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Post by The Pink Sheep on Apr 29, 2013 18:30:12 GMT -5
Just curious for those ladies who tow your trailers - when you first started where you concerned about the length of the trailer when it came to backing up into spaces etc.? Just wondering if a 18' body would be too big for me to handle. I am still searching for a trailer and looking at different options. (I tried different ways to word this question so it wouldn't be like Bow chica bow wow) Thanks in advance for your experience!
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Post by becinala on Apr 29, 2013 18:46:30 GMT -5
I think it would depend on your experience in backing a trailer up. I have been backing a boat up since I was 13. I do find that the shorter the item is that you are backing up, the harder It is. Like I cannot back up a small sea doo, but can a semi trailer! Go figure.
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hauswife
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Post by hauswife on Apr 29, 2013 18:49:13 GMT -5
I just started towing a camper, but mines 16 (overall, including tongue)
Buuut prior to that I had experience towing a flatbed trailer, that was about 15' I think.. It's just hard because you have to turn opposite the way you wanna go..
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Post by ModernMe on Apr 29, 2013 19:20:45 GMT -5
My first trailer was 19 feet. And my prior experience consisted of lots of Uhauls. The best back up practice is an empty WalMart parking lot. Just pick a space and back into it over and over and over. I'm still working at it, but I get better every time I try!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2013 20:43:11 GMT -5
Bec is right on it. The longer the trailer the easier it is to maneuver. The more the distance between the tow vehicle and the trailer axle, the longer the turn radius and the easier to follow. A short trailer will come around very quickly and be difficult to follow backing.
The catch to that is that the difference between a 13' camper and a 19' camper is really not much more than a few inches overall, because of the placement of the axle. This means it is not much different backing a 13' camper from a 19' camper.
If you have access to kids' toy cars and trucks with trailers, Matchboxes or whatever, use them to visualize what the trailer will do behind the tow vehicle. By the way, it doesn't matter if the driver is male or female, the trailer will do the same thing either way. One of the tricks I use with a tough backing chore is to imagine the trailer is pulling, rather than being pushed. It makes more sense when you do it than to try to explain it.
There really is no substitute for practice, and the more you do it the more relaxed you will be towing and backing. Do not underestimate the importance of "relaxed".
Towing is also forward motion too. Don't get hung up on backing till you forget the importance of pulling.
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Post by schweetcruisers on Apr 29, 2013 20:59:17 GMT -5
One thing to keep in mind, the trailer is going to turn faster than the tow vehicle. If the trailer start getting out of line, it's easier to stop and pull forward a couple a feet and try again, as opposed to trying to salvage your first attempt.
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Post by bigbill on Apr 29, 2013 21:51:34 GMT -5
Have good mirrors and learn to use them if you ever watch a trailer backing competition you will notice that the winners use their mirrors they don't turn around and try to see where they are going. You will get very goood at backing when you master your mirrors.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 29, 2013 22:19:37 GMT -5
Have good mirrors and learn to use them if you ever watch a trailer backing competition you will notice that the winners use their mirrors they don't turn around and try to see where they are going. You will get very goood at backing when you master your mirrors. Bill knows what he's talking about... I tell people to go rent a big U Haul trailer for the day and just take it to the walmart parking lot and practice. Of course take someone with you. While you are practicing backing, practice going forward and turning around parking stops and try to miss them with both the trailer and the tow vehicle. Better to learn with an insured U Haul than your own trailer.... They only cost like $19 for the day.
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hauswife
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Post by hauswife on Apr 29, 2013 22:36:36 GMT -5
But keep in mind a u haul will stop way better than any other trailer!! Oh, if I could only have the u-haul brakes on a trailer...!!
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 29, 2013 22:44:16 GMT -5
But keep in mind a u haul will stop way better than any other trailer!! Oh, if I could only have the u-haul brakes on a trailer...!! Just unplug the trailer while in the parking lot.
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Gone Kayaking
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Post by Gone Kayaking on May 1, 2013 0:08:18 GMT -5
I agree with everything said. I had done boat trailers (actually stacks of inflated rafts etc...) on a long trailer, way easier than the short tongued small shasta I have now. Agree about toy trucks, empty parking lots (I prefer costco or the race track to walmart) and I love the idea of renting a uhaul to practice with too. I am also getting better and better, just don't let the men who will inevitably cluster around when you pull into a campground intimidate you with their advice. If you want their help fine, but I find more than one person assisting to be a huge distraction.
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hauswife
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Post by hauswife on May 1, 2013 22:48:54 GMT -5
That's a big one- use ONE person only to guide you!! Pick one person and TRUST them, and them only!!
I also offroad, and take our Jeep over some things you would swear you could not drive over!! I drove up the face of a 3.5 foot or so waterfall.. I had one guy helping me, and 12 other people watching.. I focused on what he said to do and ignored everyone else!!
If you hve someone helping you, establish hand signals and words to use, so you are both clear. Like, usually a closed fist means stop.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on May 4, 2013 17:02:27 GMT -5
Hamlet's lady person somehow missed this one. So the answer to your question, "how many feet?" Two. One on the end of each leg. (Sorry, I just had to do that.)
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Post by The Pink Sheep on May 4, 2013 21:49:33 GMT -5
^^^^^^Badda boom badda bing
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hauswife
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Post by hauswife on May 5, 2013 15:52:42 GMT -5
Hamlets answer is amazing!!
It was my first time towing this trailer this morning, and I had to tow it up about a 15% grade on the grapevine. Easy nuff! Though the jeep wasn't too happy at 4000 rpms in 2nd gear going 40. Ha!!
First time I've towed a camper, it was really easy.. Mines heavy enough she stays where I tell her!
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Post by '59PinkDeluxe on May 19, 2013 22:00:37 GMT -5
Hauswife... mine is a 19' Deluxe. I had absolutely NO experience at backing a trailer. When I picked it up in Montana and towed it home to Reno, NV, whenever I stopped, I parked it so I could just pull forward.. hahaha. Clearly, I knew that I would have to learn the art of backing. The best advice I got is to place your hands (underhanded) on the wheel at 4 and 8. Then, point your thumbs out to the sides. Your thumbs will tell you which direction the back of the trailer will go!!! After much practice I can honestly say it takes me less than 5 minutes to back my trailer into a very tight storage garage whereas it took me at the minimum 20 minutes!! I still jump out and check both sides, I'm just much faster now. Good luck. I hope that tip works for you as well
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Post by '59PinkDeluxe on May 19, 2013 22:01:51 GMT -5
oops... I meant that for Pink Sheep
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hauswife
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Post by hauswife on May 22, 2013 12:34:35 GMT -5
I just got my mom a little trailer, (PO said 11.5 feet, I haven't measured) and it's SO LIGHT an easy to tow.. We dropped it taking it off the truck hitch (no trailer jack) and my husband (not a big guy) and myself (I'm pretty small!) we're able to pick up the hitch and put it on a jack stand!
It definitely is a little harder to back up, but very easy to tow and move around by hand!
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