Trailer towing on one's own...

blt2ski wrote:
If you get yourself in dark spots as Bob found himself a lot, If your trailer does not have reverse lights. I wired up a reverse wire using the center pin, and put two 50wt halogens on the rear bumper. I cans see backing up into dark spots.

marty

I prefer to have the lights up along the side ahead of the wheels. I put them at or beside the front legs of the 5'vr. I can't see what’s directly behind the trailer, but can see what’s along side. I've done it both ways and like the lights on the side better.

Damdifino wrote:
Keep an eye on your tow vehicle, too. I've been known to concentrate so hard on the trailer that I've nicked the front fender of my truck on a stump that leaped out and attacked me.

You too huh?

I once had a concrete abutment leap out and crash right into my front bumper! Amazing how far a 2000 pound chunk of concrete can jump!

Keep an eye on your tow vehicle, too. I've been known to concentrate so hard on the trailer that I've nicked the front fender of my truck on a stump that leaped out and attacked me.

tinner12002 wrote:
Tail swing is your worst enemy when backing up or even pulling out.

You're absolutely right - I was witness to an RVer destroying his TT awning and who knows what else by pulling away too sharply from against the wall when departing a BC ferry. The noise was incredible....

2112 wrote:
After surveying the slot I use my yellow tire chock's to mark where I want my rear bumper ends to be and shoot for that. I'll back in a little narrow, away from the pedestal and then pull forward and adjust.

Thats an excellent idea! I've been towing for 42 years and I never thought of that!

After surveying the slot I use my yellow tire chock's to mark where I want my rear bumper ends to be and shoot for that. I'll back in a little narrow, away from the pedestal and then pull forward and adjust.

Tail swing is your worst enemy when backing up or even pulling out.

Never use a spotter and don't need one but have had others jump in and start with hand signals. I ask them to just stay out away from the rv and I will get in in the spot. Try not to overthink putting it in a spot. pull up to your site, get out and see the lay of the site, look for obstacles, up and down. Use your minds eye to visualize where you want to be when you get it into the site. If its a tight spot, contemplate having to make a pull up or 2, No shame in it we all do it. Like others said, get out and look if you need to or feel better about it, I do all the time if there are trees behind me or the fire ring is in a precarious place on the site. Once in, you can adjust side to side parking by pulling straight ahead and cranking the steering wheel for the direction you want to move the RV. My bro in law tried to spot for me the first week we had the 5er. I pulled into a site while it was getting dark and he was directing me back. I thought I got in the spot and thought I was where I wanted to be on the cement pad. He was telling me to go and get over a little then a little too much and I to get back over the way I came just a bit. This went on for several minutes and all the while my head lights are shining in a motor home across from. I drew an audience and couldn't figure out why I was having so much trouble getting in the right spot. Wife walked up by the door and I asked her ,where the hell is trying to put me and she didn't know. I got out of the truck and asked him what he was trying to do? He said he wanted to park me so that my door didn't hang over the back of the pad. I told him my door is in the middle to which he said, Oh, you good the first time then. I was peeved and DW told my sister that I did not want to spotter but tried to allow it. A spotter is just another obstacle for me. But that's just me, I have driven professionally And you don't have the luxury of a spotter so you learn. Over thinking causes a break down in your confidence and will come to hate backing up anytime if you let it consume your thinking.

Once my car got towed by Trucker assist in Ontario. Where it's my first time to see towing. Where that people are very much experienced in towing service and there is no need of looking back when they were towing.

mockturtle wrote:
When I used to back a travel trailer into a site, I got out frequently to look. Also, it's best to choose a site where you will back in toward the driver's side.

X-2

I travel solo and I'm also a retired CDL over the road driver. The info given above will save you a lot of grief. BUT you also need to look up - overhanging limbs and signs.

Remember - get out and look.:C