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bowler1's avatar
bowler1
Explorer
Jul 06, 2016

More Questions on Backing Up with Trailer???

A couple of quick questions on backing up. I know there is a lot out there on backing up but my questions might be a little different. I am fairly proficient at backing up and maneuvering my trailer, but two things still get me. I have a 29 foot travel trailer for what it's worth....

1. Backing up in a straight line. I always have trouble doing this. It would seem that this would be easy but I always drift to one side or the other...often without realizing it. When backing up straight I try to pull far enough forward to get the trailer in line with the tow vehicle. But then I have pulled so far forward that I have a long way to back up which is when I start to drift even when keeping the wheels straight.

I look out the back window over my shoulder and try to ensure that the truck is in line with the trailer, but this doesn't seem to work well enough. I guess maybe I should use the side mirrors when doing this? Or would looking straight forward and ensuring the tow vehicle is going back in a straight line a good technique?

Any advice or tips?


2. When to initiate a turn. The other problem I have is that I still have not figured out how far forward to pull the trailer in relation to a camp site before starting to back up. I can maneuver the trailer well, but seems that I always start the turn too far forward or back. This results in the trailer being off center in the site. I am still trying trial and error but have not gotten it right consistently.

I also find that that whether the turn is 45 degrees or 90 degrees seems to make a difference as well.

When backing into a site (for consistency mostly) I start backing up with the steering wheel jacked all the way in the direction I want to turn and then start to "chase the trailer" once the angle is about right. Maybe jacking it all the way is not always best...???


thanks for your help

Matt
  • Nicholsfamily05's avatar
    Nicholsfamily05
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    Just curious, how many lawn chairs got hurt during training? LOL

    Haha. We lost a few that's for sure. Make sure u use old ones u don't care to much about. But on the flip side we end up with some nice new ones to go camping with! ??

    On the backing up straight I agree with everyone saying use your mirrors. When at home I use the edge of my driveway as a straight line and try to do the same when backing into a site or somewhere else.
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    Backing up straight is easier if you rely on your towing mirrors rather than looking over your shoulder. That way you can see how the back of the trailer is tracking as you reverse so you can make minor corrections to keep it on course. If you look over your shoulder it will end up getting off a bunch before you realize it.
  • Alabama_Jim's avatar
    Alabama_Jim
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    On your number 1, I look for a straight edge, like the drive way edge. I have also used a row of bushes to line up with. On your number 2, I fight is constantly. I look like a lion pacing up and down when backing in.
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Jul 06, 2016
    bowler1 wrote:
    A couple of quick questions on backing up. I know there is a lot out there on backing up but my questions might be a little different. I am fairly proficient at backing up and maneuvering my trailer, but two things still get me. I have a 29 foot travel trailer for what it's worth....

    1. Backing up in a straight line. I always have trouble doing this. It would seem that this would be easy but I always drift to one side or the other...often without realizing it. When backing up straight I try to pull far enough forward to get the trailer in line with the tow vehicle. But then I have pulled so far forward that I have a long way to back up which is when I start to drift even when keeping the wheels straight.
    Keep a slight angle with the truck to the left of the trailer so you are basically backing in a slight arc. It is easier than going straight back.

    I look out the back window over my shoulder and try to ensure that the truck is in line with the trailer, but this doesn't seem to work well enough. I guess maybe I should use the side mirrors when doing this? Or would looking straight forward and ensuring the tow vehicle is going back in a straight line a good technique?
    Learn to use the side mirrors at all times. Practice is key. I would practice more in situations where backing straight is not possible. Very few campgrounds have room for you to pull forward enough to get straight.
    Any advice or tips?


    2. When to initiate a turn. The other problem I have is that I still have not figured out how far forward to pull the trailer in relation to a camp site before starting to back up. I can maneuver the trailer well, but seems that I always start the turn too far forward or back. This results in the trailer being off center in the site. I am still trying trial and error but have not gotten it right consistently. You can never be to far forward or past the site. As long as you are past the site you can adjust when backing up. If you are not past the site it is very hard to get turned enough to get the camper back into the site and then get the truck back in front of it to make it straight.

