Backing My Trailer. Is This Doable?

[Texmac1011]

Here's what I have. Travel trailer is 35' and truck is 15'. The road is 20' wide (including the shoulders) with ditches on both sides. The property is fenced with a 20' wide gate and driveway. Is backing in doable and how should I approach it? I have some experience backing the trailer, but not in this tight of quarters. Thanks for any advice.

[Jebby14]

I would assume so. hard to tell but ive seen more into less. if you are not comfortable with it a front mounted hitch or a tractor can make things swing easier

[rockhillmanor]

ktmrfs wrote:
my trailer is 35' truck 20', I'd say very doable with a straight roadway. I regularly back into campground sites that have a pad access 20' or usually less and a much narrower roadway. easiest is if you can access it backing to the drivers side, but I've done it backing to the passenger side with a spotter.

I carry 2 orange cones with me. I put them at the back of the site on either side.

Back up aiming for the middle and stick the end where they sit. No need for a spotter hoopin and hollern and waving arms. Just 2 quiet orange cones leading me the way. :W :C

[profdant139]

James Corden apparently has some concerns about Stevie's ability to handle this task:

Car-aoke

Edit -- the first minute or two of that clip are relevant to the thread, but the whole thing is worth watching -- it'll put a smile on your face for sure!

[ktmrfs]

my trailer is 35' truck 20', I'd say very doable with a straight roadway. I regularly back into campground sites that have a pad access 20' or usually less and a much narrower roadway. easiest is if you can access it backing to the drivers side, but I've done it backing to the passenger side with a spotter.

[mtofell1]

temccarthy1 wrote:
I have a narrow paved back up area next to my garage. I just spray painted 2 white lines about 1 ft long where my tires need to be when it is in final position on the drivers side and then I just lean out and line up the left TT tires on those 2 white lines and I'm perfect every time! don't even need a spotter!

This is great advice..... having something as a point of reference can really help. If there aren't any easy things like joints in the sidewalk or driveway painting a stripe is a great idea. I've done it at my final parking space so I put the 5th wheel right where I need it. If I do it right I can swing the door 180 degrees for loading/unloading and still fit the lawnmower or a wheelbarrow up the other side.

[temccarthy1]

I have a narrow paved back up area next to my garage. I just spray painted 2 white lines about 1 ft long where my tires need to be when it is in final position on the drivers side and then I just lean out and line up the left TT tires on those 2 white lines and I'm perfect every time! don't even need a spotter!

[Texmac1011]

Thanks for some great points and advice. All is taken to heart and, although I'm no Stevie Wonder, I will handle it best I can.

[bobndot]

I guess you could always unhitch and move the truck into a better position if you get into a real tight situation .

I didn't even know that Stevie had a TT .

[cbshoestring]

OH48Lt wrote:
Stevie Wonder should be able to back that in.

Like rockhillmanor said above, approach with the drive to your left.

Stevie Wonder must be a very talented guy...people are always saying Stevie Wonder can do this, Stevie Wonder can see that. :B I wonder if Stevie knows how often his name is used to declare how simple something is :h

[rockhillmanor]

OH48Lt wrote:
Stevie Wonder should be able to back that in.

Like rockhillmanor said above,

approach with the drive to your left.

Ahh THANK YOU for consolidating what I was trying to explain into one simple sentence! :B

[spoon059]

It might take a couple times to get it down pat, but that should be pretty easy. My truck is 20 feet long and my trailer is about 35 feet long. Our driveway is 10 feet wide, trailer is 8 feet wide. Our roadway is about 25 feet wide and my neighbors mailbox is directly in front of my driveway.

Oh, did I mention my driveway is pretty steep too? Its kind of hard to explain HOW to best maneuver to back in though...

I drive as close to my driveway as I can, then start to turn away from my driveway after I pass it. That swings the tail end of the trailer in that direction and makes it easier to get started. Then you just back and turn and back and turn. If need be, pull forward and re-adjust. You have a driveway TWICE as wide as mine, it should be a piece of cake after you have done it once or twice. Just make sure you have a trustworthy set of eyes outside the vehicle to make sure you don't hit anything or run off the road!!!

[cbshoestring]

rockhillmanor wrote:


Truckers have a name for this but I can't recall it. All I know is since I started backing up this way it's a breeze for any situation.

Backing to the driver's side---does NOT have a name that I am aware of.

Backing to the passenger side is referred to as "blind-side". Reason being...as soon as you start to turn, looking out the window shows nothing, the mirror only shows the side of the trailer, looking behind you gets a view of your bunk in the sleeper. In other words, you are "blind" whereas seeing the direction the trailer is going.

Blind-siding is pretty easy with a back window, but backing driver-side is always easier cause you can hang your head out the window and see what your mirrors don't show you.

On a side note....Passing a truck on the left is called the "passing side". Doing so on the right is called "suicide". You think that 25' trailer you are towing has a blind spot----try a 53' trailer and no back window you can look over your shoulder to see out of.

[RedRocket204]

rockhillmanor wrote:
Yes that address the bend of the approach in, but what I was referring to relates from which 'way' on the road you are on how you approach to back into the site.

gotcha 🙂

[OH48Lt]

Stevie Wonder should be able to back that in.

Like rockhillmanor said above, approach with the drive to your left.