How to Back Up a Trailer.

Started by MountainDon, January 20, 2016, 09:56:38 AM

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MountainDon

https://youtu.be/mxr83Vkrh00

Be sure to watch the "how we did it video" at the end



Just because something has been done and has not failed, doesn't mean it is good design.

rick91351

Well MD you had me pretty excited until the ramp at the parking garage then Rick spit out the hook. 

That said I would bet that is not that far away with proper sensors installed to a trailer for those who have trailer fright......

I have a confession I must toss out there.  I have one trailer I never use because I just can not back it up!!! It is a short tongue, short wheel base - single axle - old yet very well constructed 'stock trailer'.  To add to my confession my dad who built the said trailer seemed to back it anywhere he wanted to with great proficiency sort of like the VW Trailer Assist.  My other trailers I back them all over pretty well with ease. But certainly not as good the the VW Trailer Assist......     
Proverbs 24:3-5 Through wisdom is an house builded; an by understanding it is established.  4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.


MountainDon

Short tongue and short wheelbase are difficult.  I rebuilt and extended the tongue on my 4x8 utility trailer several years ago. Much nicer but I'm not as good as those VW engineers.  That must have been a fun project to work on.
Just because something has been done and has not failed, doesn't mean it is good design.

kenhill

I put a cap on my truck and it has made my backing up skill look terrible when I used to put it right where I wanted it the first try!!!

flyingvan

Find what you love and let it kill you.


Don_P

London's streets were set up for horse and cart livery service, the station wagons that ran from the rail depot into the city. One early motor delivery vehicle was a 3 wheeled tractor with a quick coupling and carts of roughly the same size as the old horsecart. They were close to a zero turn miniature tractor trailer, pretty neat. I think learning to back a hay wagon was about the most frustrating learning curve... I'm sure I'd have to turn the tractor around now :D

minnowcat

Quote from: MountainDon on January 20, 2016, 09:56:38 AM
https://youtu.be/mxr83Vkrh00

Be sure to watch the "how we did it video" at the end

If they didn't show the reveal at the end- I would have sworn it wasn't real!

glenn kangiser

I drove truck for about ten years... was I this good?... not sure about that but I was pretty decent...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSJ32fwlLJo

Key is using mirrors, small changes and following adding the proper steering wheel input as you go... It gets best with a lot of practice and knowing your equipment.... shorter tongue = smaller changes and corrections. :)
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

Glenn's Underground Cabin  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

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Adam Roby

I tried my very first trailer a couple summers ago when I got a popup camper. 
It is a lot harder than it looks.
I tried the mirror trick, holding the steering from the bottom instead of top, a few different "tricks" but nothing was really sank in or made it feel natural.  I think the only advice I got that actually helped was to imagine you have the ball in your hand, and you are walking the trailer back (as if you are holding the weight).  With this in mind, as you look back you tend to naturally know which way it needs to go.  I am still no expert, and every time I get back from a trip it takes me 10 minutes to back into the perfect spot. 

My friend's Dad is a truck driver, he said there are even truck drivers that suck at it, and when they get to the port in New Jersey they pay someone to back up their trucks so that don't have to.  Not sure if they have someone there just for that or what...  sounds funny.


glenn kangiser

It would most likely be possible that they pay another truck driver to do it for them or possibly somebody that works there if its a place they go to all the time. Otherwise truck driving you may end up anywhere at any time of the day and never know who's going to be there. Don't ask me how I know :-)
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

Glenn's Underground Cabin  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

Please put your area in your sig line so we can assist with location specific answers.