Another great tip I received from a
trucker when I found myself stuck in a
truck stop with two missing windows that
had literally exploded off the side of my
trailer whilst I was being overtaken by a
big rig on a narrow road.
The trucker recommended pulling as far
over to the edge of the road as possible
when being overtaken by trucks as air
pressure can build up inside trailers and
the extra pressure when the trucks pass
you can be all it takes.
“I’ve seen whole trailers explode off
their chassis and end up in pieces on the
road”, he warned me. Sage advice I have
adhered to and passed along ever since!
Weight distribution hitches or stabilizer
bars are helpful if your trailer has a lot of
sway when being overtaken too.
When it comes to backing up, practice
makes perfect. Turn off the stereo, wind
down both windows, take a moment to
breathe and center yourself then just
think: “Opposite. Opposite. Opposite”.
That’s how your trailer’s ass will work;
the OPPOSITE of what your car’s ass
would do if you steered it without the
trailer on! Again, take your time, if you
feel comfortable taking instructions from
others you will find there is always a
bevvy of willing instructors on hand as
soon as you look like you’re struggling
a bit with it and most other RV’ers are
very understanding because it IS hard!
Try doing it with a long heavy car with
no power steering and a very short
trailer with very short A-frame! Longer
trailers are easier to back, believe it or
not. I’m usually a whizz at backing, but I
still struggle a lot with my Hudson with
its “Armstrong steering” and 12-foot
combination!
Safety: I was once asked if I carried
7. a gun when travelling on my own.
When I replied that I did not I got a great
tip that I have used ever since: carry a can
of wasp spray in your car’s cup holder
(pictured left). It can down a person from
thirty feet away apparently. I haven’t ever
needed it, but it’s reassuringly there,
like insurance. Meanwhile trust your gut
instincts and if something does not feel
right, move on.
Insurance: Get it and make sure
8. it’s enough to not just replace
the trailer you have so painstakingly
restored, but all of the special things
inside it should the worst befall and it
is stolen or completely destroyed. Don’t
leave home without it, and AAA maximum
coverage with extra RV coverage so your
trailer gets full towing services as well. I
also use a little pin lock on my hitch, it’s
a deterrent for thieves and also locks
the hitch onto the ball whilst travelling.
Other locks go up inside the ball when
unhitched and then there are wheel locks
as well, the more to deter thieves you
can utilize the better as our babies are
becoming very highly desirable property
and become almost as much a part of our
families as our pets or children!
My brother in law got me this cute
9. little head torch for $1 (right) and
it has been a godsend! (Thanks Brian). I
keep it on the driver’s side visor in my
car for easy access for those times when
you find yourself having to set up in the
dark. Just make sure you put it back in its
spot after you’re done with it. Same rule
applies to everything about tiny trailer
living and travelling. Have a place for
everything and put everything back in its
place after use!
10.
Which brings me to the next and
most important tip: lanyards are
good! Always keep your trailer keys on a
lanyard and wear it the while time you are
camping, and hang it on the door handle
when you go to sleep. We’ve all locked
ourselves out at one point and trailers
can be very tricky to break into! Keep a
spare set of keys to your trailer in your car
and a spare set of car keys in the trailer.
Be brave, be bold and get out there and
explore this beautiful country and I’ll see
you on the road!
To share your stories and best tips email
Lisa at: [email protected]
40 | vintagetrailermagazine