Storing my airstream with a Propride hitch

[FL Dawg]

Currently building a detached garage to store my AS. Door is 12 feet wide. Anyone have experience backing into a 12 foot opening using the propride hitch? Gives me 2 feet clearance on each side.

[rmkrum]

I have successfully backed our 22footer into an 11 foot wide space at my super nice neighbors home. It can be done with at least two spotters to keep you off the concrete block wall, clear the other side of the gate, and not run the awning into the house eaves. 12 feet with lots of vertical clearance. Doable. Jus use spotters, get out and look (GOAL) and go slow. Line up straight as possible well clear of the door.

Remember the ProPride turns like the pivot point is near your rear axle, and watch the front end swing as well as the back end position.

[Bruce B]

Go slowly! Don’t get impatient and you’ll be ok.
Bruce

[Malia20]

Originally Posted by FL Dawg

Currently building a detached garage to store my AS. Door is 12 feet wide. Anyone have experience backing into a 12 foot opening using the propride hitch? Gives me 2 feet clearance on each side.

I can't address the Propride aspect of your question, but the narrow door....
I have a FC20, 8' wide and I have to put it through a 10' door into a 12' garage. I am very new at this, only pulled small boats before. So this is what I came up with.
I put a line of 2"x4"s down on the floor exactly in the middle of the garage.
I put a 2' long white stick (maybe 1" wide) spring clamped to the trailer's bumper, exactly in the middle of the trailer, perpendicular (measured the diagonals) to the bumper.
I have a backup camera up high on the trailer, also exactly in the middle.
Backing up to the garage, I watch the camera and put the stick on top of the 2x4s. Check the mirrors, then backup very slowly watching and keeping the stick over the 2x4s. I was surprised how easily it was to fine tune the position of the stick. If he stick is and was in the middle, then everything behind it will be in the middle (or so I think). The mirrors are pretty useless (to me) as they garage is to dark compared to the outside where I am, and the gap I am trying to look through is too narrow to see anything. Of course, my wife is spotting but she has yet to scream "stop".
Success is dependent on how well everything is positioned to start. I have done this about 5 or 6 times with no problems (yet).

Pulling the trailer out is a different story. The stick is now trailing the trailer (not leading) so I think the dynamics are different. Pulling out I make sure the truck is as straight as possible to the trailer (backup camera and camera guides help) pull straight and slowly and watch the mirrors, and of course, the wife spots.
One fine point, my trailer needs to be slightly off center to swing the trailer door all the way open. Still working on best to do that.
Anyway, this seems to work for me.

Good luck and safe travels and parking!

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by Malia20

...
I put a line of 2"x4"s down on the floor exactly in the middle of the garage.
... Pulling the trailer out is a different story. ...

Would it work by fastening down two rows of 2x4, tire width apart where you want to use the tires to guide the trailer in? Something like the track at a car wash.

[Malia20]

I had thought of that but was uncertain (inexperienced here) if or how much I would feel what the trailers tires were doing (no visuals here except from the spotter). Also, knowing that the trailer tire is against the wood (rail) doesn't tell you if the trailer is straight or crooked (and about to hit the wall). The trailer axles are close together and the over hangs large so a little crooked would be bad. In my case, I'm a single axle, so I don't think that this is an option.
My method is based on the theory that if the first thing to enter the garage (the back bumper) is centered and then STAYS centered, then everything behind it must be centered as well.

But I must stress, I am a beginner. But this has worked so far.

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by FL Dawg

Currently building a detached garage to store my AS. Door is 12 feet wide. Anyone have experience backing into a 12 foot opening using the propride hitch? Gives me 2 feet clearance on each side.

Just have a spotter. I have a long drive where i can back straight in. Have you thought about getting the attachment with the ball and finding someone with a small tractor to put it in for you?

[pteck]

I've on several occasions backed my trailer into my side yard that has a gate 9.5' wide. While having to negotiate a turn right before it.

Yet I have an advantage with a standard hitch and a short wheelbase vehicle.

Still doable!

Spotter, and go nice and slow.

[BAB]

I had a pole barn built for my 2012 28’ Intl. While the length of the shed wasn’t a problem, the width was restricted to 11’ from inside edge to inside edge. My 30’ Classic is 8’6” wide. Actually, the RELAX awning adds about 4 more inches, so my trailer needs 9’ of width. I back it up my driveway, through two gates and up a goodly rise into the pole barn. I’ve been doing this backing routine for about 6 years now and (so far) haven’t dented anything. I did think about installing a track like you have in a car wash, but decided I could learn to back it myself. Needless to say, I am very, very careful -- but after having done this so many times, it is not all that hard. Just take your time.

[carl2591]

use walkie talkie or have them on the cell phone with earbuds in so you can hear them. go slow..

the propride will bump around a bit at first but it not really different than regular.

[cwf]

GOOD walkie talkies... and a trusted, patient spotter. Get the trailer as straight as you approach..