Backing 2015 F150 with 35ft trailer into tight spot
12-22-2015, 09:41 PM
#1
Backing 2015 F150 with 35ft trailer into tight spot
I didn't know where to post this so here goes.....
I have a 2015 f150 5.5 screw. I am buying a 35ft trailer that I want to back into my driveway occasionally. Here is the issue... the road is 23ft wide. The driveway is 17ft wide and 35ft long and at a 90 deg angle to the road. I can back my 22ft trailer like a pro, but this seems tight. Any pointers that are helpful to my issue?
The green is grass that is either a hill, filled with boulders or a neighbors property which cannot be driven on. And as you can see from my little diarahma, I wanted to actually try it in a scale model size to see if it can be done. It seems like I can.
I have a 2015 f150 5.5 screw. I am buying a 35ft trailer that I want to back into my driveway occasionally. Here is the issue... the road is 23ft wide. The driveway is 17ft wide and 35ft long and at a 90 deg angle to the road. I can back my 22ft trailer like a pro, but this seems tight. Any pointers that are helpful to my issue?
The green is grass that is either a hill, filled with boulders or a neighbors property which cannot be driven on. And as you can see from my little diarahma, I wanted to actually try it in a scale model size to see if it can be done. It seems like I can.
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truckerhat (12-23-2015)
12-22-2015, 09:50 PM
#2
I didn't know where to post this so here goes.....
I have a 2015 f150 5.5 screw. I am buying a 35ft trailer that I want to back into my driveway occasionally. Here is the issue... the road is 23ft wide. The driveway is 17ft wide and 35ft long and at a 90 deg angle to the road. I can back my 22ft trailer like a pro, but this seems tight. Any pointers that are helpful to my issue?
The green is grass that is either a hill, filled with boulders or a neighbors property which cannot be driven on. And as you can see from my little diarahma, I wanted to actually try it in a scale model size to see if it can be done. It seems like I can.
I have a 2015 f150 5.5 screw. I am buying a 35ft trailer that I want to back into my driveway occasionally. Here is the issue... the road is 23ft wide. The driveway is 17ft wide and 35ft long and at a 90 deg angle to the road. I can back my 22ft trailer like a pro, but this seems tight. Any pointers that are helpful to my issue?
The green is grass that is either a hill, filled with boulders or a neighbors property which cannot be driven on. And as you can see from my little diarahma, I wanted to actually try it in a scale model size to see if it can be done. It seems like I can.
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Ricktwuhk (12-22-2015)
12-22-2015, 10:06 PM
#3
Yeah I get what your saying except the right side of the driveway has a small radius that I can use to arc the trailer tires over to get in. The way your suggesting I'd have to try to swing that with a sharp corner, plus I can ensure the spot in front of my house is empty to swing in, otherwise the street is full of cars on my side of the road. But good suggestion.
I'm also considering a wired camera for the trailer to use to help.
I'm also considering a wired camera for the trailer to use to help.
12-23-2015, 04:22 AM
#6
I see you little radius drawn in there, by the way the drawing is great. Exactly how my mind works too.
Looking at that I think you'll be okay. I grew up on farms backing stuff into small spaces (still do) and mgauts has the right idea but on the wrong side of the driveway. You'll need every bit of that curve on the RH side. Even better, if you can ride your trailer wheels over that side a bit it will help you tremendously. I know you said no driving on the green stuff though.
As far as the technique involved you right side trailer tires are the most important thing to watch. (if you have someone spotting you could get away with only watching that right side). Any time you look away from your RH mirror it breaks the flow of the manoeuvre. Start about in the middle of the road far ahead of the driveway. Your job is simply to reverse, start your turn, and keep those RH wheels as far to the right as you can. Hug the RH corner, if you need to gently bump over it that's fine too if it'll get you another couple feet. You certainly won't hurt a tandem axle if you go slow. Pull forward a couple times and you're drinking beers with your trailer in your driveway.
Looking at that I think you'll be okay. I grew up on farms backing stuff into small spaces (still do) and mgauts has the right idea but on the wrong side of the driveway. You'll need every bit of that curve on the RH side. Even better, if you can ride your trailer wheels over that side a bit it will help you tremendously. I know you said no driving on the green stuff though.
As far as the technique involved you right side trailer tires are the most important thing to watch. (if you have someone spotting you could get away with only watching that right side). Any time you look away from your RH mirror it breaks the flow of the manoeuvre. Start about in the middle of the road far ahead of the driveway. Your job is simply to reverse, start your turn, and keep those RH wheels as far to the right as you can. Hug the RH corner, if you need to gently bump over it that's fine too if it'll get you another couple feet. You certainly won't hurt a tandem axle if you go slow. Pull forward a couple times and you're drinking beers with your trailer in your driveway.
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SilverSurfer15 (01-07-2016)
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12-23-2015, 10:36 PM
#8
With these long trailers I'm surprised they don't have the setup us truck drivers have with 53 foot trailers. We can slide our trailer tandems to the very rear of the trailer. Let's ya back without worrying about the swing of the trailer.
With that. I agree to face your tow vehicle the other way and use your right side mirror. Always avoid blind backing. Also use the term GOAL. Get Out And Look.
You can get a wireless backup camera to mount on the back of the trailer.
With that. I agree to face your tow vehicle the other way and use your right side mirror. Always avoid blind backing. Also use the term GOAL. Get Out And Look.
You can get a wireless backup camera to mount on the back of the trailer.
12-23-2015, 10:53 PM
#9
F-150 Fanatic
Front hitch would be my recommendation as well, outside of what others are saying.
Also, gay and unmanly as it is, check out the trailer valet - looks like a good idea and would possibly be useful in your situation.
https://www.trailervalet.com/shop/trailervaletxl/
They're expensive, but if you have the money it would probably be a good choice. There is also a smaller one rated for lighter trailers that is cheaper - not sure what weight you're towing.
Also, gay and unmanly as it is, check out the trailer valet - looks like a good idea and would possibly be useful in your situation.
https://www.trailervalet.com/shop/trailervaletxl/
They're expensive, but if you have the money it would probably be a good choice. There is also a smaller one rated for lighter trailers that is cheaper - not sure what weight you're towing.
Last edited by blairian; 12-23-2015 at 10:56 PM.
12-23-2015, 11:31 PM
#10
Senior Member
Looks like it works... Wait for it...
On paper! Get it? Cause the truck is on paper. Lol. My sense of humor kills me.
I guess what I'm saying is you won't know until you try it. You really can't control the turning radius of your model and can defy physics by sliding the front tires. I used to do some AutoCAD work for a civil engineer. We had a program that did basically what you did but there were a crap ton of parameters that came in to play. Turning angle and radius of the vehicle and how much the trailer tires will slide along with many others. The point is, I could play with that all day and get the parking lot as small as possible too complete the necessary turns, but an actual driver may or may not be able to do it. Can you borrow one, test drive, or something? Also, how busy is the street? Looks like you're going to be completely blocking the street every time you hitch and unhitch.
On paper! Get it? Cause the truck is on paper. Lol. My sense of humor kills me.
I guess what I'm saying is you won't know until you try it. You really can't control the turning radius of your model and can defy physics by sliding the front tires. I used to do some AutoCAD work for a civil engineer. We had a program that did basically what you did but there were a crap ton of parameters that came in to play. Turning angle and radius of the vehicle and how much the trailer tires will slide along with many others. The point is, I could play with that all day and get the parking lot as small as possible too complete the necessary turns, but an actual driver may or may not be able to do it. Can you borrow one, test drive, or something? Also, how busy is the street? Looks like you're going to be completely blocking the street every time you hitch and unhitch.