Backing A Trailer
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Backing A Trailer
I am relatively new to towing and I have what may be a dumb question. Is there any device made to keep you from binding your trailer against your tow vehicle? I have a 23 foot travel trailer and a 1978 F150 4X4 with a 351m/400. My street is not very wide and I have an obstuction within 2 feet of either side of my driveway which goes downhill from the street. When I back it into the driveway the angle is very tight. Last time I was backing it in I just barely kissed the trailer with the bed of the truck. No dents just paint exchange. I know I can get an extended hitch but that will just change which part of the bed comes in contact with the trailer. Is there anything that limits how tight the angle can be when backing?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 0
Get a tounge extension on the trailer, go slow and have somebody spot you til you get used to it. Easiest way is pratice, I am 18 and I can confidently back up anything with a trailer behind it, including the old international semi on the farm with the grain trailer no problems, trust your mirror and your instinct.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
Good advise from wickymustang..practice practice practice, setup is also very important, when you pull up to your drive you want the driveway on your left, trust me it's easier this way till you get the hang of it, you want to be as close to the curb as possible, then as your rear wheels pass the drive then turn the wheel to the right so you're headed at a 45* angle across the street, hold that for a 2 count then go back to the left for a 2 count, your truck and trailer should now be at a 45* or so angle to each other with the trailer pointed into the driveway, now for the fun part....back it in...if the back of the trailer needs to goto the left turn the wheel to the right and vice versa for the other way....this keeps you from having to jack-knife the truck and trailer to get into the drive. If you can get some orange cones (I call 'em leroy's hehe) go to a big parking lot like a church or something and setup the cones like your street and driveway are or just practice backing into a parking space, it won't take long and you'll be backing like a pro.
Now to answer your question...only device I know of is your eyes and mirors.
John
Now to answer your question...only device I know of is your eyes and mirors.
John
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,507
Likes: 897
From: Home Base Nebraska
Good advice John its hard to hurt anything in a parking lot (emty). Practice is the only way to become good at it. And them when you get good at a TT go buy a 5ver and it all starts over agian. 
Denny
Denny
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 0
From: nevada
Sometimes its easy to forget which way to turn the wheel when backing. Just remember to keep your hand on the bottom of the wheel, and move it in the direction you want the trailer to go. Used to see a lot of motor homes with hitches on the front of the vehicle, unhook it off the back, and push it where you want to go . But you will need someone to spot for you.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Tehachapi, CA
Practice, practice, practice. Correct!!!! Now if I can only get my 3-horse LQ trailer backed out of my driveway, I'll be happy. Pulled it in headfirst and have a curved driveway. Spent 2 hours last Sunday trying to back it out without hitting the trees, the retaining wall and my wife. No luck. Gonna try again this Sunday.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: SW Corner of Georgia
find a professional truck driver and ask him or her to give you a lesson in straight line backing. Once you learn how to straight line back a trailer you can pretty much put a trailer any where you want it. I agree with the rest practice practice as often as possible but find a empty parking lot to do it in. Good Luck a former otr driver.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: fremont ohio
Like said above, it takes practice. I was actually taught when I was real little. My grandpa had this ancient tricycle and he built a trailer for it. He taught me how to it on that. i know it's not the same but it helped out. i thought i was pretty cool backing it up when I was about 5-6 years old. Now I do it all the time during the summer, backing trailers to get tractors and such on em, with very little space on either saide to fit them in. I'm only 19, but I've got enough practice, I'm confident backing up anything attached to a truck, or bike for that matter, haha. Like Demion said, careful with the wheel, it doesn;t take much of a turn at all to totally throw the trailer out of line.