Reversing TT with F350- Crew Cab Short Bed

[smcrea]

Hi Everyone,

I've had a TT for 5 years now and have been towing with my 1/2 GMC Yukon XL (Chevy Suburban)

I HAVE NEVER BEEN AN EXPERT in reversing my TT into a camp ground slot. In fact it has always been a point of great stress and something that I do not look forward to. To make matters worse, is that we probably only go out 2-3 times a year, so just as I'm getting better then the TT goes back into storage and I forget everything.

Anyway, we have just bought an F350 Pickup, short Bed with Crew Cab as the Yukon is getting old and tired and always struggled to tow our modest 24'+3 tong 5000Ib trailer.

We are heading out on our summer trip in a little over 4 weeks and I do plan to practice a bit with the new truck before leaving. But I'm dreading that first camp ground reverse in slot :-(..

Can anyone tell me if this is going to be 1)Easier, 2)Harder or 3)Same as reversing with the Yukon?

I can see that the steering circle is quite a bit less on the F350 and the Yukons steering seems more responsive. However it looks like visibility on the F350 is much better..

I do have my wife who does a great job of trying to guide her stubborn "I can do it' husband into the slots! :-)... Any advise for her?

Thanks!

Steve

[Old-Biscuit]

1st truck maneuver is turning truck away from site (then when it get to 45*)
2nd truck maneuver is straightening out truck (turn back to left so truck is facing down road-parallel with road) STOP moving forward.

Now you are going to back up

Truck is parallel with road and trailer should be at a 45* in road with back of trailer at site entrance.

Imaginary line one where you want trailer tires to go....back up slowly making steering corrections as needed

[smcrea]

hawkeye-08 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Try the 'swoop' method

Approach site on drivers side
Drive close to same side of road as site is on
When you get to site entrance turn truck away from site when front tires of trailer just reach the edge of site entrance
When truck is at 45* turn back opposite way
When front of truck is parallel with road stop

Truck should be straight and trailer at a 45* angle with backend of trailer just past site entrance

Turn truck wheels to right......start backing up and then chase backend of trailer by straightening out/turning truck wheels to left

Use trailer tires as guide and follow imaginary line going back into site where you want trailer tires to be.

Slow, slow..........did I mention go slow and make adjustments watching trailer tires

yep, x2

This sounds great!.. thanks! I just don't quite understand one bit.. "When front of truck is parallel with road stop"

Can you re-work it for me 🙂

Thanks again!

[hawkeye-08]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Try the 'swoop' method

Approach site on drivers side
Drive close to same side of road as site is on
When you get to site entrance turn truck away from site when front tires of trailer just reach the edge of site entrance
When truck is at 45* turn back opposite way
When front of truck is parallel with road stop

Truck should be straight and trailer at a 45* angle with backend of trailer just past site entrance

Turn truck wheels to right......start backing up and then chase backend of trailer by straightening out/turning truck wheels to left

Use trailer tires as guide and follow imaginary line going back into site where you want trailer tires to be.

Slow, slow..........did I mention go slow and make adjustments watching trailer tires

yep, x2

[the_bear_II]

It's funny, if you look at your drawing, your goal is to get the TT to follow the dotted line. Based on the line the pivot point is between 4 and 5.

In real life, I would use 4/5 as the pivot point. "Art imitates life...."

[Old-Biscuit]

Try the 'swoop' method

Approach site on drivers side
Drive close to same side of road as site is on
When you get to site entrance turn truck away from site when front tires of trailer just reach the edge of site entrance
When truck is at 45* turn back opposite way
When front of truck is parallel with road stop

Truck should be straight and trailer at a 45* angle with backend of trailer just past site entrance

Turn truck wheels to right......start backing up and then chase backend of trailer by straightening out/turning truck wheels to left

Use trailer tires as guide and follow imaginary line going back into site where you want trailer tires to be.

Slow, slow..........did I mention go slow and make adjustments watching trailer tires

[AH64ID]

Yeah if there is an empty slot use it.

I turn shallower initially which is why like to be closer to the far side of the road, but not too far.

[smcrea]

AH64ID wrote:
I would get the 5er more to the left of the drawing and make an input so your turning by 2, which means you will probably have to start the input at 3-3.5 depending on the width of the road.

I've always found that I've got myself into doe of the biggest pickles with my front end on the other side of the road.

Question.. IF it is possible to pull right out, so that the reverse angle is very shallow then is this a preference?

I say this because sometimes you can have an empty slot opposite etc

[AH64ID]

I would get the 5er more to the left of the drawing and make an input so your turning by 2, which means you will probably have to start the input at 3-3.5 depending on the width of the road.

[smcrea]

AH64ID wrote:
Like fla said just take your time. You will find aspect of the longer WB easier and aspects of it more challenging.

Practice practice practice.

Go to walmart when they are slow, with the trailer, and get 4 orange cones. Make yourself a parking spot and back in and out of it. Play with the TV/TT to see how it reacts. Figure out how far you have to pull past the site to back it in easily and in one motion. All too often I see people stop to close to their spot and get in a bid, further is always easier as you can back up to the proper pivot point.

I think that this is where we have a lot of our problems.. determining the correct pivot point

I never was very good at drawing :-).. but here's a sketch... where would you guys say the correct pivot point should be, points 1, 2. 3, 4 or5?

[Golden_HVAC]

The trick to backing is to put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, and then turn it the way you want the back of the trailer to go.

Also have your wife give you ARM signals, not hand signals. Her arms will show up in the mirrors much better. Also instruct her that if you stay stopped for a while, that she probably is not in the mirror anymore and you where waiting for her to appear again.


When I was close to my parking spot, I would have my wife hold her arms close together, and when the hands meet, I would stop and set the parking brake, then get out and take a look around.

At that point, if you have a slide out, it is a good time to make sure there is 3 feet or 4' deep for the slide to come out, and that you did not back over the electrical panel, or something. How level are you side to side? Will you need to move forward to get on a ramp or 2? Or back in a little farther. If you are out of the road (unlikely) you have a little time, otherwise hurry, someone will be trying to get through the campground in a couple of minutes.. . .

If your wife's arm is pointed left, and you have your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, turn it to the left, the tires will make a right hand turn, and the back of the trailer will go to the left as you go backwards. . . Have her straighten her hands (point straight up) before the trailer is completely to the left, as you will still be turning a bit when you straighten the wheels. Then go to the right if you need to correct in that direction.

A rear view camera will also help. Some are Wi-Fi and wireless. So you hook up the camera to your running lights, and then anytime your running lights are on, the camera will transmit to the dash receiver = 4.3" display.

Also start backing your truck into any parking spot that you park it in, as well as your driveway. It is much easier to pull out of a driveway, than to back out of your driveway. And after getting used to backing the truck into everyplace, you will find it easy to back the trailer as well.

Have fun camping!

Fred.

[therink]

I think it should be easier. Truck has longer wheel base, larger mirrors and better view when backing due to height/vantage point.

[AH64ID]

Like fla said just take your time. You will find aspect of the longer WB easier and aspects of it more challenging.

Practice practice practice.

Go to walmart when they are slow, with the trailer, and get 4 orange cones. Make yourself a parking spot and back in and out of it. Play with the TV/TT to see how it reacts. Figure out how far you have to pull past the site to back it in easily and in one motion. All too often I see people stop to close to their spot and get in a bid, further is always easier as you can back up to the proper pivot point.

[fla-gypsy]

Just take your time, you'll get it in there. Every vehicle is a little different in turn radius.