Buy a trailer (instead of a pickup truck)

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by easythereturbo

The longer the trailer, the easier it is to back up. Which kind of sucks because noobs are the ones with the short ones.

Yes. But also, the ratio of vehicle turning radius to trailer length. My trailer is much easier to back up with my Fit than the Odyssey.

[freebeard]

It's the ratio of the trailer axle to hitch distance vs the hitch to tow vehicle axle distance.

AMC Gremlin would make a good platform with a Cummins diesel swap.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by freebeard

It's the ratio of the trailer axle to hitch distance vs the hitch to tow vehicle axle distance.

AMC Gremlin would make a good platform with a Cummins diesel swap.

You have to do fractions when backing up? Good now I have another reason to give when my daughter asks why she has to learn this math! It's also funny to hear a driving instructor say hands at 10 and 2. These kids probably have never seen a round clock, I say hands at the volume down and lock screen position.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

You have to do fractions when backing up? Good now I have another reason to give when my daughter asks why she has to learn this math! It's also funny to hear a driving instructor say hands at 10 and 2. These kids probably have never seen a round clock, I say hands at the volume down and lock screen position.

Today it is hands at 8 / 4 and push / pull to steer. 10 and 2 and hand-over-hand went out of style at least a decade ago. (Due to airbags)

[RedDevil]

I once hitched a trailer with a separate steering front axle that I was unlicensed for (because the driver that was was temporarily engaged) and I had to back it up round a tiny rotunda, being the only spot in a cul-de-sac where it was possible to get the combination in the other direction. Inexperienced hitcher, impossible hitch. Recipe for disaster?

I quickly learned to compare the views in the side mirrors to judge what position the front axle would be in. Beam, axle and wheels were impossible to see, but do affect the position of the front end of the trailer as seen in the mirrors.
So backing it up was a 3-stage process, repeated over and over again: Where do I want to point the back end of the trailer -> What direction should the front trailer axle be in to turn the back in the right direction-> what must I do to to get the front axle in that direction?

When my brother-in-law returned from the small room and saw the combination facing the other way he said nothing, but I sensed a change in demeanor

[Xist]

How small are these trailers that are more difficult to maneuver backwards? I thought it was easy to back up with my brother-in-law's car on a trailer with my sister's 26-foot Penske, but my sister needed to pay someone to park the car at her new house.

I found it far more challenging to back up with my Accord behind a 16-foot Penske.

I have never heard of eight and four. I was taught nine and three with airbags.

[freebeard]

Left hand at 6 o'clock, right hand on the handbrake to back up the hydraulics.

I quickly learned to compare the views in the side mirrors to judge what position the front axle would be in.

It's been awhile since I backed an implement/farm wagon, does the input need to reverse as it goes over-center? Else, just move the bottom of the wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go.

[redpoint5]

For some reason I'm finding it difficult to adjust to rearview cameras when backing up. I've always looked over the shoulder, and no thought goes into it when I do that. I've done it enough that it comes naturally now. The rearview camera image is mirrored compared to looking over the shoulder.

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Left hand at 6 o'clock, right hand on the handbrake to back up the hydraulics.



It's been awhile since I backed an implement/farm wagon, does the input need to reverse as it goes over-center? Else, just move the bottom of the wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go.

There's no easy rule of thumb when the front axle turns independently.
It is incredibly hard to make any kind of controlled curve going backwards, so if possible you move it back straight, then turn it going forward again and repeat until in the right position.

[easythereturbo]

Originally Posted by Xist

How small are these trailers that are more difficult to maneuver backwards? I thought it was easy to back up with my brother-in-law's car on a trailer with my sister's 26-foot Penske

A 3x5 or 4x8 is harder to keep straight than a 26 thats for sure.