Backing a Trailer

[geonuc]

How hard is it to learn to back up a trailer? That's not something I've ever really done and I anticipate sucking at it. I'm a pretty adept driver who can jump into all sorts of unfamiliar vehicles and drive them at least enough to get the job done but backing a trailer is something else.

We're considering buying a small RV trailer and parking it in a fairly tight spot accessed from the alley behind the house. To park it would require executing a 90 degree turn with not a lot of room to maneuver. I can see myself failing repeatedly until I either gave up and parked the thing on the street (which I think may be illegal here) or getting the thing hopelessly stuck blocking the alley.

[Thumper]

If only FZ were here...
It depends on alot of factors, but first and foremost is practice. If you can have time in an open area or parking lot practicing, I'm sure you would greatly improve. Also some people are only good at backing "one way;" turning the trailer towards the driver's side rather than he passenger side. To me, one of the biggest factors is visibility. Can I see where I want the trailer to go and can I see the back corner of trailer. Big van trailers are harder for me than low profile such as car or boat trailers. Then there's the relationship between the wheelbase of the tow vehicle and the distance between the hitch point and the axle of the trailer. It affects how quickly a trailer can get out of shape, and how quickly you can get it back into shape.

I'll forego all my personal anecdotes. Bottom line, good operators can get trailers into the most remarkable places. You could become a good operator with practice.

[geonuc]

Yeah, that's the problem: practice. If I buy a trailer, I'll have to park it that day. Not much time for practice. I fear for the safety of my - and my neighbor's - fences.

[geonuc]

I'm looking at a 20' trailer, and I understand the smaller ones are harder to back up because they respond quicker than longer ones.

[Thumper]

I've backed semi tractors pulling 40' grain trailers. One of the hardest things for me to back is my golf cart and 4' garden trailer.

[grapes]

Yeah, that's the problem: practice. If I buy a trailer, I'll have to park it that day. Not much time for practice. I fear for the safety of my - and my neighbor's - fences.

A day (even an hour) is enough time to practice, but you should set up the same situation in an open parking lot--not just backing up, but placing it in the same footprint, without impinging fence boundaries.

Small movements can get magnified, and visibility is bad, turn off the *go-go-go* button. You'll have help?

[Thumper]

Yeah, that's the problem: practice. If I buy a trailer, I'll have to park it that day. Not much time for practice. I fear for the safety of my - and my neighbor's - fences.

A day (even an hour) is enough time to practice, but you should set up the same situation in an open parking lot--not just backing up, but placing it in the same footprint, without impinging fence boundaries.

Small movements can get magnified, and visibility is bad, turn off the *go-go-go* button. You'll have help?

He's right. Slow and a spotter you'll do fine.

[Thumper]

Plus everyone but you and the other fence owner will enjoy the show.

[SciFiFisher]

About all I can add is the huge benefit of a spotter or "ground guide". Once you get it straight which way they want you to turn with their hand signals it can really help with backing into tight places.

[Thumper]

Slow and a spotter you'll do fine.

You're adding the recommendation of a "spotter"?

[grapes]

They were adding the huge benefit

[Thumper]

Now that I reread it, you are correct. My apologies Fisher.

[SciFiFisher]

Slow and a spotter you'll do fine.

You're adding the recommendation of a "spotter"?

Re-enforcing the concept.

[Thumper]

Never underestimate the importance of someone waving their arms frantically screaming, "Woooow! Wooow! Stop!!!"

[geonuc]

I already know how to back up a trailer. I just wanted opinions on how long it takes to get good enough at it to avoid property destruction.

I can do an hour in a large parking lot. I also determined that the trailer I'm thinking of will fit (just) perpendicularly to where I want to park it eventually. As that orientation is much easier to achieve, I can do that until I get good enough to put it in the other spot. Plus, I have to knock down part of my fence and relocate it about five feet before the trailer will fit where I want it.

Thanks.

[SciFiFisher]

Never underestimate the importance of someone waving their arms frantically screaming, "Woooow! Wooow! Stop!!!"

[SciFiFisher]

I already know how to back up a trailer. I just wanted opinions on how long it takes to get good enough at it to avoid property destruction.

Thanks.

one hour to a lifetime depending on a number of extraneous factors.

[Thumper]

I really don't think we're helping much.
Good luck, Geo.

[grapes]

I really don't think we're helping much.
Good luck, Geo.

Moral support, as always. We might've got 'em over that initiation hump.

[Thumper]

Yes, but I'm betting he's rolling his eyes and mumbling something like, "With friends like these......grumble grum."

[geonuc]

Yes, but I'm betting he's rolling his eyes and mumbling something like, "With friends like these......grumble grum."

Lol.

I got a nice email from Z with some encouraging advice.

[geonuc]

But your advice taken together, Fisher's 'one hour to a lifetime' aside, it seems like a dedicated practice session at the local large parking lot should be enough to get past the property destruction aspect.

[Thumper]

[grapes]

If you want to intellectialize it (always a dangerous thing), a trailer's wheels follow the wheels of the truck pulling it. In reverse, in a smooth backing turn, the truck wheels should follow the trailer--if not, then the trailer will tend to move left or right offline. That's ok, if you intend to turn that way, but you have to then get back in line. If not, you can quickly push it into such a tight turn that it jackknifes. The practice in the parking lot will show you how to avoid that. If it does jackknife, pull it out--you probably won't be able to continue backing it up.