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07-31-2014, 03:13 PM
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#41
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21--FOR SALE
Posts: 411
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As the OP in this thread, I'm glad the notion of getting instruction in trailer towing is resonating with quite a few people.
Now, if I can just get Valley Driving School to institute a cash-for-referral system like the one Escape Trailers has . . . .
As I've mentioned, we will report to the Escape forum how our lesson goes in mid-September.
__________________
Brent and Cheryl.
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07-31-2014, 03:36 PM
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#42
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,546
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox hunt
i pull a goose neck horse trailer often but it's been a while since i backed a bumper pull. i remember thinking it was easyer to back the bumper pull then my goose neck. i will have to practice alittle at home before i head out.
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A lot of it depends on wheel base, the longer it is, the easier to keep straight. Conversely, the shorter it is the more you can maneuver if desired. Most of the 5th wheels I have pulled have been tractor/trailer units, and they are the easiest thing I have ever reversed. I have pulled a few shorter goosenecks, and found them much easier to reverse than a bumper pull with the same wheel base. But your idea to practice a bit at home is a great one. Empty parking lots in the evening are fantastic practise grounds, as it is good practice to pull up in the row, pick out a spot, and maneuver into it. Have fun.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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07-31-2014, 04:07 PM
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#43
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 -- The Skylark. Towed by a 2014 Highlander
Posts: 1,159
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox hunt
i pull a goose neck horse trailer often but it's been a while since i backed a bumper pull. i remember thinking it was easyer to back the bumper pull then my goose neck. i will have to practice alittle at home before i head out.
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No worries -- When we got the Lark, it had been 40 years since I pulled a trailer. I did all my practicing at various campgrounds. Occasionally to the delight and amusement of some more experienced drivers. But I didn't hit anything or anyone. It isn't totally intuitive, but this spring I backed into kind of a tight spot, and one of the spectators said "You've obviously done this before". If you have experience pulling a horse trailer, the Lark is going to be a piece of cake.
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08-01-2014, 03:30 PM
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#44
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19' and 2016 GMC Yukon SLT SUV.
Posts: 500
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Fudge Brownie,
Thanks for posting the hand signal video. I certainly need it to better communicate to the driver when backing our trailer.
Tonny LR
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12-13-2014, 06:43 PM
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#45
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,347
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fudge_brownie
What a great idea. And so convenient.
Jubal makes a good point on having agreed upon signals. I like the signal system that is explained on the below U-tube videos. It is using a Class A coach in the example but the signals are universal.
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BUMP: This is a bump forward of some excellent instructions. I can add that, we have a pair of yellow garden gloves that we use to make the signaler's hands easier to see.
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12-13-2014, 10:06 PM
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#46
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,883
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Each season at the start of camping my wife and I sit down and go over the videos again. It is so nice knowing exactly what she is signaling as we now have an agreed upon system. The yellow garden gloves are a great idea. I have threatened my wife with a gift of marshaling wands. Most often seen being used by the ground crew at an airport. Great at night.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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12-13-2014, 10:35 PM
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#47
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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great stocking stuffers
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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12-14-2014, 01:28 PM
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#48
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,347
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
great stocking stuffers
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Well, yes. maybe.
If they were in my stocking, cool.
If in lovely wife's stocking, and she makes a face upon seeing them,
maybe not so much. Can't be sure. Even after almost 40 yrs.,
I've been known to be clueless.
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12-14-2014, 03:14 PM
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#49
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,038
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
great stocking stuffers
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Hi: gbaglo..."Great stocking stuffers" are well shaped "Gams". Every thing else is just "Stuff"!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
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12-15-2014, 09:36 AM
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#50
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Trailer: 2015 5.0TA, Toyota Tundra CrewMax
Posts: 618
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I have 2-way radios to assist with communication when backing up but I sent the above videos to my wife and she was on-board with them right away. That's a good sign.
__________________
Lyle
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12-15-2014, 10:19 AM
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#51
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,052
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I'm almost always alone when backing up but when someone is helping me, I've found the best tool to be duct tape...over their mouth.
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
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12-15-2014, 11:29 AM
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#52
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,347
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KarenH
I'm almost always alone when backing up but when someone is helping me, I've found the best tool to be duct tape...over their mouth.
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So true, and maybe duct-taping their hands to their sides.
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12-15-2014, 03:33 PM
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#53
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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In another forum I recall one member saying that a pair of those inexpensive two-way radios were great: they eliminated yelling back and forth, and he could just turn off the volume on his and back up without interruption.
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12-15-2014, 07:36 PM
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#54
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Trailer: 2015 5.0TA, Toyota Tundra CrewMax
Posts: 618
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P
In another forum I recall one member saying that a pair of those inexpensive two-way radios were great: they eliminated yelling back and forth, and he could just turn off the volume on his and back up without interruption.
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Great plan. I'll have to try it.
__________________
Lyle
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12-15-2014, 07:50 PM
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#55
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Highland Park, New Jersey
Trailer: Escape 19 February 2014
Posts: 975
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You know, I think the hand signals are a great idea and maybe we'll start using cell phones, but right now I think that our tried and true method of me yelling at the top of my lungs as Terry backs up is the best plan. I am really good at guiding him in no matter how tight the spot and he completely trusts me and responds. But out of courtesy to the neighbors we probably should see if he will respond as well to a voice over the cell phone.
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