I have done so on several ocasions when I had no choice. I locked the steering column and was able to do so without a problem. The first couple of times I was a little apprehensive but now know it can be done.
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Harold & Linda
2009 CT coachworks siena 35V
W22 Workhorse 8.1L. Explorer Sport toad,
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08-26-2012, 07:33 AM
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#6
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Community Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,539
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Quote:
Originally Posted by az bound
I have done so on several ocasions when I had no choice. I locked the steering column and was able to do so without a problem. The first couple of times I was a little apprehensive but now know it can be done.
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Locking the steering column sounds like a good idea. I once saw a woman trying to hold the wheel and almost broke her wrists.
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Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
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08-26-2012, 07:49 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WHITING,NJ,USA
Posts: 1,097
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My rule personal rule on backing up with a tow car attached is if you want an excuse to purchase another tow bar backup with a car attached for at least 15 feet. That should do it, then make a phone call to Roadmaster or Blue Ox and place an order.
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07 Itasca Ellipse 40fd, 2014 Honda CRV, greyhound lab mix, pit pointer mix(RIP bessie) , shar pei mix, stupid cat, wife
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08-26-2012, 07:57 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 1,756
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Wow in all the years I have towed my vehicles I never ever had to back up once. I was just lucky I guess.
I'll never find out now [moderator edit]........
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2020 F-150 4x4 3.5 Super Crew Cab
2024 Starcraft 189RG
God Bless Us All
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08-26-2012, 08:13 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Surprise Arizona
Posts: 1,994
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GG1
My rule personal rule on backing up with a tow car attached is if you want an excuse to purchase another tow bar backup with a car attached for at least 15 feet. That should do it, then make a phone call to Roadmaster or Blue Ox and place an order.
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"A mans got to know his limitations"
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Harold & Linda
2009 CT coachworks siena 35V
W22 Workhorse 8.1L. Explorer Sport toad,
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08-26-2012, 08:34 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 500
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I have to back up with the Jeep attached to our Challenger on a number of occasions - usually because I have pulled too far ahead at a gasoline pump and the hose wouldn't reach the filler. I have found that I can back up about 10' with no adverse effects; after that distance, the front wheels begin to turn. Locking the steering is a good suggestion, if it is a straight shot.
Bronk
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08-26-2012, 08:50 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: May 2009
Location: kingston tn.
Posts: 974
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i once successfully back almost 2 feet with no problem at about 2.5 feet i bought a new bumper for a 3 month old jeep
brianj
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just liven life in east tn or where ever our
2011 georgetown ,2016 explorer and 2015 "hemi" ram take us
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08-26-2012, 08:57 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Orange Beach, AL
Posts: 744
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I have backed several tows 'four down'. The terrain will dictate the success and distance. Several times that I've done this was when making a U-turn and needed a few more feet for clearance.
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08-26-2012, 08:59 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 211
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If you need to back up more than 10-15 feet put the wife in the tow vehicle with the engine running to keep the wheels straight.
Otherwise back up till the tow vehicle front wheels begin to turn themselves...pull ahead till they straighten out....back up more...repeat. I backed up several hundred feet in this manner, although by that time it would have been faster to disconnect.
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08-26-2012, 12:29 PM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,671
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It also varies by the make & model of the toad, i.e. the amount of "caster" built into the front end. Some have a lot and others not so much, depending on a number of engineering factors too complex to go into here. Terrain, type of surface, initial attitude (straight vs wheels turned on either toad or coach), and the amount of rear overhang in the coach all have an effect.
My current toad will easily back several feet and often 12-15 ft. A previous one rarely would go more than 3-5 feet without jackknifing.
In my experience, all bets are off if the surface is deep sand or gravel. Instant jackknife.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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