NanciL
Bakersville, NC, USA
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Joined: 03/24/2003
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I used to own a small pop up Coleman trailer, and haven't been on this forum since we got our much bigger travel trailer, but today when I was backing up my little four foot long utility trailer attached to my ATV, I was thinking of you guys and decided I would come in and post(in case you didn't know it) that your popups are the hardest trailer to back up in the world, and the smaller they are the harder they are to back up.
My 24 foot TT is a dream to back up compared to my little PUP and this little utility one.
So for what it is worth you all have my admiration!
Cheers,
Jack L
Jack & Nanci
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Joined: 07/10/2002
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This might be a good reason to have a front hitch.
A few years ago, when we had a smaller trailer, I invested in a Wag Hitch, which most of you have never heard of.
It is a bolt on hitch that is attached where the license plate goes and the plate attaches to the hitch.
It is no longer made, unfortunately, but I still have mine that I would gladly sent to someone if they would merely pay for the shipping; probably around $15. Send me a PM if you are interested. I could probably send a photo to you with your direct email address.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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Klueck
Georgia
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Joined: 11/15/2008
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We found the same thing with our old pop up. It was much harder to back up than our boat trailer or TT.
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Serenlyretired
San Fransisco Bay area
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Joined: 05/18/2007
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LOL! So True. The first time I backed up the Jayco 10X at a campground in Big Sur it must have taken me at least 8 attempts to get it anywhere near straight.
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Joined: 08/26/2002
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The shorter the distance from the ball/coupler to the trailer axle the less input is needed for an amount of correction. I drove tractor trailers and could put a 40 footer in a slot with 6 inches of clearance, My PU took hours of practice each spring to get so I could back it up.
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rrupert
NW PA (Oil Heritage Region)
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Joined: 02/26/2005
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I trained on an Army Jeep and trailer, they were worse yet. But now I have graduated to a Cub Cadet and utility cart. Now that is a test of skill.
Joyce and Rich
2005 1705T HiLo turning into a
2010 HiLo 2310H when Spring Arrives
2007 Toyota Tacoma Crewcab
Amatuer Radio K3EXU
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Wildcat63
MN
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Joined: 07/09/2006
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I have a 4 foot Utility Trailer and My Pop up is a dream to back up comepared to the utility trailer. Practice makes perfect... my neighbor has 10 yrs of experience backing their pop up through an 8 foot wide gate and he get through on the first shot every time. I'm not that good but I can tell I am improving... With the Utility Trailer SOme times I just get out and drag it over to where I want it when I back up...
Wildcat63
07 Coachmen Clipper Classic 1070ST
02 Explorer 4.6 V8 TV
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Guest
USA
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Joined: 08/02/2004
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Seems hard to believe. With no AC unit, I can see right over the top of my pup which makes backing her into my garage a breeze.
How many of you guys can back your TT into your garage? See, pups are easier to back! 
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4runnerguy
Glenwood Springs, CO
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Joined: 03/10/2003
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mike4947 wrote:The shorter the distance from the ball/coupler to the trailer axle the less input is needed for an amount of correction. I think having a single axle also makes a PUP more squirrelly when backing. Our old HTT was virtually identical in length and weight, yet with its dual axles, it was much easier to back.
Backing into our driveway is a big challenge. It starts with a 10 degree slope with a 5-8 degree off camber to it. Then, the trailer has to make a 90 degree turn and up another 10 degree slope. When correctly located, the rear wheel of the TV is <3" from an 18" curb. There's ~3" slack in either direction for the trailer to sit so we can actually get by it on the side of the house. The tongue is about three feet off the ground (jack, block, jack again) to get it within a couple of degrees of level. I "smell" a new clutch sometime in the future. 
Ken & Allison
2 Camping Cats (1 diabetic)
1996 4Runner, TRD Supercharger, Edelbrock headers
2007 Fleetwood Arcadia, Honda EU2000i
4 mountain bikes, 1 canoe, 4 tents, 8 sleeping bags, 2 backpacks
(You get the idea!)
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Capt_Leisure
Colorado Springs
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Joined: 05/17/2007
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NanciL wrote:...but today when I was backing up my little four foot long utility trailer attached to my ATV...
When backing your ATV trailer, try looking down at the hitch and tongue. For me, it's easier to keep the trailer straight by looking down at the hitch instead of the trailer itself.
2006 Starcraft 13RT - "We found that clowns are universally disliked by children."
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