Backing up a TT

pxt wrote:
Gave it a shot today and did some practice. Boy I did awful! my brain got clogged up trying all the tips I got ...lol. I guess I have to keep at it.

Don't worry - you will get it. I'm not a professional truck driver, but after the first season, I could more or less put the TT anywhere I wanted it to be. A spotter is always a good idea regardless of experience. Mine just talks to me via walkie-talkie if the need arises.

DE88ROX wrote:
The new 'back up assist' that Ford has in the new trucks looks pretty sweet.

Yes and no. I'm new to the whole camping thing, but I'm not new to backing up a trailer. The Ford system won't help a driver with the setup, and to me, setting up the placement of your TV and TT is the most important thing. If you put both vehicles in a bad spot and attempt to back up, it might not even be possible. No system will help in that case.

Experience trumps every tool out there. Practice, practice, practice.

Gave it a shot today and did some practice. Boy I did awful! my brain got clogged up trying all the tips I got ...lol. I guess I have to keep at it.

Practice in a large empty parking lot. Before you start make sure you and your spotter have your communication method worked out and they know where they need to be in order for you to see them.

I also get mixed up briefly if I try to go from my mirrors to looking over my shoulder and then back. It might just be me, but I stick to my mirrors.

Really all good hints but I will add, Don't open the door and hang your head out looking backwards!
As for me personally, I have been a professional truck driver and I prefer to not have a spotter because I am ultimately responsible for the safe movement of the vehicle. I get out and look and I set the move up in my minds eye and then do it!
I pulled out of a site one day to go to the Dump station and the wife waited at the site for my return, local park and had been there a few days! I pulled off my lynx blocks, One under each tire on the curb side. When I returned the guy next to me came running over to pick up the lynx blocks so that he could replace them for me to get re leveled! My wife told him that I would be alright and to leave them there. So he began to give me directions and motioned for me to turn this way and that way! I ignored him and in fact was not pleased with him trying to help without asking and I did my own thing!
When he saw me stop right on the blocks, he just looked at my wife and told her, "I guess he doesn't need help does he?" She told him I do this all the time where ever we go. Occassionally I have the wife watch overhead branches and such but I preferred to back up with out a spotter and to me its easier! You might get into a spot where you wont have a spotter and be glad you don't need to rely on one! Also, there is no shame in have to make more than one attempt at back up try, sometimes the juices just don't flow the same way we want out RV to go!

+1 on the use of phones while backing up. We finally went to this system, and it works much, much better. Especially since the phone will come through to the cab via the blue tooth hookup.

Also, now DW doesn't have to be screaming at me to stop backing, and alerting the entire campground. :) Instead, she just screams through the phone. :S

Quartermoon wrote:
We use cell phones for communication between driver and spotter. I'm the spotter, but as a veteran horse-trailer-backer I'm well aware that if I can't see the driver's face in the mirror, he can't see me. But sprinting back and forth from side to side as the trailer maneuvers into position, or having to put myself in mirror-friendly position where I couldn't see the back, or other side, of the trailer, finally convinced us to go to a better form of communication than hand signals. I've seen people using radios, too, but just being able to talk to the driver frees him up to look all around at whatever he needs to be watching.

For me, backing successfully into any space is directly proportional to the audience. I'll put that horse trailer on a dime if no one is around, but it takes 15 stabs at it if the whole barn is watching. :)

We use cell phones for communication between driver and spotter. I'm the spotter, but as a veteran horse-trailer-backer I'm well aware that if I can't see the driver's face in the mirror, he can't see me. But sprinting back and forth from side to side as the trailer maneuvers into position, or having to put myself in mirror-friendly position where I couldn't see the back, or other side, of the trailer, finally convinced us to go to a better form of communication than hand signals. I've seen people using radios, too, but just being able to talk to the driver frees him up to look all around at whatever he needs to be watching.

For me, backing successfully into any space is directly proportional to the audience. I'll put that horse trailer on a dime if no one is around, but it takes 15 stabs at it if the whole barn is watching. :)

The new 'back up assist' that Ford has in the new trucks looks pretty sweet.

Walaby wrote:
Approch the site with the site on your drivers side. Here's another video that has some good tips

Another video

Thats my preferred method. When returning from a trip, I always take the back way into our development so I can look out my drivers door when backing up.

noonenosthis1 wrote:
Or buy this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyQlRR56t-o

Great Idea!! Only question would be is,,,, who pays the damage when the front of the truck takes out another trailer or pole or something while your looking down at your screen while backing? Did Ford put censors all around to stop itself from from whacking a pole,dock,trailer,other vehicle?
I couldn't imagine calling my insurance guy and telling him I was watching my radio screen when I ran the kid on the bike over and took out the side of another boat!! When he asks if I was looking behind me or in the mirrors I'll say Nope!
Wonder if Ford has a No Fault clause in the purchase agreement!
Why couldn't I sue Ford, the radio manufacturer the dealer the salesman etc???