I have a buddy who just learned to back a trailer for the first time in his mid 40s. He did this with a tractor trailer getting his CDL, so don't think you're ever too old to learn. He was also very intimidated but all it really took was a lot of practice. I would recommend practicing up and down your driveway until backing feels like second nature. Include in this practice sharp turns in reverse if you can. The only other thing to worry about is going forward to swing wide around corners. This will also become second nature of you do it enough.
Learning how to drive with a trailer..
- Thread starter tomcatg
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Backing up with a trailer can be confusing which way to turn the wheel. Remember this: use the bottom of the steering wheel when backing, not the top. Turn the steering wheel from the bottom in the direction you want the trailer to go.
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tracdoc
Platinum Member
+1 on having a (air-filled
) spare trailer tire whenever you travel. In my “incident” it was a PITA to change out, but I was glad I could do it and move on. Afterwards, I charged my trailer tires and my trailer spare with ULTRASEAL sealant (sold by Gempler’s and direct) in their formulation that is recommended for highway travel speeds. It’s easy to instill the product, and Ultraseal provides tables so you can get the correct amount for your tire size. They also sell formula for tractors (low speed) w/ higher amount of Kevlar shreds in it, but its viscosity makes it a problem at highway speeds. I don’t know if any trailers have “TPI” but if you do, check with Ultraseal to see if the sealant interferes with the sensor. I have zero connection w Ultraseal, but have been a very satisfied consumer for more than 20 years. I’m sure there are other good manufacturers out there, too.
Learn to back with mirrors. Pick one mirror, preferably the drivers. If you can’t see the trailer, get a couple of markers on poles and attach them to the rear of whatever you are backing. Pick a line you want to stay on until you get the hang of what’s going on behind you. I say choose a mirror because if you look from one side to the other you will end up over correcting. Truly the shorter the tongue, the quicker it will turn. Watch that drivers mirror and as soon as you see the trailer starting to move either direction, turn the steering wheel toward what you see. If you see the trailer in your left mirror, turn left. Try to make adjustments small and go slow at first. If you can’t see the trailer in your left mirror and you glance to the right and it’s there, turn the wheel right. The back of the trailer will go the opposite direction you turn the wheel but in this way you will get to where you won’t even think about it. The most important part is to stage the truck and trailer straight. Let’s just use a boat ramp for an example. To get your trailer straight you will drive past the point you want the rear of the trailer to end up at. Then you will crank the vehicle sharp to the left. You can actually see the rear end of the trailer react. Then crank it back to the right until you are sitting square with the water. You now have better control of the trailer. I have backed semi trailers on curvy roads. Like they have all said, it just takes practice but use a method you don’t have to think about what you are doing. Aim the nose of the truck in the direction you see the trailer if it starts getting out of position.
ArlyA
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Nearly all the backing up we do is around corners so "just mirrors" doesn't cut it. I look back and use them. When a corner is tight, mirrores are worthless.
therrien
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I'm sorry I have not had time to read all the replies. I learned to back up trailers with my lawn tractor and a short lawn trailer. If you have a riding mower hook up a cheap trailer while mowing the lawn and you will get to control the trailer a little at a time without cars to worry about. Relax and it will become second nature. I don't believe in the rules people try to tell you left to go right etc because I feel those can confuse people. As you move slowly you will see how the trailer responds.
Take a breath and make it enjoyable.
ctadds
New member
Given the windiness of your roads, it sounds like you have good chance of getting stuck or jammed up, especially with oncoming traffic.
One thing you might want to consider is mounting an additional hitch receiver on the FRONT of your truck. If you ever get into a serious jam backing up, you can unhitch, turn your truck around and hitch to the front. This gives you all the control in the world to move the trailer backward (truck now moving forward), and you have a direct line of sight.
You can do it for a couple hundred bucks, plus it makes a great place to mount a heavy duty winch.
One thing you might want to consider is mounting an additional hitch receiver on the FRONT of your truck. If you ever get into a serious jam backing up, you can unhitch, turn your truck around and hitch to the front. This gives you all the control in the world to move the trailer backward (truck now moving forward), and you have a direct line of sight.
You can do it for a couple hundred bucks, plus it makes a great place to mount a heavy duty winch.
ericm979
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Not picking on you but a bunch of people have said variations of that and it's not that simple. Once you get the trailer turning the direction you want, you have to have the tow vehicle follow it in order to maintain roughly the same turn radius. That means turning the wheel back the other way. If you turn right to make the trailer go left and don't do anything else, you'll jack knife the trailer.
JWSharman
New member
backing a trailer 101.
first practice backing in a straight line - use your side mirrors (both sides) - if more trailer appears in one mirror, pull DOWN on the steering wheel on that side until there is the same amount of trailer in each mirror.
once you can back in a straight line, put a bit of angle on one side, and back round a curve keeping the same amount of angle all the time - if the amount of trailer visible increases, pull DOWN otherwise adjust the steering wheel UP (always use SMALL adjustments).
when you can keep the same angle of curve backing either left or right, experiment backing round a curve and between two SOFT targets (plastic trash bins) from both left and right.
needs a big paddock with no obstacles, but as has been said already, practice, practice, practice
first practice backing in a straight line - use your side mirrors (both sides) - if more trailer appears in one mirror, pull DOWN on the steering wheel on that side until there is the same amount of trailer in each mirror.
once you can back in a straight line, put a bit of angle on one side, and back round a curve keeping the same amount of angle all the time - if the amount of trailer visible increases, pull DOWN otherwise adjust the steering wheel UP (always use SMALL adjustments).
when you can keep the same angle of curve backing either left or right, experiment backing round a curve and between two SOFT targets (plastic trash bins) from both left and right.
needs a big paddock with no obstacles, but as has been said already, practice, practice, practice
