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| Copyright RV Education 101 |
When I worked for an RV dealership we were constantly rearranging the sales lot, moving and backing trailers. When we set-up RV shows, in an effort to use all available space, we would back units within inches of walls, RVs and other obstacles.
The technique we used for backing trailers was almost fool proof, when there were two people working together. If you have trouble backing your trailer or pop-up try this. First decide who will drive and who will spot and give directions. Let’s say your wife is driving. For this technique to work, you are her eyes, and she needs to do exactly what you tell her to do. This, of course, also means if there is an accident it’s your fault!
First conduct a thorough inspection behind the trailer where you will be backing. Always watch for children and pets. (If children are in the area ask somebody to watch the back of the trailer) When you are ready to back it in, you stand off to the side, in front of the vehicle where you can see the trailer and communicate with your wife. With the window down and the radio off, she puts her hand on the top of the steering wheel and slowly turns the wheel in the direction you tell her. If you want the back of the trailer to go to your right you tell her to slowly turn the steering wheel to her right. If you want the back of the trailer to go to your left tell her to slowly turn the steering wheel to her left. You can stop whenever necessary to check the opposite side of the trailer and behind the trailer.
The key to driving is slowly turning and backing in the direction the spotter tells you to. The two biggest mistakes made are turning the steering wheel too much and holding it in the turned position too long. If either of these mistakes occurs it will require greater correction to get straightened out, and if you continue backing while holding the wheel in that position for too long the tow vehicle and trailer can jackknife.
Don’t get upset if you need to pull forward and start over. With a little practice you’ll soon be backing like the pros, practice being the keyword. The more you practice the better you’ll get.
Happy RV Learning!
Mark Polk
RV Education 101
Learn about Mark's books, eBooks and DVDs at RVbookstore.com
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Copyright by Mark Polk owner of RV Education 101 – all rights reserved
Put your hand on the TOP of the steering wheel?
ReplyDeleteAre you sure?
Yup! Mark is a little off on the placement of the wife's hand. Just a small typo error.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, my Dad taught me to just hold the BOTTOM of the wheel, face backward, and drive the trailer where you want it... Easy as pie way to remember turning the wheel backward when going backward. Took me very little practice to get the hang of it, but that's the next point ... Even if you've towed and backed lots of things, take any new trailer to a mall parking lot where you won't hit much, pick a random slot, and back into it over and over until you know the turning radius of THIS trailer and can do it first time everytime.... So armed you'll be ready for surprise challenges: on my last cross-country, I pulled into a site so tree-filled it should never have been rented to my 36' TT... in the dark... with no spotter... in one roll (after my own walk-round of course). Personnaly, I feel shouldn't drive anything I don't feel comfortable handling in any situation I need to. So far, fore-practice has saved me a lot of stress!
ReplyDeleteActually Mark's narrative is correct about turning the steering wheel. If you re-read the paragraph you will see that Mark is facing the rig from in front or just off to the side. If he wants the back of the trailer to go to his right, he tells the driver to turn the steering wheel to the driver's right. It's all in the perspective...
ReplyDelete