Backing Up and Stress on Tow Bars

[tmlogo]

We are newbies (3 months now) owning a Rockwood Mini Lite. We are concerned backing up into our tight storage space that we are turning too tight, as the axles squeal and the tow bars seem to be turning too tight (jackknifing).

Is it possible to be turning too tight on an angle?

[JohnVtx]

Unhook the bars

[crunchman12001]

Originally Posted by JohnVtx

Unhook the bars

X2, unhook while backing into your storage site.

[dbledan]

What is your WDH? I would unhook before backing as well. I have to parallel park the trailer in storage ending at a very tight angle frequently. I have to unhook the bars before starting otherwise I cannot get in there to unhook them.

Note that I also had to lengthen the trailer safety chains because the WDH was so far out and the safety chains could catch on it and pop. Before I made them longer I would disconnect them as well. Now I don't need to remove the safety chains.

[mopwr4me2003]

Just unhook the bars. You don’t need them for backing up or slow drives in the lot of your storage area. You will be light in the front end but you should still be able to control the vehicle when backing. Take it slow and easy and you will be fine.

[tmlogo]

Thank you all. We were worried about taking the bars off, but we will try it next time. Our trailer is small just 22' with the hitch, but the space and area around it is ridiculously small.

I have no idea the WDH

[JohnVtx]

The bars raise and stabilize the back end of the truck, plant the front wheels and reduce sway in the wind on the hiway

[tmlogo]

Originally Posted by JohnVtx

The bars raise and stabilize the back end of the truck, plant the front wheels and reduce sway in the wind on the hiway

This leads me to another question. We actually have an SUV and when the dealership calibrated (or whatever it is called) the hitch and bars the SUV was very heavy. It was packed to the limit with everything we were going to put in the trailer. Our best rides with minimal sway and up and down bouncing seems to happen the more we have in the SUV. Is it because they did their calibrating when the SUV was stuffed or just coincidence?

[JohnVtx]

It is adjustable yes

[Tigger1]

Originally Posted by tmlogo

Thank you all. We were worried about taking the bars off, but we will try it next time. Our trailer is small just 22' with the hitch, but the space and area around it is ridiculously small.

I have no idea the WDH

You mentioned the space is ridiculously small. I don't need one but some on this forum have a Trailer Valet XL. You can do a search on this site to get their opinions.

Here's what it looks like:
https://www.trailervalet.com/xl/

[tmlogo]

Originally Posted by Tigger1

You mentioned the space is ridiculously small. I don't need one but some on this forum have a Trailer Valet XL. You can do a search on this site to get their opinions.

Here's what it looks like:
https://www.trailervalet.com/xl/

We actually have the Trailer Valet. It is a life saver, but we have been trying to get the trailer in a better line to use the Trailer Valet as there is a slight incline to put it into the space.

[Robin and Jan with Ziva]

There are a lot of good discussions on the Forum re: WDS, it does sound to me like the set up needs to be checked w/o a full load in the tow vehicle, we just got a Wolf PUP and the dealer set it up with 4 links hanging which was 2 more than we did with a much heaver 24 ft Sportsman years ago. I was very surprised when I saw how tight they had it but having taken it on the road there is quite a difference, little or no bounce. If you are unsure have a reputable hitch installer look at your rig. Dealers sometimes aren't the best trained.

[tmlogo]

Originally Posted by rpbin

There are a lot of good discussions on the Forum re: WDS, it does sound to me like the set up needs to be checked w/o a full load in the tow vehicle, we just got a Wolf PUP and the dealer set it up with 4 links hanging which was 2 more than we did with a much heaver 24 ft Sportsman years ago. I was very surprised when I saw how tight they had it but having taken it on the road there is quite a difference, little or no bounce. If you are unsure have a reputable hitch installer look at your rig. Dealers sometimes aren't the best trained.

That's a great idea. I don't think our dealership is the best, but we know a hitch guy.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Do be aware that you can also jackknife and have the trailer damage the SUV fender. Watch closely!