Trailer jackknifing

[vineyridge]

I have a 16 foot utility trailer and have jackknifed it backing up the last two times I’ve used it. Truck is an F250, and the crunches are getting expensive.

Problem is that I cannot see the trailer at all through the rearview mirror and I forget it’s there. Then I back up, and CRUNCH!

Any thoughts on what to do to make something visible through the rearview mirror? Could I have something welded on the front, back or sides that would stick up higher than the tailgate? Can I have something attached to the right angle at the front that would ease the impact if and when I do it again.

Need suggestions. It’s getting both expensive and embarassing. I don’t have a problem with the horse trailer because it is very visible.

[tobruk]

trailer sticks

Sure, a lot of utility trailers have solid pieces welded to the rear frame that extend up 60" or so. Wrap them with conspicuity tape and your days of crunching should be over.

[IveyLove]

There is nothing worse than backing a trailer you can’t see! I used to pull boats a lot and had to back the empty trailer to park it often. The boat folks are onto something with the guide poles…you can see where your trailer is in the water but you can also see while backing it. I think this may be similar to what the above poster was describing.

[soloudinhere]

You can buy a magnetic hitch alignment tool for $15 (just 2 brightly colored balls on a rod with a magnet at the bottom) and stick 'em to the back or hitch so that you can see where your corners are. http://www.amazon.com/Camco-44603-Magnetic-Hitch-Alignment/dp/B007772HG4/ref=pd_sim_auto_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=03XGHQTFAR4JMCGWFTYK

Dropping the tailgate can give you some visibility to the back corners especially if you’re 16’ long.

[tinah]

Get a new truck with a backup camera?

[Ghazzu]

Bigger side mirrors, properly adjusted.

[Leather]

My dad has a flatbed car hauler that you can’t see at all when backing.

His solution was some small metal tubing screwed to the back corners which serve as holders for some of those orange sticks people put on their driveways in the winter to mark it for plowing. The sticks stick up high enough to be visible over the back of the truck.

Super inexpensive and he can take the sticks out if he doesn’t need them.

[crosscreeksh]

Put a “stick-up” on your visor that says…“Trailer ON…pay attention!!”