Need tips for backing up and towing safely

[BillyBob58]

OK, it is time to confess to even more ignorance. I went on my maiden voyage this weekend and all went fairly well. We towed a short distance to a nearby park. I had a few problems with the Prodigy brake controller which I had dealer installed, which are hopefully corrected now. I did not use the WD hitch bars, but did use the friction sway control. I got pretty worried about some moans and groans coming from, as it turned out, the sway control. All was quiet once I removed the control, but I think it was less stable.

But my main problems had to do with driving in general, and backing up the 26 foot Flagstaff in particular( I know 26 ft is like a baby camper for some of you folks). I have done a search and gone to some previously recommended sites, but have not found much re: backing up. So i figure, why not just ask the folks who are successfully towing 4000 lb trailers with a RL?

So any tips or tricks will be appreciated. I finally got the trailer into the campsite straight, but it was not pretty. Coming home and trying to get backed up into my driveway was not only not pretty, it was in fact downright ugly. Again, I got it done, but it took many attempts in both cases, especially from the road into my drive way.

On the plus side, I'm sure I provided much free entertainment to my fellow campers, except for the nearby ones who were probably terrified.

I understand the basic that the trailer will move in the opposite direction of the truck. IOW, if I have my wheels turned counterclockwise while backing, my truck is going to back towards my left ( as I face the windshield) and the truck will go to the right. And that is what happens. But one problem seems to be that when I need to go back the other way, the trailer often does not seem to respond when I start cutting the steering wheel the other way. So I have to stop and pull forward and try again an excessive amount of times.

Also, I get confused about what to do when I have gone as far as I can, say when I am close to jack knifing or am about to hit something. For example, say my spotter is yelling "stop" and I need to pull forward. And I am sitting there with my wheels turned fully counter clockwise having backed as far as I can, but I still need the trailer to turn some more to my right. So, when I pull forward, what direction do I turn the wheels in order to most help with my next back up attempt? Do I leave the wheels turned fully counter clock wise, or should I straighten them, or should I cut them the opposite direction, to the right( clockwise)?

Should I be turning the steering wheel aggressively, or in small, partial turns?

I don't remember having this much trouble, 15 years ago, backing up my little pop up tent camper. I guess the principles are the same, but this seems much harder. For one thing I could see over the top of that camper, maybe that made it less intimidating.

Also, as far as just driving, though every thing seems ok so far, I have a nagging worry that sooner or later I am going to swipe something even though I have turned way wide. Should I do what the 18 whelers appear to do, swing as wide as possible to the right ( for example) and then cut very sharply to the left?

Again, anybodies tips will be appreciated. In the mean time, I need a sedative.

I hope to get to a large empty parking lot in the next day or two for practice.

Bill the novice backer upper

[ToyTruck]

Bill--you'll get used to it with practice. There is a certain point when the trailer is so "close to jack knifed" that you won't be able to correct it without first pulling forward a bit and straightening out. (Double axle trailers tend to back smoother and easier than single axle trailers.......single's are more sensitive to steering input)

Why don't you take the trailer out to a nice open lot or field, bring along some traffic cones (or something similar) and a spotter, and practice to get the feel of it without any trees or parked cars to interrupt your good time. Also if you don't have any, invest in a pair of Tow 'n See mirrors (or equivalent), to help you see better. Also remove the rear headrests so you can have an uninterrupted view through the window as well.

Regarding the anti-sway bar, if it's a friction type with a tightening handle, relax the tension for slow speeds, otherwise you will hear the shriek and squeak. Beware of over-tightening. Cheers, Bill.

[5S Dude]

Hi Bill, after many years of working in unison with my spotter (wife), backing our old Class-A Winnebago into a few tiny campsites I can leave you with these tidbits.

Use a two-way (Walkie-Talkie) radio to communicate (No yelling) and make sure your spotter knows to maintain line of site with you at all times. Meaning you can always see each other in the mirrors as she/he guides you into the camp spot.

A few practice runs utilizing the two-way radios in a large empty shopping center parking lot before you get to the campground would be of great value as well. We will eventually be mounting a rear view camera to our travel trailer and is forthcoming but has not slowed us down since we purchased our Trail Cruiser last year.

