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09-22-2018, 01:10 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I have 2 pieces of .5"x8"x4' laminated wood pieces from scrap which I keep the tires on, these pieces can be seen lying on the concrete in my side view mirrors. I aim to place both tires on each piece, thereby keeping me straight.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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09-22-2018, 01:31 PM
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#22
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Ellensburg, Washington
Trailer: R: Escape--2018 Escape 21
Posts: 24
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Much easier to back the trailer when driving forward
We find precision backing of the trailer is much easier when using the front hitch on our tractor. You can see where you are going and the maneuverability of the tractor allows for quick adjustments.
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09-22-2018, 02:03 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19 pulled by GMC Canyon Diesel.
Posts: 198
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Yes for the GOAL method and I am still learning by watching others and their truck’s front wheels. “Hmmm, he did that and that happened”. I believe that going really slow while briefly correctly by using the hand on the bottom of the steering wheel is starting to work for me. I get out often, talk it over with myself and try out the plan. Eventually, it ends up pretty well where I want it.
__________________
Jean-Pierre
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. Mark Twain
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09-22-2018, 02:47 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Westcliffe, Colorado
Trailer: 2010 EggCamper (#083); 2017 Escape 21 (#053); 2016 F-150 5.0L FX4
Posts: 1,765
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R:Escape
We find precision backing of the trailer is much easier when using the front hitch on our tractor. You can see where you are going and the maneuverability of the tractor allows for quick adjustments.
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Looks a lot like my JD4410 with a 420 loader. Handy little mid-sized compact tractor.
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09-22-2018, 05:51 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: DFW, Texas
Trailer: 2018 21 Sept 7 2018
Posts: 1,073
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I use my 2680 Kabota with ball mounted on the bucket
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09-22-2018, 06:08 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,256
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I could use my New Holland TC40D with L17 loader but I have an 18 foot wide door so backing in is not a challenge. I just plow snow with the loader and haul rotten apples out into the wildlife ground. I’m averaging 11 operating hours a year. Global warming is not a rumor, it’s a fact.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
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09-22-2018, 07:10 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Trailer: 2020 Escape 17B "Voyager"
Posts: 2,681
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No tractor here but I can just manage to open the trailer door so I'm good until next time! I am going to try my neighbor's dolly on it, though, and see if I can at least move a bit within the garage that way. Thanks for all the good suggestions.
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09-23-2018, 11:56 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Troy, Idaho
Trailer: August 2017 17b
Posts: 227
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobbie54
I can line up the car and trailer- but what might work is two dots, one still just says the trailer is behind the car, but if I had two lined up it says it is in a straight line behind the car. Hmm, might be something I can do with that.
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Am ALSO thinking this something I can relate to....Kind of an earliER warning system for when skewing off - especially with a shorter & single axle trailer
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09-24-2018, 01:11 AM
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#29
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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Hang two tennis balls from the centerline of the ceiling - one at the front and one at the back of the space.
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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09-24-2018, 10:07 AM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
Hang two tennis balls from the centerline of the ceiling - one at the front and one at the back of the space.
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And when the trailer isnt there you can practice your forehand and backhand strokes!
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09-24-2018, 10:11 AM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,256
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Practice
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A
And when the trailer isnt there you can practice your forehand and backhand strokes!
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And if you smear them with Velveeta cheese you can teach your dog to jump really high.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
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09-24-2018, 10:20 AM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Trailer: 2020 Escape 17B "Voyager"
Posts: 2,681
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
Hang two tennis balls from the centerline of the ceiling - one at the front and one at the back of the space.
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I can't see anything past the garage door once the trailer starts in. (Not much clearance.) That would work with a backup camera, which may be in order.
And Dave, my backhand would need more practice than my backing.
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09-24-2018, 10:38 AM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Tracy, California
Trailer: Escape 19 2015
Posts: 344
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I have the same problem. We've had our trailer 3 years and still I have issues backing up our trailer into our long narrow driveway with a 45 degree turn. If the trailer is lining up, our tow vehicle is ramming into the thick shrubs and I have made major scratches...sigh...All I can say is patience, persistence and go slow.
