I know how Arlo feels. I used to drive a full-sized van for business. Backing in or parking period could be a bitch. My husband just had to get out of the way.
I bet Bill came to the rescue because Arlo was about to take out his mailbox. I hear that there’s another comic strip looking for a bus driver with those skills. ;-)
Takes practice. Once you get the knack it’s not too bad. One “trick” for the novice; when backing with a trailer, put your steering hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. That way the trailer will go in the direction you move your hand.
Backing a trailer is an art and a skill that must be practiced often to be any good at. It’s amazing how many men think the ability comes along with testosterone. I can back a trailer but I’m not good at it. I’ve never hit anything (important) accidentally, though.
Our reenactment unit owns a small utility trailer to store the stuff the unit owns. When husband became “commander” of the unit he decided he needed to be able to pull the trailer and we had a hitch added to our van. He also read up extensively on towing a trailer.
The unit was doing a new event about 40 minutes from our HQ and we planned to set up the night before. So husband and I went and picked up the trailer – he with our van and I with our car as the van would be left overnight attached to the trailer. We did fine going to the location – it was straight, no backing up.
The weather changed and it was decided (by cell phone consultation with the board) to not set up as it might be raining overnight or the in the morning and the tentage was a problem if wet. We left the van and trailer and went home in the car.
In the morning it was raining too hard and event was called off. Husband and I still had to go to the site – later in the day when the rain had stopped – and tow the trailer back to the HQ.
We drove back with no problem, but now husband had to back the trailer onto the small property that our HQ is on. To get the property one drives about 20 feet into a large roadway sized driveway which continues up a hill to an art movie theater, a senior center, and a part of a Y (that building used to be a school). HQ driveway comes off of this 2 lane road near the start at the bottom of the hill. It was Saturday and all of the venues at the top of the fill were busy. Husband is a nervous driver to begin with and had never backed up a trailer before.
He was having problems both with getting the trailer lined up and the constant traffic up and down the hill. He finally had the same idea which had come to me – he needed more room to straighten out and pulled ahead onto the village green across the driveway road from our HQ.
Unfortunately we had both forgotten that in the early 1700s the green was located at this point to a natural spring – which still existed under the green and appeared as a stream at certain points at the opposite end.
He got stuck in the mud from the storm having added to the spring – despite 4 wheel drive on the van. He kept trying. He finally got out and let me try (I am the better and more confident driver), but by then the van was in the med up to the running board step on the side.
We called AAA and a driver came. He looked at it and looked at it. He told us he could get it out, but we would have to sign a waiver as the van might never run again. Then he had an idea and asked what was in the trailer. Nonchalantly I said " camping equipment – tents, cooking pots, table, cannon…."
At this point the local safety police showed up and he started taking photos. (Asked if official or for fun). He stopped traffic, AAA pulled the trailer from the back and the van followed. When it was out on the street husband had me drive it up the hill and around and down (only way to go) and then pull it up next to the fence in front of HQ – not backed in where it belonged. We left it and had one of the more experienced members back it in.
Since then he will only tow if he does not have to back it up – including never bringing it back to HQ.
Nachikethass almost 5 years ago
Ow! Kick him in the pants – that’s okay! But trash his driving skills? That’s low!!
sipsienwa Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I know how Arlo feels. I used to drive a full-sized van for business. Backing in or parking period could be a bitch. My husband just had to get out of the way.
drivingfuriously Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I still don’t understand why someone can back out of a driveway, but can’t back in.
drivingfuriously Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Shorter trailers are harder to back up than long trailers.
Da'Dad almost 5 years ago
A man’s got to know his limitations
nosirrom almost 5 years ago
I bet Bill came to the rescue because Arlo was about to take out his mailbox. I hear that there’s another comic strip looking for a bus driver with those skills. ;-)
Tyge Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Takes practice. Once you get the knack it’s not too bad. One “trick” for the novice; when backing with a trailer, put your steering hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. That way the trailer will go in the direction you move your hand.
assrdood almost 5 years ago
All that trouble for a few potted plants.
dtdbiz almost 5 years ago
What’s Arlo doing in the last panel? Besides looking angry?
jmp.mtbn almost 5 years ago
I think he is backing the trailer . by hand, pushing it …
jonesbeltone almost 5 years ago
My wife always backs up the horse trailer. My brain just does not get it.
SnuffyG almost 5 years ago
That small thing I would just unhook it and push it. And never let “Bill” do anything, at first it’s the trailer, then the twat!
Scoutmaster77 almost 5 years ago
It takes practice,but once you get the hang of it…
foxmike6513 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Ouch Big ouch!
Ren Rodee almost 5 years ago
I used to be that guy, Then I bought a boat and necessity intervened.
bryan42 almost 5 years ago
Backing a trailer is an art and a skill that must be practiced often to be any good at. It’s amazing how many men think the ability comes along with testosterone. I can back a trailer but I’m not good at it. I’ve never hit anything (important) accidentally, though.
CamiSu Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I found myself backing the truck as if it had the trailer on, the other day…
mafastore almost 5 years ago
Long – but funny – part 1
Our reenactment unit owns a small utility trailer to store the stuff the unit owns. When husband became “commander” of the unit he decided he needed to be able to pull the trailer and we had a hitch added to our van. He also read up extensively on towing a trailer.
The unit was doing a new event about 40 minutes from our HQ and we planned to set up the night before. So husband and I went and picked up the trailer – he with our van and I with our car as the van would be left overnight attached to the trailer. We did fine going to the location – it was straight, no backing up.
The weather changed and it was decided (by cell phone consultation with the board) to not set up as it might be raining overnight or the in the morning and the tentage was a problem if wet. We left the van and trailer and went home in the car.
In the morning it was raining too hard and event was called off. Husband and I still had to go to the site – later in the day when the rain had stopped – and tow the trailer back to the HQ.
We drove back with no problem, but now husband had to back the trailer onto the small property that our HQ is on. To get the property one drives about 20 feet into a large roadway sized driveway which continues up a hill to an art movie theater, a senior center, and a part of a Y (that building used to be a school). HQ driveway comes off of this 2 lane road near the start at the bottom of the hill. It was Saturday and all of the venues at the top of the fill were busy. Husband is a nervous driver to begin with and had never backed up a trailer before.
He was having problems both with getting the trailer lined up and the constant traffic up and down the hill. He finally had the same idea which had come to me – he needed more room to straighten out and pulled ahead onto the village green across the driveway road from our HQ.
mafastore almost 5 years ago
Long – but funny – part 2
Unfortunately we had both forgotten that in the early 1700s the green was located at this point to a natural spring – which still existed under the green and appeared as a stream at certain points at the opposite end.
He got stuck in the mud from the storm having added to the spring – despite 4 wheel drive on the van. He kept trying. He finally got out and let me try (I am the better and more confident driver), but by then the van was in the med up to the running board step on the side.
We called AAA and a driver came. He looked at it and looked at it. He told us he could get it out, but we would have to sign a waiver as the van might never run again. Then he had an idea and asked what was in the trailer. Nonchalantly I said " camping equipment – tents, cooking pots, table, cannon…."
At this point the local safety police showed up and he started taking photos. (Asked if official or for fun). He stopped traffic, AAA pulled the trailer from the back and the van followed. When it was out on the street husband had me drive it up the hill and around and down (only way to go) and then pull it up next to the fence in front of HQ – not backed in where it belonged. We left it and had one of the more experienced members back it in.
Since then he will only tow if he does not have to back it up – including never bringing it back to HQ.