Forum Discussion

jepalmer's avatar
jepalmer
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013

backing into tight spot

newbie question:
I am storing the rig (34 ft North Shore) at a storage center. Currently there are a couple of boat trailers which are too long for their space right across from my spot. Although I'm trying to have this problem removed, my question remains.

If you have to back into a slot and what is in front of the slot limits the swing of the truck, what's the best way to set up? e.g., should your start position be about half way between the front of your slot and the offending boat trailers? closer to the boats?

Although practice in a parking lot will help my ability to judge this, I'll still face a tight spot when I come back to the storage center.

(It was a lot easier when I could just pick up the tongue of the Skamper and swing it around!)

Thanks for the help!

19 Replies

  • By all means have them find you another spot. Using your RV should not be that stressful, and you won't ever relax with that situation. Most proprietors will understand.
  • If this is a recurring event would consider a hitch on the front of the tow vehicle or one of those dollies that will spot a trailer apart from the tow vehicle. They are advertised on the back of camping magazines.
  • If possible approach with parking space on drivers side.

    When approaching, hug side of road that space is on. When trailer tires are even with leading edge of parking space turn away from space and when truck is at 45 degree turn back other way until truck parallel.

    This will set the back end of trailer at roughly 45 degree to parking space.
    Slowly begin backing up watching trailer tires. Wait for it...5'vr are slower to respond then quickly catchup. Back rig in watching where the trailer tires are going.

    Spotters....watch front of truck.
  • Radio off. Windows down. Spotter to assist with your blind spots, preferably NOT a spouse.
  • By all means start as close to your side of the street as you can. You have to give your truck somewhere to go.
  • often it helps to back up a little bit, pull ahead & straighten out, keep repeating.
  • If it's really tight and the boats can't be moved, I'd ask around about a forklift with a hitch mounted on the forks.
  • Yes, if you don't have enough room to swing the truck, it makes backing up even a small trailer difficult to do...

    You might even have to unhitch, put the truck in a better position, hitch up again and continue parking it..

    The trick to backing up is to watch where the trailer tires are going, as that will determine where it's going to go.. Sure, you still have to watch to make sure you don't hit anything else, but the tire track is where it's ultimately going to go..

    Good luck!

    Mitch