equal-i-zer and backing up

If I can read the weight sticker on the side of the TT, I know I've turned the angle too far. ;)

I never remove the bars on my Equalizer when backing up, even in sharp turns.

I agree with geotext

I can't imagine why I would get into a position of being at 90 degrees but if I did I would just pull the bars and start watching for truck/trailer contact. As was said, you have to think about the tremendous strains you are putting on all the components when you are essentially trying to push the trailer sideways.....from the nose.

I've always taken the bars pressure off and back up without a problem. That's in the past now because I now have to get a pull through because I can't back in with only one arm to use. Either way, practice, practice, practice.

What ever angle you can go forward with you can also go backwards with.
The geometry doesn't change when backing up.
BTW, I have never unhooked to back.

Tom/Barb wrote:
When you find you are at 90 degrees, you should have made corrections long before that.

Agree...even with no weight distribution hitch (just on the ball), backing at 90 degrees is not a good idea...
Pull forward, re-adjust, wiggle.....get a slightly better angle.

I've only found one instance where I need to remove the bars first.

When backing into a parking spot where the level part puts the truck on an uphill slope. Such as alongside a lake shore.

That puts the rig in a position that getting it basically level front to back for removing or installing the bars can lift the rear truck wheels off the ground.

Never had any issues concerning the turn angle, but I never go close to 90 degrees. Too much side pressure on the axles/ tires.

Backed mine up close to 90 degrees a number of times and never had an issue.

IIRC I was told to remove the bars when backing up.
bumpy

opnspaces wrote:
It sounds like your L brackets are too far back on the tongue. I know I can't get to 90 without the trailer contacting the tow vehicle. But when I do have it back that far the bars are still about 3 inches from falling off the L bracket.

Maybe take a tape measure and make sure the L brackets are between 27 - 32 inches from the tip of the tongue. If they are at 32 try moving them closer to the ball by an inch or so.

I agree with opnspaces, the bars are mis-adjusted. Check the L brackets for measurement. As others have said, getting into that tight of turn requires that you re-position the vehicle, but that being said, I too have had my trailers into tight spaces and been close to 90* in trying to get them backed up so I could turn around, and the bars never came off. After you re-adjust the L brackets, swivel the head in both directions to at least 90* to make sure they will not come off again.