Louisiana Member

[DBroussard]

My wife and I just acquired a 1993 30' Airstream Excella. My stepfather and mother were the previous owners, and we pledged that we would continue to take them to Airstream rallies and events so they can stay connected to their Airstream family.

I do pretty well going forward but the backing up does not come naturally to me. I can get the trailer back in its place, but it takes a bit. I'm a patient man, though. I'll get it soon enough.

We are looking forward to learning about our camper, tip and techniques, and connecting with fellow Airstream owners.

[STREMN]

Hi - Welcome from the Seacoast of New Hampshire!

We'll actually we're just outside Hershey, PA on a slow return home from a road trip...stopped at giant RV Show that opens to the public tomorrow. We were able to attend the industry days.

What a great thing to take care of your parents like that!

You'll get the hand of the backing thing. We went over to the local high school parking lot with a couple cones and practiced the team effort of getting it into a little space. Practice makes perfect.

Get out and make some great memories!

Tom - S/OS #025

[Fungus]

Welcome.

When in doubt point the rear of the front wheels in the direction you want to send the trailer.

I set up the backing using this method https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/manly-know-how/how-to-back-up-a-trailer-like-a-man/. Then, wife backs while I direct from the driver-side window. I look toward the rear. If I want the rear of the trailer to move slightly right from my vantage point I say "slight right" in a calmer than normal tone like I'm Captain Mancuso of the Red October ("right full rudder, 30 degree down angle") so she turns the wheel slightly right (clockwise), causing the rear of the trailer to move slightly left to her and slightly right to me since I'm sort of facing her. Of course, we confirm that the way is clear beforehand and I keep an eye on the other side of the trailer while she keeps an eye on the front of the truck.

A dozen or so times backing and you'll have it. When we bought our trailer while visiting our son, I had to back into my his driveway 90* from a narrow street with deep bar ditches on each side. Lost much sleep. Hit it the first try. We had practiced a couple of times at an abandoned mall parking lot before security chased us away.

Then at home the AS sat in the street two nights while I worked up the courage to back it 90* into a cul-de-sac then immediately 90* into the driveway (corner lot). Six to eight foot high stone wall on the curb side and the turn was into the curb side. Got it good enough on the first try. More wasted loss of sleep before that one. By the time we got to the final exam, sharp 45* (or is it 135*) turn into a campsite, we had it down. That was before we decided to have the DW back while I direct.

There are as many methods as there are backers. This one works for us.