Backing a trailer!

[{tpc}]

The way the street is configured I can come in either way. Of course the way I am used to from the old place leaves the hydrant on the blind spot. If I come in the other way, its the neighbors pine tree. The street is wide enough that I should be able to get a decent angle on it, but its not the slowest of streets. Can't park in front of the house because no parking, unless i go on the opposite side of the street.

I've found for me, that its best of the wife just tells me to stop if I am about to hit something. The rest of it, move this way or that way, too close to this or that....I already know, well because I can see lol. I know she is trying to help but I'm already working through the steps in my mind, and yelling to me for this or that just confuses those steps. Its took awhile but I think she understands it now.

Just let me know if I am about to hit something! lol.

[canesfan]

Originally Posted by {tpc}

The way the street is configured I can come in either way. Of course the way I am used to from the old place leaves the hydrant on the blind spot. If I come in the other way, its the neighbors pine tree. The street is wide enough that I should be able to get a decent angle on it, but its not the slowest of streets. Can't park in front of the house because no parking, unless i go on the opposite side of the street.

I've found for me, that its best of the wife just tells me to stop if I am about to hit something. The rest of it, move this way or that way, too close to this or that....I already know, well because I can see lol. I know she is trying to help but I'm already working through the steps in my mind, and yelling to me for this or that just confuses those steps. Its took awhile but I think she understands it now.

Just let me know if I am about to hit something! lol.

Lol, me too. I'm more often by myself than not, so I don't have to worry too much about that anymore, but when she used to try to help I'd tell her the same thing. And if people insist on trying to help I'll ask them the same thing, unless I really need something and then I'll ask.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Desert185

Sometimes certain things do take a village. Can't believe I said that. This won't go public, will it?

Problem is, with my luck, I get the village idiot.

[LarrySharon]

Oh yea, I can id with the video, learned to tow and backup last summer. Now I figuring that I will have to relearn some of the aspects since 8/9 months will have passed by the last time I backed up. My driveway is the worst for me so far, almost a 90 degree and uphill to boot. But ready to go go go.

[66joej]

One of my first jobs as a young man was driving 18 wheelers. Back in the day (1960s) the way we learned to back up was to watch the trailer wheels not the trailer and don't try to be a hero and back up too fast.

[the sodfather]

Originally Posted by 66joej

One of my first jobs as a young man was driving 18 wheelers. Back in the day (1960s) the way we learned to back up was to watch the trailer wheels not the trailer and don't try to be a hero and back up too fast.

Very true. This is how I learned as well. Speed kills.

[rhagfo]

Yes, the horses laughing in that video was great, but one of the first was even better!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxr83Vkrh00

[Frank G]

When I see a rig pull in and is about to back into a spot I will approach them and have a little conversation to assess the situation and the drivers skill level, then ASK if they would like assistance. Calm nerves takes the pressure off and everything goes better. At this point I will enlist the help of my DW as his spotter. After 45 years of spotting for me she is the best! She knows where to stand to always be visible in the drivers mirrors and hand signals that are understandable.

BTW The DW is a much better driver than I, especially in tight situations "how did you do that"

[Todd727]

I saw that VW ad a year or two ago. Make sure you click on the "See how we did it" link. Funny ad, but slightly deceptive.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by Todd727

I saw that VW ad a year or two ago. Make sure you click on the "See how we did it" link. Funny ad, but slightly deceptive.

You mean horses don't laugh and guys can back trailers? What a let down.

[xrated]

Years and years ago, a fellow I worked with (he drove a semi inside a plant that we worked in and had some very tight dock access areas), gave me a little tip on backing up trailers. He told me to "reference" the bottom of the steering wheel while looking in the mirrors for backing. He stated: Imagine the bottom of the steering wheel (the part closest to your lap) and imagine that there is an arrow on it, point left and pointing right. When you are backing up and looking in the mirrors, and you see that the trailer needs to go further left, move the steering wheel in the direction that causes the bottom of the steering wheel to go to the left (driver's side of course). That will make the trailer go left. And of course the opposite if you are trying to make the trailer go right.....turn the wheel so that the bottom of it is moving to the right.

After many years of backing trailers.....late 60's early 70's, that motor skill to make the trailer go where I want it to go is instinctual, but when first learning, it can be a very valuable tool for getting it correct.

[Todd727]

Originally Posted by Desert185

You mean horses don't laugh and guys can back trailers? What a let down.

Not that ad. der...

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by xrated

Years and years ago, a fellow I worked with (he drove a semi inside a plant that we worked in and had some very tight dock access areas), gave me a little tip on backing up trailers. He told me to "reference" the bottom of the steering wheel while looking in the mirrors for backing. He stated: Imagine the bottom of the steering wheel (the part closest to your lap) and imagine that there is an arrow on it, point left and pointing right. When you are backing up and looking in the mirrors, and you see that the trailer needs to go further left, move the steering wheel in the direction that causes the bottom of the steering wheel to go to the left (driver's side of course). That will make the trailer go left. And of course the opposite if you are trying to make the trailer go right.....turn the wheel so that the bottom of it is moving to the right.

After many years of backing trailers.....late 60's early 70's, that motor skill to make the trailer go where I want it to go is instinctual, but when first learning, it can be a very valuable tool for getting it correct.

X2!!

I found that same concept in SAIL magazine when we had a 20' sail boat. We pulled it with a slightly modified 1964 Ford Econoline van!
The slight modification was a 302 V8, backed by a C4 automatic!!

[Bob Landry]

I've backed my Outback 277 into a service stall with 6" on each side. No big deal after you've done it a few years.. LOL

But I back a boat trailer 3-4 times a week also and that helps.

[smokeater05]

That's hilarious!

[captcolour]

Originally Posted by xrated

Years and years ago, a fellow I worked with (he drove a semi inside a plant that we worked in and had some very tight dock access areas), gave me a little tip on backing up trailers. He told me to "reference" the bottom of the steering wheel while looking in the mirrors for backing. He stated: Imagine the bottom of the steering wheel (the part closest to your lap) and imagine that there is an arrow on it, point left and pointing right. When you are backing up and looking in the mirrors, and you see that the trailer needs to go further left, move the steering wheel in the direction that causes the bottom of the steering wheel to go to the left (driver's side of course). That will make the trailer go left. And of course the opposite if you are trying to make the trailer go right.....turn the wheel so that the bottom of it is moving to the right.

After many years of backing trailers.....late 60's early 70's, that motor skill to make the trailer go where I want it to go is instinctual, but when first learning, it can be a very valuable tool for getting it correct.

X3 Actually all you need to do is put your hand on the bottom of the wheel, and you move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to move. Still tight spots and not so much visibility can be a challenge.