First Time Trailer - Counseling Session Needed

[NW Cat Owner]

Go slow, use your mirrors to keep track of traffic, maintain a good distance behind other vehicles, and if you're changing lanes on a highway, be sure to know exactly where the back of the trailer is in relation to the closest vehicle.

I pulled in to a KOA in southern CA once and had to chew out some folks driving a rental motorhome. They just about clipped my bumper when they changed back into my lane. I told them they needed to be far more aware of how much longer their rig was from what they were used to.

Just one more thing that I see way too often. People passing tractor trailers and cutting in too close in front of them.

Any time I hear of an accident involving a big rig and a regular vehicle, I rather assume the car cut in front of the semi. I always make sure I can't see them in my side mirror and the rear view camera any longer. We also added side view cameras to both sides, which really help with changing lanes and passing vehicles.


I also much prefer them to be in front of me as opposed to behind me. Many of those drivers aren't as polite as they used to be, many years ago. I've had several discussions with long-time big rig drivers about that and the reasons for that.

I was going to suggest that you reach out to Laura (NW Cat Owner) as she took an RV course. But I see she has already posted with some excellent information.

As a former transit operator, my main suggestion is to drive with your eyes a 1/4 mile or more down the road. Too many people keep their attention focused on the taillights in front of them. Your peripheral vision will see the car in front just fine. Focus far down the road and you will have time to plan for changing situations instead of reacting to them. Maintaining a good following distance also gives you plenty of time to adjust.

Thanks! And great advice here. I always watch what's way ahead as you're gonna need lots more room to respond. However, I've also discovered that if I leave a decent gap between me and the next vehicle (esp in traffic) someone will usually cut in front of me. Hey, I needed that space so I can safely stop. And yeah, my horn isn't optional and does need dusting off from time to time.

Camping people are really nice. Don't be afraid to ask folks nearby for help/directions when getting into a camp spot.

Lastly, if you can manage it, I highly suggest attending the rally at Osoyoos. Besides meeting a lot of really nice people, you'll get a ton of good ideas and advice.

I've asked others near me for help numerous times and never once have I been turned down. Early on there were some problems with the electric awning not going all the way back in. I tried fiddling with the control and read the manual, but couldn't figure it out. I found someone with a ladder that I asked the wife to borrow. The hubby was taking the trash out or some such. By the time I hauled that ladder back and was up on it, the husband came rushing over as well as 2 or 3 other guys. Turns out something else needed adjusting that only ETI knew about and wasn't in the manual, so that's another story. But the moral is, yes, other campers will be more than helpful.


There are other rallies around, so don't feel that's the only one you'd have to attend. I thoroughly enjoyed the one in Bandon OR last summer as I got to see a wide variety of different fiberglass trailers, some of which I had never heard of, much less all the others I had never seen before (but had heard of). Not all of the rallies are mentioned on this list very often, so you might want to join the Fiberglass RV forum, which is for a wide variety of fiberglass trailers, truck campers and motorhomes. They also have a rally calendar, although not all of them are on there either. (Kind of frustrating at times.)

 

[gbaglo]

And yeah, my horn isn't optional and does need dusting off from time to time.

I'm of the opinion that if a driver has time to honk the horn, they have the time to change lanes, go around, slow down or do whatever will prevent an accident. Only time I've needed my horn is a brief toot to alert the person texting while driving that the light has changed to green.

 

[goalie39]

One big change with towing is that you no longer use your rear view mirror. If you have towing mirrors, put them on and get use to using them around town. Try to not look in the rear view if you can help it so you can do everything with your side mirrors. When your comfortable with your mirrors, things are much easier.



Also, you'll need to remember to swing a little wider when making turns so the trailer wheels don't hit the curb.



But overall, don't sweat it. I see you're from Oakland, so probably used to city driving. If you can handle that, towing isn't so hard.

 

[cpaharley2008]

One big change with towing is that you no longer use your rear view mirror. If you have towing mirrors, put them on and get use to using them around town. Try to not look in the rear view if you can help it so you can do everything with your side mirrors. When your comfortable with your mirrors, things are much easier.



Also, you'll need to remember to swing a little wider when making turns so the trailer wheels don't hit the curb.



But overall, don't sweat it. I see you're from Oakland, so probably used to city driving. If you can handle that, towing isn't so hard.

Yes, great advice, your rear view mirror is just about worthless while towing, but those side view mirrors are indispensable in changing lanes and seeing what is behind the trailer.

 

[Bill and Earline]

Leslie,
You've gotten some great advice.
I'll add a few thoughts.

