There is such a thing as too steep an angle...

[AIRHEDS]

Thanks for sharing the damage and warning. I've got one to add for those with pickup trucks. Don't leave the small breaker bar or any other tools/items on your bumper when putting the tailgate down ... it will put a ding in your new truck's tailgate. I had just unlatched the propride and set the breaker bar down on the bumper ... before lowering the tailgate. Dangit.

Also need to figure out how to route and cable-tie the 7-pin electrical extension cable for my propride. Ask me how I know. Okay. I'll tell you. I turned hard and the cable snagged ... it ripped the darned spring-cover off.

Not quite the damage you experienced FCStreamer but we're all learning lessons... some more costly than others... Thanks, Rich

[Cispook]

Originally Posted by FCStreamer

So I was backing up to a campsite today and I heard a"cruuuuuuuunch". I was surprised as I didn't think I was close to hitting anything,

Turns out the steering angle was too steep. The corner of my truck struck the front rock guard. The rock guard is dented. The rear right window of my truck is busted.

Valuable (and expensive) lesson learned. You can hit your trailer with the corner of your tow vehicle when backing up of your steering angle is maxed out. Watch for that. Don't be like me.

The preceding was a public service announcement...

Attachment 273511

Attachment 273512

Curious as to what hitch you use


2017 27FB FC

[xrvr]

I think he has an Equilizer hitch.

[FCStreamer]

Yes, Equalizer.

[Vitaver]

Originally Posted by avionstream

That's why I have an extended shank. Live and learn.

Will a longer shank increase the sideways force on the TV at the ball? The principles of 'lever' or 'leverage' apply here whereas the longer the lever, stronger the force pushing the TV sideways on a downhill/stop? Also, the longer span between axels (aft on the TV and forward on the AS) hamper the ability of the rig to negotiate dips and bumps? Otherwise, sounds like a great idea to put distance between TV and RV. New at this, just asking.

[xrvr]

True, but not relevant to this thread. In my opinion.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by avionstream

That's why I have an extended shank. Live and learn.

That brings on another problem if backing too steeply ... even more expensive if the frames get bent.

[xrvr]

What frames? You can bend the hitch head.

[glcmranger]

AIRHEDS: I had the same problem with the 7-way extension cable. I modified the Propride so the cable doesn't get caught/cracked when making deep turns....... Yes, I learned the hard way too. I see you're attending Alumalina. If you have time, hunt me down. I'll PM you my TEXT number.

[BicenTw]

In my leisure career of driving a big rig I was fortunate to learn a backing up rule from a champion truck-rodeo driver. While teaching us how to back up a tractor and trailer through a serpentine course he pointed out that in any backing maneuver you should only turn the front wheels about five (5) degrees in either direction. How long you hold the turn while moving in reverse is the skill.

[Rocinante]

Thanks for sharing, it's not easy to admit when this happens for fear of a flood of I-told-you-so's and I'm-way-smarter-than-you's. Could happen to anybody, we'll be double extra careful about this in future.

Originally Posted by FCStreamer

So I was backing up to a campsite today and I heard a"cruuuuuuuunch". I was surprised as I didn't think I was close to hitting anything,

Turns out the steering angle was too steep. The corner of my truck struck the front rock guard. The rock guard is dented. The rear right window of my truck is busted.

Valuable (and expensive) lesson learned. You can hit your trailer with the corner of your tow vehicle when backing up of your steering angle is maxed out. Watch for that. Don't be like me.

The preceding was a public service announcement...

[Vitaver]

Originally Posted by BicenTw

In my leisure career of driving a big rig I was fortunate to learn a backing up rule from a champion truck-rodeo driver. While teaching us how to back up a tractor and trailer through a serpentine course he pointed out that in any backing maneuver you should only turn the front wheels about five (5) degrees in either direction. How long you hold the turn while moving in reverse is the skill.

That sounds like great advise and will follow it. As a newbie, I can take all the info I can get. My personal challenge here is backing up into an uphill, serpentine, uphill driveway (to my house). I was able to do it with lots of help from my wife behind the rig (Marriage-Saver walkie talkies headsets) and the short wheelbase LR4, only had to pull forwards to correct angle twice. Aware that my LR4's tongue weight carrying (550) is about 50% short of the specs requirement for the TV, I am now in the market for either a RAM or Fort trucks. Tested both from 150 to 350. I like the F 350 the most (shinny toys, I am a guy after all!) Now, the longer wheelbase of anything beyond the 150 in both brands require a larger turning radius. How will this affect my ability of backing uphill my FC27? I expect it will reduce it. Anyone has an insight on this? I have to buy next two days, I am looking at 2017 models.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by Vitaver

That sounds like great advise and will follow it. As a newbie, I can take all the info I can get. My personal challenge here is backing up into an uphill, serpentine, uphill driveway (to my house). I was able to do it with lots of help from my wife behind the rig (Marriage-Saver walkie talkies headsets) and the short wheelbase LR4, only had to pull forwards to correct angle twice. Aware that my LR4's tongue weight carrying (550) is about 50% short of the specs requirement for the TV, I am now in the market for either a RAM or Fort trucks. Tested both from 150 to 350. I like the F 350 the most (shinny toys, I am a guy after all!) Now, the longer wheelbase of anything beyond the 150 in both brands require a larger turning radius. How will this affect my ability of backing uphill my FC27? I expect it will reduce it. Anyone has an insight on this? I have to buy next two days, I am looking at 2017 models.

