I grew up on a farm, so this is a great skill to acquire. I always enjoyed backing. One tip I haven't read in comments is, if the trailer begins going in the wrong direction, there's no harm pulling forward to reset and try again.
When I got my CDL (First class license) almost 50 years ago, I was taught the "Knock it back" technique. You keep your hand on the top of the wheel and when you see the trailer start to come into one mirror or the other, you "knock it back" by moving your hand toward that mirror. Maybe because I learned it that way, I find it much easier than putting my hand at the bottom of the wheel.
I've been doing work as a landscaper for years and this is by far one of the more important techniques. Also, never feel ashamed if you have to switch between drive and reverse to align and get your trailer in that tight spot.
Thanks for this video! Today, my dad, who is NOT a teacher, but means well, tried to teach me to back his single axle. It turned into an hour long fight, because i couldn't just do what he said. I put myself in time out, and i came in and watched this video. He didn't tell me ANY of this, and was surprised i didn't know! Once I'd cooled off, i went back out, and pulled it in like an old champ. It was so easy, i even made this account specifically to tell you thanks!
lol i could see my dad doing that too. he doesnt explain things very well, and when i ask questions, he doesnt really answer them. He just keeps talking about whatever indirect thing was on his mind . good job on getting it done, backing up a trailer is a lot harder than i thought it would be. good for you for taking a time out. if i dont, then the argument just escalates and you know how that goes.. haha
@@kewlnes987 I've noticed often that parents can't be objective while teaching their kids driving. It's probably the one thing parents cannot do well. Its also fascinating to discover for the first time in your life, that your parents have a fault. They are giving up control when they teach driving, and since your lives are a stake when you are behind the wheel, its counterintuitive for them not to be able to protect you from the shame, expense and culpability of an accident by rescuing you from making mistakes. Plus, you are becoming an adult, and their status as an authority and identity as a caregiver is threatened. When you are gone, they will have to figure out where they were before you came into their lives, and start their lives over again from that point. It's tuff for you and for them too. Remember, and have compassion, your other parent has to live with the spouse's challenges. It should make you more sensitive to what partners might have to deal with, with you.
Exactly. 6 O’Clock. I learned that when I was 17 and I’m 62 now. I can back a trailer on a dime the first time. You’re either pushing the trailer or following the trailer. Knowing that concept and mastering the 6 O’Clock hand position you can back any size trailer. I don’t care how big it is.
The "move your hands to the bottom of the steering wheel" tip is single-handedly the BEST advice I have received for backing up a trailer. I have a 32 feet TT and I no longer anguish over the thought of backing it up into a campsite. Thank you for the video. Cheers!
I have a better tip when backing up a trailer, as i am a truck driver for 16 years and i use to train new drivers, this is a better tip and you wont have to worry where u put ur hands on the wheel, now as u look in your mirror and backing up...you always " TURN TOWARDS TROUBLE ". ...so as u are looking back and forth in your mirrors, when you see the trailer coming into view in your right mirror and u dont want it there, then "turn towards trouble " turn the wheel to the right and your trailer will go out of trouble and back the other way, reaction times on a pick up truck and little trailer are very quick so watch both mirrors and "turn towards trouble" and go very slow
Ok, let me try again, what u do is turn away from trouble, and trouble would be where u see your trailer in the mirror you dont want it to be......so if u see your trailer( the rear end starts to pop in view and jack knifing ) in your right mirror and you want you trailer over to the left( driver mirror) then u must turn towrds trouble, you turn to your right, because u dont want your trailer in your right mirror per say. So as you are trying to "straight line" back, and want to keep it straight as u back up, as soon as u see ur trailer swinging to the right or left mirror, in order to keep straight , turns towards trouble, meaning turn the wheel to which ever mirror u see ur trailer jscking knifing into.