Buy gas at truck stops or very large gas stations. You don't need the hassle of tight corners or stations that are difficult to pull out of.

Mirrors are your friends--the wider the better. Your F-150 is probably fine with stock mirrors, but be aware that Ford offers ones that extend for towing. Add-on ones are helpful but more jiggly.

Don't get embarrassed by beginner backing episodes. Get out and look 20 times, if necessary. If you get exasperated, get out walk around the whole place like you're exploring, then get in, pull forward and try again. Others may try to help, but that can be a distraction.

I like someone's suggestion to borrow a friend's trailer of any size, large or small, to practice with. I agree with a suggestion to rent a dual axle U-Haul for a brief time to practice with, too.

 

[Hilola]

Don't get embarrassed by beginner backing episodes. Get out and look 20 times, if necessary. If you get exasperated, get out walk around the whole place like you're exploring, then get in, pull forward and try again. Others may try to help, but that can be a distraction.

Great advice! An easy acronym to remember: GOAL (Get Out And Look!).

 

[mconrath]

As expected, you have gotten a lot of good advice. I’ll take my turn.

Before getting our first travel trailer, I pulled a small utility trailer around a lot. That experience helped, but I distinctly remember our first road trip with the travel trailer. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why my arms were so tired after a couple days. It takes a while to learn to relax. So, stretch a lot when stopping for gas or for the night.

I remember realizing why those darn RVers drive so stinking slow through small towns and business areas off the freeway when I became one of them. Learn not to worry about the cars behind you as you are constantly scanning parking lots and side streets, determining whether you can get in, and out of them. That longer walk from your vehicle to your lunch spot is a chance to stretch your legs and relax.

Side mirrors with extensions are your friends. Knowing what is behind you offers peace of mind.

Take more breaks. In the beginning we seldom drove for more than two hours at a time. Enjoy the journey.

Have fun. You will do just fine.

 

[Merlin-ESC]

One more tip that I picked up at another site and practice now. When someone is helping you back in somewhere "... don't continue to back up if you can't see them in your mirror, no matter how much they say "Come on back"... ".

 

[Kent-ESC]

If you decide to rent a trailer to practice. Also get some training cones also referred to as Soccer cones, with these you can go to large empty parking lot and practice backing and or making turns with the trailer without risk of damage.

 

[AKCamper]

Wow, lots of good advice. The only thing I might add is to make sure your GPS is up to date and pick your time to travel. Don’t try to go through Seattle at rush hour, it’s bad enough all the rest of the time. Also get the Good Sam app on your phone or at least know where you’re spending each night. I towed a lot before picking up our trailer, but towing a trailer before you pick up yours is a great idea. How exciting!

 

[patchy_22]

I’d love to get some feedback from anyone that can remember how they felt the first time they pulled a trailer. I’ve been planning for a year and am picking up my 21’ in May and couldn’t be more excited. Now that the time is approaching, I’m starting to focus on what could go wrong (not great for the psyche). I’m a planner and a list-maker, so I know I will be intellectually prepared, but I have this vision of the "Escape guy” meeting me at some parking lot after crossing the border and handing me my new trailer and waving goodbye. I’m doing this alone and will drive away to the closest camping location to start the learning journey. It just feels huge to me! I will be stopping and starting quite a lot over a week-long trip back to the Bay Area (California), so, hopefully, I will become more comfortable with that experience. Any words of wisdom - perhaps it’s not as difficult as I’m imagining? Thanks all!

Leslie

If I was you, keep asking questions on here and elsewhere, and keep researching as much as you can. You can never be too informed. Then, take your time getting it home, and then enlist the help of a friend or family member to show you a few more things and answer questions in person. Biggest thing travelling home at first, will be to make sure you don't get stuck in a tiny gas station. Just make sure there's a good route to leave the pumps. Otherwise, just don't get into situations where you have to back up if you can help it and make it easy on yourself. Also, to get comfortable towing, you could take a class. My mom took one through CAA (the Canadian version of AAA), and that gave her a huge amount of confidence.

 

[LosAngeles]

for me.... the best thing to do is to make a check list.... one for breaking camp and hooking up

and one for unhooking.

super helpful.

and take your time.

and.... do NOT do the stupid thing I have done twice now..... and that is forget to CHOCK THE WHEELS before unhooking, once you arrive at campsite

as a shifting or rolling trailer is very dangerous.



nothing went badly, but it was very scary, and didnt need to happen.

just my 2c.

end of driving..... tired... low blood sugar.... easily done.