Longer wheelbase has a big impact on your ability to maneuver in reverse.
Look at the turning diameter of the tow vehicle you are considering. One of the reasons I chose a Ram was the turning diameter...
Have fun shopping!
Bruce

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Vitaver

That sounds like great advise and will follow it. As a newbie, I can take all the info I can get. My personal challenge here is backing up into an uphill, serpentine, uphill driveway (to my house). I was able to do it with lots of help from my wife behind the rig (Marriage-Saver walkie talkies headsets) and the short wheelbase LR4, only had to pull forwards to correct angle twice. Aware that my LR4's tongue weight carrying (550) is about 50% short of the specs requirement for the TV, I am now in the market for either a RAM or Fort trucks. Tested both from 150 to 350. I like the F 350 the most (shinny toys, I am a guy after all!) Now, the longer wheelbase of anything beyond the 150 in both brands require a larger turning radius. How will this affect my ability of backing uphill my FC27? I expect it will reduce it. Anyone has an insight on this? I have to buy next two days, I am looking at 2017 models.

You should talk with Andrew Thomson at Can Am RV before buying another vehicle. Your hitch receiver can probably be reinforced.

And, yes, a 160" WB pickup needs a helluva lot of room to turn around.


1990 35' Silver Streak
2004 555 Cummins

[m.hony]

A trick to make sure I am not jack-knifing my trailer into the side of my truck:
Use the rear view camera on the back of the truck to look at the relationship/closeness of the rear bumper, trailer tongue/a-frame, and weight distribution bars.
You can not turn too tight going forward, but you can definitely fold it in half in reverse.

[carl2591]

not sure your total layout but it might be better to pull the trailer up the hill vs backing it up up the hill. if you have room to maneuver and get turned around so you are driving down the driveway on way out. Or get a front mounted trailer hitch on truck or get a nice tractor with hitch on front etc.

that much slow going in reverse can burn your transmission fluid as you are really making the torque convertor spin and fluid can get HOT quick.

Originally Posted by Vitaver

That sounds like great advise and will follow it. As a newbie, I can take all the info I can get. My personal challenge here is backing up into an uphill, serpentine, uphill driveway (to my house). I was able to do it with lots of help from my wife behind the rig (Marriage-Saver walkie talkies headsets) and the short wheelbase LR4, only had to pull forwards to correct angle twice. Aware that my LR4's tongue weight carrying (550) is about 50% short of the specs requirement for the TV, I am now in the market for either a RAM or Fort trucks. Tested both from 150 to 350. I like the F 350 the most (shinny toys, I am a guy after all!) Now, the longer wheelbase of anything beyond the 150 in both brands require a larger turning radius. How will this affect my ability of backing uphill my FC27? I expect it will reduce it. Anyone has an insight on this? I have to buy next two days, I am looking at 2017 models.

[Al and Missy]

I jackknifed my 25 trying to get out of a fuel stop that I shouldn't have gotten into. $2K to the trailer and $1K to the truck. A guy who had partially blocked me in was guiding me back. I guess he had never heard the term "jackknife". So in addition to "always use a spotter", always use a spotter you can trust. I was watching him through the right rear view mirror but he wasn't watching the left side. I should have been checking both mirrors anyway.

Al

[FCStreamer]

While boating I learned a docking lesson that served me well. Whatever you do, do it slooooooow. So if (or when) you hit, the damage is lessened.

I brought that lesson over to Airstreaming. I was going very slow. The dent to the rock guard is minimal. I won't even worry about it. And the damage to the car was glass only. Although almost $1000, it's covered by insurance minus my deductible.

[BicenTw]

Originally Posted by Vitaver

That sounds like great advise and will follow it. As a newbie, I can take all the info I can get. My personal challenge here is backing up into an uphill, serpentine, uphill driveway (to my house). I was able to do it with lots of help from my wife behind the rig (Marriage-Saver walkie talkies headsets) and the short wheelbase LR4, only had to pull forwards to correct angle twice. Aware that my LR4's tongue weight carrying (550) is about 50% short of the specs requirement for the TV, I am now in the market for either a RAM or Fort trucks. Tested both from 150 to 350. I like the F 350 the most (shinny toys, I am a guy after all!) Now, the longer wheelbase of anything beyond the 150 in both brands require a larger turning radius. How will this affect my ability of backing uphill my FC27? I expect it will reduce it. Anyone has an insight on this? I have to buy next two days, I am looking at 2017 models.

There are few if not any tools that are good at more than one job. Buy the truck you need and if your home driveway arrangement is so severe for navigating consider borrowing or renting a small wheelbase jeep for the reverse work you have to occasionally do in your driveway.

[FCStreamer]

Got my call from the dealer today. They're replacing the window as I type this. Yay! Glad this lesson is over with...