I'm looking for some rules of thumb to help with backing my HTT into it's resting place in camp back yard. I am pretty good at backing it into camp sites but when I get home and want to get it backed into the back yard I find it very difficult.
My HTT is 25ft long, 8ft wide and My TV is an extended cab Silverado pick up.
I live on a corner lot and have an 11ft gate opening. The parking area is up hill, slightly, and I have a curb that I contend with by putting thick timbers under the tires so the rear of the trailer raises up before hitting the uphill.
Basically I'm looking for rules of thumb to turn the rig 90 degrees off the side street to get it in it's place. Are there certain distances I should travel past the opening before attempting to back in? Are there some type of helpful approach manuevers that might help. I've gotten it in there the few times had to but have struggled with it.
DW and I get frustrated with each other because she thinks it should be easier 😀 and I think she needs to give better directions 😉
Any suggestions are welcome. I think with more practice I'll get better but it's been difficult to guage any specifc distances etc because It seems I'm constantly moving in, out and around in so many different directions that I can't pinpoint the best position to start from.
Thanks
There are really only so many things that you can do.
First, approach the gate close to that side of the street. When you get to the gate, turn a bit so you are pulling away from the gate. The idea is to not have to make that 90 degree turn into the yard.
Then work out good signals with your spotter. Since I'm in a pup, if my spotter isn't screaming that I'm going to hit something, there's no real concern, but since you have a HTT, you need a good spotter. Hand signals work better than voice commands. Pointing to one side does not convey a tone of voice.
The only way to get the wife to see that it is difficult is to put her behind the wheel. Let her try parking it some time.
But the main thing to do is practice. Take measurements and go to a big parking lot. Put out cones and practice getting into your spot.
I second pull along that side of the road and then turn out so you aren't doing 90 degrees.
My advice....don't keep turning the steering wheel hard left or hard right. Sometimes slight right or left will have the desired effect.
My suggestion/question......can you pull into your neighbors driveway and then back straight into yours? Or can you back down the block from an intersection so you go straight into your driveway rather than trying to back in doing 90 degree turns?
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
[quote author=fritz_monroe link=topic=1643.msg13492#msg13492 date=1337094775]
The only way to get the wife to see that it is difficult is to put her behind the wheel. Let her try parking it some time.
Thanks for the reply and advice FM - I don't think my heart could take the above suggestion though ;D
Some times dealing with major or tight turn/corners while backing up - it MAY be easier to line up the trailer and TV separately.
What I mean is get the trailer into position.....but if the TV is not in a strait line you may have to chock wheels on the trailer & UNHOOK the TV then re-line up in a straight line and then hook back up (remember to unchock the wheels). Specially if pushing it back up a hill and dealing with a curve.
Alternately you may look at getting a front receiver installed.
Just my 2 cents worth.
[quote author=IA Poppers link=topic=1643.msg13497#msg13497 date=1337098801]
Thanks for the reply and advice FM - I don't think my heart could take the above suggestion though ;D
Me neither. 😉
[quote author=jfilz link=topic=1643.msg13498#msg13498 date=1337099417]
What I mean is get the trailer into position.....but if the TV is not in a strait line you may have to chock wheels on the trailer & UNHOOK the TV then re-line up in a straight line and then hook back up (remember to unchock the wheels). Specially if pushing it back up a hill and dealing with a curve.
That's a great idea, and it never occurred to me.
[quote author=IA Poppers link=topic=1643.msg13491#msg13491 date=1337093315]
DW and I get frustrated with each other because she thinks it should be easier 😀 and I think she needs to give better directions 😉
Rather than rely on hand signals and spoken/shouted directions, we carry a set of two-way radios. For us anyway, it makes things much easier. We've heard too many shouting matches in campgrounds and don't want to contribute to that!
DW has never backed the PUP but she always backs the kayak trailer at boat ramps, so she knows that it's not always as easy as it seems it should be. I keep telling her that the PUP is easier than the boat trailer, but she hasn't attempted it yet.
John
Thanks, to all, for the replies.
I do like the two way radio thing since most of the time DW is out of sight or ear shot through mirrors and/or voice. I will suggest that we use our cell phones on the next attempt, with mine on speaker,, of course, since I'm trying to manuever both of the vehicles.
I had seen the videos in my searches and they are similar to what I'm trying to do. With the exception of navigating the curb, the uphill slope, and the 11ft gate opening. I will try the swoop method on my next attempt to see if it helps.
I guess i was hoping for some dimensional input, ie , get the trailer tires past the gate by approx. 6 - 8ft prior to starting to back in. My thinking is once I find the sweet spot and position the camper and TV on the road just right I'll have it down. I'll make some notes on position the next time I try and find out what works best and report back.
Thanks again for your replies
[quote author=01YZF6 link=topic=1643.msg13508#msg13508 date=1337131854]
as far as the curb goes, you can do what we do with HD Construction equipment.
use 3 or 4 - 2x8 planks - 4 foot long.
stack the planks 2 or 3 high to match the curb height, then set the next plank(s) in front of that one plank less in height.
Yep, this is what I do with some thick & wide pices of beam that I think the previous home owner used as landscape timbers. I dug them out of an area where we planted a garden. They are treated so have held up for years. I just keep them near the gate and drag them out to the curb when moving the camper in or out. They work great for getting the lift I need to clear the curb
[quote author=IA Poppers link=topic=1643.msg13507#msg13507 date=1337126400]
I guess I was hoping for some dimensional input, ie , get the trailer tires past the gate by approx. 6 - 8ft prior to starting to back in. My thinking is once I find the sweet spot and position the camper and TV on the road just right I'll have it down.
Our HTT is 25' also. I like to pull up past the entrance almost the same distance as the length from the back bumper to the back tire. This usually works well for us. If you have more success getting into a campsite, perhaps on your next trip both you & your wife can get out & together make a mental note of some reference point, so you're both on the same page about distances. Personally, I'm terrible with number distances (ft, yds, etc), but if I can visualize & compare it to something, then we're good to go.
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