How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

[MarkySparky]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

For those little trailers, at my work we use pvc pipe or power pole guy wire guards (like big spiral wire loom) crosswise/ port-starboard on back of trailer, to make it wide enough to see both sides in mirrors. Makes it a lot easier to back them up. BTW on my personal boat trailer, I use those strap-on extension mirrors on the truck mirrors and watch my trailer's tandem axle wheel fender and just keep that straight. I found it easier than watching the boat, since the boat is a curved surface and the fender is straight and in line with the extension mirrors.

 

[southkogs]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

I was taught to use my mirrors constantly while driving ... situational awareness. Backing up at all - with out without trailer - is done with mirrors. I think you actually have better peripheral vision using mirrors than you do trying to strain around to look out the back window.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

Consensus seems to be that I'd better learn to do it using my mirrors. Maybe if I'd relied more on the mirrors, and spent less time cranking my neck, around during my younger days I'd have better range of motion today.

Time to go practice (as soon as my neighbor returns from vacation and moves his van from in front of my side yard access).

 

[cobbcfi]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

I always try to put in where my port side is to the nearest dock and pop my head out the driver window and just keep the trailer tires one foot away from the concrete barrier and that guarantees that I have clearance on the other side and I can walk down the dock and step in rather easily.. Might have to wait a few minutes for the right slip but to me it's worth it.. Just my 2 cents..

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

I make sure the vehicle is in R not F or D as I have heard this is hard on the tow vehicle. I use the mirrors to see how it is going.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

I look at the ground in the mirror and try to keep trailer wheel strait. Practice.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

I make sure the vehicle is in R not F or D as I have heard this is hard on the tow vehicle.

Never tried backing up my trailer in D......must be difficult!

 

[skargo]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

Never tried backing up my trailer in D......must be difficult!

This guy tried it!

 

[JDA1975]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

I drove big rigs for 14 years, and even in my Ram, I follow the same ideas I did when driving a truck...I never Blind-side (that is backing up with your cut to your right), I roll down my drivers window to make it easier to hear, I look out drivers window to see side of trailer while backing, also allows use of mirror. And MOST important I always opt to back in a straight line whenever possible, even if that means getting lined up 30 feet from the ramp so I am straight before starting down it!

 

[Smuggler's Blues]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

+1 on JDA

I too am a recovering truck driver 13 years here. I do the same open window and use the mirrors. I never use the mirror on the windshield anymore. Also +1 on the start your backing from a straight position. Watch the mirrors and if you notice you are seeing more of the trailer in the mirror turn toward where you see more trailer it will straighten you out. When I learned in the T/T unit the guy that was teaching me was a fellow mechanic, (I was a trailer mechanic at the time), he told me to back up until it sounded expensive and then pull forward 10 feet and blame someone else.

 

[bigdee]

Re: How Do You (Older) Guys Back Up Your Trailers?

+1 on JDA

Watch the mirrors and if you notice you are seeing more of the trailer in the mirror turn toward where you see more trailer it will straighten you out. .

That is the technique that I use to back up straight. I set my mirrors so very little of the trailer is visible when it is straight and steer to keep the trailer out of the mirrors