Learning how to drive with a trailer..

Orange is choice · Mar 29, 2023

I was told once that if you hold the bottom of the sterring wheel and move your hand the direction you want the trailer to go it will.

Doz · Mar 29, 2023

Here are a couple of very important things when pulling a trailer does the truck have a brake controller and make sure you know how it works it needs to be adjusted to apply more brake pressure with a heavy load and adjusted lower with no load. Next if you are hauling a tractor on a trailer you need to learn how to load it and chain it down to far back and you will get the trailer to start whipping side to side and get you in big trouble always check your trailer brakes are working you can do this with your brake controller always remember it takes a lot more room to stop when hauling a trailer slow and easy win the race good luck and lots of practice.

marhar · Mar 29, 2023

Have someone with a trailer take you to a large big box store early in the morning. Practice in the parking lot. I used a super Walmart. I noticed 2 things when trying to teach someone: 1 when backing do not turn your wheel when stopped (you cannot judge how much you turned the steering wheel). 2. It is harder to back straight than it is to back in a curve (until you are used to the trailer your brain will tell your hands to turn the wrong way to straighten the trailer).

Remember no one is born knowing how to back. All of us had to learn and if we are honest all of us make mistakes.

Flogger · Mar 29, 2023

My advice is hook the trailer up then check the lights. After the lights check the hitch to make sure you didn't overlook something. Che ck the tires. Check the hitch to make sure nothing was overlooked. Once you have the hitch connected and latched, jack the trailer up high enough to nearly pick the to vehicle off the ground to verify that it is indeed properly connected and will not pop loose. My point obviously being that proper connection can be life or death to you or someone else.
Pulling and backing is a matter of practice. Small objects and lines can be very helpful in learning to maneuver a backed trailer. Also keep in mind the most tandem equipment trailers are 80+ inches wide as you determine what will work on your roads.
As far as not forgetting you have a trailer back there, I am 67 years old and have pulled trailers since I was probably 8 or 9 years old. I live 250 miles from my farm. On a recent trip home I pulled into a parking space at a small town grocery store that I frequent. After grabbing a few items I go back out to my pickup only to discover the small flatbed trailer I was pulling was sticking out into the aisle of the parking lot! Red-faced I backed out as a small audience watched and headed on home.

Flogger · Mar 29, 2023

I use a large pot magnet with a flag mounted on it. Stick it on the rear of the trailer when backing. It helps a whole lot on trailers that are not visible in your mirrors.

tjandrews · Mar 29, 2023

Wellll, not entirely useless. You just have to be reasonable with what you try to do with it. If you tow very infrequently, and only light trailers, it can be OK.
We had a '98 Explorer, and the book said the bumper was rated as a Class 2 hitch. Once a year, we towed a small boat trailer with it about 100 miles each way on a fishing trip, with zero problems. Other than that we didn't tow with it, but we did use it to tether a hot air balloon a couple of times.
Sadly, we no longer have that Explorer. A windy sub-zero January day, an icy road, and a steep hill conspired to roll it over a guard rail and down a bank, and that was that. Fortunately, my brother walked away from it with few injuries due to a combination of being surrounded by strong US steel, wearing his seat belt, and wearing six layers of clothing because he was going to be working outside.

John_Mc · Mar 29, 2023

That's one of the best descriptions I've seen.

The concept of thinking about where the bumper of the tow vehicle is pushing the trailer while backing up is an important one.

Another important concept is the idea that while backing, once you start a turn, you have to take some action to stop it. Even if you want to keep the same radius of turn, you have to take some action to start the turn, then do something to undo part of that - otherwise, your turn will keep getting tighter and tighter until you have a jackknife.

Consider the "pull forward a half length or so to straighten things out" technique your 'get out of jail free' card. It's easier to just stop and reset, rather than trying to "save" an increasingly bad situation.

Anticipate things early. It's generally easier to make a lot of little corrections, than a few big ones. The idea someone posted of putting your trailer on a long straight line and backing up while staying close to that line (with lots of little corrections) is great practice and a great way to train your eye to catch errors while they are still small and take the appropriate corrective action.

