I have a system that works just fine for me. No one tells me how to back up. The ol ladies job is just to stop me if I'm going to hit something. Why add to the confusion by listening to someone else.
I just hooked up my TV and TT for the first time today. I've never towed something this big before other than bringing it home last month. My wife helped me back it up into our driveway. This was our first time trying this. The advice that has been given so far is exactly what we did. She just told me which way the TT needed to go and I steered it that way keeping my hands at the bottom of the wheel. The amazing part is we did it without killing each other.
Take your time and think it through before you move. Like it was posted earlier G.O.A.L. I did it a few times.
Do you have friends in BattleGround, Amboy or some place where there is less traffic that you could go visit for the weekend and practice in there drive way?
REMEMBER, you are doing the driving - if anything goes wrong, it'll be YOUR fault no matter the cause. SO, you do the driving but listen to the spotter! Agree BEFOREHAND on what the signals or words mean. When he/she says LEFT, know that refers to her left or your left (that's why boaters use starboard and port). As I was taught in boating, YOU CAN'T GET INTO MUCH TROUBLE GOING DEAD SLOW." I learned to back a trailer by using a small trailer when we moved all the time (younger days). I always practiced if I had a trailer handy. Experience is the best teacher - remember, it isn't practice that makes perfect, IT IS PERFECT PRACTICE THAT PERFECT! An out of business factory, grocery store, school, church or on non-operational days provides lots of room. Get out and do it - it does become second nature.
a1albert wrote: Do you have friends in BattleGround, Amboy or some place where there is less traffic that you could go visit for the weekend and practice in there drive way?
We can either practice in the middle of the week at a state park, or in the evenings or weekends at a Park N Ride lot. Our driveway won't work, its too steep. I've just got to get my DH confident enough so that he's not frazzled because he thinks everyone is watching and judging him. Me? I don't care if everyone is laughing or judging, that's their problem.
Bearnkat wrote: Three Dog Night,
Backing is one of those tasks that only gets easier with practice. You've gotten some very good suggestions about where and how to practice.
DW and I have worked out a perfect system, it works for us, but may not work for everyone. Here's our system:
When backing, to keep the confusion down about which way to turn the wheel, put your hands down at the bottom of the wheel. If you want the rear of the trailer to go to your left, then you turn the wheel to the left (with your hands at the bottom).
We also use a set of FRS (Family Radio Service) 2-way radios. They are invaluable in communicating instructions. DW is my spotter and my "eyes" at the back of the trailer.
When backing, DW is the "boss". I only listen and don't talk. I only move the trailer when she tells me to do so. (If I have any doubts about what is going on, I stop the truck, get out and go take a look.) It's a lot less confusing when there is only one party talking.
I've also had to learn a new "lingo". When DW is talking to me when we're backing into a site, "My side" (passenger's side) means "right" and "Your side" (driver's side) means left.
I hope these suggestions help. I know they've worked for us.
Happy RVing and safe travels.
The secret to parking a trailer is keeping your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, and having your partner point their arms in the direction that you want the rear of the trailer to go.
The helper MUST know that their whole arm is only 1/4" on your mirror!
I will add this. When you are close to the parking spot, have them hold their arms together as you get to the stopping point. When their hands are together, you will stop!
Also tell them when they can not see your mirrors, you will stop.
Yes it is nice to start backing into the space, then get out and hae a look around.
My sister lives near Ridgefield, and I see that you don't have any large parking lots nearby. Wal Mart is even over 15 miles! The only parking lot I know of it the fairgrounds at 179th street, and go west a little bit, then south. There is a stadium and fairground parking lot. I don't know if the lots are open all the time, I know they are all fenced and they charge for parking at events.
Perhaps a local school or high school has a large enough parking lot. Remember that when you use the practice parking spaces, that the lines are the "Trees" that you don't want to touch.
I also like to aproach backing into a parking space by thinking about how the tires will move when I leave the parking space. So if the truck will cross the road and the trailer will be on the right hand side of the campground road as I pull out, that is where I will place them when I pull up to the campsite. Then with my hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, I turn to the right (because back of trailer needs to go right) then back up a bit.
With just the bumper in the campsite, get out and have a look around. Low Trees? High rocks? Parking bumper that will take out the rear stabilizer jacks? You helper can walk back there, position themselves where you can see them in the passenger side mirror, and get ready.
Now you are ready to back up some more. Look for arms straight up (keep going in the same direction) to the left or right (start turning that way) or swinging (STOP!) As you get really close, hold your arms out to the sides, and bring them together over your head or to one side until you have your hands almost together. The driver will stop at that point.
Get out, look around. Is there enough room to get out the slides? Some cut a rope to 3' or whatever length the slides come out. Is the sewer and electrical within the limits? Do you need to pull the trailer over 1' either direction?
Do you need leveling blocks?
After a while, it will become routine.
Fred.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche or Country Coach!
I practiced at the local high school on Saturday. Used the student parking lot. Good idea to set up some cones as some mentioned and just do it. I have a 30 ft. trailer that I can back pretty good and it was the first time I have ever pulled a trailer muchless backed one up. Good luck.
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