Reversing a trailer

snowcone · 22-08-2016, 12:28 PM

http://www.chonday.com/Videos/trailerghu4

FPV0137 · 22-08-2016, 03:00 PM

The germans finally made their gadgets easy to understand!

**GO FURTHER** · 22-08-2016, 06:06 PM

Until I saw the ending... I thought it must have been the Stig

Trevor 57 · 22-08-2016, 06:20 PM

that is gold

bernbo · 22-08-2016, 06:45 PM

The Hyundai genesis has this, you use the power mirrors stalk to steer the trailer where you want and the car does all the steering wheel spinning for you.

Yellow_Festiva · 22-08-2016, 10:32 PM

Love it... So many find it hard to reverse a trailer!

Yellow_Festiva · 22-08-2016, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernbo

The Hyundai genesis has this, you use the power mirrors stalk to steer the trailer where you want and the car does all the steering wheel spinning for you.

I thought the Genesis wasn't rated to tow?

bernbo · 22-08-2016, 11:13 PM

I remember reading about it before they started selling them here, as I was looking at maybe getting one until I found out how much they were. Quick google says you are right, maybe it is just an overseas thing. Google also shows this being rolled out in this year's f150 so you never know it might make it here one day.

**ebxr8240** · 22-08-2016, 11:49 PM

Been on RV trip around Aust for 7 months . You would be surprised how many arrive at camping ground . Have big issues backing their van into position . Some have driven at least 5,000 Ks and still cannot reverse !! Stopped the odd time as we mainly free camp at boat ramps . Many cannot back a boat trailer 20m down a 30m wide ramp either . Sheesh do some practice people ! So many nurds out there !!

tranquilized · 23-08-2016, 12:21 AM

The new Audi Q7 has trailer reverse assist but only in overseas markets, didn't make it here due to our unique ADR requirements relating to the hitch setup I believe.

**Mechan1k** · 23-08-2016, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Been on RV trip around Aust for 7 months . You would be surprised how many arrive at camping ground . Have big issues backing their van into position . Some have driven at least 5,000 Ks and still cannot reverse !! Stopped the odd time as we mainly free camp at boat ramps . Many cannot back a boat trailer 20m down a 30m wide ramp either . Sheesh do some practice people ! So many nurds out there !!

Was watching some of the ppl at Shellharbour the other day in the van park trying to get their vans in place. Was "interesting" to watch.

blackf6 · 23-08-2016, 12:00 PM

If you can't reverse. You can't drive. Full stop.

**Beastie** · 23-08-2016, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Been on RV trip around Aust for 7 months . You would be surprised how many arrive at camping ground . Have big issues backing their van into position . Some have driven at least 5,000 Ks and still cannot reverse !! Stopped the odd time as we mainly free camp at boat ramps . Many cannot back a boat trailer 20m down a 30m wide ramp either . Sheesh do some practice people ! So many nurds out there !!

I have often gone down to our local boat ramp on a public holiday armed with my fold out chair and a couple of cold ones...It's entertaining to say the least!!!

Tassie f100 · 23-08-2016, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackf6

If you can't reverse. You can't drive. Full stop.

I 2nd that!! If You can't reverse a trailer you shouldn't be driving it forward either.Maybe I spent to much time driving vans but it annoys me to see so many people who can't even reverse a car without a trailer.They try to look over the shoulder or hang out the drivers window,what are the outside mirrors for??

Junkyard-Dog · 23-08-2016, 03:50 PM

We often tow a 6x4 cage trailer behind the work van and my boss (who has been driving for almost 15 years) still hasn't figured out how to reverse it. It would be funny if it wasn't so mortifying to be stood there "directing" him.

**GasoLane** · 23-08-2016, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackf6

If you can't reverse. You can't drive. Full stop.