Remember u are to be looking back and forth in both mirrors and as sson as u see ur trailer jacking in whichever mirror, then turns towards it to straighten back out , we call it " turning towards trouble "
Ok I got you now. Good tip! and makes sense, wheel is doing the same thing as my way but your doing it from a driving position. Also thanks for the kind words about the sandbox, did you use the new video where I break it out or the old one? I have to get this new one I'm building finished, hoping for good weather this weekend to get the top built and it painted and the finished video up.
Well done. Yes he is right about the hand placement on the steering wheel. I am a professional truck driver and I’ve driven more miles in reverse than most have driven going forward. Always remember G.O.A.L. Stands for get out and look. It is always a good habit to get in to. Always look at the area you are reversing into make sure there are no obstructions in your way. And another thing I always done is draw attention to myself. When backing the semi off a street into a dock I always have my four way flashers on to force people to notice me and the big truck.
The trick I learned in CDL school was similar but easier to understand. Grip the steering wheel at the top with both thumbs pointing towards each other. Look at your drivers' side mirror. To make the trailer move out of the mirror push your right thumb towards the mirror, pushing the trailer away. To make the trailer come into the mirror pull you left thumb in, pulling the trailer into view. I used this trick to back up an eighteen wheeler then used it to back up a B-Train (two trailers) The trick to backing up two trailers is to steer the front of the rear trailer with the back of the front trailer. Using this method I was soon able to back both trailers from the street , through a gate and into a customers yard with only a foot of clearance on either side. Sure it took a few pull-outs and adjustments but I had only been backing a B-Train for a couple of months when I performed this feat for the first time. Happy backing.
When I first started driving semis, a driver told me the best tricks... If youre backing into somewhere that you know the trailer fits into, ignore the right side mirrors. (Obviously check once when you start for pedestrians, kids, etc) But then just watch the left side and get it tight. The right side will be fine. Trying to watch both sides, especially for a novice or someone that doesn't do it often, can be confusing and stress inducing...🤣 Also, try to get trailer pointed as close to where you want it first, with truck and trailer straight. The less angling you have to do the better!!
@@EmmaDee 😁 thanks!! Wish I could take credit, but someone older n wiser was the source. Just like the stuff Im starting to do on my channel, its all copied knowledge, getting passed on!!😉
I am praying this works for me here shortly. I just had to get our truck out of the back yard after unloading the trailer. I always rely on my husband to do the hauling but he's working and we are moving so I have to do this myself. He works so hard so I am doing everything I can to help ease what he has to do when he's home on his day and a half off. When I moved it to the driveway I went back and forth probably 5 times because it kept going the wrong direction than I needed it to go ☹️ But I got it to the driveway and I was rather proud of myself. The real test will be at our old place because that's much less space to maneuver. He makes it look effortless. It was difficult as I imagined it would be. But I'm going to use your tip and I'll update this evening to let you know how I did. I'm so glad I found your video though I think it's going to help a lot. At least I hope so 😊
One important thing I would add is to back from the side of the street, or road, closest to where you want the trailer to go...this will keep your steering axle on your vehicle from going through ditches, or worse, stationary objects. 38 years as a truck driver! Btw, the longer your trailer the easier it is to back up (meaning less distance to move it). I hope this helps!
JIM BRIDGES ..absolutely. starting out right makes maneuvering easier. BUT never underestimate the damage people do to fences, flowers, parked cars and othet people while backing!
Dude I'm at work as we speak and was asked to tow the trailer today and I looked this up at the job site so I could appear to know what I was doing. You saved me today from looking silly. I owe you one chief.
i'm 54 years old, I haven't backed up a trailer in 25 years. I thought I knew exactly how to do it, but I had to re-learn it. I live on a busy street and the people around here don't have any common courtesy and just drive up on you like you need to get out of their way when you're trying to back up a trailer. I had to abort and drive around 5 or 7 different times before i could finally back my new utility trailer into my driveway. After I got done I looked for videos - yours helps a lot. I kept my hand up top and struggled.
