Backing Up with a Short Wheelbase?

profdant139 wrote:
Here is another useful short trailer trick -- when it starts to jackknife, just pull forward a little and it will straighten out....

Plan on backing 3-5 ft, pull ahead 1-3 ft, repeat. Keep the line of trailer and tv straight. Not all of us have the skills to make a 90 corner without correction.

profdant139 wrote:
Here is another useful short trailer trick -- when it starts to jackknife, just pull forward a little and it will straighten out. Then, before you start back again, put your hand on the bottom of the wheel and crank the wheel all the way over in the direction you want the trailer to go. As soon as the trailer starts to respond, straighten the wheels.

A spotter is invaluable, especially if she is patient with you.

A sense of humor is essential, as is a flexible neck.

Great tip, thanks! This is definitely when I have the most trouble.

Here is another useful short trailer trick -- when it starts to jackknife, just pull forward a little and it will straighten out. Then, before you start back again, put your hand on the bottom of the wheel and crank the wheel all the way over in the direction you want the trailer to go. As soon as the trailer starts to respond, straighten the wheels.

A spotter is invaluable, especially if she is patient with you.

A sense of humor is essential, as is a flexible neck.

I tow and 8 foot teardrop with my Beetle, short wheel base on both. I practiced a lot and learned small slow movements. Now I can back it into my garage which has a very short driveway and alley,

cjoseph wrote:
I go with shorter inputs at the steering wheel. Try moving the steering wheel an inch or two and watch what the trailer does.

When you go to a parking lot, turn the wheel in one-inch increments and back up a distance at each. You will soon see the trailer in your side mirror. Learn at what point the trailer breaks hard. There is a point that you could back in a circle forever. Then, there is a point just past that where the trailer will start into a jack knife and require an extreme maneuver to correct. Learn that point and try not to go past that. If you find yourself in a spot where you have to go past that point, do it quickly and correct. Do it agin quickly and correct, etc...

Like already said, practice - practice.

Hope this makes sense?

YES! I see what you're saying about the "circle forever" point. I haven't tried finding that point and not going past it, but I'll try that next. Thanks!

The bad news is - a shorter wheelbase trailer is harder to back up. The good news is - a shorter wheelbase trailer will fit into a lot tighter camping spot.

mkirsch - Yep. Is practical. Done all the time. The issue is a good receiver hitch installation, not the capacity of the front suspension.

It will go where you want it to go, it will just take a lot of practice. They jackknife FAST, so go slow and make smal inputs to the steering.

OffroadGirl wrote:

coolbreeze01 wrote:
A hitch on the front of your Jeep might help. You could see exactly where the trailer is going.

Hmm, interesting idea!

Used by many for various reasons. Search front hitch trailer parking.

I go with shorter inputs at the steering wheel. Try moving the steering wheel an inch or two and watch what the trailer does.

When you go to a parking lot, turn the wheel in one-inch increments and back up a distance at each. You will soon see the trailer in your side mirror. Learn at what point the trailer breaks hard. There is a point that you could back in a circle forever. Then, there is a point just past that where the trailer will start into a jack knife and require an extreme maneuver to correct. Learn that point and try not to go past that. If you find yourself in a spot where you have to go past that point, do it quickly and correct. Do it agin quickly and correct, etc...

Like already said, practice - practice.

Hope this makes sense?