Towing

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Greg A

There you go, something to wash the popcorn down with!

[Greg A]

Thanks!

[gbaglo]

I see another competition / demolition derby coming.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I see another competition / demolition derby coming.

Oh no, don't let Iowa Dave hear you or I'll be getting another challenge and lose even more beer at the Mississippi Rally....

[float5]

What I use is looking at where the back of the trailer needs to go. If it is left, turn the steering wheel to the right. Slightly. Watch in the mirror if the trailer can be seen turning, (not turning head around).

When the trailer is headed into the site and will get where it needs to be if it goes straight on back, then turn the TV to follow it. Done.

[Iowa Dave]

I am pretty fair at backing up trailers but in no way competition grade. Unless there's food involved. When I was Parks Superintendent in Council Bluffs we were out plowing snow until noon one day in December. We had a 1964 Ford pickup with a long box and a cub lowboy tractor on a 16 foot single axle trailer. As we approached city hall, it dawned on my assistant and me that we had prepaid for a Christmas chicken dinner. I knew if we went clear to the shop to drop the trailer, all the drumsticks would be gone. There were three open parking spots on pearl street right in front of city hall. I got the truck stopped, lined the trailer up and parallel parked her in one shot. The party goers were watching out the basement windows and gave me a round of applause when we walked through the door. I have tried to parallel park a trailer several times since and never even came close. That was in 1972 so I'm still living a one time past glory and got my drumsticks.
Iowa I can produce a witness Dave

[LarryandLiz]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

I am pretty fair at backing up trailers but in no way competition grade. Unless there's food involved. When I was Parks Superintendent in Council Bluffs we were out plowing snow until noon one day in December. We had a 1964 Ford pickup with a long box and a cub lowboy tractor on a 16 foot single axle trailer. As we approached city hall, it dawned on my assistant and me that we had prepaid for a Christmas chicken dinner. I knew if we went clear to the shop to drop the trailer, all the drumsticks would be gone. There were three open parking spots on pearl street right in front of city hall. I got the truck stopped, lined the trailer up and parallel parked her in one shot. The party goers were watching out the basement windows and gave me a round of applause when we walked through the door. I have tried to parallel park a trailer several times since and never even came close. That was in 1972 so I'm still living a one time past glory and got my drumsticks.
Iowa I can produce a witness Dave

I love that story Dave.

And in your honour I link Bruce Springteen and GLORY DAYS

Bruce Springsteen - Glory Days (LP Rip) - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com › watch

[float5]

Originally Posted by Greg A

Must be a Quartzsite thing!

[captmath]

My best back up story happened on the Alaskan ferry. I was the second rig in and had to park all the way to the front. I was thinking "no problem" until we got to the next port and I realized the front on this one did not open. One of the deck hands came over and said " just watch me". So that is what I did and he guided me almost the full length of the ship without leaving my lane.
The second best story is whe I got caught at the end of a dead-end residential street with cars parked on both sides. That one was scary.

[Brian B-P]

I parallel-parked the van and trailer in Banff once, but if you don't start just right, it's tough! The motorhome is much easier (just one vehicle - no trailer), but that rear end swinging right over the width of the sidewalk can easily take out streetlamps, parking meters (the ones between the two or three spaces needed) pedestrians...

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I parallel-parked the van and trailer in Banff once.....

Having to park with my work trailer in residential areas on a regular basis, I have had no choice but to learn to do this. Not too though with a bit of practice.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by captmath

My best back up story happened on the Alaskan ferry. I was the second rig in and had to park all the way to the front. I was thinking "no problem" until we got to the next port and I realized the front on this one did not open. One of the deck hands came over and said " just watch me". So that is what I did and he guided me almost the full length of the ship without leaving my lane.

Oh, I remember that ferry. You'll be driving straight on, he said, and then straight off through the other door.

By the time we loaded plans were changed. It was on and then turn 90* When we reached the next port it was: back up and turn 90* until the rear of the trailer was out the open door high over the water, then work my way back and forth until I could drive out the other side door. They were annoyed with me because I kept glancing in my mirrors instead of watching the crew guy guiding me. Sorry but I have this old fashioned idea that, in the end, it's me who gets to make the final decision on what's to do or not to do.

Ron

[gbaglo]

Not on the same scale, but I was directed by BC Ferry crew to the top vehicle deck. That was discovered to be a bad idea when the canoe atop my vehicle ground to a halt on the deck above the car deck.
Had to unload the canoe, drive to the other end, retrieve the canoe and tie it down.
I was advised to make a claim at the terminal, but the damage was slight and I didn't want to waste my time. Canoe was a Frontiersman, which might explain my attitude.

[blhvet]

Suddenly, my interest in camping on Vancouver Island is quite diminished... 😳

[cpaharley2008]

[QUOTE=Ron in BC;142120]

Originally Posted by Greg A

General Question; Is the 19 easier to back up than the 21? I'm finding that the 19 is the easiest trailer I've ever backed into spots with, but I've not pulled anything but Scamps and a 17B, and it's easier than all of those.QUOTE]

My view is that the greater the distance between between the ball and the trailer axle, the easier it is to back up. Much more forgiving.

I've had a short m/c trailer that was lethal to back up and long boat trailers that were a dream to back up.

On that basis I'd say the 21 might be a tiny bit easier to back up than a 19 but maybe not enough to even notice.

Ron

After towing the 19 first for a full year and the 21 next for 2 years, with the same tow vehicle, I feel the 19 is a little bit easier, both in towing and maneuvering parking spots. The smaller footprint allows a little bit more turning in tight spaces. Over the road with the added weight the 21 seemed more cumbersome and the added width a bit more wind conscious. Both these changes were minimal but still existed.

[MyronL]

Golly Ron and gBags, those are great ferry stories. My only issue with ferry riding up your way is the fare.

[Mary Strasser]

Our decision to take our new 21 on the Alaska Marine Highway is now seeming not so well planned. Well, we will either learn how or our new 21 won't be so new at the end of a week!

[GCS]

Good luck Mary. Easy as she goes.

[BCnomad]

Took me about 4 weeks before I was a pro (comfortable) backing into most spots when new. Of course, every day helped.

Now this sophomore year, it took about 5 days to get back in the saddle.

[GCS]

Good to remember that it's not like riding a bike. Need to practice.