Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon in AZ
I was thinking something more like your vehicle with one if the smaller enclosed U-Haul trailers. Get a friend with experience to go with you to pick it up and take it to a large, fairly empty parking lot. If the trailer doesn't completely block your rear view mirror, turn the mirror up to get used to doing without it.
Go forward until you have a sense of how it feels and tracks. Then try backing straight. Then try backing 90 degrees into a pair of parking spaces. Then take it on the highway. Start with uncongested rural or suburban roads. Then take it to a multi-lane highway.
How's that for a lesson plan? |
Have to agree with Jon. But I do have a little side line story. Waaay back when I was 16 I wanted to rent a
U-Haul anicensed clamp on bumper hitch. Anybody remember the clamp hitches? I remember my Mom arguing about me wrecking something with the trailer. My Dad hadn't said a word but then ask if I knew you had to turn the opposite way to get right backing line started? Yup, I did. Then do it. Well I did, no practice in any parking lots and didn't wreck anything....sorry Mom. Guess I learned as I had a commercial Ca
license for 20 years
. One thing I would like to add to backing up for new folks. The best thing you can do for making it easy to back up is "break" the trailer in the direction you want it to go BEFORE you stop your forward travel. Easiest way to see that is to think of what your TT looks like pulling out of your driveway but stopping before the TT is even close to being straight on the road. This is the angle you need to have your TT at before you hit reverse so you can just "chase" it back with very little steering wheel adjustments. Yes, you most likely have to drive into the oncoming lane but that's how it's done. Watch a few truckers get into position for backing up and you'll see what I mean...pretty easy.
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