I know how to reverse my trailer and put it where i want while backing up. I need to know if there is a way to calculate how much distance is needed to complete that maneuver. I tried searching using " distance to reverse a trailer", and I got many pages telling me how to back up a trailer. I don't need to know that; I can do that--I've successfully backed into dozens of tight camping spots all over the eastern US and Canada. I need to know if there is a way to calculate the distance required. I may make some modifications at my house, and I want to know beforehand if I can pull the trailer down my driveway and have room to reverse it so its heading back out. ( Backing the trailer down my drive is my current method, but that requires the cooperation of several neighbors to allow enough room in the street--this is the narrowest street in the county which allows parking on both side--about 22 feet curb to curb). I can put a parking pad in the back yard to store it, but it makes no sense if there isn't enough room.
Seems like there should be a way to calculate it based on wheelbase& turning radius of the tow vehicle, and distance from the hitch to the rear axle of the tow vehicle. Right now i have a 5th wheel, but that could change.

Anybody seen any sites that have this information?

Thanks

( it is neither Bush's, nor Obama's fault!!)

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Experiment in a parking lot and mark things off with traffic cones, then measure the result.

I have looked for similar information and lost interest before I found it. Kinda frustrating because I think it should be easy to find. I have kept a CDL for many years even though I don't use it. I just think I should know this.

The distance it takes to turn a little and straighten up the trailer is very significant but I would have to find that distance through experimenting.

Did you look on Youtube? I didn't.

5th wheel and tongue tow trailers. I think you will find that the 5th wheel turns differently from the flat tow mainly because the pivot point is in front of the rear axle of your tow vehicle instead of behind it.

The 5th wheel will turn in a smaller radius whereas the flat tow is limited by the tow bar impinging on the chassis of the tow vehicle. I have actually done the dumb**** thing of breaking the rear window of my pickup with a corner of my 5th wheel. Probably wouldn't have happened if I had an 8 ft bed instead of a short bed.

To directly answer your question: I don't know. Probably takes a mathemetician to calculate. Of course, if your confines are as tight as you say, no calculation will survive the first actual attempt.

Trailers are impossible to reverse, if you have seen it done it was an elaborate illusion

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Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.

A lot of variables to have a fixed answer. Keep an eye open for a formula. Easier to perhaps use chalk or pylons and a parking lot to establish it for your particular truck and unit as mentioned.

I can't just take the trailer out....I have to coordinate with neighbors, so any measuring will have to wait until I have the trailer out over July 4th weekend.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

I like this idea. You could calculate a theoretical path through analytical methods, but there would be a lot of variables, some of which might be difficult to measure accurately, and a lot of calculating. I think it would be a lot quicker and easier to just mark out a mock up of your proposed alterations and then see if you can maneuver in and out of it.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Shorter wheelbases and distances between the TV's rear axle and the hitch, and the hitch to the trailer's rear axle is always best for what you're describing. Also, how sharp a turn may be angled while backing w/o breaching the trailer is part of it.

GIVE ME 40 ACRES by THE WILLIS BROTHERS - YouTube

Reminds me of the first time I drove a long wheelbase MTVR.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

is the back area currently unobstucted, no trees or anything have to be cut?

for me id just drive the thing down car first one day and see if could turn it around. if not worst case scenario you unhitch the trailer down there and spin it with a pair of car dollys under the supports, or something of that nature. or back it all the way out again

no matter how you calculate it out on paper, one day you will have to just try it anyway, might as well go for it and let the chips fall where they may

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Explain???

I've owned numerous RVs over 30 years and I can't think of even one scenario that would necessitate me waiting "6-weeks to get to OR be able to move my unit."

What's up with that???

I move my unit at will - anytime, day or night 365 / year.

I have never towed a fifth wheel but they look to me as if they take more room to turn and back up.

Backing a trailer is a piece of cake....if you can see where you are going. I always line my trailer up so I can watch the trailer while I back out my drivers side of the truck.

As someone suggested take your trailer and some traffic cones to a large parking lot and practice til you feel comfortable you can put it wherever you want, then mock up your street and driveway and try it out.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

how long is the trailer?

i bet you such data isnt listed anywhere because of the endless variables between trailers and tow vehicles lengths and turning circles and so on.

it would be hard to come up with a useful formula, because as you mentioned, you know how to move your trailer, and unless its a super specific case like yours, i doubt that data is worked out by most anyone before an experienced trailer handler just judges by eye and tries it out.

on july 4th when you pull the trailer out, you need neighbor cooperation to pull it out straight?

can you pull it in straight from the street without the same cooperation? sounds like whatever you do, you still need the neighbors to move

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