Ever have issues backing the trailer up?

Practice and patience.......................

I have 3 trailers: Boat, 8ft landscape and 27ft TT;
The boat trailer has the wheel close to the rear and swings slowly and does not react quickly to steering inputs - took some time to get used to.

The landscape trailer has a short distance from tires to hitch and jack-knifes easily, so less steering input required.

The TT is the easiest to reverse, the distance from tires to hitch is the key. I can sneak the TT into some really tight campsites - something I don't think I could do so easily with the boat trailer.

If you have problems, find an empty lot and practice.

Gerry

slugo4449 wrote:
The best way to back a trailer is to not get into a hurry.

x2 ... don't hurry and if you get frustrated, give up, go park somewhere and cool off for a bit and then try it again.

We found that if we clipped a couple of bicycle whips to the rear corners of those low, short trailers, it made backing them much easier. You actually have a visual reference.

Never had an issue backing up my trailer......I just back up until I feel the 'thump'

The only problem I ever have is when some well meaning person tries to "help". I can do it just fine on my own. I get out to survey the spot and look for markers I can find in my mirrors to guide me (trees, tables, fire pits). I can get it backed in fine and usually hop out one extra time to see how far I need to back in (but I'm usually straight and "in" at that point).

It never fails. Someone comes to "help" and usually gets in my way. They'll use a bunch of hand signals that I don't understand or stand where I can't see them. I feel rushed and usually wind up off center. I can say "I got this" or "no thanks" or "I'm used to doing this solo" and typically hear "no problem! glad to help! got nothing better to do!'.....ugh.

Video shows pretty much how I was taught to do it. Rarely have problems, but still do occasionally. My biggest problem is where I store it. I have to have the trailer about 8 inches from a cyclone fence. Fence ends just before the driver's door so I can still get in and out, but it's a hard right turn to leave. Takes about three back and forth maneuvers to get out, but more like 6 to get in.

And I have a much harder time with small low trailers too. Don't use them often, but I find the bigger and heavier the trailer, the easier it is

A quick and easy rule to remember, is whichever way the back of your front tires are pointing is the direction the trailer will go when backing up.

So if the front of the tires are pointing out and to the left and the back is inside and to the right, you're trailer's butt will go to the right and vice versa.

Good video, I learned one thing, the scoop. As a previous poster mentioned my favourite trick is turning the bottom of the steering wheel in the direction I want the trailer to go. That one has helped considerably. I also have a camera on the back of the trailer, which helps.

I did last Thu!!! Lol

New trailer (about 5' longer), completely dark out, and a shank that is shorter than what I have been using.... Came home from the w/e trip and only had to adjust once (middle of the afternoon!).

Most times I do pretty good, but once in a blue moon we all have a bad day..... ??

As mentioned, take your time. I like to walk the campsite to look at it before parking the trailer.

As for the Audi and jet skis, have your friend buy a longer ball mount than he has now. That will help more than some realize.

Great video, I use the scoop method as well, I truly believe thats the only way to get the TT in the spot. It is not always an easy task, I have punted a couple of times to get it right and I have never felt bad about doing it.