Backing up a trailer

[ShenandoahJoe]

I have a little 4'x6' trailer that I use as a general-purpose farm cart, drawn by a ball hitch on my drawbar. It works great going forwards, but it's easy to jackknife going backwards. Now, I have the lower arms of my three-point hitch held out of the way with bungee cords, but I got to wondering if I might be missing an opportunity here.

Is there a way to rig some kind of check chains off the arms, which can help hold the trailer straight when I want to back up?

 

[Crusty Nut]

Your right, it is a good opportunity. it is a great opportunity to learn to back a trailer. The shorter the trailer, the more difficult it is but I know you can do it. Just go slow.:thumbsup:

 

[Willl]

No, not unless your trailer wheels swivel.

 

[two_bit_score]

a little 4'x6' trailer <-----------

That's the problem right there.

My welding trailer is short, too and it's a :confused2::ashamed: to back up in a straight line. Just takes time and patience and a few kind words.

 

[beenthere]

I...........
Is there a way to rig some kind of check chains off the arms, which can help hold the trailer straight when I want to back up?

Don't think you want to do that.

Practice, practice, makes ........

Then when you have that down, try a 4 wheel wagon.

Then after that, a four wheel wagon behind a two-wheel chopper or baler.

Then, this same rig 200 yards down a narrow fenced lane that has no gate at the end, with a JD G with hand clutch and no power steering. And it was a hot day too.

 

[TripleR]

It will be "less difficult"; won't use the word "easy" if you lengthen the tongue. Some fine it less difficult to back by using a 3-point hitch as opposed to the draw-bar. There simply is no easy way to back one of these up, but with practice you should be able to do OK.

As mentioned, try a four wheel cotton trailer etc

 

[TripleR]

Don't think you want to do that.

Practice, practice, makes ........

Then when you have that down, try a 4 wheel wagon.

Then after that, a four wheel wagon behind a two-wheel chopper or baler.

Then, this same rig 200 yards down a narrow fenced lane that has no gate at the end, with a JD G with hand clutch and no power steering. And it was a hot day too.

You win.

 

[buck12]

Hook that short trailer to an ATV and it will be even more fun. As said the shorter a trailer is the harder to back up.

 

[maybar]

I have a little 4'x6' trailer that I use as a general-purpose farm cart, drawn by a ball hitch on my drawbar. It works great going forwards, but it's easy to jackknife going backwards. Now, I have the lower arms of my three-point hitch held out of the way with bungee cords, but I got to wondering if I might be missing an opportunity here.

Is there a way to rig some kind of check chains off the arms, which can help hold the trailer straight when I want to back up?

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Better than check chains would be pallet forks and just pick that little feller up by backing the forks under the rear of the trailer. Would go equally well in either direction.

 

[pat32rf]

It should be a LITTLE easier if you get the ball off the drawbar and put it on the 3pth which will be farther out to the rear and give a bit quicker response when you turn the wheel....Other than that a longer trailer tonque (or pallet forks) is the way to go.