Awesome video. I recently bought a utility trailer to haul our pottery set up for art festivals. I found out the hard way that I am backing up inept. Thanks for sharing the tips.
Nice video here. The hand on bottom of the wheel tip is great advice. Thank you for not assuming everyone knows how to properly hook up a trailer, including all redundant safety devices. It could save someone lots of grief. One tip I would add, is ALWAYS double check the ball sizes matches the hitch size.
Great video. I used a uhaul trailer for the first time a couple of months ago and I felt like a moron because I couldn't back the trailer up correctly. Now after seeing your video and reading the comments, i know exactly where i went wrong. Thanks for the video!
You’re the man. Bought my wife a cheap pop up and I’ve never had to tow or back something up before. Good looking out and thanks for the great instructional video. Take care.
It's good that people like you are showing others how to back a trailer up alot of people are unable to me I can almost do it with my eyes closed but I've been doing it for over 30 years now so it's just that easy for me but I will take the time to show someone that is unable to
One little tip I learned in 46 years of trucking. When you need to correct, most people, myself included, tend to pull up too far. When you need to correct the angle, only pull up as far as you need to. Much easier.
Been backing trailers of all types since I was 13 years old. Taught my boys and many of their friends. Just a note, short tongue trailers are more difficult to back than trailers with longer tongue lengths. Short trailers can "get away from you" and reach a point of no return, where you can't correct the turn without jack knifing. You have to stop and pull forward and make a correction and try again. Good point on hand position though. It helps many people with learning this skill. Thanks for sharing.
Little tip, it always helps to straighten out after your first turn, especially if you want to turn the other way, after that, just keep doing Micro-adjustments to you get it where you want.
I'm a 57 year old lady, 5 feet 2 inches short, but .. boy howdy, is Hubby going to be surprised when he gets home! We hooked up the trailer to the truck yesterday. This morning I drove to pick up the riding lawn mower, unloaded the riding lawn mower and put it away, then backed up the trailer, all by myself! Didn't cuss, and didn't break a nail. Thank you thank you THANK YOU! You made it such a breeze! (Cue Helen Reddy) ua-cam.com/video/rptW7zOPX2E/v-deo.html
Thanks for this! I just got a (relatively) small pop up camper and had the worst time backing it into my driveway. I even did the hand at the bottom thing. Finally called my dad to help. The two tricks I learned, along with the hand at the bottom of the wheel, was: don't look at the backup camera, like you said, and GO SLOOOOOW! Just coast and only use the gas if you need to. Panicing and using the gas and jackknifing will get you frustrated.
The most important thing to learn to back a trailer into a space at any angle is to approach it as normal, and make your last turn moving forward such that it turns the trailer in the direction you want it to go backwards. Example - if I am going down the right hand lane and want to back into a driveway on the right side, I stay toward the right as I approach the driveway, turn toward the left as I pass the driveway, and then make a quick right just before stopping to reverse. At that point, the trailer is already turned toward the direction of the driveway and backing in is much easier. If you stay straight as you approach, you will spend much more time getting the trailer properly oriented.
Thank you for this video. I just bought a small camp trailer but own a few small work trailers. I have NEVER been able to figure out how to back them up. Your idea is so simple....plus I was probably always going to fast. I will be using this method ASAP. Thank you again.
Thanks so much for posting this! I’m determined to learn how to back my utility trailer up and then move on to the boat - which I hope is the same concept. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for this! I didnt have time to look as we are moving two households on a time crunch I wish I had seen this first, everything from hitching to brake lights and then backing up wow you fit a lot of useful info in a short timespan thanks for sharing!
Good trick with moving your hand to the bottom of the wheel to steer. The way I learned it is if you see the trailer start to peak at you in your left mirror, you turn your wheel to the left. Peaks at you in the right mirror, turn your wheel to the right. Both work.
