new member

[pinstriper]

The problem with practicing in an empty parking lot is there are no vertical landmarks the way we use them for driving a car. We tend to watch the corners and sides of the car, but with a trailer, you have to watch the tires.

So do two things: pick a lane/parking spot, and mark it with those little soccer cones, or buy a tube of those red party cups so you can mark a series of landmarks and your path.

Then adjust your mirrors down so you can see the tires and road.

Now, unless you are directly straight, you'll notice very quickly that you can only see one side or the other in your mirrors. So what you have to do is know how far your opposite rear corner is from the tire you can see. Walk it to be sure. Then pick a spot on the side you'll be keying on, set out a marker that you want to "hit", and navigate the tire you can see to that target, knowing that you have enough distance in the other direction from any obstacles. Learn it so you can trust it. "My wheel has to be here to miss the gate." If you like, you can get out every foot or so and mark where your tire is, as well as the opposite corner, so you can see your true path.

Finally, there's another dynamic to backing that you aren't really used to. When you turn the wheel and move the front of your tow vehicle, it sets a bend that points the trailer in a direction. If you keep your wheel turned, you will continue adding to the bend, and the trailer will turn more and more. So turn your wheel back to straight. Add bend on one direction or another to correct, and come back to straight. And don't forget obstacles that may present to the front of your tow vehicle as it swings. Don't be afraid to stop, pull forward, and approach it again. That's normal.

[idlerockfarm]

I ended up just pushing the trailer onto the grass, moving the car, and pushing the trailer into the garage. That worked for now as I had dinner plans. I LOVE that I was able to do that. Even 100 more pounds might have made it impossible. The 6.0 was the best for me for that reason.

I am hoping my dog remembers how much he hates tents and forgives me for the small 6.0 size. He should be fine. He was stuck under a picnic table for tarp setup on the last rain trip, so the 6.0 is a
Palace in comparison.

I hope to own a riding lawnmower someday.