Print Page | Close Window

backing

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: Maintenance Issues, Tips and Tricks
Forum Description: Have you ever wondered how something works? Found a good way to do something? Discovered the hard way what NOT to do? Share them here.
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1122
Printed Date: 29 Mar 2024 at 8:11am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: backing
Posted By: PoodlePod
Subject: backing
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 3:05pm

we are new to towing and we are flunking backing-  we have to back our pod into our drive when we return home and Cryalthough we can pull in enough to straighten the Ford escape and the rpod once we begin to back it starts curving one way or the other- frustrating- any good tips?Confused




Replies:
Posted By: wbillar
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 3:14pm
Put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and watch the back of the trailer in your  outside rear view mirrors.  You need to steer in the direction you want the trailer to go and follow it in that direction.  Watch your angle of the trailer in regard to your tow vehicle.  Too much angle and you won't be able to back it anywhere.  It takes a little while of you backing to notice the trailer begin to move in the direction you want.  It takes practice and patient ice.  It's a problem most of us go thorough.  Go slow and have a good spotter who can also be patient.  You'll get the "feel" after awhile.  It helps to practice at first without an audience.  Hope this helps.

-------------
Bill


Posted By: yakers
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 3:18pm
The best tip I ever got on backing up was from my brother in law Dan.  All you need to do is to put your hand on the bottom of your steering wheel, look in the mirrors and when you back up move your hand in the direction you want to go.  Don't over think it.  It is best to have another person do hand signals and even better to practice in an empty parking lot before you head out on a trip.

-------------
2009 174
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Trek Tandem Bike
Hobie Tandem Kayak


Posted By: tsunami
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 3:36pm
You can buy a wireless video camera and color LCD screen from Wal-Mart for $99.  The camera is built in to a license frame and can be wired into the license light wiring.  The LCD plugs into the cigarette light.  Just turn on the Pod lights and you can see behind you.  The LCD has a switch which allows you
to reverse the image, so you can turn the Pod correctly, if you get confused about which way you are turning the Pod.


-------------
tsunami


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 3:40pm
You mentioned backing into your driveway. If your driveway is flat, then you can get a wheel and just push the POD in your driveway. It's a quick fix and will get you to where you need to without worrying about backing it in.
 
I always have someone with me when I have to back the trailer. It's safer that way.


-------------

2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP


Posted By: Mamajomba
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 4:20pm
I agree with Yakers.  The easiest backing for me is done by watching the side mirrors.  I learned how to back a boat by looking over your shoulder and such, but my son later taught me it is easier to use your side mirrors.  You can keep the r-pod backing straight by simply turning toward the mirror that you see the r-pod in.  Just make little adjustments frequently, if necessary, and you'll have no problem.  If you need to turn the r-pod you would turn your steering wheel away from the mirror that you want to see the r-pod in.   Confidence, though, is some of the best help.  Practice will help eliminate that  feeling that you'll gonna be in trouble.
 
Mamajomba


-------------
Mamajomba
"just poddin along" in a
R-pod 177


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 4:35pm
Some Great Ideas Here !!!
The intelligence of Podders never ceases to amaze me .....Clap
 
IMHO:
I believe that if you looking for the "lowest-overhead" procedure it would be to place your hand on the "lower" part of the TV steering wheel and turn the way you need to go.
For Example : while looking in your rear-view mirror if the Pod needs to go 'Left' then turn the steering wheel 'Left'. This method is very simple in theory, but you still need to get use to it.
Cost= $0.00
 
The next in-line would be (if a flat drive-way is in the mix) the tongue jack wheel !!!
No example necessary with this option. Cost= Price of wheel
 
The video option is a great "tech" (i luv tech) solution. I imagine there is a slight learning curve, but the idea of seeing things from other than a mirror perspective may help some of us.
Cost= $99.00 (using cost in previous post)
 
Lots of options .... and we all know that "options" are a campers best friend !!!
 
I wonder if I can get something to make that "Sound" when a huge truck is backing up.
Now wouldn't that be annoying !!! LOL


Posted By: PoodlePod
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 4:37pm
what do you mean by a wheel?


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 4:44pm
Originally posted by PoodlePod PoodlePod wrote:

what do you mean by a wheel?
 
Glad you asked !!
 
Its a multi-directional wheel that fits into the opening at the bottom of the tongue jack.
 
I believe that in the "Mod" section there have been some Podders go with the collapsable tongue jack, which has a "wheel" inserted into the bottom opening of the tongue jack.
 
As previously posted, this would allow you to actually position/roll the Pod without using the TV.
In most cases this option is very successful !!!


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 4:50pm
http://www.rpodnation.com/list-your-mods-no-comments-please_topic568_page3.html - http://www.rpodnation.com/list-your-mods-no-comments-please_topic568_page3.html  
 
Try this link ... it goes to the page where a good picture of a tongue jack has a wheel inserted in the bottom.
 
Hope this helps !!!


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 5:34pm
Here is a link graciously supplied by BigBit.
 
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=41005&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName - http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=41005&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName
 
It shows what they call a "Swing-back" tongue jack.
These are installed to the "side" of the tongue as opposed to where the existing one is.
The existing one is in a "fixed" vertical position just behind the ball mount.
The "Swing-back" can be fixed at either the vertical, or horizontal position.
The "Swing-back" offers more clearance area between pavement and tongue.


