โApr-22-2015 03:43 PM
โMay-05-2015 10:21 AM
matthewijenkins wrote:You know what I tell my flaggers when someone beeps or flips them off? Keep them there longer.
Just got home and unpacked from a very relaxed, family camping trip, really the first good weekend with our new camper. The weather was perfect and the only thing on my mind today was the chore of parking. Well, just before we got home, I took your advice and found a parking lot to practice in (coincidentally it was the DMV parking lot, ha!), goofed a few times and then did it perfectly a couple of times. So then I drove right up the the street to my house, let my wife out to hold traffic, and then backed in perfectly the first try! Victory!
Thanks again, so much, to everyone who gave me some pointers. It really helped. I can always count on this site. It's a Sunday so not too terrible traffic but, I found out after parking that someone had shot my wife a bird and mouthed "f-off" through the window. I swear my backing in took all of 3 minutes tops. Well, you can't avoid pissing some jerks off no matter what you do, and I thought immediately of all the posts from you guys encouraging me to fully ignore them. It's my road too! Thx again. And happy camping!
โMay-05-2015 09:12 AM
โMay-03-2015 08:07 PM
โMay-03-2015 02:28 PM
โApr-27-2015 05:10 PM
โApr-27-2015 07:32 AM
'tiredTeacher wrote:
This will work. May I add one thing? Backing in is the reverse of pulling out (obviously). Next time you pull out, note the arc the trailer wheels make. Note the location of your rig on the street when the trailer is finally straight behind the TV. That's where you start backing from. Retrace the arc in reverse and you'll nail it first time, every time.
โApr-25-2015 05:14 AM
โApr-25-2015 03:12 AM
nomad297 wrote:
I have a 33' long trailer that I have to back into my 400' long driveway off of a main road with four lanes and a center turning lane. The speed limit is 35, but most are doing around 50, so it can be a little nerve wracking at times. It doesn't help that I live in the Washington, DC metro area where considerate drivers are nonexistent.
I pull up from the main road with my driveway on the right, just in front of my truck, turn my flashers on, drop my wife off, wait until I see a break in traffic, then jump out into the opposite side of the road, across the turning lane. My wife jumps out into the street to ward off traffic and I back right in.
I have this maneuver mastered and it only takes me about a minute to get completely off the road, but I still get the occasional middle finger, yell or horn -- I don't care -- it's the street I live on and I need to get into my driveway, and I do it in a very considerate manner. I just ignore the butt heads.
Bruce
โApr-24-2015 08:04 PM
CavemanCharlie wrote:TInmania wrote:Terryallan wrote:
OK I'll ask. why would that help launch a boat. IF the truck is backwards, and the drive axle is up the hill, and the tongue weight is picking up the drive axles. The drive tires would never have the grip to pull the boat out????
Isn't that one of the reasons front wheel drive cars are rated so low for towing?
Presumably having the driving wheels on somewhat dry ground would help. I have seen people do it and it seems to work well. When I used to launch with 4WD here in AZ (lakes) the ramps were very slimy and slippery--so the 4WD helped by utilizing the front wheels. Not too much hitch weight since the boat was at least somewhat floating (just to be able to get back on the trailer).
But I also think people did it because it was so easy to maneuver in to launch and retrieve.
Michael
Yes.
And front wheel drive cars are rated so low for towing because they are built so light.
โApr-24-2015 06:13 PM
TInmania wrote:Terryallan wrote:
OK I'll ask. why would that help launch a boat. IF the truck is backwards, and the drive axle is up the hill, and the tongue weight is picking up the drive axles. The drive tires would never have the grip to pull the boat out????
Isn't that one of the reasons front wheel drive cars are rated so low for towing?
Presumably having the driving wheels on somewhat dry ground would help. I have seen people do it and it seems to work well. When I used to launch with 4WD here in AZ (lakes) the ramps were very slimy and slippery--so the 4WD helped by utilizing the front wheels. Not too much hitch weight since the boat was at least somewhat floating (just to be able to get back on the trailer).
But I also think people did it because it was so easy to maneuver in to launch and retrieve.
Michael
โApr-24-2015 01:27 PM
โApr-24-2015 11:36 AM
Terryallan wrote:
Pass your drive as close as you can get to on the side of the street it is on. As the TV passes. Turn away from it. Go until the rear of the TT lines up with your drive. As you bring the TV to a stop turn again so that the TV is at the angle to the TT you need to push the rear of the TT farther toward your drive,. Put it in reverse, and slide on in. Backing is always easier if you can get the TT lined up with the hole.
โApr-24-2015 09:49 AM
Terryallan wrote:wing_zealot wrote:
Just remember when you are backing up you are required to yield to oncoming traffic. If there is an accident, it won't go well for you (buttheads not withstanding).
Hard to yield when you have the entire road blocked, and won't be out of the way until the whole thing is in the driveway. then they can have it all.
โApr-24-2015 08:57 AM
Terryallan wrote:
OK I'll ask. why would that help launch a boat. IF the truck is backwards, and the drive axle is up the hill, and the tongue weight is picking up the drive axles. The drive tires would never have the grip to pull the boat out????
Isn't that one of the reasons front wheel drive cars are rated so low for towing?