Diabs wrote: Depending on which side of the driveway you want your trailer parked.
You should drive close to the curb as you approach your driveway...when you start to pass your driveway, head for the opposite side of the street...going slow of course.
You should be on the other side of the driveway were the trailer needs to be....(if you can visualize it...lol)
Start backing in slowy cutting the coner of your driveway...as the trailer wheels hit your driveway and the back of your trailer is still not hitting anything...start turning the wheel as to jack-knife and you should be close, with some fine tuning of pulling forward and reverse...after 10-50 times of doing it...you'll do it in one shot!
I have a 26 ft trailer and also have a driveway that is perpendicular to the street. I back in from the drivers side exactly as described above. I do much better using my side mirror to look at my rear trailer wheels rather than the end of the trailer. i can typically get it in on the first try now, but that took a lot of practice. The old fellow who lives across the street from me used to bring his lawn chair out to watch the show.
I wish you the best of luck. Fortunately I didn't have to do the 90 degree angle until I had many years of backing up experience under my belt. You'll do fine. Take it easy.
2004 Rockwood Roo 23B (new to us)
2006 Nissan Xterra
When we camp, it's DH & me mostly. Occasionally step-daughter (16) comes, though not necessarily her choice
Yeah, it's hard for anyone to give you great advise as to just where you should start the process, when to cut, and when to follow. But we have all been there at some point. Just take it easy, and have another set of eyes watching if possible. I've been pulling, and driving heavy equipment all my life. I also have your similar situation backing into my driveway. Since I've got my new sprinter, which is just shy of 36 feet hitch to bumber, and my new tv, which is also about as long as they get, I can't get into my drive way without at least one pullup. Usually two. Sometimes three. So don't feel so bad if you have a hard time, I would consider myself very experienced, but some situations are just really tight. Take your time and you'll get it, and after some practice you'll be doing it with your eyes closed. LOL
I`m going to say something and I`ll probably get jumped on. I have a 90 degree into my driveway on a buisy street (annoyingly so!!) and I have found that taking too much time actually is detrimental. Now, I`m not saying not to be careful, but if you are going VERY slow, I`ve found that I sorta lose my place and "feel" for where I`m heading and which way to turn the wheel. Do NOT go fast, but try to maintain an even pace and if you get jacked out of position or lose your place stop and pull forward and try again. Do not cut it so hard you bind your TV into your tongue. Know where the limit is and don`t go past it or parts will bend. Use a spotter and communicate with them till you get better. I`d go to an open parking lot and practice. It`s a feel thing and you WILL get it sooner or later. Two cents from another newbie.
"It`s not important that you know all the answers, it`s only important to know where to get all the answers" Arone Kleamyck
"...An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." Col. Jeff Cooper
Sunset Creek 298 BH
Driver side 90 degree here. The good thing is its all on my property so don't have to deal with traffic. The bad thing is the trees restricting movement, not a lot of margin for error. I also found the longer trailer was easier. It was a tougher adjustment going to a long bed truck from a short bed.
Mosseater has a very good point. Too Slow and you just seem to lose any sense of where you are going. But, too fast and you are there before your senses know it.
We brought the trailer home on Thursday. The maneuver into the driveway went better than I ever expected. The key for me was to stick fairly far left and then once the trailer tongue passed the driveway I turned my wheels hard right until I was on the other side of the street and then I turned them back left. This left me in a good starting position and the DW just guided me in from there. Thanks to everyone for their advice.
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