Backing up

[LOFAT36]

We have had 7 TT,s and a fifth wheel. We just traded our 5th in for a TT. Although many may disagree I find the trailer far easier to back in than my fifth wheel.

[davidbt]

I basically try to watch where my trailer tire's are going. Learned from backing up a cement mixer behind a flatbed utility work truck, usually couldn't see it, just had to bring it back into sight so I could see the where the tire's were going

[tegu69]

When the DW backs into a camping space, she gets the Back-up Assist whether she wants it or not, but she's learning.

[RPreeb]

rhagfo wrote:

Tvov wrote:

DallasSteve wrote:
Ford trucks have a backup steering knob on them now. With a backup camera to help line up the hitch and one of those backup knobs to steer it, you could train a chimp to park and hook-up a bumper-pull trailer.

What is the "backup steering knob"? They don't come with a "suicide ball", do they?

It is an option called backup assist.
Not something I would spend money on!

It comes with the tow package. If you are going to tow, you will get the Back-up Assist whether you want it or not. The other features in the tow package are pretty much necessary.

[rhagfo]

Tvov wrote:

DallasSteve wrote:
Ford trucks have a backup steering knob on them now. With a backup camera to help line up the hitch and one of those backup knobs to steer it, you could train a chimp to park and hook-up a bumper-pull trailer.

What is the "backup steering knob"? They don't come with a "suicide ball", do they?

It is an option called backup assist.
Not something I would spend money on!

[Tvov]

DallasSteve wrote:
Ford trucks have a backup steering knob on them now. With a backup camera to help line up the hitch and one of those backup knobs to steer it, you could train a chimp to park and hook-up a bumper-pull trailer.

What is the "backup steering knob"? They don't come with a "suicide ball", do they?

[bucky]

A short TT and a loooooong 5er are the 2 worst to back into a hole from a narrow road. To me anyway.

[malexander]

I pride myself on being able to back a trailer with ease. Be it a small utility trailer, car hauler, 40' gooseneck machine trailer, boat trailer, or a large enclosed trailer. But, the "hardest" trailer(s) I ever backed was my 5er. I never could figure out WHY I had so much trouble making it go where I wanted it to go. It dawned on me one day that the axles were actually farther forward than "normal". It didn't really make it any easier, but more manageable........I guess.

[sele]

What ever makes you happy is what is really important Thee have been times I back in perfectly and others where it s frustrating. but I like our f'ver. So again whatever you like and are comfortable with.

[BizmarksMom]

As a single RVer, I've had to learn to back by myself. It involves a lot of walking back and looking at stuff, eyeballing what I'm likely to hit and where I want to be in the site. Then going slow and getting out to eyeball things again.

I'm eternally grateful for people who will help spot me. But I never expect that help.

[DE88ROX]

Practice makes perfect.

But like what another poster said, backing up a 53' semi trailer with or without the axles slid all the way back, is a lot more easier than my 27' TT. Ive done both.

[rhagfo]

ken56 wrote:
I have seen some people that shouldn't even be driving forward let alone backing up. I agree that the trick is to go slow and watch the very beck of the trailer for the proper movement AND understand which way to turn the steering. Stop and get out and look if you have to. My wife used to try to tell me which way to turn when backing into a site. After a few impatient moments I had to tell her to just tell me if I am going to hit something.... otherwise be quiet please. Things have been fine ever since.

X2!

Best to learn to back up WITHOUT a spotter, DW will watch for kids in the parks, or to be sure not to hit a tree or rock. I am about a 90% backer, 90% of the time I look great, the other 10% not so good!

[RPreeb]

In my experience, the tendency with a TT is to oversteer that first turn, and then you spend a lot of time and back and forth getting the TT straightened back out again. It only takes a little turn to get it started, then crank back straight or the opposite way to keep from going into a jackknife angle.

It mostly takes practice and some common sense. My Dad hated it, always stressed himself out backing the little 15 footer they had back in the 60's. When I was 17 I took the wheel from him to try it for the first time and slid straight into the campsite. I had sort of figured out what NOT to do by watching him. :h

[Cummins12V98]

A TT is MUCH faster to respond than a 5er. Also they can be maneuvered in small spaces more easily.

The pivot point is over the trucks rear axle with a 5er and on the ball with a TT.

[Go_Dawgs1]

Been backing trailers of all sorts for 45 years. My dad wouldn't let me get my drivers license until I could back the boat down the alley only using the mirrors without stopping to pull forward to straighten out. Now when I back my 5er it took a great deal of practice to get it to turn when I wanted and to stop turning when I wanted. Usually go low and slow, as I call it, and get out many times to check. Don't have a DW or spotter. Backing is half the fun of Rving.