Parking - in the new day an age - Rant

[MossRoad]

My work van, a Ford Transit Connect, has a very nice backup camera. Since the van has no windows on the sides, I cannot see anyone coming from the right side, and, since it has divider behind the front seats, the rear view mirror is worthless. The camera also has the nice little lines that turn as I turn the steering wheel. Very helpful for backing up in the many parking lots I have to frequent.

 

[BravoXray]

A couple of years ago I replaced the radio in my F150 with a Pioneer unit that has inputs for cameras. I bought a replacement tailgate latch that has a built-in camera and connected it to the backup light and ran the cable to the radio. Comes on the screen automatically just like the factory units do. It took me longer the run the cable from the tailgate to the dash than to do the rest of the install.
It is a nice thing to have, especially like others have noted, to hook up to my trailer.

 

[Jstpssng]

It is a nice thing to have, especially like others have noted, to hook up to my trailer.

It's great for that. However, it's completely useless when backing my trailer off the road into my driveway.

 

[BravoXray]

It's great for that. However, it's completely useless when backing my trailer off the road into my driveway.

All it takes is practice!
Being a one time truck driver, I learned to back up trailers when I had to back a 22' dump trailer down a narrow 100' long alley to dump sand into a bin. It only took about a week to get it mastered.

 

[Jstpssng]

All it takes is practice!
Being a one time truck driver, I learned to back up trailers when I had to back a 22' dump trailer down a narrow 100' long alley to dump sand into a bin. It only took about a week to get it mastered.

I can do it... I was just pointing out how useless the backup camera is for that purpose.

 

[Oaktree]

All it takes is practice!
Being a one time truck driver, I learned to back up trailers when I had to back a 22' dump trailer down a narrow 100' long alley to dump sand into a bin. It only took about a week to get it mastered.

Depends on the trailer though. I have a little 4x8 tilt trailer I use for my snowmobile, that is the most miserable thing to back I've ever seen. Goes where it wants, and jack-knifes easily. Also have a 5x10 that goes right where I want it every time. No idea why the difference, fortunately, the small one is light enough to maneuver by hand.
Was commenting about it once to my BIL, who used to be a truck driver. He said small trailers can be some of the hardest to back.

Short story. I had a bumper hitch trailer on my truck. Backed up and for some unknown reason turned the wheel the wrong way and jack knifed the trailer into the rear fender causing damage.

2 months later had the bumper hitch trailer on my truck. Backed up and for some unknown reason turned the wheel the wrong way and jack knifed the trailer into the other rear fender causing damage.

Precious still wears those marks today. If I fixed it I'd make the same stupid mistake.....

Never did a fender, but I did munge the tailgate on my truck on the trailer jack. Had the tailgate down so I could see better, and there was enough clearance for slight turns, but not a sharp one. Lesson learned hard way...remove tailgate before backing with trailer!

 

[ovrszd]

All it takes is practice!
Being a one time truck driver, I learned to back up trailers when I had to back a 22' dump trailer down a narrow 100' long alley to dump sand into a bin. It only took about a week to get it mastered.

The shorter the trailer the harder to back. 53 footers, piece of cake.

 

[bcp]

Distance from coupler to axle(s): more is better.

Bruce

 

[Jstpssng]

The shorter the trailer the harder to back. 53 footers, piece of cake.

The pivot point is also in front of the rear wheels, which makes a big difference.
Trying to back my little dump trailer into my driveway at night can be a challenge. Backup lights on GM products are terrible anyways, then try to back around a 90 degree corner into a 12 foot gap. I get out multiple times. Once I get lined up it’s not a big deal to actually get down the driveway.

 

[ovrszd]

The pivot point is also in front of the rear wheels, which makes a big difference.
Trying to back my little dump trailer into my driveway at night can be a challenge. Backup lights on GM products are terrible anyways, then try to back around a 90 degree corner into a 12 foot gap. I get out multiple times. Once I get lined up it’s not a big deal to actually get down the driveway.

I have a GN and a bumper hitch trailer. In the Summer I pull the GN most times. This time of year I start pulling the bumper hitch. I can't back it for crap until I've done it a few times. Must be getting old.....