How to back it in.

[LEEH]

Hope that there are a few people left who don't see all this good advice. Watching late-comers back into RV parking spaces is a MAJOR source on entertainment, expecially when the spouse is directing the parking attempt(s).

 

[pcorssmit]

Originally posted by LEE H:
Hope that there are a few people left who don't see all this good advice. Watching late-comers back into RV parking spaces is a MAJOR source on entertainment, expecially when the spouse is directing the parking attempt(s).

I've witnessed the beginnings of many a divorce at the boat ramps, particularly when the husband is trying to guide the wife (from the boat). Often times you wonder if she's getting the truck and trailer because he secretly knows he can't do it either. Gotta love the Caravans spinning the front tires up the boat ramp too!

Pete


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'97 2500 CC 4X4 5spd Sport
'83 K5 Blazer 350 TBI (ex 6. 2), 39. 5 TSLs, 3" lift, Dana 60/GM 14 blt, Detroits

 

[Spyke]

Big Mike
Practice really helps, one thing to also consider is no matter where your hands are on the steering wheel just remember that the front on the truck swings the same way as the back of the trailer(ie trailer need to go right front of truck should be swinging right)

 

[Hot Shot]

1. Make sure you can see equeal amounts of your trailer out of both mirrors.

2. To keep it straight remember "Always turn towards trouble" Saying that if the trailer starts to drift left turn the wheel left. Hence - Steer towards trouble.

3. Always try to start straight. It is much easier to keep it straight while backing than to trying to get it straight. If you start crooked an inexpericned person tends to oversteer.

4. Learn to use both mirrors when backing not just one. This will help keep you between the lines.

5. You can rock the steering wheel back and forth and this will keep straight for time.

6. Always use a spotter if your wife will get out the truck.

7. Practice, practice, practice.

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2001 3500 QC 24V SLT Larimie, leather, BD Plug in Power, 275 injectors, BD Torque Convertor ,Valve Body, Pressure Lock, Torque-loc, Gauges,Black w/ Ranchhand bumpers Brownes HD Headache rack and a black wetherguard coffin. pullee 34Ft. gooseneck and a 32ft x 6ft stock trailer.
2000 Durnago SLT 5. 9litre V8

 

[RATTLINRAM]

Practice, patience, and the most very, very, very, important advice,________ Repeat over and over (in a very calm voice)________"Yes Dear, I'm trying to get it over that way a little bit more". My wife and I always joke about the invisible sign that must be at every campground entrance. Wife will pick campsite & will also be responsible for directing driver into spot"
Just remember you're suppose to be having FUN!!!... ... ... . and ENJOY!!!

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Dennis D. Tway
"RATTLIN" *1999 2500 SPORT QUAD CAB* "RAM"
IntenseBlue/SB/Cummins/4x2/auto/3. 54AS/4whlABS/Camper&TowPkg/
Keyless/Leather/TravelConGrp/SecuritySys/6spkrCD*Cass/Strngwhlcntrls/
WestinTubeSteps/SportMastersSoftTonneau/15k RBW 5th-WheelHitch/26'Nomad 5er (looking for a bigger one) and a way to take my HARLEY too!

 

[WCrovo]

Hand at the bottom of the steering wheel works great for me.

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2001 2500 tow, camper, SWB, ETH/DEE, 3. 54 Bright white,4 wheel discs.

 

[Joe G.]

BigMike,

Has anyone mentioned you should practice?? #ad
#ad
#ad

 

[GRudy]

The only thing I can add to all the above is one little tidbit of advice. I know this would'nt work for a fiver but if you have a tounge hitch trailer you can mount another hitch on the front of your truck. Turn the truck around and hook her up from the front. A, you can see where your going in tight spots and B, the control is alot better for the inexperianced.

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George, Perry County, PA
99 3500, Reg Cab, 4x4, NV4500, ISB, 4:10,VA box,Putco Boss
running boards, Grover air horns,Westach combo gauge, Intense Blue.

 

[Forrest]

We finally bought 2 walkie talkies. #ad
Probably one of the best camping investments yet. I got the idea from a couple that took 2 cuts to back in a 38 to 40' 5'er! She can stay behind & walk from side to side watching what you can't see.

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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, TST 380, HX40-16, 300 HP Injectors, Scourge BD 4200rpm Governor kit, McLeod, 4", CATless, straight out back, chrome turn down, ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, K&N, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, Michelin 235s on Alcoas, Rancho 9000's, Valentine One.
Dutchmen 27' 5th Wheel.
GoldWing.

 

[zzman]

Big Mike, I have trained a few truck drivers in the past.
The easiest way I found to explain it is this:
Looking from your mirrors, turn the wheel the way you DON'T want
the trailer to go.
Looking back through the glass or out the door, takes much practice.

Like Doc Tinker said, take it slow.
Looking from mirrors to windows, will confuse instantly.
Look from mirrors only till you get it. #ad

 

[Missouri Mule]

I've noticed many (myself included) rookies pulling trailers try to back the truck into the space not the trialer. Another words back the trailer in, the truck will follow.
I pull a 10 ft utility trailer(13 ft w/hitch) now and than. But before I ever thought about bringing it to the market I made sure I could put it where I wanted it.
I also looked out the back window when turning the trailer to see where it was going. The shorter the trailer the quicker it will get away from you.

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

[OO]

Hey don't give all the secrets away. Aiming the trailer is the best way to go. Just draw an imaginary line off of a straight part of the back of the trailer and point it the way you want to go. This really helps when the trailer is wider than the truck. It will never look straight in the mirrors. Just aim the trailer and be sure not to turn into any obstacles while whipping the truck around. I've seen drivers with 10 years experience hit things with the truck while backing up. Scout the area before backing in so you'll know how much you can whip the truck around without hitting anything. Just keep a really good eye on the passenger side that's where most of the damage comes from.

 

[Andy Perreault]

Go and rent the Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz movie "The Long, Long Trailer". There is a scene in there where Desi needs to back the trailer at her parent's house and he gets out the instruction manual and reads it out loud to himself. Luckily for him, he had lots of people (spectators?) to "help" him.
Andy

 

[Scott Gray]

I'll echo Forest... The best $29. 95 I have spent is on a cheap set of walkie talkies. Gives the "better half" the freedom to walk around the entire back side without having to worry about being in sight of one of my mirrors. Also, I don't have to figure out those animated hand signals she used to use... .

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2001. 5 2500 ETH/DEE, QuadCab, 2WD, LWB, SLT+, 3. 54, Tow Package, Camper Package, Jake e-brake and more...
Pulling a 30', 12. 5K lb Alpenlite 5'ver

 

[Okie-Go]

I agree with the walkie talkies. I used them the first time at the auto transmission seminar in Dallas. I put it in my shirt pocket and wifey just continually talks me back. I always get out and look and picture it in my mind before starting. I use the bottom of the wheel to the way I want the trailer to go also.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton