Gonna Get In Trouble But....

[LinuxRandal]

I had a job with an asphalt crew. I was asked to bring over the 1 ton, and 18 foot trailer, through a residental street, that all the people on the perpendicular street were parked on.

I had never driven a stick, or used a trailer. They couldn't understand why I refused.

I am now on my third stick shift vehicle. Never had to replace the clutch on the first or second, but did so when I bought the second truck (first truck hit by an uninsured motorist, second truck bought as a carcass, with a blown motor). Since I have the truck, I haven't yet, needed a trailer. (if I need a trailer, it is normally too big/much for one person so I end up with others, who have trucks).

Some of us didn't grow up around it.

[ironhat]

I always thought that I was a dork at backing up a trailer because I use a garden tractor and a trailer to haul wood and yard debris. I got the chance to use an 18' trailer attached to my F150 and while it's no breeze it's also a challenge when you're in a tight area. I ended up pressing dimples in my back bumper - never felt it. They're not deep but I kick myself every time I see them. I have learned that there's a point of cutting the wheel, anticipating the trailer's movement and then cutting back the other way a bit. Otherwise, there's no bringing the trailer around to where it will respond. Dimples - grrrrrr !! I admire truckers for their skill, or the most part, and try to be courteous and to them.

[sparkeyjames]

I remember when I was a kid how terrible my mother was at backing up a car without a trailer. Several times I saw the tree in the front yard come close by the passenger window. Sometimes close enough to see the bugs crawling on the tree and they were running for their lives. The tree was 10 feet from the driveway and front porch and about 20 feet from the road. Funny thing is she never hit the house the garage or one of my fathers cars. Seeing her back out of a parking space in a lot was cringe worthy. This is why I laugh at people who get lost backing out of their driveways. My mother was lost before that could even happen.

I cannot back up a vehicle with a trailer attached. Whoa be the fence or building in my way. My dad used to be a truck driver way back in the 1950's and can back up a car/truck trailer combo without missing a beat. He's never been able to teach me how to do it right.

[Black wallnut]

I just have to laugh! Not only can I back up a a trailer I can back up a straight trailer. A straight trailer is one with wheels on both ends, the front ones turn to steer and the rear ones are fixed. One thing I've learned in my years pulling trailers; the shorter the trailer the harder it is to back up.

[crokett]

I just have to laugh! Not only can I back up a a trailer I can back up a straight trailer.

I am truly impressed. I tried this last summer on a farm trailer my dad borrowed and I did it but it took a while and t'weren't pretty.