I was a shuttle driver, I don't do backwards

.:4:. · 23-08-2016, 06:39 PM

I love seeing the confused looks on the young guys at works faces when I tell the to turn the wrong way to make the trailer point the right way then chase it around. Trailers aren't that hard to reverse, longer ones don't change direction as easy so are easier to reverse. The boys think small trailers should be easier as they are shorter... pigs ****.I had a trailer boom lift on tow last week, and my apprentice who is on his l plates was telling me how hard reverse parallel parking is.. so I did a reverse parallel park with a trailer on the back. Fair enough I had 15 odd meters to fit into with a 4m trailer behind a ranger, but I know to be one step ahead of where the trailer is going. So far I have never had an issue with backing my 7m boat trailer with 5.8m of boat up my 55m driveway between the fence and private power pole, but it's super predictable, and a straight driveway

Trevor 57 · 24-08-2016, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasOLane

I was a shuttle driver, I don't do backwards

I was a farm pick up milk tanker driver for 7 years, reversing it what we did all the time, round corners, up hills, near hill edges, around sheds, over dog kennels - LOL

**Revolver** · 24-08-2016, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Love it... So many find it hard to reverse a trailer!

See I don't understand this.

How hard is it? Unless your reversing a B double, not that hard. Opposite hand down to the way you want, get the the critical point & "Chase" the trailer, winding steering lock to Where you want for what you want the trailer to do. Simples.

My dad taught me the basics of reversing a trailer early on in my life, before I could drive and I haven't forgotten.....

**Beastie** · 24-08-2016, 09:21 AM

I think a lot of it comes down to how you start. I've seen many people try to reverse their boats down the ramp but never start straight. All of a sudden, they start adjusting way too quick (sometimes the wrong way) and it all goes pair shaped from there. Finally they drive back up (now straight) and then it seems easier then.

**FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0** · 24-08-2016, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revolver

See I don't understand this.

How hard is it? Unless your reversing a B double, not that hard. Opposite hand down to the way you want, get the the critical point & "Chase" the trailer, winding steering lock to Where you want for what you want the trailer to do. Simples.

My dad taught me the basics of reversing a trailer early on in my life, before I could drive and I haven't forgotten.....

I think it's like most things in life...you either learn from experience (trial and error) or you learn by being trained by others. Or a combination of the two. Those who struggle with reversing a trailer have probably never been taught the 'tricks' and therefore find it difficult when they do have to. Therefore they limit the times they have to, reducing their ability to pick up by experience.

One of the 'tricks' that I tell people who are not confident or experienced, is to hold the steering wheel at the bottom, and move your hands in the direction that you want the trailer to go. I find this far easier for beginners than saying to move the wheel in the opposite direction.

poppa smurf · 24-08-2016, 11:19 AM

Geez! how i could have used this with the dozer on the lowboy with gooseneck.

well done, very clever..........short drawbar trailers are a mongrel to back, longer drawbar = slower turns = easier backing.

blackf6 · 25-08-2016, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

I was a farm pick up milk tanker driver for 7 years, reversing it what we did all the time, round corners, up hills, near hill edges, around sheds, over dog kennels - LOL

Tanker Wonkers reverse everywhere. Only drive forwards to get to the next reverse site.

XR8235 · 27-08-2016, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Beast

I think a lot of it comes down to how you start. I've seen many people try to reverse their boats down the ramp but never start straight. All of a sudden, they start adjusting way too quick (sometimes the wrong way) and it all goes pair shaped from there. Finally they drive back up (now straight) and then it seems easier then.

I think you might have it ( lot of it comes down to how you start). When on my p plates blew up the trans on dads XA (he's still not happy), I had to reverse home 15k's. pretty good at reversing anything since
Cheers
PS if your good at reversing your race,boat trailer even the horse float it don't matter where you start from

barrys123 · 27-08-2016, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

Geez! how i could have used this with the dozer on the lowboy with gooseneck.

well done, very clever..........short drawbar trailers are a mongrel to back, longer drawbar = slower turns = easier backing.

Yep, the greater the distance between the hitch and the front axle the easier it is, we used to have to back onto dog with a spreader dolly a lead and a half dolly and half the time in the dark, used to sit a torch on the side of the dog.