Once you are comfortable with backing and maintaining a straight line, for more advanced training, try to find a long constant curved line and see if you can back along that. This further helps develop detection and correction of errors while they are small. It's also a good practice to visualize the whole path you want the trailer to take. Too many people get in trouble by focusing only on the desired end result. Planning the whole path helps things go smoother and puts you in better position when manuvering in tighter spaces where you have no choice. For example: imaging trying to back in to a parking space or driveway that is at 90˚ angle to your direction of forward travel. You want the trailer to follow an arc which gets you to that driveway or parking space with the trailer mostly already aligned with it. Cutting the corner so you get to that space with the trailer at 45˚ is a problem. Visualize the whole path and stick to it as much as you can. Don;t focus only on the destination.

Unlike many commenters here, when backing I put one hand at the 12:00 position (when the wheels are pointed straight ahead) and look back over my shoulder (or in the mirrors). I find it easy to make small corrections. If I'm doing it correctly, and don't need to make extreme maneuvers, I never have to move my hand from that spot on the wheel. It also makes it simple to know when I have neutralized the steering again: if my hand is back on top, the wheels are straight ahead. I guess I tend to focus more on how I'm moving the back of the truck and the front of the trailer with this grip: the motion of my hand matches the motion of the tow vehicles rear bumper/ball. If I have to make a more extreme maneuver that requires moving that hand, once I'm done with that move, I reset my hand back at 12:00. Really, this is just a matter of personal preference. Either works, you just need to get used to whatever it is you want to do.

troverman · Mar 29, 2023

My first vehicle was a 1996 Ford Explorer, 4-door Limited V6 with 2WD. It also had the bumper ball for towing. I used it to tow a 2,000lb trailer regularly for a couple of years and it did great. Although this generation of Explorer was known to be the rollover risk / Firestone tire debacle, I put 140,000 miles on it and it was one of the most reliable and trouble-free vehicles I ever owned.

Jlillie2 · Mar 29, 2023

If you have to pull the mirrors in going forward, backing up is not going to be an option, so I'd stick with the smallest trailer that you can actually use.

dgriff23@cox.net · Mar 29, 2023

I helped a friend do this.
1. The longer the trailer, the easier. Small short trailers can be difficult for experienced pros. If a friend has such a rig ask him if he'd spend a little time with you.
2. Find a large flat area to experiment. A school parking lot on the weekend, a church lot, etc. Would work well.
3. Grasp the bottom of the steering wheel. Move your hand the direction you want the back end of the trailer to go. Small movement, slow speed, and the patience of Job will have you using your mirrors and controlling the trailer.

troverman · Mar 29, 2023

Wow, lots of people have towing tips. That's great. I missed what the OP has for a tow vehicle and what he might be planning to purchase for a trailer, but I think most people are saying the same things: longer trailer is easier to back up, practice at home or in a parking lot...driving forward is a piece of cake. Depending on the weight of the trailer with the tractor on it, a trailer brake is going to be critical. Pretty much anything more than a subcompact tractor probably needs a trailer brake and heavier-duty trailer. Here's my setup:

newbury · Mar 29, 2023

Lots of good advice here. Lots of repetition.
A few things I didn't see:
If you have young children buy them some big passenger truck and trailer toys (1:25 scale) - and play with them with your children.
Get some cameras you stick on the trailer and can watch when your in the cab of your truck - I use Wyze V2 cams w/ magnetic base. In fair weather I can pop a couple of cams on the back of either of my trailers for precise maneuvering or monitor my hitch hook up.

