Audience while backing up

[tractors1]

My tractor pulls my 21 up my driveway fine; it probably a 7 degree slope - and the tractor is probably around 1500 pounds.

I'd park a truck/car at the top of the grade and give it a try using chains if you can borrow some; can always return the hitch easy on Amazon if it doesn't work.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by arniesea

I have a similar situation: a curving driveway uphill. And the fence posts for the gate are right where I need to swing the front end of my truck wide to position my trailer next to the fence. In my case, the top of the driveway flattens out a bit. So I use my truck to get it up the slope, then the Trailer Valet dolly to jack it back and forth to ease the trailer next to the fence. It is a pain, but it works. I do have to be careful not to let the trailer get too far downhill or the dolly does not have enough traction to overcome the slope. That happened once and I ended up using a come along winch attached to the back receiver hitch to get it back up the slope.

Oh, and I'm a former transit operator. I used to back up 60' articulated buses so sometimes it is the situation, not your skill level. Sounds to me like your skills are just fine. You just have a really challenging situation.

Thankyou Pat

[Jollyjerry]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

This would be me now. Hopefully not next month after my driving and backing up lessons with the trailer.

When backing up our Escape, my wife starts to sell tickets. She makes lots of money because it is a long show.

[ReagentGrade]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

Thanks for asking. BTW, I'm not reading any of the instructions on how to back as I'm just waiting for the lessons to see what happens.

I'm taking them through RV Driving School. They offer two 4 hour lessons, one per day. They feel that works for not getting the lessonee (new word for the day, I think) overwhelmed. Plus, you can come back the second day and get more instruction, if you need it, on something from the first day.

I also got training from the RV Driving School. It's not cheap, but was well work the cost. And when training two people at the same time, the cost for the second person is minimal.

I learned a lot, the biggest items being 1) you can't go too slow and 2) learning the backing characteristics unique to my TV-trailer combination. Using max steer (wheel turned all the way) I back until I see a specific part on my trailer in the side view mirror. Then I max steer the other way to straighten. Going to that benchmark results in the sharpest turn possible. Going past that benchmark means I can never straighten without pulling forward.

I enjoyed the training and got a lot of confidence from it. As a complete noobee I needed all the confidence I could get.

I highly recommend this training. I told my son (age 35) he can borrow my TV & trailer, but only after he takes that training.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by ReagentGrade

I also got training from the RV Driving School. It's not cheap, but was well work the cost.
....
I enjoyed the training and got a lot of confidence from it. As a complete noobee I needed all the confidence I could get.

I highly recommend this training. I told my son (age 35) he can borrow my TV & trailer, but only after he takes that training.

Hey Rich, thanks for posting this. Makes me feel even better about getting the lessons. I've backed a small enclosed trailer, but wasn't very good at it and that was years ago. Plus, it's small enough that if I didn't get it right, I could just unhitch and shove it wherever I needed it. Can't do that with this trailer!

[bsmoke]

Also if the situation allows don't be afraid to unhook and reposition the vehicle for a final adjustment.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

Hey Rich, thanks for posting this. Makes me feel even better about getting the lessons. I've backed a small enclosed trailer, but wasn't very good at it and that was years ago. Plus, it's small enough that if I didn't get it right, I could just unhitch and shove it wherever I needed it. Can't do that with this trailer!

Hi Laura you made a wise decision ! You are going to do fine ! Pat

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by bsmoke

Also if the situation allows don't be afraid to unhook and reposition the vehicle for a final adjustment.

Yup , that is what I do after I get it up the hill and up the driveway incline . Sometimes I am lucky and just need to pull straight back into the street and back her in . Pat

[JPSpins]

Well, I am glad I read all of this before heading off for a few days on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence. I picked a back-in site because it is on the river and I will just have to make it work. Lessons learned here are go slow and ignore the peanut gallery because my Escape is the greatest!