Practice makes perfect really does apply and you both will become much more comfortable the more practice runs you guys make together. Above all, enjoy and Happy Camping!!

[CanWeTakeTheRidgeline?]

Something that my wife and I have practiced is hand signals.
For example, hands apart with palms facing each other. As you back up the spotter brings their palms together as you reach your destination.
We start with hands about a foot apart, and bring them together gradually. Touching palms together means stop. No yelling back and forth.
If your are supposed to go to one side, clench the fist on that side and point out with you thumb on that direction. (Keep the spacing between your hands) Switch back to flat palms as you need to straighten out.

Review your signals before you start your maneuvers.
Doesn't matter what your preferred signals are just so that you are both clear with each other.
It works for hitching, parking, turning around, etc.

Make sure that your spotter can see you in the mirror.
A set of walkie talkies allows you to use your "inside voices" ;-).
A little practice and you will be the envy of your neighbors.

Nothing makes a better cocktail hour show than two people yelling back and forth (usually with the windows closed) while waving arbitrary and random signals. Or even better waving and yelling from behind the trailer, out of the drivers view.

The idea of pre-practice as suggested above is excellent.
Practice, practice, practice.
You will be suprised how quickly you can get good at this.

Happy camping!

[CanWeTakeTheRidgeline?]

While I was fat-fingering through my reply... 5S Dude said it well.

[HH4]

Toy Truck is right on the money! Practice is the key. One hint you should find helpful is to place your hand on the bottom of the wheel when starting to back up and then move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to move. I also find it much easier to cut the trailer towards the drivers side whenever possible. This allows you a clear view of the trailer as it swings.
Too much input from a spotter can often be confusing , especially if they are not used to backing a trailer. It's usually easier if they don't try to tell you how to steer. I like to have them stand as a visual reference and only give directions to keep clear of hazards and indicate distances or clearances. Finally, get out of the vehicle as often as you need to to check your progress as you back up.

[BillyBob58]

Thanks every one, maybe wifey and I can hit the empty parking lots in the next day or two. Next camp out is in 3 days.

Any ideas on the "adjust by pulling forward"? Leave wheels turned the same way you had them during backup, straighten them out as you pull forward, or reverse steering direction? Or does it not really matter? I'm thinking maybe leave the steering wheel turned the same way you had them during backup as you adjust by pulling forward? But maybe practice will give me the answers!

I definitely need to use these "spotter" tips.

[CUinaRidge]

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

Should I be turning the steering wheel aggressively, or in small, partial turns?

Without repeating the great tips others have sugested I would add....

Open the rear window for better communication.... (2-way radio better)

Turning the steering wheel aggressively will turn the camper aggressively.
(which would be OK if you need to manuever only a short distance, ie couple feet)

Backing up any distance (lots of feet) you would want to use small partial turns.

Key though, is go slow and easy.

[r-squared]

Check this out - no - its not a joke.

http://www.vintageprojects.com/misc/trailer-backing.pdf

Please go to page 3. I think while this document looks older than the printing press, the pictures explain what I cant put into words with regards to the relationship of the trucks steering and the trailer behavior. I think with practice and experience you just need to judge when to stop cuting your trucks wheels intially and start "following" the trailer - much like when to stop cutting the wheel when parallel parking. It will come with practice.

Also remember that backing up isnt necessarily ugly if it takes you a long time or several attempts, its ugly when you rush and hit something.

[5S Dude]

Originally Posted by r-squared

Check this out - no - its not a joke.

http://www.vintageprojects.com/misc/trailer-backing.pdf

Please go to page 3. I think while this document looks older than the printing press, the pictures explain what I cant put into words with regards to the relationship of the trucks steering and the trailer behavior. I think with practice and experience you just need to judge when to stop cuting your trucks wheels intially and start "following" the trailer - much like when to stop cutting the wheel when parallel parking. It will come with practice.

Also remember that backing up isnt necessarily ugly if it takes you a long time or several attempts, its ugly when you rush and hit something.

What an awesome post r-squared! and thanks for that link, I read the whole enchilada and it was very enlightening. A wee bit old but not outdated info and very well explained. Amen to “Not hitting something” while backing the trailer.