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06-05-2019, 04:42 PM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Blossvale
Posts: 24
M.O.C. #21989
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Towing Lessons
My husband and I own a 40ft Montana. I can tow pretty well except I do not know how to back up. Where do people go to learn to tow their RV's? Don't want to learn more from my husband but I want to become more proficient at towing. We are getting older and I know I need to be able to hitch up and tow if anything happens to my husband.
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06-05-2019, 04:53 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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If you attend the National Rally, the woman's driving school will do that for you. There are RV driving schools that fequently are associated with Escapee or FMCA rallies. Or, if you have an out of business shopping center near you go down there and let your husband teach you where you have plenty of room to learn, but lines on the road to help you know when you've got it right.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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06-05-2019, 04:53 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We do have a ladies driving class at the Fall Rally. You might try a trucking company as some of them do give lessons.
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06-05-2019, 04:55 PM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Sidney,B.C.
Posts: 138
M.O.C. #23585
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We used a commercial truck driving instructor; he had all of the test areas (for our qualifying road test) covered, and he also provided us lots of practical knowledge gained from his own driving and teaching others. Money well spent !
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06-05-2019, 10:02 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Posts: 633
M.O.C. #13025
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I would recommend the university of You Tube!
__________________
Russ and Linda, So. California
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, D/A, SRW, SB
2005 2955RL, Pullrite Superglide 16K hitch. Bridgestone Duravis R500 tires. EZ Flex Equilizers with wet bolts.EMS HW50C, Disk brakes
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06-06-2019, 12:58 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,896
M.O.C. #9561
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you can practice in a large empty parking lot too.
think of the process as three things:
connecting; pulling and backing up.
you can practice connecting anywhere. if not your husband then when at a campground find someone to teach you
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06-06-2019, 05:58 PM
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#7
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Blossvale
Posts: 24
M.O.C. #21989
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[QUOTE=DQDick;1146590]If you attend the National Rally, the woman's driving school will do that for you. There are RV driving schools that fequently are associated with Escapee or FMCA rallies. Or, if you have an out of business shopping center near you go down there and let your husband teach you where you have plenty of room to learn, but lines on the road to help you know when you've got it right.[/QUOTE
Thank you so much for your reply. I am a teacher so I can't make the rallies. Lots of out of business shopping area but I really don't want my husband as an instructor.
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06-06-2019, 06:03 PM
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#8
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Blossvale
Posts: 24
M.O.C. #21989
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You're so right about being at a campground and asking for help! Campers are the friendliest people and always willing to help!
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06-06-2019, 07:25 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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On occasion I have backed in rigs owned by others. It take time and lots of practice to get good at it.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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06-12-2019, 02:50 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Long Isalnd
Posts: 136
M.O.C. #23929
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A big parking lot is where I learned. You just need to get used to what the trailer does when you turn the wheel.
__________________
Don and Kathleen
2019 Montana 3791RD 20th anniversary.
2014 Ram 3500 Dually CC, CTD, Aisin “Kasper”
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06-12-2019, 03:05 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,298
M.O.C. #5165
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I recommend the "ask for assistance at a RV Park". That is where I got the best advice for towing (backing in and going forward) for an experienced and friendly RVer who was camped next to us. The hooking up to the RV and unhooking--the RV park is the most available spot. My advice--always go SLOW. No need to speed or rush.
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06-12-2019, 03:47 PM
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#12
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cameron
Posts: 38
M.O.C. #15936
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Point the trailer
Before starting to backup, and as you pull just past the site you want, "cock" the trailer, or point the trailer to the opening so it starts heading for the site the instant you start backing up. For example, you are assigned a nice slanted site on the right side of the access road, which slants back away at an angle. As you pull past the site, stay somewhat on the middle/right side of the road, and as you begin to stop, turn the front of your towing vehicle to right which will turn the trailer rear end to the right and is started to be lined up for backing in.
As you back in, follow the trailer wheels in your right mirror to keep them parallel with the side lines of the site. And watch the left front of truck so not to hit something on the left of the road. Going forward and back to adjust as needed. A big empty parking lot is a good practice yard.
__________________
2015 Montana High Country 293RK.
2017 Chevy High Country 3500 SRW 4WD long bed diesel.
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06-12-2019, 07:23 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Georgetown
Posts: 305
M.O.C. #18751
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When backing a 5er, place one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Move the bottom hand in the direction you want the back of the trailer to go.
Practice is necessary. Go SLOWLY!
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06-12-2019, 07:34 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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Its just like many thing in life (like drywall finishing), The more you do it the better you get at it. It takes time.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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06-13-2019, 07:06 AM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Longmont
Posts: 5
M.O.C. #6345
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If you were born and raised on a ranch you learned to back a hay wagon at an early age. Backing a 5er is a snap, backing a hay wagon is tough.
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06-13-2019, 09:11 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Byron B
When backing a 5er, place one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Move the bottom hand in the direction you want the back of the trailer to go.
Practice is necessary. Go SLOWLY!
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This is the way you back a RV.
Just a note when taking School bus driver training we learned that over 60% of all accidents occured .... when backing... therefore we try to avoid backing backing wherever possible.
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06-13-2019, 09:38 AM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Livermore
Posts: 492
M.O.C. #17391
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You have to just go out there and do it. It takes some practice. I have backed up my trailer many times and only a few times I got it perfect the first time. I can hit the spot but the challenge is to be straight in the space.
Sometimes I have to stop and think which way to turn the wheel but if you ain't thinking than you ain't doing it right. First thing is not to be afraid to do it and don't care who is watching. They may not be any good at backing it up ether. I don't even care if the space is a back in or pull through. Be Brave You can do it.
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