Garandguy1 · Mar 29, 2023

One thing no one really touched on was the fact you don't have a hitch. 1) Get at least a Class 3. (2) Get the apprpiate ball mount to make sure that the trailer rides level. (3) if you are hauling a tractor you will need electric brakes so a controller is a must unless the trailer has surge brakes but trailer brakes anyway. I have a heavy duty single axle trailer and use it to haul my JD x724. It did not come with surge or electric brakes but can be a pain to stop with my 96 Chevy C3500 CC LB SRW when hauling so I plan to add electric brakes just for my safety and peace of mind. Already have the controller but everything else posted is great advice especially planning in advance. Whenever I have to stop for gas or whatever questio one is "Can I get in safely" then "Can I get out safely"

olenjohn · Mar 29, 2023

Go to a busy boat launch and just sit and watch how it’s done. Many people have no clue how to back up a trailer…. Just watch. If this makes you reconsider getting a trailer, don’t do it. Some actually have a front hitch on their truck to push the trailer. Works good since you see the trailer right in front of you. Just don’t try traveling on the highway that way.

YNORUM · Mar 29, 2023

14' single axle will be your friend, not to pricey, and decently capable for hauling needs (about 2500 lbs after you figure 3500 lb axle minus trailer weight). Proper load balancing is key. This won't be too difficult to back up. Double axle has benefits, but it's pricier, and since you don't have a trailer now, I'm guessing you don't need the extra payload the 2nd axle will provide. Good luck and be safe.

EdGooding · Mar 29, 2023

I have not read through all 12 pages of responses, so if this has been covered I apologize. The tips that I have read are excellent. Beyond gaining experience with pulling a trailer, you also need to learn how to load one properly to have the weight in the right places. Generally, most of the weight should be over the trailer axles. But, the tongue weight is critical, too. If you load up the trailer without proper tongue weight and get up to highway speed, the trailer can start to pendulum on you and cause you to lose control. Learn how to use the manual brake on your trailer brake controller because you do not want to hit your truck's brakes if this happens. Best to avoid it altogether by getting the tongue weight correct for each load you transport.

Timberbank · Mar 29, 2023

I trailered horses in a two horse trailer for years. First thing I learned was how to backup dead straight between pylons. Put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. Using your side mirrors back up. Move trailer slightly left, hand moves right, slightly right, hand moves left. Practice until you can backup 100’ without touching a pylon. Then, you’ll be good to go.
I never trailed on my own as you’re always going to be in situations where you’re going to have blind spots. Have someone with you to direct you and always keep them visible in a side mirror with windows open so you can hear them. Hand signals are useful as well. Stay safe. Good luck.

Dadah · Mar 29, 2023

Don’t over think it!! The trailer will follow you whoever you go!! A backup camera that looks at the ball/hitch is paramount. Unless you have someone that will be there “every time” you hook up. Connecting the trailer. Hitch on ball, secure & lock. Electrical connection, connect. I cross chain the safety chain. It prevents the tongue of the trailer from swinging back and forth should the hitch come off the ball. That’s what I do. Make sure the foot is cranked up. Now you should be ready to go. Depending on the length and width of the trailer you may need to allow for turns. You may need to swing a little wider or allow for the trailer to cut the corner some. Short trailers, not so much, longer wider trailers yes.
No for backing. That is up to you to practice, practice, practice!!! Then when you think you have it, practice some more. I’ve been pulling equipment trailer open and enclosed since I was 16 and at 67 I still screw up and have to reset by pulling forward. People will say put you hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and if you want to back the trailer to the right move the steering wheel to the left and opposite to back left move the steering wheel to the right. Oh well, good luck!!!

TimRice · Mar 29, 2023

After you get a hitch and a trailer, you will want to practice in an open space where you can lay out some cones or other items to act as the "edges" of your imaginary roadway.

Steering is "reversed" when dealing with backing a trailer. The easiest way I found to deal with it is that when backing the trailer, keep your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and don't make large movements. If you want the trailer to move LEFT, move your hand to the LEFT. If you want the trailer to move to the RIGHT, move your hand to the RIGHT. And watch out that your front end doesn't hit something and rip your bumper off. I was shown how to back up like this by a long haul truck driver. It made a Night/Day difference in my ability to back a trailer.

I hate to tell you, you WILL need those mirrors folded OUT to do this!