Tandem Axle Trailer - backing into driveway help

[cebra]

I have had quite a few bassboats but never owned a tandem axle trailer which I am picking up tomorrow (Nitro Z20). My driveway is gravel, narrow where it meets the road, and uphill;it is perpendicular to a 2-way asphalt road. What is the best approach to turning it in while stressing the tires the least? My single axles I just start in the oncoming lane and jackknife them in at a stupid sharp angle but this doesn't seem the best on a tandem as the tires would be digging into the asphalt. Any tips would be appreciated.

[cebra]

A thought I had was getting it at a 45 until the wheels were in the driveway and jackknifing it essentially in place (sliding wheels on gravel) and then pushing it up. Not sure if that is even feasible but I am nervous about turning it too sharp on the asphalt and messing up or popping the tires off the bead.

[smoken86]

If it's a tight driveway you are going to just jack it in. I have the same issue with mine, I live on a smaller secondary asphalt road backing into my narrow paved driveway. Haven't had any issues with the trailer, just rotate the tires.

[cebra]

Do you pass the driveway and pull in the oncoming lane, aim toward driveway when backing (like a 45 degree across the road), then about 6 feet away or so force the jackknife to get it in? That is how I do my singles; hope my explanation makes sense. Thanks for the input.

[CatFan]

I own 4 tandem axle trailers and my boat is the lightest. Owned most of them for close to 20 years and owned a different one before. I regularly turn them around on paved county roads, tight paved parking lots and gravel driveways. Two are goosenecks so they’ll spin in place and I regularly do so. Never seen even the slightest indication of tire damage or wear from doing so. My tires all age out showing trivial amounts of uniform wear, and I check tread depth during yearly maintenance to catch spindle issues with no unusual wear from side to side. The idea that tight turns hurts the tires is nonsense. The steering tires on a vehicle experience far greater side loading during turning than a trailer tire will ever experience.

[bpicinc]

Maybe it just me, but I can back a tandem axle trailer with more percision than a single axle.

[cebra]

Thanks Catfan, makes me feel better about jackknifing mine a bit to get it into my driveway.

[CatFan]

Thanks Catfan, makes me feel better about jackknifing mine a bit to get it into my driveway.

A “mind game” I’ve always used is that backing the trailer in follows exactly the same route as pulling out. Wet down your tires before pulling out, and trace the side you can see while backing with something visible, but not so much as to get you in trouble. Gray paint or oil. My gravel drive does it for me, and when I get home I just follow the tracks I made leaving. Often seems wrong, but it goes where I want it.

[yandeltx]

A good friend of mine has a Z21 and has a very close scenario to what you are describing. He just jackknifes it and hasn't ever had any issues. He uses the boat quite a bit too so he has gotten good at it. I don't think you will have any issue with your tires. Enjoy your new boat??

[PMantle]

pass the driveway and pull in the oncoming lane, aim toward driveway when backing (like a 45 degree across the road).

This is the way.

[Highcentered]

Don't overthink it. Just back it in like you would a single.

[jrh_67]

I don't have ay choice but to jackknife my tandem trailer in. Been doing it for years with no problems...

[wmitch2]

Swing the truck to the left so you're on the left side of the road. As your trailer front gets to the driveway, swing the truck to the right at 45*. then back to the left as the truck crosses the center. This should have the trailer at a 45* to the driveway. Now start backing up, truck wheels to the right until the trailer starts to come around to straight into the driveway. Then follow it back adjusting the steer tires to the left as needed as you "Chase" the trailer. You should not need to "Jack Knife" at all, and your tires only slide slightly.

[krindgen]

I think you'll find, though the single is more maneuverable, the tandem is easier to back and keep under control. I have what seems like a similar setup, narrow driveway. For me the bigger issue is the street isn't really wide so I don't have much room to swing the truck. I come down the street with my driveway on the driver side, come in close to the apron swing out a bit and get the trailer jack-knifed a bit - so the trailer is already angled from the truck. I need to be set up "perfect" to get it in in one shot. You'll notice you don't have the turning radius you had with the single.

[Rich1]

You turn corners with your trailer going forward, same thing backward. Tires dont know.

[Lil Mo]

It’ll be fine. Handle it like you did your single axle. I find a tandem turns easier as well.

[leckbass]

I wouldn't even think about it, just back in like regular