Volkswagen's New Trailer Back-Up Assist......................

http://www.chonday.com/Videos/trailerghu4

 

That's cool but... what VW really has to work on is a way to make backing a trailer up that easy for real...

 

good stuff, those silly germans

 

I still think Ford was very smart to bring this to market. I'd probably buy the Ford trailer assist if I bought a new 150.

I might not use it, but my wife would use it all the time. She drives the 4runner with the empty trailer to the parking spot while I hang out in the boat and wait to pick her up.

Just like perfect pass for the ski boat for waterskiing, anything to keep the fun times fun, is fine by me.

 

I didn't know anyone already had it concretegrazer ... very cool idea!!!

 

That's actually pretty cool. I can see it being very useful for people who rarely drive a trailer. I'm ok backing up a trailer but my issue is that I've got a 5 by 8 and I can't even see it behind my xterra! It just dissappears. Plus a short trailer is a pain in the azz to back up compared to a longer one. I have to get something good to put on the back corners of the trailer that stick up high so I can see where it is. If I open up the trunk and put the rear seats down I can actually see the trailer to back it up, but when I want to back into my driveway with a load of wood I don't have time to stop, get out, open the trunk, fold down the seats if I forgot. Can't even see the trailer in my mirrors until it's jacknifed too far sideways where you have to now pull forward to straighten out.

 

I've seen a waterman back an empty trailer down a ramp going about that fast with a few turns thrown in there. Impressive to say the least.

For someone that rarely trailers I can see the system being useful but really, you should just spend an afternoon learning how to back a trailer and be done with it. I don't even understand it when people don't back into parking spaces or their driveways...

 

We owned a RV travel park for several years. It totally amazed me the high number of people dragging RV trailers, of varying sizes, down the road and who aren't capable of backing them up a foot. For these people, Ford is a God sent. For the rest of us who are capable of driving in both directions, it's a expensive add-on. Same concept as the park assist which is for people who can't park a car.

 

Yeah, those little trailers are a pita. Short wheelbase, low, and narrow make for more work than it should be.

 

If you can't back a trailer up, you have no business pulling one. It's not rocket science.

 

I sort of agree with you. I've got no issues with backing anything up, but there's times that technology could make life a heck of a lot easier. Until I can be in 2 places at the same time, I'll pay for a doo dad.

 

I'd love a camera on the back of some stuff. But where would the fun be in that?

 

Think of it this way CG... it might reduce those "expensive sounds" we make when we back the rig over em...

 

Have you been talking to my wife? Or just following me?

 

Gut my eye on you young feller... perty obvous with the gear you run around the farm there, you could take out a city block backing up and not even notice it...

 

I'm not sure what backing a four wheeled wagon has to do with the discussion? I've drove truck for some years, at first pulling a pup trailer around town doing deliveries, 48's or 53's on the highway/in town, pulling Super B's, and turnpike doubles. That's where I'm at. Which still has nothing to do with pulling a single dinky trailer behind a passenger truck.

I just think if you can pull it forward, you should be able to push it backwards. Everyone thinks truckers are stupid, so how can they back stuff up if it's hard?

 

Single dinky trailer isn't so easy to back up when you can't see it behind your truck. My 5 by 8 is 3 times harder to back up then if I borrow my dad's 15 foot trailer and use that.

Backing up a double? No thanks. That's got to take some practice.