How to back up a pivoting axle trailer

[OldPaint]

Best advice came from @bigtiller. The problem with trying to back up a wagon connected to the back end of the tractor is that's the 'non-steering' end, meaning it can't change direction nearly as fast as the steering end. Being able to change directions quickly is an absolute must when backing up another vehicle with steering. If you insist on using the back of the tractor, then everything you've learned about backing up trailers goes out the window. As someone else said, you have to make corrections earlier, and you'll find the steering of the tractor to be nearly exhausting. Swap ends to push the wagon, and you can control the front axle of the wagon a lot better, but it's still somewhat backward from what you would expect. You have to steer it to control the front axle, NOT the body of the trailer, which completely reverses what you learned (steer toward the back end of the trailer body to correct. Even pushing the wagon backward can be frustrating, but as nearly everyone suggested, practice, practice, practice. Obviously, if you can plan your route so you don't have to back it up, you're much better off. If not, having a connection device (ball or pintle) on the front end of the tractor will greatly simply moving it backward, however, you'll be on and off the tractor and turning the tractor around every time you need to back the wagon up. Inconvenient, but it's the simplest method, and usually reserved for parking the wagon at the end of use.

 

[RonF]

I just got an utility trailer with two axles. The front axle pivots.
The tongue is A-Frame. It looks just like the photo attached.
While I am normally pretty good at backing up trailers -without pivoting axles- I find this one is just about impossible to back up. I don't know if it's because the tongue is too short or if it is the double pivot point that screws me up.

So for those of you whom own one of these how do you back them up?
Do I need to lengthen the tongue?DO I need to rig it so I can tie the 3-points lower arms to the tongue or do I need to fit something to lock the tongue at the 0 degree position when backing up?

Thanks in advance.


View attachment 849621

Quit all the stress and bs
.....pin the axle before backing.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

.....pin the axle before backing.

And only back up in a straight line, left turn, or right turn?

Doesn't sound practical in real life.

 

[LouNY]

Ah, this thread has taken a life of it's own. Between dictionary's trying to decide the definition of a trailer or a wagon and truck tractors to actual tractors and everything in between. Turn the top of the wheel, turn the bottom of the wheel, use your mirrors, just look back. And people wanting to chain or pin a steering axle, I'd love to watch that show .
And now back to your regularly scheduled programing

 

[rvds]

I did not read all the responses but I own many wagons. It is much easier if there is little to no play in the steering. In general you only need to back up straight so the secret is to stay on top of correcting the steering.

 

[Farmer495]

I've never seen a wagon with a "pin" that stops it from turning. I've used dozens of wagon running gears of various makes and homemade ones over the years. One I have was new in 1940 and I just bought a new wagon at the end of 2023, rest have been all between that in age, no pins. I can't think of any application where that is practical.

No one has a front hitch around here either, closest thing are the non farmers(trailer lots) who put a clampon hitch on a loader bucket to move trailers on the lot.

8 foot wide wagon backed in a 9 foot wide alley. There is a gate 30 feet in front of door that is offset 4 feet from the door so not a straight shot.

It's all practice and backing in a curve is a lot easier, especially with a forage box or loaded hay rack as you can see the tail of the wagon.

 

[Peter 315]

Ah, this thread has taken a life of it's own. Between dictionary's trying to decide the definition of a trailer or a wagon and truck tractors to actual tractors and everything in between. Turn the top of the wheel, turn the bottom of the wheel, use your mirrors, just look back. And people wanting to chain or pin a steering axle, I'd love to watch that show .
And now back to your regularly scheduled programing

Heavy Duty Roll-Off "Dead PUP" Trailers | Galbreath®The roll-off trailers have a lock out pin for the front axle. I watched the guy at our place use it on a empty trailer...

 

[Too many Kubotas]

The roll-off trailers have a lock out pin for the front axle. I watched the guy at our place use it on a empty trailer...

I suppose that could work with no load, and on a somewhat forgiving surface. Like dirt. Otherwise, something has to give.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I suppose that could work with no load, and on a somewhat forgiving surface. Like dirt. Otherwise, something has to give.

Before there was super B's there was A trains. Pretty well all of the A trains I ever saw had a pin to lock out the turning on the rear trailer. (We are talking semi trailers here). Otherwise they were just about impossible to back up with.

 

[MRTOES]

Can't tell you exactly how to do it but I can tell you a very good way to practice. Connect the trailer to the front of your tractor and back it that way. You will be able to see everything and the task is even easier than doing it looking in a mirror. Good Luck.