Posted By: pepperpod
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 6:11pm
Originally posted by tsunami tsunami wrote:

You can buy a wireless video camera and color LCD screen from Wal-Mart for $99.  The camera is built in to a license frame and can be wired into the license light wiring.  The LCD plugs into the cigarette light.  Just turn on the Pod lights and you can see behind you.  The LCD has a switch which allows you
to reverse the image, so you can turn the Pod correctly, if you get confused about which way you are turning the Pod.
One more suggestion.  My husband and I both have cell phones. We put our phones on speaker.  He steers the TV and I stand at the back to give him directions.  I LOVE TO TELL HIM WHERE TO GO!!! Big smile LOL  Had to say that.  This a tech idea, although rather low tech.  It works especially well when trying to dodge trees and picnic table. Wink
 
I have a picture in my mind of us trying to push the Pod in our driveway on the wheel,  and all 2300 pounds of it getting away from us.  lol


-------------
Pepper,Coach,and Henry (a very brave little Maltese)
R Pod 172

The rewards of the journey far outweigh the risk of leaving the harbor...unknown


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 6:37pm
Great Idea Pepper !!! Yes, the cell phones are another "low-cost" solution. (assuming you have cell phones already)
 
And your 100% right-on about an r-Pod getting away from ya. That could be a very dangerous situation !!! We stressed "Level" driveway .... I hope we stressed that enough !!! Shocked 


Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 7:07pm
Honestly, backing up a trailer is not that difficult.  But, it is a learned skill.  And like any skill, it takes patience and practice.  No one started out as a master backer-er-up-er.  We all had to struggle with it.

Take your pod to a parking lot and practice there.  When you get to the campground, don't worry if it takes you 10 minutes to back into your spot.  We've all been there...


-------------
Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray


Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 8:42pm
We have the wheel and have used it at campgrounds too on level ground.  The ground needs to be hard gravel or blacktop.  The pods are very easy to push around.  If you are going to push the pod, put your wheel chocks in front and back of your tires before you disconnect from your TV for safety.  You don't want it to start rolling on you if you are on even a slight incline.  Our drive way had a slight incline, and we would put a 4x4 across the front of our trailer between the tires and wheel.  Removed the back chocks and then pushed it back into its parking space. 

As far as backing up, all I can say is....glad to know someone else has problems backing up.  Seems like once we start getting the hang of it, it's time to park it for the winter, and we start all over again in springConfused


-------------
Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van


Posted By: Pie_Pod
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2010 at 11:00pm
Ted is awesome at driving any vehicle...to the truck, to a Class A RV, to towing the R-Pod..
 
He is great at backing the rpod up and lining up the hitch...I could never do it...(good thing I don't have to)


-------------
~cindy (Pod_Patrol's Girl)


Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2010 at 12:13am
For hitching up the r-pod when I'm alone, I use the http://www.easyhitch.net/3.htm - Easy Hitch .  It makes things much, much easier.


-------------
Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray


Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2010 at 1:31pm
Outbound....We use something very similar to that.

Pie_Pod....We'll be arriving on Thursday to the KY roundup, when will Ted be available to back up Rbug?LOL


-------------
Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2010 at 2:19pm
Originally posted by yizit yizit wrote:

Outbound....We use something very similar to that.Pie_Pod....We'll be arriving on Thursday to the KY roundup, when will Ted be available to back up Rbug?LOL


We'll be there late afternoon / early evening Thursday Yizit.
But you know how campers are. They'll be beggin to back it in for ya
as soon as you pull up !!!
Knowing Outbound, he'll make you do it yourself just so he can say
" See ..... I told ya you could do it !!! "
(and he'll be right, again!)



Posted By: sylviablue
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2010 at 2:44pm
Align quick hitching guides.  Two magnetic, removable, flags to back up straight to your hitch.
$20.  Keepin' it simple.

http://garage-toys.com/alquichitgui.html


-------------
In the end there's just a song comes cryin up the night



Posted By: Bill-311
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2010 at 2:07pm
Put a hitch on the front of the car. Don't have to be a high price one but when your ready to back into campsite. Don't use that myself but seen it done and seem to work great.

-------------
Bill-311


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2010 at 2:37pm
Now there's "Forward" thinking !!!!Thumbs Up


Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2010 at 3:45pm
Originally posted by PodPatrol PodPatrol wrote:

Knowing Outbound, he'll make you do it yourself just so he can say
" See ..... I told ya you could do it !!! "

That is exactly what I'd do and say! Approve

You know me too well, Ted Tongue


-------------
Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray


Posted By: photog
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2010 at 1:36am
Originally posted by Bill-311 Bill-311 wrote:

Put a hitch on the front of the car. Don't have to be a high price one but when your ready to back into campsite. Don't use that myself but seen it done and seem to work great.
 
It works really great if your TV can handle it, we always had one on our motor homes to lunch the boat.


-------------
Heinrich and Elly

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab
Prime Time Tracer 205 M


Posted By: Butterfly_Lee
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2010 at 10:54am
I've always thought a hitch would be good to have in the front for backing, but these new trucks are nothing but plastic in the front.  So that means a heavy install charge.  Really like the camera idea. 


 I wonder if there is way to clip a camera on the of the truck for hitching up, then be able to move it to the back of the pod for backing.   I know the camera can transmit wireless, but how to power it.  I think they use power from the lights? Which means wire connections.  

Just some thoughts.

LeeClap







-------------
Still a work in progress, lots of pictures.
http://podterfly.blogspot.com/



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2014 Web Wiz Ltd. - http://www.webwiz.co.uk