A New Approach For Backing A Trailer

[mezmo]

Too new to know a price but this is a new approach for reversing
when towing. It looks like it turns the rig into a center-pivoting
unit when the backing is started in a rig-straight position. One
distinguishing thing is that it is 'automatic' in its operation. It also
uses dual receivers on the tow vehicle.

The Company [Inventor]:
http://autobacking.com/
Their Australian Connection [Prototype/Developer]:
http://migmengineering.com.au/

The Patent:
http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog/ ... 30129.html
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/8360457.html

I believe there have been other trailer steering systems that used
compressed air or hydraulic pumps or such. This system doesn't use
either.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Mary C]

I know that I am really bad at backing a little trailer that has a two or three inch ball area to turn, backing a tractor trailer is by far easier. The biggest problem I and others have is over steering and not having a response that you can control as easily. I can back but still have that problem. I steer a small trailer better looking over my shoulder, in a big tractor trailer you have to just use your mirrors and is a different type of response to turning the wheel. It is so easy to get into the jack knife position with a little trailer and it is harder to steer it when backing because of that. I learned how to back by going straight then putting the trailer in a parking place. that is not difficult what is difficult is to follow thru and put the tv in front of it. This apparatus that the company is selling is a very good thing if you do lot of backing professionally but for the camper who occasionally backs a camper I think it probably be too expensive. I think it would be a significant help to practice in an empty lot to get the feel for backing and and more self satisfaction to master the backing to your own standards than to buy something you may use 6 to ten times a year. So find an empty parking lot and back it up, practice , practice and practice some more.

Mary C

[Wanna Be]

I know that I am really bad at backing a little trailer that has a two or three inch ball area to turn, backing a tractor trailer is by far easier. The biggest problem I and others have is over steering and not having a response that you can control as easily. I can back but still have that problem. I steer a small trailer better looking over my shoulder, in a big tractor trailer you have to just use your mirrors and is a different type of response to turning the wheel. It is so easy to get into the jack knife position with a little trailer and it is harder to steer it when backing because of that. I learned how to back by going straight then putting the trailer in a parking place. that is not difficult what is difficult is to follow thru and put the tv in front of it. This apparatus that the company is selling is a very good thing if you do lot of backing professionally but for the camper who occasionally backs a camper I think it probably be too expensive. I think it would be a significant help to practice in an empty lot to get the feel for backing and and more self satisfaction to master the backing to your own standards than to buy something you may use 6 to ten times a year. So find an empty parking lot and back it up, practice , practice and practice some more.

Mary C

[Redneck Teepee]

I still use the old approach, I grew up backing trailers with tractors and such and are fairly skilled at it, I live in the foothills and our place is leveled into 5 tiers of different elevations and park my trailers on the top where is is a tight squeeze because of retaining walls and solar panels but doable in reverse, but a whole lot easier with a front hitch.

[angib]

....but a whole lot easier with a front hitch.

There used to be an old Land Rover at a boat club I went to - man, anyone can be an expert 'reverser' with a front hitch.

[KCStudly]

That is some first class redneck engineering there!

Brilliant.

[Redneck Teepee]

That is some first class redneck engineering there!

Brilliant.

Thanks KC, I like to keep things simple and practical, as you can see it's always with me.

[roadinspector]

I have a front receiver hitch on my pickup. This works wonders for putting any trailer in tight places. Growing up back when cars had real bumpers, we had one that Dad bolted to the bumper. Boat, cargo and pretty much any semi-light trailer could be pushed or pulled around a yard without any problems.

[Backroads4me]

We cheat. We back the trailer into the site so it's off the road. Then we unhitch and use the trailer dolly (thrown in the bed of the truck while packing) and place the tear drop "just right", where we want it (be it forwards, backwards, or sideways on the site).

Trailer is light enough that we use the same dolly to push it alongside the house to our backyard "camping site", where the trailer sits between trips. We hook it up to our smaller pickup for hauling it back out to the driveway though.

[Dale M.]

Not to ruffle any feathers, but if you can not back up a trailer you should not be on the road with one.... That said, learn to back up, its not that hard..... Yes, I will even avoid going in to parking lots or tight places if I can avoid having to do excessive maneuvering trying to back out of some place that is pretty tight...

And yes the front hitch has its merits..... Seen it work for people who really need to "see" where trailer is going....and its same principle as backing up.... its just driver is facing direction you are going instead of looking over ones shoulder or using mirrors.... Works exceptionally well at the the boat ramp down at the ol' pond....

Dale

[wagondude]

Seems way more fiddly/gimmicky to me than just learning how to back. It really doesn't take much practice to be able to get it where you want it by the second try. And if the second try doesn't get it there, the third is usually "close enough".

[Martiangod]

Looks like a way over-complicated excuse for not practicing backing up

[KCStudly]

I'm thinking there is a significant weight penalty, as well. Hydraulic cylinders are heavy, and even w/o a pump, the tank, reserve fluid and hoses have to add up.

Very cool to watch the maneuverability, tho.

[Vedette]

There is another really good trick one can use when backing up.
Slow Down!!
It is amazing how easy it is for your brain to process that reverse motion at a slower speed!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[bobhenry]

I have tossed this out several times but I just love watching the carnage of improper backing of a trailer.....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLtfrBWzNCw