Honestly, practice, practice, practice. I had a little 5x8 utility trailer before the PUP and that thing is a bear to back up because it is so short, but I practiced with that and now even my wife comments on how good I am backing up the trailer. My driveway is perfect, because I have a tree on each side and I come off a rural two lane road, so it is like most campgrounds that we have been to. I also dip into the driveway first and back out to help with the angle backing in. Another thing, is to go to an empty parking lot and try backing up a whole row straight, no turning. Once you know how a trailer will react with each touch of the wheel, it will be easier to back on an angle. Keep practicing and don't get frustrated, that is the first mistake. Calm waters are easier to sail.
Best Regards,
Norm
I usually back the trailer far into the site first not wanting to get it into the "perfect" spot, not even straight sometimes. Then I pull out with the trailer bringing it to the side I want and straightening it at the same time ending with the TV and pup in a straight line. Then it is just a matter of backing it up straight and however deep into the site I want it. :turtle:
The big key when backing is to not oversteer. If you oversteer then you are just constantly turning the wheel back and forth.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
one suggestion is to put your hand at the bottom of the wheel. then turn the wheel the direction you want the back end of the trailer to go.
if you put it on the top of the wheel, you have to go the opposite way you want the back end to go.
second suggestion is to go to some big empty parking lot and practice backing in over and over.
I never seem to back to just the right spot. But don't fret, if it takes a few times to get right where you want to be even if it takes a dozen times to get there it only took a few extra miniutes. The more practice backing the quicker you'll pick it up, I always oversteer and end up pulling straight to go back again. Someday I'm going to figure out how to get lights to see how to back up in the dark.
One other tip is to either use your mirrors or turn your head (or stick your head out the window), but don't switch between them unless you really need to. Since the mirror flips the image from what you see when you turn your head, you'll have to mentally flip which way to turn the wheel. It still takes me a few seconds to adjust when I do that, and I've been pulling utility/boat/camper trailers behind my vehicles for the past 25 years.
One of the things that I was taught that really made a difference (Besides putting the hand at the bottom of the wheel) is once you turn the wheel to move the back of the trailer, after 5 seconds, move it back to neutral position. If it wasn't enough movement do it again. This way you don't oversteer and it helps with the TV following the trailer through.
 |
The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything that they have! |
The easiest way to do it (as others have mentioned), is to remember that the trailer will move in the same direction as the bottom of your steering wheel. If you grab the steering wheel at the bottom and move your hand to the right (counterclockwise), the trailer will move towards the passenger or curb side. Same thing goes for the other direction. You want to use your mirrors and don't try to look over your shoulder. You'll be able to see things better this way. Remember, small movements and nice and slow. You will also want to make sure that you have someone at the rear of the trailer giving directions and to make sure that you don't back into anything that you don't want to. My wife and I use 2-way radios as it is sometimes hard to keep her in my line of sight and also it is easier than trying to yell directions at each other. I am able to listen to her directions and watch the trailer without having to try and see hand directions. We use this same system whether it's day or night. The only difference is she uses a lantern or flashlight. You might want to practice in an empty parking lot. With a little practice, you'll be backing up without any problems in no time.
Dan
Admittedly, this takes some metal work, but I picture what the back of my TV and the tongue of the trailer are doing and what they need to do to go where I want to and I can figure out which direction to swing the TV from that. My driveway is 10 feet wide with a tree on one side and a fire hydrant on the other and I have to come in from 90 degrees so I have to get it right, and if I don't want to back up the street in both directions, do it fairly quickly.
Getting the Wife to help is a challenge - Practice and used hand signals that make sense. Left and right voice command get confused.. as in WHOS left and looking in mirrors get it even more confused. I use my side mirrors - and told the wife - if she can't see my eyes - then I can't see her.... She stands WELL behind the trailer and off to the side (so I don't run her down) 😛
[quote author=Marc S. link=topic=998.msg7553#msg7553 date=1312732730]
Someday I'm going to figure out how to get lights to see how to back up in the dark.
Wire up some aftermarket Fog lights (preferred LED ones) on the rear bumper of the trailer
[img width=640 height=531]http://www.quadratec.com/Assets/Images/125685/125685-lg.jpg[/img]
Wire it and connect to Pin 7 on your 7-way connector (the CENTER one) often marked with ORANGE wire - Wire the TV 7 pin that to the white BACKUP lights - or to a handy AUX fused switch in the TV.
My COLEMAN actually is wired like that as it has the factory WHITE tail lights (now converted to LEDs). Never got around to wire the TV backup light to it yet.
I have had my camper for 8 years or so and find that looking over my shoulder works better than looking in the mirrors. I have a friend that drives a tractor trailer and he shakes his head at me and says I need to use my mirrors. I just can't seem to make my mind work that way!!!! That being said, some times I can back right in with no problems and sometimes I can't seem to get it right!!! Usually the times I have trouble is when I have an audience watching (usually men) and they are shaking their heads. I eventually get it in. ;D
Melinda, I know what you mean. 😉 I'm the one who drives and maneuvers the camper into position. Much easier when a woman friend directed me than DH's hand flailing! ;D She was used to backing up her boat for many years and guided me very easily into a dog-leg curved site by watching me in my side view mirrors and using hand signals.
DW and I have a system. IF she gets out when we are backing in she is to yell when I am about to hit something with the camper. Other than that she is to give no directions.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
[quote author=mwownbey]
... find that looking over my shoulder works better than looking in the mirrors.
Whatever works for you, Melinda. I "grew up" driving in Scotland. I still look over the "wrong" shoulder when backing up. Odd, but true. It still works for me, though.
I do think if you had a taller trailer mirrors would be your only option.
769
47
2 Guest(s)
