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Forum:	General Prowler Discussion
Topic:	Backing up Prowler Trailer

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T O P I C R E V I E W
jkprowlin I have pulled camping trailers, utility trailers, and boats on trailers, and have never had trouble backing them into any spot.
For whatever reason, backing up the prowler trailer is almost a lesson in futility. Anyone have any thoughts on why the prowler trailer is so difficult to back-up ?
Anyway to correct this ?
Thanks
BeWare As part of my job in the Air Force I had to move and back up many trailers. I have also pulled our Prowler in trailer many times. Once a short trailer starts to turn it's immediate. The closer the trailer wheels are to the tow vehicle the quicker the trailer will start to turn as the short trailer is more responsive. I had become fairly good at backing a Prowler trailer but I am sort of out of practice. However in the early days I found it easier to just unhook the trailer and move it by hand. Even loaded this is not difficult. The key to backing the trailer is to back up slowly and make slow, gradual movements. Do not make sudden or quick steering movements. Place one hand around the steering wheel rim at the bottom. Move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. Place your hand on top of the steering wheel and follow the trailer's movements once it is finally going in the intended direction. Do not use you mirrors to back up the trailer. Look out the back window or even better when practical back up with the top down. Getting lots of practice also helps.
JeraneW Ditto on BeWare: I do all the above but must use my mirrors since I cannot bend my head. I always try to back in from my left side and as BeWare said, gradually. Too much it will immediately jack-knife. If it does, straighten it out and start over. It can be embarrassing when attending a car show or cruise-in. Practice is the best teacher and I have been able to back my trailer up the driveway and into my garage. I cannot disconnect as the driveway is sloped and at my age must back it in.
WildCat
quote:
Originally posted by jkprowlin:
I have pulled camping trailers, utility trailers, and boats on trailers, and have never had trouble backing them into any spot.
For whatever reason, backing up the prowler trailer is almost a lesson in futility. Anyone have any thoughts on why the prowler trailer is so difficult to back-up ?
Anyway to correct this ?
Thanks
PULL THRU
it really isn't too hard to back up.
Rich said it well in his post. For a short time I would unhook and hand move the trailer, but what a pain, I watch in my mirrors while backing.
In Ohio had another owner that was having problems and I got in his car and back it in.
The short distance from ball to axle is the problem, once they start around it is too late to correct.
I grew up pulling everything. if you have a riding lawn mower and small yard trailer, pratice backing it up, you get the hang of that and you can back up anything.
Practice makes perfect, most of us don't get enough practice
use to pull my trailer all the time. now I only get it out if I really need it, but I can still back it up
Simonsez For the novice like myself...IMPOSSIBLE!
TLRandall When I am setting up at a show, I almost always disconnect the trailer and pull it up to the car. I have gotten to where I can back them pretty good now when I have time to, but sometimes it not that easy when setting them up at different angles and close together.
When I am unloading from the Monster Trailer, I use a trailer dolly to roll them out to the car and to pull them back up the ramp.
jimsutton When I got my trailer the tong was missing so I made my own . I have no problems backing it up. It might be a little longer than stock that came with the trailers ..
jkprowlin Thanks All, I guess the first step is to practice with this trailer....
Jim, a question, How long is the tongue that you made for your trailer?
DON WIEBER i put a 3' pole on the trailer tongue to help guide it. i had a hard time seeing the trailer.
jimsutton JK --- 41" from the edge of the trailer to the outer edge of the tong.need to add what is under the trailer , mine is 2"x 2" aluminum . I don't know what the factory trailers came with ??
beachcat Backing up the prowler itself can be a challenge, Partly due to the fear of damaging it and partly beacause of the pointed nose, poor visibility etc. I can never seem to park it straight on the first try. I am an A driver and routinely back up 53 foot trailers with exact precision.
padroo Thanks Roger, I thought it was just me!

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T O P I C R E V I E W
jkprowlin	I have pulled camping trailers, utility trailers, and boats on trailers, and have never had trouble backing them into any spot. For whatever reason, backing up the prowler trailer is almost a lesson in futility. Anyone have any thoughts on why the prowler trailer is so difficult to back-up ? Anyway to correct this ? Thanks
BeWare	As part of my job in the Air Force I had to move and back up many trailers. I have also pulled our Prowler in trailer many times. Once a short trailer starts to turn it's immediate. The closer the trailer wheels are to the tow vehicle the quicker the trailer will start to turn as the short trailer is more responsive. I had become fairly good at backing a Prowler trailer but I am sort of out of practice. However in the early days I found it easier to just unhook the trailer and move it by hand. Even loaded this is not difficult. The key to backing the trailer is to back up slowly and make slow, gradual movements. Do not make sudden or quick steering movements. Place one hand around the steering wheel rim at the bottom. Move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. Place your hand on top of the steering wheel and follow the trailer's movements once it is finally going in the intended direction. Do not use you mirrors to back up the trailer. Look out the back window or even better when practical back up with the top down. Getting lots of practice also helps.
JeraneW	Ditto on BeWare: I do all the above but must use my mirrors since I cannot bend my head. I always try to back in from my left side and as BeWare said, gradually. Too much it will immediately jack-knife. If it does, straighten it out and start over. It can be embarrassing when attending a car show or cruise-in. Practice is the best teacher and I have been able to back my trailer up the driveway and into my garage. I cannot disconnect as the driveway is sloped and at my age must back it in.
WildCat	quote: Originally posted by jkprowlin: I have pulled camping trailers, utility trailers, and boats on trailers, and have never had trouble backing them into any spot. For whatever reason, backing up the prowler trailer is almost a lesson in futility. Anyone have any thoughts on why the prowler trailer is so difficult to back-up ? Anyway to correct this ? Thanks PULL THRU it really isn't too hard to back up. Rich said it well in his post. For a short time I would unhook and hand move the trailer, but what a pain, I watch in my mirrors while backing. In Ohio had another owner that was having problems and I got in his car and back it in. The short distance from ball to axle is the problem, once they start around it is too late to correct. I grew up pulling everything. if you have a riding lawn mower and small yard trailer, pratice backing it up, you get the hang of that and you can back up anything. Practice makes perfect, most of us don't get enough practice use to pull my trailer all the time. now I only get it out if I really need it, but I can still back it up
Simonsez	For the novice like myself...IMPOSSIBLE!
TLRandall	When I am setting up at a show, I almost always disconnect the trailer and pull it up to the car. I have gotten to where I can back them pretty good now when I have time to, but sometimes it not that easy when setting them up at different angles and close together. When I am unloading from the Monster Trailer, I use a trailer dolly to roll them out to the car and to pull them back up the ramp.
jimsutton	When I got my trailer the tong was missing so I made my own . I have no problems backing it up. It might be a little longer than stock that came with the trailers ..
jkprowlin	Thanks All, I guess the first step is to practice with this trailer.... Jim, a question, How long is the tongue that you made for your trailer?
DON WIEBER	i put a 3' pole on the trailer tongue to help guide it. i had a hard time seeing the trailer.
jimsutton	JK --- 41" from the edge of the trailer to the outer edge of the tong.need to add what is under the trailer , mine is 2"x 2" aluminum . I don't know what the factory trailers came with ??
beachcat	Backing up the prowler itself can be a challenge, Partly due to the fear of damaging it and partly beacause of the pointed nose, poor visibility etc. I can never seem to park it straight on the first try. I am an A driver and routinely back up 53 foot trailers with exact precision.
padroo	Thanks Roger, I thought it was just me!