Backing the TT into the Space
Well, today we took our TT to the empty college parking lot to practice backing into a "campsite". John took first at the wheel and I spotted, then we switched and I took the wheel and he spotted. T...
Forum Discussion
I basically learned to back up a trailer by myself. There is lots of great advice above.
One thing I did that I think really helped is to go to the empty lot and just start backing up. I didn't worry about getting within lines, etc., I just started backing up and turning the wheel in different directions. This let me work out how much steering movement equated to how much trailer movement. I didn't worry about actually maneuvering into a space, etc., I just got used to the handling.
Then, I changed my focus and simply worked to get the trailer to Point X. Point X was a spot with only one target point - I chose to get the trailer "near that tree". I was all over the lot but the only goal was to get the trailer near that tree. I didn't worry about staying within lines just getting the trailer near that tree. I used the entire lot to maneuver - never worrying about being out of lines, etc. I'd back up, pull forward, over correct, circle around and start over, etc. Once I could get the trailer near the tree without excessive movements, THEN I started to try to back into an actual space.
Also, some campgrounds use 45 degree parking spurs. This makes it much easier to drive past the campsite, then back in with a slight steady angle - rather than having to do The Scoop and maneuver into a spot at a 90 degree angle.
One thing I did that I think really helped is to go to the empty lot and just start backing up. I didn't worry about getting within lines, etc., I just started backing up and turning the wheel in different directions. This let me work out how much steering movement equated to how much trailer movement. I didn't worry about actually maneuvering into a space, etc., I just got used to the handling.
Then, I changed my focus and simply worked to get the trailer to Point X. Point X was a spot with only one target point - I chose to get the trailer "near that tree". I was all over the lot but the only goal was to get the trailer near that tree. I didn't worry about staying within lines just getting the trailer near that tree. I used the entire lot to maneuver - never worrying about being out of lines, etc. I'd back up, pull forward, over correct, circle around and start over, etc. Once I could get the trailer near the tree without excessive movements, THEN I started to try to back into an actual space.
Also, some campgrounds use 45 degree parking spurs. This makes it much easier to drive past the campsite, then back in with a slight steady angle - rather than having to do The Scoop and maneuver into a spot at a 90 degree angle.