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by JPSpins

Well, I am glad I read all of this before heading off for a few days on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence. I picked a back-in site because it is on the river and I will just have to make it work. Lessons learned here are go slow and ignore the peanut gallery because my Escape is the greatest!

Hi: JPSpins... I never mind being the "Afternoon matinee" but I always forget to take a "Bow"!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[float5]

Originally Posted by JPSpins

Well, I am glad I read all of this before heading off for a few days on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence. I picked a back-in site because it is on the river and I will just have to make it work. Lessons learned here are go slow and ignore the peanut gallery because my Escape is the greatest!

When we first bought our 19', someone had given us a site right next to the water. We asked for one well away! . Yes, go very slowly!

[JPSpins]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: JPSpins... I never mind being the "Afternoon matinee" but I always forget to take a "Bow"!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

I'll think of you!

[JPSpins]

Originally Posted by float5

When we first bought our 19', someone had given us a site right next to the water. We asked for one well away! . Yes, go very slowly!

Oh, I always get out of the truck several times,whenever I am not sure. From my campsite the next land across the water is the USA...I am not about to attempt a maritime invasion!

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by JPSpins

Oh, I always get out of the truck several times,whenever I am not sure. From my campsite the next land across the water is the USA...I am not about to attempt a maritime invasion!

Hi: JPSpins... You can rest assured that except for the tiny drain holes in the pontoons your Escape 19 will float!!! I'm imagining an Escape "Armada" heading across the St. Lawrence. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[JPSpins]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: JPSpins... You can rest assured that except for the tiny drain holes in the pontoons your Escape 19 will float!!! I'm imagining an Escape "Armada" heading across the St. Lawrence. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Now that would be a sight!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by JPSpins

Oh, I always get out of the truck several times,whenever I am not sure. From my campsite the next land across the water is the USA...I am not about to attempt a maritime invasion!

Heck, I consider myself fairly adept at reversing a trailer, yet do get out to survey the situation a few times, all depending on the spot. The thing with many sites is that the situation is always different, and not like you get a straight angled spot like in many RV sites which make reversing a breeze.

It does not always have to do with skill level, but often getting set where you want to be, not just get it in. I often get my wife to place a foot beside where I want the tires to be to orient myself. If she is not available a piece of firewood or blocking work fine too.

My driveway I can hit first try every time.

[JPSpins]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Heck, I consider myself fairly adept at reversing a trailer, yet do get out to survey the situation a few times, all depending on the spot. The thing with many sites is that the situation is always different, and not like you get a straight angled spot like in many RV sites which make reversing a breeze.

It does not always have to do with skill level, but often getting set where you want to be, not just get it in. I often get my wife to place a foot beside where I want the tires to be to orient myself. If she is not available a piece of firewood or blocking work fine too.

My driveway I can hit first try every time.

This time I will scope out my site beforehand and place my little orange safety cones where I hope to put the wheels. Thanks for the tip!

[JPSpins]

A short piece from the NY Times Magazine on parking 18 wheelers...similar challenges with similar strategies.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/07/m...ore-ipad-share

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by JPSpins

A short piece from the NY Times Magazine on parking 18 wheelers...similar challenges with similar strategies.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/07/m...ore-ipad-share

I have driven these rigs a bunch before, reversing them is a heck of a lot easier that a short travel trailer, in that you have WAY more time to correct and make manoeuvres. A big change in correction from the tractor makes for a small change at the rear of the trailer. The biggest issue is the sheer size, and room to make these manoeuvres.

[JPSpins]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I have driven these rigs a bunch before, reversing them is a heck of a lot easier that a short travel trailer, in that you have WAY more time to correct and make manoeuvres. A big change in correction from the tractor makes for a small change at the rear of the trailer. The biggest issue is the sheer size, and room to make these manoeuvres.

On my way home from Osoyoos, I chatted with a fellow driving one of those extra long double trailer rigs. He told me it took him a couple of months to feel comfortable backing them up. His words of advice were the same: get out and walk around whenever necessary, drive forward to readjust and ignore the audience!