40/45 ft trailer to 53ft trailer

I might be a minority of one, but I found backing a 53 to be much easier then the shorter trailers.

 

Watch your tail swing. There isn't much, but if you get right up against a line of cars before turning then turn sharply you can hit those cars.

 

Pour on the horror stories, boys!

It's 8-13'...... jeez, just adjust for that space. Doesn't require you to break out a tape-measure. Any doubts: lift your ### off the seat cushion and down the steps to look. **Don't forget to set those brakes!**

 

Ditto that. The hardest trailer I ever had to back is my leaf sweeper for the riding lawn mower. Took several “pull ups,” lol.

 

Don't think of it the length of the trailer it's the length of the bridge [king pin to trailer axles] that matters and 1 of the reason's for 'bridge' laws.
There's more to it but that's the jist of it.

 

I got into an argument not long ago in one of these threads with someone about backing , and trailer length.
It's my position, too, that the shorter the trailer in relation to the length of the towing vehicle the more difficult the backing.
It's simple physics with the arc and radius that the longer trailer means easier backs because of slighter adjustments needed at the wheel to gain correction.
Other guy argued a day cab and a 28ft pup was easier.
It may go into easier places... but the act of backing is more delicate.

I finally had to just give up.

 

With 53's, having the tandems slid all the way back is very non-typical so they are not too much longer. But as was mentioned, "tail-swing" comes into play in tight situations, both turning and backing. So be aware of this but don't let the idea "cripple" your thought processes in normal situations.

 

If you have a day cab. Even a 20ft can is easy to back. But throw in a 265" truck and 20ft can. Well that can is going to whip you. Used to pull ( Back in the day) 36,38,40,42' trailer. Then we got 45' trailers. Then 48, then 53's and you get the ideal.
Well in a week I might pull a 36ft Tanker, 40ft tanker then a 42 ft van. Then a 45 ft Reefer all in the same week. No issue with the old cabovers.
Next year same trailers, but a 244" hood sticking out there. Throw in all those trailers. And the 53 was my favorite one to pull when we got those. Easy to back, with the tandems forward. But tail swing had to be watched.
Just watch what your doing. And you will not even know what size trailer is back there in a few days. That 53ft will not react as fast as the shorter trailer will.
Sorry for the book. For some reason I ramble these days. May be getting old.....