There's an angle somewhere that helps take the edge off of backing. . |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
04-05-2012, 11:50 PM | #28 |
Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Flying Cloud
Gig Harbor , Washington Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 780
|
Your first planked wild King Salmon
As I've probably said before I've been puttung small (40-60) ft fishing vesels into slips since I've been a kid. I've also towed and backed up all sorts of small pleasue boats as well. With all of this experience I am still VERY careful with the AS. I have to put it into a spot beside my house about a foot away from an overhang that would do some serious damage. I never feel foolish about getting out and sizing things up. I would feel very foolish if I creased the entire top of my trailer though. For me its better to be safe than sorry. Having said that zlee the 25 I have has a longer pivot distance which makes for easier backing adjustments. I have a small utility trailer (8) ft which is harder to back than the boat. With the short pivot distance every move you make is magnified. If you ever make it up here and can back into my space I WILL really make you a cedar planked King Salmon, wild of course. Take your time, don't overcompensate and pretty soon you won't even spend any time worrying about it. And don't worry about people making fun of you. Most people who engage in this behavior are usually drunk or stupid or both. Most people are friendly and helpful. I'm a strong believer in Karma and what comes around goes around.
Regards, Dan
__________________
TAC Hope is not a plan. |
04-06-2012, 01:50 AM | #29 | |
Rivet Master
2008 19' Safari SE
Denver , Colorado Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 950
|
Quote:
__________________
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." - Catherine Aird Blog: 300 Miles or 3:00 |
|
04-06-2012, 04:58 AM | #30 |
2 Rivet Member
Charlotte
, North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 50
|
|
04-06-2012, 05:50 AM | #31 | |
Vintage Kin
|
Quote:
I have to move this 32' Silver Streak "over" one space this morning. Shadiest spot in this park (and fully so from noon onwards!!). With any luck the obstacles won't keep me from walking the truck from both sides. It's a tight cut for 36' coupler-to-bumper, so you can bet I'll be in & out of the truck more than once. Lever that arm into R and go with the Wills beat . . it's all in the bass line. Oil booms don't last forever, but while they do . . . . Which reminds me that I've also heard others say they imagine they are out-of-body and watching themselves from overhead, "seeing" the rig as it moves back, the "arc" already described. How tight some of these same guys can put semi- trailers in line on a frac job, fast, is impressive. And carry-over from one boom to another: |
|
04-06-2012, 07:25 AM | #32 | |
Rivet Master
|
Quote:
Lots of people offered me lots of advice for backing up but in the end, just watching the trailer move in response to steering wheel inputs was enough. It all became crystal clear when I realised that my key point of reference when backing up at home, the edge of the driveway, wasn't at a right angle to the garage - a lot of backing up confusion was solved in an instant! My backing up Tour de Force was pushing Towed Haul backwards for about 50 yards at a campground near New Orleans, to get quick access to the dump station. I could have done a convoluted tour of the campground, pulling the trailer to access the dump station, but being a clever sausage, I just hitched up and went backwards. Sadly there was no audience to appreciate my audacity; they only appear when you make a Horlicks of it.....
__________________
Steve; also known as Mr UK Toad "You can't tow that with that!" https://sites.google.com/view/towedhaul/home |
|
04-06-2012, 07:31 AM | #33 | |
Rivet Master
Southwestern
, Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,671
|
Quote:
The catch, as you point out, is that you can't manage a ton or two of trailer by hand on any kind of a slope. Also, as I learned shoving our Pacer around on our level driveway, there are two problems moving a trailer by hand. (1) getting it moving, and (2) stopping it. The latter is more exciting. (I always managed to get it stopped before hitting anything.) A good thing to have in a situation such as you describe would be a trailer walker, something they used to make. I have attached pictures of one that I saw at the 2005 Homecoming Rally at JC. To move the trailer you put a length of pipe in the hole and lift the one pad, pivoting around the other pad. My late brother in law used one to turn around their Kenskill trailer on a narrow mountain road back in the 60's. Not fun at all, but it worked, and made one of those great "adventure" stories down the road. . |
|
04-06-2012, 09:02 AM | #34 | |
Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction , Colorado Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,711
|
Quote:
Nuvi, the trailer walker sounds like a great idea. When do we go into production? Bear urine being the other business. I was thinking adapting the wheels used on rural gates to the jack, but I doubt they would take the weight. The European models weight a lot less. And yes, they should have a brake. I wonder what Airstream uses on the European jacks—they are manual, so I guess the wheel is permanently attached. Gene |
|
04-06-2012, 09:51 AM | #35 |
Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Flying Cloud
Gig Harbor , Washington Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 780
|
Salmon and unusual backing skills.
Zlee, Yes the Salmon is yours. The mattress advice was worth much more than that. Like you said the topper was expensive but the 5lb material is incredible.
And I also have to come clean about my backing up skills. When I was in elementary school I was diagnosed with a very mild case of dyslexia. With some intervention it has caused me no problems. However I think that little backwards rewire in my brain gives me a unique perspective. When I was about 10 or 11 years old with very little direction I could slide those boats into the slips without hitting the dock. Things were pretty loose back then on the boat. After 8 or 9 days out these older guys would all be half in the bag and they let me have the wheel for fun. I'm still very careful with the AS though.Well anyway there now you guys know my somewhat useful secret. Dyslexics of the world Untie. Dan
__________________
TAC Hope is not a plan. |
04-06-2012, 10:29 AM | #36 |
Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction , Colorado Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,711
|
So there is an advantage in being Lysdectic? I wonder if being left handed helps?
Gene |
04-06-2012, 10:38 AM | #37 |
Site Team
|
You heard about the dyslexic agnostic insomniac?
He kept waking up in the night wondering if there was a dog. :rimshot:
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
|
04-06-2012, 10:45 AM | #38 |
Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Flying Cloud
Gig Harbor , Washington Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 780
|
I must be crazy
I knew where this was gonna go. and Gene yes only when your right hand gets tired.
__________________
TAC Hope is not a plan. |
04-06-2012, 11:17 AM | #39 |
Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction , Colorado Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,711
|
|
04-06-2012, 01:16 PM | #40 |
Rivet Master
2008 19' Safari SE
Denver , Colorado Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 950
|
I keep telling you, every thread seems to degenerate into That Thread these days...hmm...wait...it's always when YOU're on the thread, Gene...Coincidence...? I THINK NOT!!!
__________________
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." - Catherine Aird Blog: 300 Miles or 3:00 |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Window problem on a 2001 Safari | Happy-rver | Windows & Screens | 12 | 07-13-2019 11:56 AM |
Replacing seals on '64 Safari windows | Olivebranch | Windows & Screens | 17 | 12-17-2014 06:11 AM |
TX Veteran Designation on Drivers License | Bluto | Off Topic Forum | 43 | 06-27-2012 12:31 AM |
Equal-i-zer + add on sway control? | DaAairstream | Hitches, Couplers & Balls | 23 | 04-22-2012 11:44 AM |
Looking for advice on possible purchase | chiefbrody | 1974 - 1977 Overlander | 12 | 04-09-2012 08:12 PM |
Featured Campgrounds |
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.