Posted 2005-11-07 8:23 PM (#32789) Subject: Backing practice
Member
Posts: 17
Location: North Carolina
Well, I'm happy spending more $$ on buying stuff for the new trailer (thanks to all for the great list of must haves). This Sunday AM I took the trailer out and practiced backing it in a bank parking lot. Good practice and I feel somewhat better. However I couldn't fit it back into the original spot I got it from when I got back to the farm - rats. I did get it backed in pretty well, but couldn't fit in a tighter spot with less manuver room. Oh well, I'm still pretty glad I got over some of the backing problems. I'm so pleased - I'm doing it! On Friday I will take it downtown to get the weight distribution hitch on, then Sunday I will take one of my horses for a ride around. (planning my route so no issues!)
Posted 2005-11-08 12:14 AM (#32793 - in reply to #32789) Subject: RE
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
good for you for practicing! I grew up on a farm with horses, and my Dad made me back our little 2H bumper pull into a single car width garage. It made me so mad at the time, but now, I know I can back just about anything anywhere. You will never regret the practice time!
Posted 2005-11-08 6:59 AM (#32794 - in reply to #32789) Subject: RE: Backing practice
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Kansas City
Ditto on the practice as a kid! Go buy you some orange cones (rubber, not plastic so they bounce back when run over) that you can move them ever close together - kinda like the single car garage.
One aspect to not forget to practice is both turning and backing. Set up cones in a "L" shape and practice backing and turning into a parking spot. Use the point cone to be the front of a truck you are parking next to. There are many parking spaces that you don't have the luxury of getting everything lined up straight before you start backing.
Lastly, don't get nervous or over-think things. You are doing everything correctly. Being careful is much more important to being perfect. AND don't let your backing abilitity keep you from going somewhere. ASK and you can always find someone to help you.
Backing practice
