Backing up tip

The scoop our what we call in the trucking industry the 45 degree back works well.
My biggest problem is were the axles are placed on the camper. I'm used to having the wheels and the very back of the trailer were campers have the wheels more towards the center so the camper cut in faster.
Also with the axles in the center position you get a lot more tail swing Wich could be a problem when pulling out of a tight spot and making a hard trun. Also with a lot of rear over hang you have to be more square with a tight spot when backing in.

Best piece of advice I ever got was: "drive the trailer not the truck."

LMAO @ opnspaces :)

Tin Pusher wrote:
What I don't get is this: Whatever gyrations it takes to get in, you can always just drive right out. How come you can't just reverse that to get in? :)

I have been able to get myself in some pretty tight areas dry camping that were by far harder to get out forward than backing in.

Usually it is just me backing in and I prefer to go in on the drivers side if possible. I pick a few spots that I want to hit with my trailer tires and watch with my head turned out the driver side door window (obviously I am continually looking in other directions too). I find that if I hit the spots I was thinking of I am in with minimal effort. I have even cut a few pieces of 12"x12"x3/4" pieces of plywood and painted them orange for those times it is very dark and need to know those "spots" I am trying to hit (I use them under the leveling jacks too).

To me, if you know your trailer and know where you are backing to, whether its a campsite or 1 mile down a road, always knowing where those driver side trailer tires are simplifies it tremendously.

When I have a spotter, unless its someone who can actually back a trailer up themselves, I find they are only good for making sure I don't hit someone or something.

Our trailer was sideswiped by a 5th wheel going forward. His trailer tail swing hit us.

I wonder just how many competent RV driver's there are out there?

If some of you don't think the scoop works, then you might not be pulling a longer trailer with a long-wheelbase truck. I can tell you sometimes I need every spare inch to stay out of the off side ditch. I scoop and drive beyond it at the same angle farther than I think I need to until I reach the far side ditch with my tire. This sets the angle of attack beyond parallel and optimizes the width of the roadway, so that by the time I have to put all the steering input back in, the front of the truck swings past the ditch, rather than into it. Works for me.

That's right up there with the meaning of life question Tin Pusher. It's probably best to not even think about it.:B

What I don't get is this: Whatever gyrations it takes to get in, you can always just drive right out. How come you can't just reverse that to get in? :)

2oldman wrote:
I once saw a guy open the driver's door, lean out as far as he could, and with his left hand on the door handle and his right hand on the wheel, watched the trailer as he backed it.

I guess that's how it's done sans helper and sans mirrors.

I've considered trying this a few times. But I always picture something like the door handle breaking off and me plunging out to the street. Then the truck rolls over me as it idles on by.