another big brother feature

[crash68]

This as about backing a trailer up while executing a turn, like backing into a driveway from the street.

I put a 8.5' x 32' trailer into a parking slip that's 12' wide and has 50' in front of the spot with a bus on one side, another trailer on the other side along with a building in front. I do this with crew cab trucks with both a 6.4' bed and 8' bed, either one of those trucks with the trailer attached is longer than the amount of room in front of the spot. The turning and angles going in put the truck within inches of hitting the trailer. It's an exercise in knowing where the trailer is at the whole time, no door opening anytime.

 

[Wild one]

One of the first jobs i had was driving a tow truck,and we used to put the vehicles on the hoists in the bays for most garages,and a few of them had the gas pumps right in front of the bay doors.

 

[gfh77665]

Even with those huge round mirrors that are attached to the bottom of the regular mirror mounts, they can't see & watch everything.
Sometimes they have to get out of the seat, or even the cab to see the what, who, & where is the next step to get lined up with the tanks & the tank covers.

I have to open my door, to position my Ram exactly in its parking spot.

So i have about a 6 inch square that my front tire must be in
so i have a cement line that my drivers door lines up with, when i am parked correctly

I can't see those cement lines, without opening my door, i am too short to lean my head out through the window

I wish more people could understand this. As I clearly said, its an exception, but it does happen. The examples you just gave are good ones. Mirrors aren't all encompassing as some believe. In fact I admire the guy who checks his ego enough to take an additional look. Those are the smart ones.

 

[_Steve]

I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for this and I really don't care. But if you need to open the door to back up a trailer, you have no right hauling the trailer in the first place IMO. Any driving school, or any defensive driving class will tell you the same thing. If you can't back up with your mirrors and by looking over your shoulder you shouldn't be hauling a trailer. End of story

No flack, just a comment /question ... what if I'm just adjusting the trailer (or truck) position a few more inches? Seems pretty annoying to have to shut the door and fasten the seat belt for that. I do agree though that for a more meaningful trailer move, closing the door is probably a good idea. The seat belt though, mmm I think that is pretty ridiculous.

 

[_Steve]

Ahhh, now I got ya. Yeah, there’s never a situation (even one you can dream up) that you should need to open the door when backing any trailer. If so, keep practicing. If you’d rather be able to do whatever it is you need to do that you aren’t capable of with the door closed, then simply plug the seatbelt in, or a seatbelt extender.

You never get out to check your work? I'll have too admit, that's pretty good. I'm not that good... I'm that guy who's been working a trailer since before a drivers license ... still not that good. I don't actually back up with the door open (unless perhaps a few more inches) but I often get out and check my work before proceeding further. The seatbelt lockout is a PITA. But that's just me ... sounds like I could use some further instruction.

 

[crash68]

what if I'm just adjusting the trailer (or truck) position a few more inches? Seems pretty annoying to have to shut the door and fasten the seat belt for that.

You don't have to fasten the seatbelt if the door is closed all the way(no EVIC warning).
As for closing the door, truthfully I could care less if someone wants to hang out of the door while backing up and could fall out hurting themselves. I'm more concerned an innocent truck door is going to damaged because of a careless driver who never learned to back up properly.

 

[mikeru]

I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for this and I really don't care. But if you need to open the door to back up a trailer, you have no right hauling the trailer in the first place IMO. Any driving school, or any defensive driving class will tell you the same thing. If you can't back up with your mirrors and by looking over your shoulder you shouldn't be hauling a trailer. End of story

Why do you guys even care? Telling someone, who you don't know from Jack, that they have no right hauling a trailer if they can't do it a certain way, in no way adds to this thread. I'm not arguing that it's not the way this sort of thing is taught. It's also not how I do it. I honestly couldn't care less what methods someone on a forum uses to back up a trailer. It literally has zero impact on me. The OP came here asking for help, and help was given (by a few).

I've used the seat belt extender method for years. Like @LouM mentioned, I just keep the extender plugged in and unbuckle from the extender. One of the reasons I've driven with the door open/seat belt off is when driving a new fence line and dropping off fence poles at intervals. Getting in and out for each one is a pain if I'm having to put on and take off the seat belt for each one. With the door open it's a lot easier to keep the tires where they belong when I can look down and see the ground directly while creeping forward, and is especially helpful when navigating ditches.

 

[demonram]

I drove a tractor trailer rig for about 5 years when I was in my early thirties, and before I started driving I made a trip with a guy my Mom was seeing that gave me the best backing advice I ever got; when backing up, if you start seeing the end of the trailer in the driver side mirror, correct it by turning the wheel to the left, if it's coming in the right mirror, turn the wheel to the right. Guarantee it will make you a better backer upper.

 

[pbzzz]

canadianwhatever . I didn't say I was backing the trailer when this happens . But you go ahead make your know it all remarks and "assss umptions" . Thanks to the rest of you for valid responses .

 

[pbzzz]

Mikeru - I wasnt doing fence posts but basically you hit the nail on the head with your response . Judging a small distance that I am moving best accomplished by looking straight down at the ground as vehicle moves . THANKS Mikeru .