schlep1967
Harrisburg, PA
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Joined: 12/08/2005
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I used to work for a trucking company running the jockey wagon around the dock backing in trailers one after another for 8 hours. I once had a dock worker ask me how I know where the other side of the trailer is. You know, the side you can't see. So I explained to him that I could see the drivers side and from that I can assume the other side is about 8.5 feet away. He said he could never back that in there without being able to see it. Some people just can't do it. Most others can do it with a little teaching.
90% of backing well is achieved by setting up right in the first place. This is where practicing comes in. As you pull past your site you should angle right then left and if you have enough room a little to the right again. Basically getting the trailer aimed where you want it to go with as little angle as possible and the tow vehicle to the left of the trailer so you can see. As you back watch your wheels but also remember the length behind your axles. While your far side wheels are 8.5 feet away the tail of the trailer will be traveling outside the arch the wheels are following. Depending on the amount of turn you are making and your overhang you could be as much as 6-8 feet (Normally not more than 4')outside your travel path with the wheels. Because of this when you go to a lot to practice take cones along. Stand broom handles in some to represent trees. With just cones your back end can pass over them. Then while you are practicing with your normal partner guiding have someone else video what is happening or put a camera on a tripod. Then viewing the video you can watch what is happening with the back end when you maneuver.
2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel
2009 Open Range 385RLS
Pull-Rite Super Glide
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fishbarned
NY USA
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Joined: 02/07/2004
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Martyn wrote:DCNKY wrote:Seriously though. thanks a lot for the advice, especially concerning the part about being nice to the wife. I've had some pretty stressful times trying to back this thing up.
When backing into a space I tell my wife that I will not move the trailer unless I can see her in a mirror. That helps a lot. She learned pretty quickly to move to a point where I could see her and then could better give her directions! 
very funny LOL... I have used my DW but decided seeing her having what looks like a epileptic fit in the mirror ( when i can see her) is no way to start a weekend. I just stop get out 2 or 3 times and make sure I'm on the right track. the last time i was looking at her backing into my driveway i almost hit the house. by 2". she sits in the truck now.. much better for the relationship.
2012 Sandpiper 365SAQ, on the way
2010 Ford F-350 XLT,CC,DRW, 4x4,PSD,Tow command, 8'bed
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DCNKY
Kentucky
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Joined: 06/08/2009
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All you guys are a riot !!!! I've been laughing at all the comments. Nice to know I'm not alone....that said....I'm gonna have a cold one. Thanks again guys.
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rick83864
North Idaho
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Joined: 09/04/2009
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Pond Jumper wrote:I don't even let my wife out of the truck anymore. Just too embarrassing!! DW would be waving her arms doing hand signals that no person on earth could understand, just for the amusment of the other campers I guess, because I could never see her in my mirrows.
Ditto. And the good intentioned fellow camper turning his air steering wheel. Take your time, get out and check as often as you need.
06 Dodge 3500 CC LB Laramie 4x4 Dually 5.9 Cummins 325/610 48RE Jacobs brake Smarty Jr 
GVWR 12,200 Payload 4580
06 Grand Junction 34' High profile 15500 GVWR 3200 pin Mor/ryde 5500 Onan genny Dual A/C
27' Hallett 502, 500HP
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sunline5er
Highland, MI
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Joined: 06/24/2009
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SpoiledRotten wrote:If you can't back a trailer, you don't need to be giving directions. Again, my wife doesn't give directions, just let's me know if I'm getting too close to something.
I couldn't agree more. My wife is HIGHLY intelligent, but when it comes to anything mechanical, she couldn't find her way out of a wet paper bag with a sharp knife.
Best to let her do what she's good at, and figure out a system that keeps us from erupting in a fight, for the sake of our marriage!
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fishbarned
NY USA
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rick83864 wrote:Pond Jumper wrote:I don't even let my wife out of the truck anymore. Just too embarrassing!! DW would be waving her arms doing hand signals that no person on earth could understand, just for the amusment of the other campers I guess, because I could never see her in my mirrows.
Ditto. And the good intentioned fellow camper turning his air steering wheel. Take your time, get out and check as often as you need.
I just called my DW to read this to her she said i guess your not the only A-hole out there LOL... she was just kidding... wow that made my day. unless you have been there you will never get the humor in all of it. and for us in the NE we have about 40 days to start having fun again.
Cheers
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DLW
Johnson City TN 37604
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Joined: 12/05/2004
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With the 5th wheel piviot point ahead of the rear wheels, the rig behaves a little differently from your TT. If you have a longer wheel base TV - you will find it difficult to get into sharper turns and holding a steady radius. Just takes some practice to get used to it. I put some electrical tape on the rear window to give me an alignment point in the rear view window when I'm exactly straight. Couple of FMS radios help when backing in. Last thing - when things are really close - if you have to unhook - make note of how the TV is aligned - and put it back the same way when you hookup. it is possilbe to hookup in such away as to create a probkem getting off the pad.
Gean. Larry & Roxie
Chevy 3500 4WD/HD/DW Crew DuraMax Allison B&W Hitch
AVION 37 - W4AUE 146.52
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fishbarned
NY USA
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DCNKY wrote:All you guys are a riot !!!! I've been laughing at all the comments. Nice to know I'm not alone....that said....I'm gonna have a cold one. Thanks again guys.
like i said you don't know it until you live it. Its like when you tell someone your into camping? They look at you like your some kinda white trash... little do they know? I just smile
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John Bridge
Houston
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Joined: 11/05/2005
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As to not being able to see my wife in the mirrors, she tells me if she can see me she can't see the other back corner of the trailer. Telling her to back up a little doesn't work. And she talks to me, and we don't have walkie-talkies. 
Fortunately, she doesn't read these forums.
Semi-"retarred" in 2006. :-) 2008 Newmar Cypress 5th wheel, 2008 Dodge diesel dually to pull it with.
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Veebyes
Bermuda & Maryland
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Joined: 11/24/2003
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Backing a trailer is like docking a boat. You always do your best job when nobody is looking. The screw ups happen in a crowded CG at cocktail hour when everyone is outside or, docking a boat, when you are coming alongside at a crowded dockside restaurant.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter
2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
2006 Chevy 3500 LT, CC,LB 6.6L Diesel
Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995
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