Backing Up

LarryJoe50 wrote:
My question is when backing up do you still have the same degree (backing angle) of backing with or with out weight distribution systems. I use an Husky Center Line Weight Distribution System. And I have to back up into my driveway at a pretty sharp angle and my front view is not clear because of trees. Hope I was clear enough.

Hi Larry,

To your first question, most hitches have a max angle of turning. Meaning when you reach the max angle, going beyond it something will bind in the WD hitch and may break or bend. Also some hitches due to the way they are made can turn sharper one direction then the other.

The are several variables on a camper and truck setup that can affect the max turning angle. Not every truck and camper create the same max angle even if they used the same WD hitch. LP gas tank hangs out different, the front of the camper built different, the truck bumper and the receiver as made different etc. The best way I have found to find out this max angle is to test it.

With the help of a spotter, back up or drive forward slowly. The spotter needs to watch the hitch for binding and the camper or truck bumper which may hit the camper before the hitch does. When that max angle is found, then while in the truck look at the camper using all your mirrors and try to implant in your memory how far that looks. Do this for a left and right turn. Then try real hard to not approach that hard of a turn.

The hitch does not know if it is going forward or backwards on how the max angle was obtained. It can get into that max angle either direction. However often times you can find that max angle easier when backing up into a tight spot as you are maneuvering at slow speed and cracking the steering wheel many times as far as it will go.

Some folks remove their WD bars when backing into extreme positions. I would recommend this only be done if the dead weight rating (weight carrying rating) on your truck receiver and your WD hitch head in weight carrying mode allow it. When you back up with no WD bars, especially up a grade, even a slight grade, the truck receiver is taking a lot of bending torque and can start issues forming in the receiver that may later rear their ugly heads down the road.

Hope this helps

John