Backing a trailer

[EmilyD]

wow. you ARE bored. However, I had to sell a pop-up tent camper because I NEVER learned to back it up. don't get it.. not even a little.

LOL I hear you! We had to learn how to back our popup uphill, backwards up our steep driveway. Many arguments ensued as we shouted to/at each other (one inside, one outside) during attempts. Nowe we've learned to do it with cellphones so we can hear each other. A few times I've even managed it in one pass! Easiest way for me to do it is to look out the back of the van window. The mirrors screw me up. We also use "North" for turning the trailer left and "South" for turning it right. Works for us but it was years in the making.

[Thecatman]

Just a suggestion, if you can, have your target on your left so you can watch the left tire/left rear of the trailer.

[Thecatman]

I've never had the pleasure of pulling doubles, though I'm endorsed.

Double transfers, IMHO*, are not true doubles. There are two pivot points as opposed to three like true doubles. but triple transfers have four pivot points.




*borrowed from ygmir

[gyre]

The ratio between the wheelbase of the tow vehicle and the wheelbase from the rear tires to the trailer, can really fuck with you.
When I changed tow vehicles, it seemed to totally screw up my backing.
And I can't always see the front of my trailer.
What's really tough is backing when I can't see the trailer at all.

My friend says to think of it as driving the trailer.
He learned to reverse with articulated double farm trailers, which I guess weren't intended to back up.
He's pretty good at it.

Sometimes a front receiver might be handy.

[TomServo]

Just a suggestion, if you can, have your target on your left so you can watch the left tire/left rear of the trailer.

I avoid blind siding it as much as I can. Yeah, left is best.

[Thecatman]

My friend says to think of it as driving the trailer.

Your friend is correct gyre. I was told that 20 something years ago.