    I also find that that whether the turn is 45 degrees or 90 degrees seems to make a difference as well.

    When backing into a site (for consistency mostly) I start backing up with the steering wheel jacked all the way in the direction I want to turn and then start to "chase the trailer" once the angle is about right. Maybe jacking it all the way is not always best...???
    Jacking it all the way is not the best way. Do a google search for the scoop method of backing a trailer.


    thanks for your help

    Matt
  • ChooChooMan74's avatar
    ChooChooMan74
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    I agree, you will never back up straight. You will always be chasing it. Best thing, IMHO, is to go slow and not make drastic moves. Also, tow mirrors are a great help, if you don't have them.
  • WNYBob's avatar
    WNYBob
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    dave17352 wrote:
    You should go to a state park that is mostly empty if you can find one say in the middle of the week


    That doesn't always work!

    We were at Watkins Glen SP (NY) where the lane to the sites was so narrow the Rangers made it a one-way. And most of the sites were angled from the lane as if you were to pull in.
    It was pretty with all the tall pines but the site was lined with them making it about 10' wide. I have only a 20' TT and I used the site across the lane to back in (camper there was nice to offer).

    You can go onto Google Maps and see the site #66, if you zoom in you can "walk" around the sites.

    I know this doesn't help the OP, but my best advice is to go slow and watch the mirrors, so you have time to correct.

    On our last outing I watched a FW back into a paved site located in an open field, missed it by 6'. Later he said he had a senior moment as he had the FW over 3 years.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    Nicholsfamily05 wrote:
    When me and the wife got back into camping it had been years since I had used any type of trailer bigger than the one that went on my John Deere mower.
    We started off with the 34' travel trailer and went to a parking lot and practiced for an our or so a few times a week and then the backing it back into the yard as well after each practice. I would do a few with only myself trying and then we used walker talkies and she helped. We used cones and lawn chairs to mark out the spaces and we tried it in several spots around the lot so each time was different. Helped a lot to get back into it.
    We did the same thing when we got our fifth wheel as I had never pulled one before. After some practice we were pretty good.
    We still have issues here and there when we go out.

    The backing straight up never works. I've never had a trailer that would go straight back always drifts one side of the other so it's not just you.


    Just curious, how many lawn chairs got hurt during training? LOL
  • Nicholsfamily05's avatar
    Nicholsfamily05
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    When me and the wife got back into camping it had been years since I had used any type of trailer bigger than the one that went on my John Deere mower.
    We started off with the 34' travel trailer and went to a parking lot and practiced for an our or so a few times a week and then the backing it back into the yard as well after each practice. I would do a few with only myself trying and then we used walker talkies and she helped. We used cones and lawn chairs to mark out the spaces and we tried it in several spots around the lot so each time was different. Helped a lot to get back into it.
    We did the same thing when we got our fifth wheel as I had never pulled one before. After some practice we were pretty good.
    We still have issues here and there when we go out.

    The backing straight up never works. I've never had a trailer that would go straight back always drifts one side of the other so it's not just you.
  • dave17352's avatar
    dave17352
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    The only way to solve these problems is practice. You should go to a state park that is mostly empty if you can find one say in the middle of the week. Then just start practicing. Or take some markers like linx levelers or orange cones in a empty parking lot. A hour or two of that will solve your problems. The angle which you back in changes all the time. Just depends on how the sites are set up. What there angle is and how wide the road is. It isn't that tough just take your time and when in doubt get out and look. Even if you have to ten times. If I have a second person I will have them yell for me to stop if I am in trouble, other wise I don't like instructions like go left or right etc. I like negotiate it on my own. But people are all different. JMHO

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