Backing a short trailer

hoozerman · Aug 5, 2010

I will be taking a trip from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest soon. (Very excited about that!)
I have a 35' Class A MH and will be towing a 16' enclosed trailer (w/motorcycle). In the past, I have experienced problems backing a short trailer when using a long (MH) tow vehicle. The trailer is too heavy to separate it and move it around manually. So, I have two basic questions: 1.) Do others have as much trouble backing up a combination like this as I do? 2.) How frequently do you think I will encounter a situation in which I have to back this rig up? (Such as a campground that doesn't have a pull thru site.) Thanks for you advice!
Kevin

Johncmr · Aug 5, 2010

Simple answer is yes. Consider the ratio of the wheel base of a regular tractor trailer VS the length of the wheelbase from the rear wheels of the tractor to the wheels of the trailer, using this as a starting point for discussion:

If they are the same. then the tow vehicle and the trailer will move equally in any maneuver. Tow vehicle shorter = it can move maneuver better than trailer (like the tractor/trailer combo). If the tow vehicle is much longer, it's movements are amplified on the trailer, so a tiny move of your MH steering wheel will quickly amplify into a jack knifed trailer. This can be made even more pronounced by the overhang and consequent swing of the hitch point on a typical Motor Home.

When I tow something shorter than the truck, I just back very slowly, and "over-compensate" for tiny moves I see on the trailer, which most of the time work out to be just about right.

johncmr

Backing a short trailer

hoozerman

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Johncmr

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