I have a 33 foot long TT and I live on a narrow street, would removing the trunnion bars make it easer to jackknife the TT into my drive.

In my case, not really. I find what helps me most is to turn a bit into the driveway opening as I go by then drive toward the off side of the street before I start backing in. It helps get the whole set up headed in the right direction. By leaving the bars in place you keep things leveled up. I do pull the RV plug so the brakes are not trying to stop me while I back in with my foot on the brake pedal of the truck just in case I need to stop quickly. Don't worry about the traffic, people don't mind waiting a minute, after all neighbors help neighbors right?

Bob/Olallawa wrote:In my case, not really. I find what helps me most is to turn a bit into the driveway opening as I go by then drive toward the off side of the street before I start backing in. It helps get the whole set up headed in the right direction. By leaving the bars in place you keep things leveled up. I do pull the RV plug so the brakes are not trying to stop me while I back in with my foot on the brake pedal of the truck just in case I need to stop quickly. Don't worry about the traffic, people don't mind waiting a minute, after all neighbors help neighbors right?The method being described here is called the Scoop. Here is a linkThe Scoop

othertonka wrote:Bob/Olallawa wrote:In my case, not really. I find what helps me most is to turn a bit into the driveway opening as I go by then drive toward the off side of the street before I start backing in. It helps get the whole set up headed in the right direction. By leaving the bars in place you keep things leveled up. I do pull the RV plug so the brakes are not trying to stop me while I back in with my foot on the brake pedal of the truck just in case I need to stop quickly. Don't worry about the traffic, people don't mind waiting a minute, after all neighbors help neighbors right?The method being described here is called the Scoop. Here is a linkThe ScoopWhat that video doesn't show is, IMHO, the most important part of "the scoop." I call it the "S" because after the scoop, if you turn back to the left, that brings the tail of the camper even more in line with where you want it to go. Easy peasy.

Not sure it was called the scoop in the early 70's when I was taught this method by an old-timer.

Glad I can back a trailer, all it takes is practice.Why disconnect the trailer light plug? Why not just turn down the gain on the brake controller?

Backing into drive on tight street | Good Sam Community

allen8106
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
JimVan wrote:
I have a 33 foot long TT and I live on a narrow street, would removing the trunnion bars make it easer to jackknife the TT into my drive.

I didn't think you were supposed to back up with the trunnion bars in place. At least that what the instruction manual said on the last TT I had.
mrw8i
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
I do the scoop/swoop/S whatever. Stop and remove my bars. Then back it in.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 10, 2014
samsontdog wrote:
I have used the scoop method for over 50 years of towing. Like someone else said
I did not know it was called the scoop whatever

It wasn't. The guy that made the video coined the term. IIRC he even says so in the video.
bid_time
Nomad II
Oct 10, 2014
samsontdog wrote:
I have used the scoop method for over 50 years of towing. Like someone else said
I did not know it was called the scoop whatever
I just thought it was called common sense.
samsontdog
Explorer
Oct 10, 2014
I have used the scoop method for over 50 years of towing. Like someone else said
I did not know it was called the scoop whatever
MitchF150
Explorer III
Oct 10, 2014
I remove mine because of the steep angle the trailer takes getting up the driveway and also the jack knife position I have to put the trailer in when it's parked. It's a lot easier to take them off on the street when it's straight and level.

Just what works for me and my parking situation.

Good luck!

Mitch
Beer_Belly
Explorer
Oct 10, 2014
There are times when the street is narrow, now that takes some practice. There is this one CG where my favorite site has a boulder across from the site that I need to get my fender within inches of hitting, and the camper just as close to the post marking the site......slow movement of the steering wheel, and confidence in my spotter (Wife), and we are in on one shot.....practice, practice, practice.
Bob_Olallawa
Explorer
Oct 10, 2014
Muddydogs wrote:
Glad I can back a trailer, all it takes is practice.

Why disconnect the trailer light plug? Why not just turn down the gain on the brake controller?

Easy to unplug when walking around checking on what I need to miss while backing up. I also unplug the wires when I back the boat trailer into the water, so maybe just habit. Works for me, Do whatever works for you..
Muddydogs
Explorer
Oct 10, 2014
Glad I can back a trailer, all it takes is practice.

Why disconnect the trailer light plug? Why not just turn down the gain on the brake controller?
Bob_Olallawa
Explorer
Oct 10, 2014
Not sure it was called the scoop in the early 70's when I was taught this method by an old-timer.