Any tips on backing an automatic?

Put that auto into gear. You already should know exactly where you plan to back.

Add fuel just a touch, enough to make engine RPM increase about 200 or so. That should be enough to ease back. Back the trailer in and you are done. Any time you want to stop, just ease the brake on. Don't jerk it. Stay on the brake so that when you release it you will continue to roll backwards in gear without having to engage clutch too much.

Myself, I always used the clutch while backing, even in a Auto. Interestingly I had no trouble because it "Knew" thanks to the engineers at Rockwell who programmed it correct to behave in certain ways.

I still prefer a manual. Remember you can always put a Automatic into a manual mode via a paddle or similar to lock it into low gear or reverse gear only. IT will have no choice other than to stay in that gear.

 

I have to give it fuel to back up, especially once I've got the tractor jacked a good bit. It seems any resistance while in R causes the tranny to go into neutral. Add fuel and it's starts moving back.

 

Feather your accelerator. Also every automated manual has a sweet spot in it. Play with it. I put carnival rides on exact location with an automated manual; major pain in the ###, but doable. Good luck driver!

 

When autos jerk like that backing it's because the clutch is overheating.

 

I've driven one of those crappy autos you're talking about. It's not an auto manual- those are easy! It's a true auto and they SSSSUUUCKKKK!! They surge and lug all the way back. I can't believe the design was actually approved. Hope that person got fired!!!!

I've heard the later versions have gotten better, but to this day I avoid driving one at all costs. I take the old '96 beater with a 9 speed before I take the rental auto. The only luck I had was to have my left foot on the brake and give it gas with my right foot. Which is totally sketchy in tight situations.

Total trash. At least the earlier versions

 

I just got put in an auto too about 2 weeks ago. I hated it at first now it ain't so bad. But I do a lot of city driving and all LTL so
It really is better. Kinda hurts my ego though lol. Backing was a little different for me as well, but if you put it in reverse and let off the brake it starts rolling just like a manual. So backing is really no different. As far as a incline, just tap the throttle and it goes into creep mode and keeps going just like a manual. I don't use the throttle at all