Can't tell it's back there..... REALLY?

[raytwntrvlr]

Maybe this is just a mild Sunday morning rant but.......

I have towed two TTs with my 3/4 ton RAM and it outweighs both of them. I have used a properly tuned Equalizer hitch on both and yet...

I can sure feel it back there. No sway, mind you, but there is a huge difference between my trucks performance when I am towing and when I am not.

Just back from a coupla months in Florida. I've probably got 30K towing miles in the last three years and yet.... I always know "it's" back there.

Had a neighbor at one of the SPs down there with a shiny new RAM 1/2 ton diesel crew cab 4x4. He was towing a TT slightly larger than mine. Very proud of his new rig and one of the first things he told me was how he could hardly tell anything was back there. WHAT??

More than once, I have had others say to me that with my truck/TT combo, I probably can't tell "it's back there". Well, I have to admit I just agree with them and let it go, but I always can tell "it's back there"


So ... what am I doing wrong?? Oh well, what got this going is a new post on here RE someone's new TV.

Have a great day.

[5er_tom]

It is back there for sure. But, with a capable (all the weights are good) TV, and a good properly set up hitch, towing is comfortable. But, you sure see a lot of setups that must be white knuckle towing. Not for me.


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[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

It is back there for sure. But, with a capable (all the weights are good) TV, and a good properly set up hitch, towing is comfortable. But, you sure see a lot of setups that must be white knuckle towing. Not for me.


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X2 on comfortable.

[SeaDog]

I tend to say that with my F350 when towing my boat because with the Yukon (one of my other trucks) towing the boat and approaching a hill it is foot on the floor, but with the F350 6.0 diesel you barley notice it. With that said I do't believe there is any truck that performs the same with a trailer on back.

[gectisme]

I pulled a 16' boat with my old 3/4 ton and I really only knew it was there when taking off from a stop, other than that I would forget it was there. Even braking didn't affect the truck. When I pulled my old 25' boat, I knew it was there but I had this feeling, don't really know how to describe it, that the truck just felt better towing it around. Now with the WJ, I definitely know it is back there. I am comfortable towing it but the truck has to work harder in all aspects and I can feel it.

[phillyg]

I think anyone stating they don't feel "it" back there are succumbing to a bit of hyperbole.

[doc73]

When I towed with my 1/2 to I knew it was there. Now with the HD I could say it is NOT back there... I know it is there and I see the change in performance but the truck pulls it without a hiccup. I do have a fairly light trailer though. I also out power cars up hills now with the cruise set at 65.

I will agree though, I roll my eyes when someone says they have a Ranger that pulls' a triple axle toy hauler without even knowing it is there.. To me they are making excuses to save face at their white knuckle driving. Kind of like when they say, "My (insert whatever) pulls the trailer GREAT!! No, problems.... I just need to go real slow and cannot get up a hill at more than 40mph..." What??!!!

[Ford Idaho]

Both the lite and 250 are close to each other weight wise.

I know it's back there all the time, it's like a smallish parachute.

10.1 or less when towing, I know at the pump what's been behind me.....

[Blackrock]

If you have ever 'Deadheaded' a semi tractor any distance you appreciate getting back under a trailer. That said, when you are hooked up to your TT with the right hitch and TV sized to the load then yes you should know it's there. A properly setup unit should feel and handle right in most all conditions. To say you don't know it's there is saying you are trying to ignore what's going on behind you.

[GreenImp]

I don't think anybody really doesn't know it's back there. I believe the phrase is nothing more than a figure of speech meaning that they feel their vehicle combination drives/tows well. At least I hope so! The LAST thing I want is to be on the road anywhere near someone who is towing and "Doesn't know it's back there".

[JohnF]

Until recently I was towing a 21' microlite with a new F350 truck. I still knew it was back there.

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by JohnF

Until recently I was towing a 21' microlite with a new F350 truck. I still knew it was back there.

Right on.
I put my Jetta on a dolly, behind my 3500.
Knew it was there.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[fx2]

I think that's a saying to make one feel better. I've towed my TT with an F150, a 2500 and another F150. I know it's back there. That doesn't mean it uncomfortable but I think it's impossible to not know it's there.

[youroo]

The more I read Some of these Post's on Towing I REALLY believe Some DO NOT know that "It's Back There"! Youroo!!

[fx2]

Originally Posted by youroo

The more I read Some of these Post's on Towing I REALLY believe Some DO NOT know that "It's Back There"! Youroo!!

Don't know or don't care?

[TxLightkeeper]

Have always hated that saying "don't know it's back there"!!! To me it is a sign of a dangerous and irresponsible driver. My set up tows very nicely for the most part, but I know for sure it is "back there" as I am constantly checking my tow mirrors and, far too often, the rear view mirror, guess I just love seeing Rockwood spelled backwards. I don't want to be on the road anywhere near one of these people saying that they don't even know it's back there. I can imagine when it sways and breaks loose, they won't know what to do, or realize it has, before it is too late for them and many others on the highway. Probably some of them that tow at 75 - 85 down the interstates.

[doc73]

Youroo I agree!
I do see it with the folks that have a larger than needed or above the minimum TV once in a while... But where I see it more often is like I said above, in the threads where someone is well beyond their ability and or their TV's. It is a self justification to themselves and they wait for others who are in the same boat to say the same so they can a feel better about themselves.. That is what scares me...

Those who tow at 74 or 80..well you cannot fix stupid!


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[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by TxLightkeeper

Have always hated that saying "don't know it's back there"!!! To me it is a sign of a dangerous and irresponsible driver. My set up tows very nicely for the most part, but I know for sure it is "back there" as I am constantly checking my tow mirrors and, far too often, the rear view mirror, guess I just love seeing Rockwood spelled backwards. I don't want to be on the road anywhere near one of these people saying that they don't even know it's back there. I can imagine when it sways and breaks loose, they won't know what to do, or realize it has, before it is too late for them and many others on the highway. Probably some of them that tow at 75 - 85 down the interstates.

I have to cover my rearview with a bandana, drives me silly to look in it and see nothing but nose cap.

[doc73]

My mirror is facing the little one in the back seat.. I do check the side mirrors once and a while to make sure it's still there..!

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[TxLightkeeper]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

I have to cover my rearview with a bandana, drives me silly to look in it and see nothing but nose cap.

I might have to do that, just a natural habit to scan all mirrors when I am driving.