a real boo boo???

[ERay]

the other day I was on my way back to Kings Bay and got to Waycross Ga and needed fuel... the truck stop was across the road... couldn't make the first turn... but I NEEDED fuel!!!... got to the next entrance which was there for traffic going west... I got in the turning lane and once I saw what I was into I knew I had messed up... but I was committed... almost got stuck, but after blocking 3 lanes I decided I had a chance backing up or unhooking... decided I would back up... I did a few inches at a time and the go forward... I made it and the crowd was glad... it would have take longer to unhook and there are so many NJ salutes you can take... I was afraid I messed up my towing system, but I got in... filled up and checked my tow... seemed ok... I drove the last 60 miles having a constant look in my rear monitor... the car tracked true, but when I got ready to unhook it was a real chore... I think I might have bent my tow plate... I called Blue OX and explained this to them... the tech said I may have dodged a bullet, but it didn't seem right... has anyone else experienced this... or had to do it... and what were the results... would hate to have to buy a new base plate

[biobug]

I have backed up a few times the same way. I have not had any damage.
I only go a foot at the most and normally my toad wheels have not turned
sideways yet. I am sure damage can happen but being broadsided blocking road would cause more. Like you I have watched and double checked my bars to see if I hurt something. You might have tweaked something a little.

[bubblerboy64]

Originally Posted by ERay

the other day I was on my way back to Kings Bay and got to Waycross Ga and needed fuel... the truck stop was across the road... couldn't make the first turn... but I NEEDED fuel!!!... got to the next entrance which was there for traffic going west... I got in the turning lane and once I saw what I was into I knew I had messed up... but I was committed... almost got stuck, but after blocking 3 lanes I decided I had a chance backing up or unhooking... decided I would back up... I did a few inches at a time and the go forward... I made it and the crowd was glad... it would have take longer to unhook and there are so many NJ salutes you can take... I was afraid I messed up my towing system, but I got in... filled up and checked my tow... seemed ok... I drove the last 60 miles having a constant look in my rear monitor... the car tracked true, but when I got ready to unhook it was a real chore... I think I might have bent my tow plate... I called Blue OX and explained this to them... the tech said I may have dodged a bullet, but it didn't seem right... has anyone else experienced this... or had to do it... and what were the results... would hate to have to buy a new base plate

You may have bent the ears on the base plate or you may have damaged the tow bar. It may or may not be a big deal. Backing up is doable as long as you can keep things straight which most of the times you can not. It's important that you determine what is damaged and to what degree. It could be just a matter of a little adjustment with a hammer but keep in mind this is pretty important to have completely right. I feel for you having been in similar situations. When you can and I am sure you will in the future get the toad off the bus. Not easy if you are by yourself. Good luck with all of this.

[ERay]

while backing, I did see my toad wheels turn... when I checked it after filling I did try both arms and they were tight... ie... the handles were up and locked... BlueOx told me if you can pull them out and the lock by hand the hitch is ok... I did and they worked after I got unhooked.

[JayM]

Don't feel too bad. Waycross roads are very confusing. We used to visit there twice a year and I almost always needed a map. I was only driving a car, too!

[DonB]

I spent a couple of my early years of RVing believing the "You can't back up with a toad" mantra. In the last dozen years, though, I've backed probably 50 times, and I'm still using the same tow bar although on my third toad so the baseplate has changed. I've generally had someone at the back to tell me when I have to stop, either because the wheels have turned (although I've deliberately skidded them on dirt), or because the corners are about to touch. It just doesn't bother me anymore. I'm using a Roadmaster Sterling.

[Buckeye Bird]

I have not tried this, but an old tow truck trick was to stop a steering wheel from turning by looping an old fan belt around the wheel and pulling it tight while closing the door on it. I would think this would help to keep the toad going backwards without having the front tires turn and creating all of that pressure on the bar and baseplate. It would probably help enough to get you out of a situation without unhooking. I will try and test this the next time I have my toad attached.

[isp2952]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Bird

I have not tried this, but an old tow truck trick was to stop a steering wheel from turning by looping an old fan belt around the wheel and pulling it tight while closing the door on it. I would think this would help to keep the toad go backwards without having the front tires turn and creating all of that pressure on the bar and baseplate. It would probably help enough to get you out of a situation without unhooking. I will try and test this the next time I have my toad attached.

And we all went to the trouble of "unlocking" our steering wheels Sometimes we aren't as smart as we think we are

[Mallie Lennon]

I have backed up a short distance a few times with no problems. Some times you just have no choice.
But Jim I would never forget to unlock the wheel, well maybe once.

[isp2952]

Originally Posted by Mallie Lennon

I have backed up a short distance a few times with no problems. Some times you just have no choice.
But Jim I would never forget to unlock the wheel, well maybe once.

I hear you Mallie. That once is all it took for me. Now I can't lock it for any reason, when I took that pesky little spring out. But at times like we are talking about here, it would be nice to have it back in there just for a little while.