Community Forums

The Big Kid · 05-24-2006, 06:16 PM

Practice, practice, practice.

A good imagination helps too, but you need to now where you want the trailer to go, then get it aimed that way.

There is no silver bullet answer. Only you can know out how much steering wheel turn results in a given amount of trailer turn.

practice, practice, practice.

best place to practice is in an empty parking lot. Backing yourself from different directions to end up parallel to the white lines.

Stylin' · 05-25-2006, 03:08 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by The Big Kid:
Practice, practice, practice.

A good imagination helps too, but you need to now where you want the trailer to go, then get it aimed that way.

There is no silver bullet answer. Only you can know out how much steering wheel turn results in a given amount of trailer turn.

practice, practice, practice.

best place to practice is in an empty parking lot. Backing yourself from different directions to end up parallel to the white lines. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Practice, practice, practice. Having a good samaritan guiding you in by telling you when to turn and which way doesn't work nearly as well as just parking it yourself. It'll come with practice. A spotter is always a good idea, and mishaps at slow speeds are usually minor; moreso than ones at faster speeds.

Don in E Texas · 05-25-2006, 04:21 AM

I think K-star is refering to the rear axle of a multi-axle trailer. And do follow his steps -- he has it nailed down very well.

don

RSmoak · 05-25-2006, 06:04 AM

Everyone has good advice. Great step by step from K-Star. The thing is to practice in an empty parking lot. Develop methods that work for you there, then refine them in actual use.

I map a track for my trailer tires in my mind and then setup to permit it. My primary goal when setting up is to get as straight on as possible before I ever engage reverse. If I can't get the entire rig straight on, I at least try to get the trailer straight on.

Ralph

cwsoules · 05-25-2006, 07:49 AM

Train your helper to keep your mirrors in sight so you can see them. Pay attention to your personal helper and try to ignore other helpers. I watch the trailer tires when turning. Once the turn has started start reducing your truck's turning. Stop and walk back to see for yourself when ever you are uncertain. When it is necessary to pull forward it usually is not necessary to pull more than a truck length. What you are trying to do is reorient your truck to the trailer so you can resume backing. At home I can not see the gate I am trying to pass thru when I pull up. So I take 100' of light rope and lay it on the path straight thru the gate that I want the left hand trailer tires to follow. I can see the rope before the gate is visible. We have been backing into spots for 6 years and some are remarkably successful and still a few are very difficult. My wife knows how far the slide out must extend so she helps me back in and ensure the slideout has sufficent room.

Retired USSS · 05-30-2006, 03:02 PM

Thank you all for the great advice. The "key" word in all the emails is PRACTICE! My wife and I took the 5th wheel out this past week. Fortunately, the camp ground host helped me guide it into the space. Most of the campsites in the TN state parks are pretty small and not made for the new, larger RV's. However, we had a great time. Thanks again for all your help.

Ray,IN · 06-02-2006, 05:39 PM

Buy a set of marrage savers. A cheap set of FRS two way radios will eliminate yelling to be heard over the truck engine and outside noises. Your wife does not worry about being seen in the right spot. You can communicate with you wife even when she is way behind the RV watching for tree limbs and other goblins. Add this to the previous advice and "now you know the rest of the story". OH- someone mentioned 4WD, use Low 4WD when backing uphill, or hot weather. AT's get hot quickly backing a heavy load and the low 4WD allows the AT to work much easier. Just remember to switch back to 2WD afterwards.

cwsoules · 06-05-2006, 05:27 AM

We have tried to use 2 way radios, but I'm deaf enough that I can not always understand my wife. We have relied on hand signals, and my occasional stop, lock brakes, and walking back to see for myself.

One caution pay attention to where the front end of your truck is going. I tend to focus on the trailer and on more than one ocasion my wife has stopped me from hitting something expensive with the front end of the truck.