Tips for Backing Up Your Trailer

Relatively new to towing w 2 yrs experience. One thing I'm still trying to improve is backing up the trailer and requiring less attempts to get into a driveway/campsite. Below are some of the things I've learned.
- practice in a big parking lot
- have a ground guide be another set of eyes
- turn the opposite way that you'd think to move
- small steering adjustments have large effects
- remove WDH spring bars before backing up

Any other suggestions/tips?

 

Go slow and make lots of little corrections.
Once you've got the trailer going the right direction turn the front wheels so the front end will follow the same curve.

 

Place your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, move your hand to the right and the trailer steers right, move your hand left of center and the trailer steers left.

 

^^^ this

 

If backing is challenging you and the opposite turning thing is throwing you off then hold you hand on the bottom of the steering wheel then you turn the wheel the same direction you want the trailer to go. Yes small trailers react quickly with little steering input. The key to backing the really little trailers is not to see it in either side view mirror. If you don't see it then you're going straight.

 

I'll just say practice...

 

Nice! Like the bottom steering wheel tip.

 

Try your best (because sometimes you simply can't due to terrain or obstacles) to get the truck and trailer in a straight line. Take it slow and use small corrections like they said earlier... Small trailers can be a PITA but after doing it a few times it becomes fairly simple.

 

Best advice here.

 

Practice backing up in a straight line, accomplish this and everything else will come easier.

 

Anybody ever mount a camera at the back of the trailer (e.g. license frame) for visibility? A camera that connects to an iPad or iPhone wirelessly would be nice. Anyone w experience w this?

 

a shorter tongue will make backing overly responsive
and the trailer's towing stability will be more sensitive at speed.

a lengthened tonque serves well to improve
both backing ability and towing stability.

but too long of a tongue can occasionally be problematic
for extreme entry - departure angles.

And so... there is a line that can be crossed.

rule of thumb for determining maximum tongue length...

the measurement from the hauler's rear axle to the trailers axle
should be near about the same as the hauler's Fr - Rr measured wheel base.

the trailer should be able to minimully swing 90* (L or R)
and preferably without damaging the side of yer hauler.

I use my spare tire mounted on the front of my trailer
combined with my hauler's custom rear bumper...
to limit my trailer's swing and avoid possible contact
to the side of my hauler.

This could be a valuable consideration if...
if ya ever lose traction /or stall when attempting a climb...
and inadvertently roll backwards more then was intended *

* a trailer commonly does not stay in line with the hauler
when sliding down a hill backwards. Especially if the slide is abrupt.

^ possibly a helpful tip if ya wish to avoid sheet metal damage !? Lol

I've had an 90* trailer incident (jackknife) occur before
as I attempted to climb up a slippery slope (trail).
My winch managed to straightened things out afterwards.

Could be considered butt puckering
when yer sliding down a hill backwards
while towing a trailer !!

But I got outta that pickle
with my sheet metal intact, as well my dignity. Lol

thanks Warn

 

Found this wireless camera that works w your iPhone/Android phone but costly at $500. Anyone use it?
https://pearlauto.com/rearvision

 

When I was about 12 or 13, I learned both how to drive manual AND how to back up trailers by backing a SHORT trailer through a long, windy, narrow, and muddy track with a long truck with a manual transmission. There was firewood at the other end of the track, and nowhere to turn around.

Ever since that day, the only time I ever have to take a second run at backing up a trailer is if I'm incredibly SICK. Its hard to focus when you're sick. Oh, and the wood splitter, its about 4 feet from coupler to axle, CANNOT be backed up sanely by anything besides the 4wheeler.

 

Wow, it must be exhausting being so awesome.

 

I learned the same way, big ass dump truck, short little chipper. When driving straight you couldn't even see the chipper in the mirrors. The first time I tried backing with a short vehicle I thought it would be easy, but I was like a complete beginner.

 

If you own a garden tractor and trailer, go hook it up and drive around the yard in reverse. If not take your trailer to Walmart and practise in a big open lot.
There are way to many people towing trailers that have no idea how to control it. Going to boat ramps and camp grounds are entertainment to watch.
Unfortunately I don't have any "secrets" to share other than practise.

 

This is good in theory. I'd actually consider it if it didn't have to plug into the OBDII port. I already use that for my scanguage, so I wouldn't be able to use this. The search for something like this continues. But just to add to the original topic, nothing beats practice. And I've also grabbed two little radios so that my wife and I can talk as I'm backing up into a campsite with our TT. Makes it easier when we can communicate easily as I try to back in. Did that just this past weekend at a local state park here in TX.

 

I realize that this is an old thread, but thanks for the advise. I'm going to try the "hands on the bottom of the steering wheel thing"

 

Just don't be Peter Griffin