 

[Allan Bornestig]

Yeah, when unhooking or hooking up to leave, that's when I tend to forget certain details,
friendly people like to come up and ask about your trailer, can we look inside and such.
So I have learned to drop everything and do all the talking and demonstrations.
When people leave I start all over with the process of hooking up, packing, stowing, that way I don't forget the little stuff that could present a hazard down the road.
Maybe it's just my old age but I have to stay focused on the task at hand.

 

[EdColorado]

"Maybe it's just my old age but I have to stay focused on the task at hand."

Same here. I have a detailed checklist and never vary from it.
At least as long as I remember to use the checklist.

Ed


Actually, its a good practice to leave people alone if you see them unhooking or hooking up. Wait until they are finished.

 

[gbaglo]

My buddy has a 19', but I'd rather he not help me hooking up or unhooking. I have a routine and I have a laminated list.


You can copy and paste to save key-strokes, then edit and laminate.
Drive Away Checklist

SPARE KEYS

Inside Checks:

Loose Items Stored
Windows Closed
Blinds secure
Tank levels
Battery level
Thermostat OFF
Water Heater OFF
Water Pump OFF
Shower / Sink Drains CLOSED
Stove Cover DOWN
Screen Door FASTENED
Fridge Door Shelves LIGHT
Fan OFF
Roof Vents ( Bathroom / Fan ) CLOSED
TP and Paper Towels SECURED
Door LOCKED
Step STORED / SECURE

Outside Checks:

Tire Pressure 60-65 psi.
Note: Lower Pressure = Lower Load
Range Hood Vent LOCKED
Power DISCONNECT
Water DISCONNECT
Rock Shield DOWN AND LOCKED
Awning LOCKED
Stabilizer Jacks UP & TIGHT
Wheel Blocks STORED
Equalizer Bars LEVEL & SECURE
Chains IN PLACE
Hitch LOCKED
Brake / Signal Lights OK
Step STORED / SECURE

 

[arniesea]

... Actually, its a good practice to leave people alone if you see them unhooking or hooking up. Wait until they are finished.

I totally agree with that! I was packing up, going through my routine when a camp neighbor came over and started chatting. He didn't get the clue when I kept working on my tasks. It was raining so I wasn't in a good mood anyway.

Anyway, I got distracted while up in my pickup bed and missed my footing, slipped and fell out of the bed, landing on my side across the tubular steel of our firewood caddy. That rib still hurts to this day when our dog snuggles up against it while I'm laying down.

Lesson learned: Now if someone is chatting when I'm packing / hooking up, I stop, give them a few minutes attention, then politely excuse myself and focus on my checklist. I few minutes distraction can result in years of discomfort if one is injured.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Ouch, btw, what does a firewood caddy look like?

 

[arniesea]

Ouch, btw, what does a firewood caddy look like?

Here is a link to the model we have. I like that the frame comes apart for packing.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200623950_200623950

It was a present from my sister in-law when we got our first A-frame trailer in 2014.

 

[cpaharley2008]

That looks handy, you can remove the canvas carrier, I like it.

 

[Calicia]

My buddy has a 19', but I'd rather he not help me hooking up or unhooking. I have a routine and I have a laminated list.


You can copy and paste to save key-strokes, then edit and laminate.
Drive Away Checklist

SPARE KEYS

Inside Checks:

Loose Items Stored
Windows Closed
Blinds secure
Tank levels
Battery level
Thermostat OFF
Water Heater OFF
Water Pump OFF
Shower / Sink Drains CLOSED
Stove Cover DOWN
Screen Door FASTENED
Fridge Door Shelves LIGHT
Fan OFF
Roof Vents ( Bathroom / Fan ) CLOSED
TP and Paper Towels SECURED
Door LOCKED
Step STORED / SECURE

Outside Checks:

Tire Pressure 60-65 psi.
Note: Lower Pressure = Lower Load
Range Hood Vent LOCKED
Power DISCONNECT
Water DISCONNECT
Rock Shield DOWN AND LOCKED
Awning LOCKED
Stabilizer Jacks UP & TIGHT
Wheel Blocks STORED
Equalizer Bars LEVEL & SECURE
Chains IN PLACE
Hitch LOCKED
Brake / Signal Lights OK
Step STORED / SECURE

When I picked up my 2018 17B in June ETI provided me with their laminated check list and it listed tire pressure at 50 psi. I called Tammy to verify this and was assured that 50 psi is correct but I see that your check list says 60-65 psi. I’m just wondering why you have decided on the higher pressure.