Backing up a trailer like a boss

I once had to back about 2 1/2 miles, surrounded by semi trucks backing as well. Kind of a race. Guard rail on one side, rock wall on the other. Iirc, outside Allentown, Pa.

Compared to that, I definately need my "I'm sorry for what I said while backing up this trailer" T-shirt!

Very impressive.....and it's a single axle trailer which I have always found to be even more difficult to backup.

SpeakEasy wrote:

trailer_newbe wrote:
Backing up a trailer fast is not impressive. It is contrary to the real world and safety. JMO

I don't disagree with you, .... but ... did you watch the video? It's not just about speed.

-Speak

Oh, I totally disagree. The skills shown are extremely impressive. I certainly can’t do that. Racing cars at 200 mph isn’t “real world”, either. Also, Professional sports aren’t “real world”. Or safe for the vast majority of the rest of us.

Practice makes a huge difference.

Last couple years, life has gotten in the way and we've mostly been using her as a cottage with only a couple trips per year. When we do move it, we feel like first time idiots.

Prior to that we were moving 2-3 times per week and it took us about 15 min from pulling up to the site till we were sitting down with a beer relaxing.

Same thing with the boat. We used to have a twin inboard power boat (the ultimate in boat control) but we only used her summer weekends. We were very hesitant to take her in and out of the slip in windy conditions. Then we switched to liveaboard and were moving 2-3 times a week with a new marina each time...With just a 25hp outboard on a larger boat, we would comfortably go into places we would never consider with the twin inboard.

I am impressed with the skills shown on the video...

trailer_newbe wrote:
Backing up a trailer fast is not impressive. It is contrary to the real world and safety. JMO

I don't disagree with you, .... but ... did you watch the video? It's not just about speed.

-Speak

CapnCampn wrote:
Wait a minute, I thought you needed an F450 to tow a trailer?!?

It's okay, the car salesman told the guy his car has the same capabilities as an F450....

Can your boss back? I thought most spend most of their time driving a desk.
As for the video, if a hand know his ride, and doesn't have to worry about things to hit...

I set up our company's RV shows and use a forklift to position the trailers 3 paces from each other. I've gotten pretty good at parking 80 to 100 trailers with military precision. Yet when I'm backing up my own 40 footer with my truck I can really suck. lol