Backing My Trailer. Is This Doable?

Just tell your wife "Here, hold my beer and watch this!"


Besides what could possibly go wrong?

The Swoop.......


Approach the driveway with it on drivers side of truck.
Drive as close to shoulder as possible
Drive past the driveway until trailer tires are at first edge of driveway
Then turn truck away from driveway slowly driving until truck is at 45* angle
Then drive slowly turning truck back to straighten it out and STOP

Truck should now be pointed straight down road on opposite side from driveway and trailer should be at a 45* angle with backend of trailer ready to back into driveway

Visualize where you want trailer tires to go.......back up slowly watching trailer tires and 'guide' them where you want trailer to go

:) Hi, forget the parking concern; How do you tow a 35 foot trailer with a 15 foot truck. Your truck is 2 feet shorter than my Lincoln Navigator and your trailer is 10 feet longer than my trailer. I wouldn't want to drive that combination. :E

I'd bet your estimations are wrong, no truck is 15' L and I'v never seen a roadway other than a driveway that is 20' W. You probably have more roadway but a longer truck to work with.

The 20' gate and driveway is actually pretty nice. You should be able to come at that while still pretty well angled if need be. My slip use to be 11.5' which was pretty tight (similar truck/trailer as yours). I managed to widen it to 14' which is much better. With a narrow pinch point you have to get the trailer near straight BEFORE passing the starting through the skinniest part. With 20' you have a lot of room to play. but that's good because that's a pretty narrow road.

Something you'll find is you need to start with your truck closer to the side of the road that you're heading towards than you'd think. Basically, you need to have room for the nose of your truck to swing as you back in. If you start too close to the opposite side of the street you have no where to go and will end up swinging into the ditch. Hopefully, this makes sense... I could draw it on a napkin in 5 seconds. Overall, it sound like you'll be okay but no way to know until you try.

jackquontee wrote:
".....mount a hitch on the front of the truck."

This suggestion has always confused me to no end.

I always assumed that I would have less visibility pushing a TT in front of me, considering I'd not have the advantage of tow mirrors. If a TT is wide enough that you'd need tow mirrors to see around it (assuming it's the length of the cab and 5' - 8' of the bed behind your point of view) I can't help but assume if the TT were in front of you, it would block your vision.

Fortunately, I tow an Aliner so I can actually see over the camper when backing up, in the rear view or side mirrors. But, if I had a TT and was pushing it in front of me I can't imagine I'd see anything in front of me except the TT.

I have a good friend who has a very, very steep, narrow, curvy uphill driveway and found it almost impossible to back his trailer up. He installed a hitch on the front of his truck and just zips that thing right up the driveway. He is an ex fireman so knows all about trucks, trailers, big rigs, etc. He just says it is a much easier way to do it... Just saying...you might think about it.

Texmac1011 wrote:
Here's what I have. Travel trailer is 35' and truck is 15'. The road is 20' wide (including the shoulders) with ditches on both sides. The property is fenced with a 20' wide gate and driveway. Is backing in doable and how should I approach it? I have some experience backing the trailer, but not in this tight of quarters. Thanks for any advice.

Do you have the truck and trailer now?


If yes, you can find out for sure with some chalk, measuring tape and an empty parking lot :-).

".....mount a hitch on the front of the truck."

This suggestion has always confused me to no end.

I always assumed that I would have less visibility pushing a TT in front of me, considering I'd not have the advantage of tow mirrors. If a TT is wide enough that you'd need tow mirrors to see around it (assuming it's the length of the cab and 5' - 8' of the bed behind your point of view) I can't help but assume if the TT were in front of you, it would block your vision.

Fortunately, I tow an Aliner so I can actually see over the camper when backing up, in the rear view or side mirrors. But, if I had a TT and was pushing it in front of me I can't imagine I'd see anything in front of me except the TT.

If I need to get into a tight place, I always pull up where I can back and watch the left side of the trailer out the drivers door. That way if I keep this side close to ditch and gate I know I have the extra room on the opposite side.