New and looking to learn!!

ulstergirl · May 22, 2013

Hi there, Fairly new to owning an RV - one year. Own a small travel trailer and love it. I am looking forward to being able to learn from other's experiences.  Spent 6 weeks in Texas last fall and it was great. This fall thinking of going across Canada - Toronto to Vancouver on September and possibly doing the winter Jan-Apr in Arizona area. Most of what I have learned so far has come from the lovely couple who sold me my trailer as they head down South every year. Have read things like RV Women and Vandwelling, Rubber Tramp Rendevous etc. all sound great...not sure quite where I fit in or would be welcome..but keeping an open mind and we will see what develops. I am a Mom and a Granny and love being both - but I have a huge case of wanderlust and my kids know and applaud it. My youngest are still in post-secondary school but come the end of summer when the school year starts back up I suffer from empty nest syndrome and am looking to fill that void. Cheers

my_vantasy · May 22, 2013

Hello and welcome!

I, too, am an empty nester Mom whose children are supportive of my desire to travel and live a little unconventionally. Due to a job transfer, I am staying in an RV Park in an older Class C motorhome. So far I have been here for three weeks and am very happy. Serious travel for me will have to wait until the youngest graduates from college in two or three years, so I look forward to reading about your adventures.

Tell us more about your TT and tow vehicle. You sound pretty satisfied with your set-up.

ulstergirl · May 23, 2013

Thank-you for the welcome! My travel trailer is 16.5 ft and is solar powered - which is amazing! I pull it with my SUV. It has a toilet, sink, stove, fridge - so basically everything I need.  I also have a 'thingy' - possibly called an inverter???? that enables me to charge up my phone, computer and kindle...so pretty well set. Certainly not fancy but does me rightly. Only thing is I can't for the live of me back up...so I just always make sure that I'm going forward..lol I'm at the point right now where I'm torn between selling my house and hitting the road or keeping the house so the kids (2 done uni and 2 in uni) will still have a home base...they are great kids and always tell me to do whatever makes me happy and they will work around it...but isn't it my job to work around them...anyhow lots of decisions to be made

dragonflyinthesky · May 23, 2013

Welcome, you will fit in well with us. I will look for a simple link that explained backing for me. I'm not good but I get by.

Terry · May 23, 2013

It WAS your job to work around them. They are grown and now its time to work around yourself and your desires.

offroad · May 23, 2013

Back up is easy.  But backing up without breaking something is hard.  ha ha. Here is the simple instructions.  Put in reverse, keep everything straight.  Have a person who can yell at you, who you can hear, and see, guide you as you back up.  You find them everywhere at campgrounds.  even the camp helpers will do that.  Go slow and listen, listen, listen.  If you cant see your guide, stop. Keep the backup straight, or only at a slight curve if changing direction.  be fearless, you will get it right. NEVER A SHARP CURVE BACKUP EVER!! YOU WILL BREAK YOUR HITCH.

ilovemyvan · May 23, 2013

Ulstergirl, Welcome to do group. I am so glad to hear that others have problems backing up with a trailer, I thought it was me being....you know. I don't have kids so I'm not sure I should give you advice on that topic, but it sounds like your kids are giving you the go ahead to finally take care of your dreams. Who knows you might just set an example for them to follow theirs. The best to you. Cheers. Nicole

VanLifeCrisis · May 23, 2013

I had to use a uhaul trailer once behind a 17 foot truck, and it was a nightmare.  I never plan to use a trailer again after that experience.  <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

James AKA Lynx · May 23, 2013

backing up takes practice. someone to help is great. No one around is better. Best if you back to the drivers side. You can put your head out the window. get some toy trucks with trailers and practice. A cheep remote control truck would be best. there is some video games that might help. Just make sure you can see the tail end of the trailer and do not turn the steering wheel much until you get the hang of it. James AKA Lynx

Tinman74 · May 23, 2013

Place your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and move left or right, same direction as you want the trailer to move. Helps take the confusion out of  which way to turn the steering wheel.

ilovemyvan · May 23, 2013

Wow Tinman73, This is the best advice I've heard about backing up with a trailer. I'm actually looking forward to try. Thanks.

offroad · May 25, 2013

Tinman - good idea also because you will not spin the wheel just turn it a little.

Willy · May 25, 2013

 I was told the steering wheel trick by a friend when I had my trailer. The trailer was OK, but sucked gas and introduced some major hassles.. went back to non-towed units. ..Willy.

rokguy · May 26, 2013

ulstergirl, welcome from Australia. Geoff

Ziggy Moon · May 26, 2013

Welcome, ulstergirl. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

blkjak · May 26, 2013

welcome .... blkjak

ulstergirl · May 27, 2013

Thank-you everyone for both the welcome and the advice on backing up. At the moment my trailer is still hooked up to my car and is sitting out front of my house on the boulevard...I'm sure the neighbours are thrilled..I even waited until the middle of the night to go out and try (I live on a busy street) when there was hardly any traffic..no go, even went around the block a few times to approach from different angles...I believe I have given myself a 'mental block'...lol..will try again later... ;-) Over the summer want to make a few small road trips..first up is a trip to the Sarnia, Ontario or Port Huron, Michigan area..anyone on here know of any boondocking sites around there. (with pull through sites...lol)

Pikachu711 · Jun 8, 2013

Welcome to the group ulstergirl!

Pikachu711 · Jun 8, 2013

ulstergirl, have you considered mounting a 2nd trailer hitch on the front of your SUV? This 2nd trailer hitch could be just to move your trailer once you decide where you want it located. The reason this comes to mind is that when I was a kid growing up I had a neighbor who did this to his pickup truck. He had a trailer hitch mounted on the front & back of his pickup truck. He would tow the trailer into his large yard and lower the trailer. He then would unhook from the trailer and then hook up to his trailer on the trailer hitch on the front of this his truck. I must admit that it look a little odd but he had a much easier time moving his travel trailer around using this method.

cygvan · Jun 17, 2013

hi there, im a big proponent of learning how to do things.  keep at it and you will master it.  barring that, a backup camera system is great. i dont tow anything at the moment but a friend of mine, very experienced driver who owns many trailers for various toys, absolutely swears by it.  his opinion is that its a must to learn to do without but the camera is really helpful and an extra peace of mind. when you think about it, learning to back up manually with the added benefit of a camera could be a good thing to some. we all learn in different ways, like visually. being able to see the whole picture behind you and the effects of turning the wheel may complete the process for you. lots of aftermarket stereos already have the ability to hook up a backup camera. especially ones with the larger screens. can be pricey. but for me, when i begin to tow, it will be a must have along with the other towing accessories like a brake controller. good luck!