Total newbie question

[jensspark]

We picked up our first camper yesterday and encountered a problem backing it up our driveway.  The first thing we learned is that we need to have a hitch receptor installed on our truck (we were using the bumper hitch) because the back end of the camper was way too low.  As a result, we bottomed out when we backed up.  Now, we didn't bottom out too badly, so we continued to back it up the driveway (needed to store it) with the thought that we'd get a new hitch installed and then should be ok when we go to tow the trailer next time.  Unfortunately, my truck did not like backing up the driveway hill with the trailer.  It reached a point where it wouldn't go any further.  

Now, my question is this:  If we don't bottom out (causing us to come to a complete halt on the way up), do you think we'll be able to back the trailer up?  We don't have an unusually steep driveway.  We live in the suburbs, with a standard 2 car concrete driveway.  The camper is now at my mom's until we figure out what to do with it.  I can store it somewhere else, but planned on keeping it in the garage for convenience.  I feel so STUPID!  My step-dad (who is much more experienced than us) was very surprised that we couldn't get it up the driveway.  Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  I'm open to anything.  Thanks!  
 :confused:

[ScoobyDoo]

What stoped you? Spin out? Run out of power? clutch slip?

[jensspark]

What stoped you? Spin out? Run out of power? clutch slip?

My husband was giving it gas and the vehicle just was NOT moving.  The tires weren't spinning though.  I smelled a "not right" smell and told him to stop immediately before he messed something up.  My stepdad thinks it was the clutch.  We have a standard transmission, but are well within our towing capacity.

[wavery]

General rule of thumb, when backing: If you have to force it.....DON'T. It could be VERY costly. Not only may you burn up the clutch on the truck but you could also bend the frame on the PU. The frame on the PU is very light weight and designed to be pulled. When you are backing, there are forces in play that the trailer doesn't deal with well and you must back carefully.

Having said that, try backing up the driveway at an angle. Once you pass the low spot, you can straighten the vehicle.

Backing takes practice but once your good at it, you may find that it is easier to maneuver the trailer in reverse than it is going forward. Just never try to force it. If  the trailer is hard to push, try a different angle.

[batsignal2]

My husband was giving it gas and the vehicle just was NOT moving.  The tires weren't spinning though.  I smelled a "not right" smell and told him to stop immediately before he messed something up.  My stepdad thinks it was the clutch.  We have a standard transmission, but are well within our towing capacity.

I think we have the exact issue you have.  We have an incline up to our house and a standard tow vehicle.  My father-in-law is a mechanic that works on International Trucks and he said it was definitely the clutch.  The smell is something like rubber burning (in our case).

We keep our camper on the side of the house.  I found that if I drive forward up the driveway and turn into the grass and back in more from the side rather than directly up the driveway, it creates significantly less stress of the tow vehicle and the wear on the clutch is way less.  After I get it close to the spot where it sits, we move the tongue over without the tow vehicle.  The only problem we have now is making sure I only back it in when the ground is hard.  Backing up in soft grass was great for traction....bad on my back when I had to repair the trenches in the yard :mad: .

If you were planning on storing it in the garage, it might be difficult to come in from the grass on an angle to get it in.  Not sure how I would handle that problem....

Hope this helps.

Jeff

[jensspark]

Storing on the side of our house isn't an option because of space.   If we store it at home, it has to go in the garage.  I guess the next question would be, if I am able to back it up to that "stopping point" without bottoming out, then I wonder if I can unhitch, put the wheel down and push it into the garage with DH?  The slope is definitely more gradual towards the top of the driveway.  I'm just glad yesterday was so cold or I would've had an entire neighborhood (my brother included) watching me and laughing.  Who knew backing up would be so hard?!?!?

[wavery]

Storing on the side of our house isn't an option because of space.   If we store it at home, it has to go in the garage.  I guess the next question would be, if I am able to back it up to that "stopping point" without bottoming out, then I wonder if I can unhitch, put the wheel down and push it into the garage with DH?  The slope is definitely more gradual towards the top of the driveway.  I'm just glad yesterday was so cold or I would've had an entire neighborhood (my brother included) watching me and laughing.  Who knew backing up would be so hard?!?!?

Try backing the trailer to the bottom of the driveway at a 45 degree angle. That way, one tire starts up the slope first, raising the trailer. When that tire is about half way up the driveway, turn the wheel so that the trailer squares up while backing. This will get you over the low spot. If need be, you can even pull forward again, slightly, to straighten the tow vehicle. Then you should be able to back straight in. The key is to "Go slow" and don't force it.

You might want to find a neighbor that is good at backing trailers, to show you how the first time. This is a very common problem, angling solves that problem 90% of the time.

[AustinBoston]

What kind of brakes does your trailer have?

If it has surge brakes, you *must* lock them out before backing up a hill.  Once they activate, the harder you back , the harder they brake.

Austin

[ScoobyDoo]

Surge brakes can be a problem. Also if you are towing with the bal on the bumper you will be pushing the trailer INTO the hill instead of up the  hill. The PUP needs to sit level (or close as posable) when you are on level ground. Backing up a steep drive is not the place to learn given a manual trans. Find a flat parking lot, lay out street,drive and garage. Practice until you can get off the clutch in the street and stay off it until you are in the garage, or at least on top of the hill.

[wavery]

What kind of brakes does your trailer have?

If it has surge brakes, you *must* lock them out before backing up a hill.  Once they activate, the harder you back , the harder they brake.

Austin

VERY good point. I didn't even think of that. I was just thinking of the trailer hitting the driveway.

Austin is absolutely right. Make sure whatever type brakes that you have are disengaged.

[jensspark]

What kind of brakes does your trailer have?

If it has surge brakes, you *must* lock them out before backing up a hill.  Once they activate, the harder you back , the harder they brake.

Austin

Electric brakes that aren't hooked up yet...

[b2220128]

If I am reading your problem correctly, the rear of the PUP is hitting the drive as you backup.  One  possible solution, in addition to the other suggestions given, is to get a new drawbar and ball just for going into and out of the driveway.  Get one with a significant drop that will keep your tongue low and the rear high.  Switching the drawbar is fairly quick and not too expensive of an investment.

[AustinBoston]

Electric brakes that aren't hooked up yet...

At least that rules out the brakes.

Austin

[4campinfoxes]

We used to use a Ford F-150 to tow our Coleman Bayside & we have a substantial incline to our driveway, I am reallysurporised  you had any issue backing it up with that tow vehicle.  I would also suggest trying to angle it in and adjusting the hitch.

[jensspark]

I think we have a solution.  My stepdad (a trailer backing pro) is going to bring our camper over from his house on Saturday, hook it to our truck and teach us how to get it into the garage.  If I absolutely had to, my brother lives 3 houses away and we can use his Expedition with a receiver hitch to back it into the driveway...I just don't want to do that EVERY time we go camping.