Lorna
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09-24-2018, 11:43 AM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Port Townsend, Washington
Trailer: 2010 17B “MATT”, then 2017 19 “Lilly”
Posts: 1,584
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Not a solution for the OP, but just want to throw out another solution to backing up straight for anyone else perusing the topic: Get a Ford F-150 with backup assist. We’ve had our truck for two years now and I only just recently set this up for one of our trailers (a small utility trailer that is so small that it can’t even be seen behind the truck while towing. Back up assist works awesome! It does two things of noteworthy benefit: 1) it makes it impossible to jackknife, as it limits the angle of turn while backing to that which the specific trailer can maintain without the dreaded jackknife, and 2) if you release the “steering knob” the truck automatically straightens out and lines the trailer up perfectly straight, then keeps it there. Magic!
__________________
💩-p+☕️+n
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09-24-2018, 02:36 PM
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#35
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sclifrickson
Not a solution for the OP, but just want to throw out another solution to backing up straight for anyone else perusing the topic: Get a Ford F-150 with backup assist. We’ve had our truck for two years now and I only just recently set this up for one of our trailers (a small utility trailer that is so small that it can’t even be seen behind the truck while towing. Back up assist works awesome! It does two things of noteworthy benefit: 1) it makes it impossible to jackknife, as it limits the angle of turn while backing to that which the specific trailer can maintain without the dreaded jackknife, and 2) if you release the “steering knob” the truck automatically straightens out and lines the trailer up perfectly straight, then keeps it there. Magic!
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That takes all the entertainment away from fellow campers watching and waiting to be amused. Still wouldn't help with smacking a front end into a tree or running over a site marker post, though.......
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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09-24-2018, 04:29 PM
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#36
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Port Townsend, Washington
Trailer: 2010 17B “MATT”, then 2017 19 “Lilly”
Posts: 1,584
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
That takes all the entertainment away from fellow campers watching and waiting to be amused. Still wouldn't help with smacking a front end into a tree or running over a site marker post, though.......
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True [emoji6]
__________________
💩-p+☕️+n
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09-24-2018, 05:47 PM
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#37
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Olympia wa, Washington
Trailer: 5.0TA 2017
Posts: 2,255
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its kind of like watching a horse owner load a horse in a horse trailer when they don't know how. We had one who was using flags trying to steer her reluctant horse in the trailer - funny to watch as long as no one gets hurt!
it just takes practice to learn to back you have to adjust constantly with the little trailers to keep them straight. i put my hand on the bottom of the steering wheel- hand goes left trailer will go left. Everyone has some trick- also relax go slow when its wrong straighten out do it again don't let people rush you and learn to use your mirrors. Its hard for most people!
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09-24-2018, 05:48 PM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Olympia wa, Washington
Trailer: 5.0TA 2017
Posts: 2,255
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i have the ford back up assist but now i have a 5th wheel doesn't work for a 5th wheel! So ive never used it!
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09-24-2018, 06:21 PM
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#39
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Trailer: 2020 Escape 17B "Voyager"
Posts: 2,681
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox hunt
its kind of like watching a horse owner load a horse in a horse trailer when they don't know how. We had one who was using flags trying to steer her reluctant horse in the trailer - funny to watch as long as no one gets hurt!
it just takes practice to learn to back you have to adjust constantly with the little trailers to keep them straight. i put my hand on the bottom of the steering wheel- hand goes left trailer will go left. Everyone has some trick- also relax go slow when its wrong straighten out do it again don't let people rush you and learn to use your mirrors. Its hard for most people!
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The problem I have is not being able to tell if it is straight. But I have a lot of good ideas on how to do it and I'll figure something out that works. Campsites are a piece of cake after my garage. (Though after backing into a difficult one in the dark I bought four small lanterns to mark corners if I have to do it again.)
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10-03-2018, 02:43 PM
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#40
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Trailer: 2013 Casita SD (Those Escape 19b's sure are nice!)
Posts: 9
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I recently was complaining to a fellow Casita owner about my problems backing into and down a fairly narrow 60' campground pad in pitch black dark. He was a retired truck driver and said when he gets in a situation like that, he sets 8 or 10 battery LED lights (like the $3 HF ones) down both sides of the pad like a runway. You may be able to see a row of those inside your garage in your mirror(s)
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