Thank you especially for hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. I've had a truck drive try to teach me this and they failed to mention this. Such a simple idea. Powerful
Great tip. Going to try this. We just got a small trailer for hauling brush to the dump and my hubby cannot get the hang of it. Always a line up behind us which makes him more self conscious. Thanks
Awesome video. Thank you for the simple tip. Hauling my daughters horses is nerve wracking as it is but this video has given me the confidence on the backing up piece! Thank you!
I've been driving a utility trailer for years, it's second nature now...so easy for me. BUT, what is funny is when I don't have the trailer on my truck, and I need to back up, like into a regular parking place at the mall for example, I end up turning my truck in the wrong direction. Old habits are hard to break. Good video.
LostInMySpace you should try driving a semi and backing a bobtail 😂 every freaking time at the terminal, in front of everybody I ALWAYS end up turning the wrong way
nhyijy- I used to drive Tractor trailer. I drove for about 7 years at this point and my company had put me in a straight truck just for one afternoon. This was my first time driving a straight truck. Well needless to say the fence at my first customer had a bad day. I put this thing into reverse and drove it like a tractor trailer, she swung the opposite way and crushed that fence. Ooooops my bad!
My wife just bought a pop-up tent trailer. I have to get it and bring home and into our driveway. It's going to be a circus for sure. I just have to remember all these tips...
Thanks for the info about hand placement on bottom of steering wheel and not onto. I plan on buying an open work utility trailer in next couple months. Thanks for the trick. Greatly appreciated 👍
Another tip is to take a gander at where you are trying to put that trailer BEFORE you go there. It might be a few seconds looking out the side window as you drive by and maybe a quick walk-around to double check for enough space or possible obstructions. Most of the tips here are also geared toward backing up straight. Backing around a corner will need practice and knowing your vehicle plus the width of the trailer, which you can't see in both mirrors. Don't forget that a short wheel base (Jeep?) mixed with a short utility trailer can be a little quirky on the first few attempts, especially if the trailer is narrow and low so it's not easily seen in the mirrors. There's no shame in having a buddy guide you when safety is the name of the game.
@@rheeneek ... if that trailer is too low and too narrow to see in the mirrors, try adding some of those yellow fiberglass poles you see on snowplows to the rear of the trailer. BTW, they also make cheap backup cameras these days. For under $100 you can see everything back there without leaving your seat. I see one on Amazon for $79 that is also wireless, so install is a snap.
New to trailers and my single axle gave me hell reversing into the furniture store... needless to say embarrassed to the Max and I did get angry. But we learn from our mistakes 🤣
I bought a Harbor Freight 4x 8 trailer I went to a local school parking lot and practice backing up and learned from this video and other comment tips , thanks a million!
Thanks! Your advice helped me, was terrible at backing up trailers just after watching your video I was able to successfully back up a water trailer for work for the first time. Really appreciate you posting this!
I've always put my hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, makes it a lot simpler. Another thing with single axle trailers they tend to turn quicker than a tandem axle trailer, so going slow is the key. good video
Since you covered the basics about connecting the trailer, it's worth mentioning that the load in the trailer be balanced so as to keep weight on the tongue.
Good point! If your weight is out of balance, too much to the rear of the wheels, you will have problems. It can cause loss of control of the trailer. Thanks cakeman
You're very welcome. I always lift the tongue after my trailer is loaded to make sure it feels right (heavy enough, but not too heavy for the rated hitch's tongue weight limit).
What is the proper weight distribution (If not hauling a full trailer)? Is it supposed to be like a "triangle" with the base of the triangle over the trailer axel & the point of the triangle over the hitch?
the most interesting parts for me, oversteer recovery, were deleted; so I can follow along and imagine which way to turn wheel, and compare it with what he does and the effect.
Look beyond the trailers axel at the very rear of the trailer wile backing. As you look into the mirror move your hand to the bottom of the steering wheel and everything will jive inside your brain, left will be left and right will be right.
Drove semi 22 years . can back a 53 footer around the corner to a dock with inches to spare. One of those 10 foot trailers on my truck. It goes everywhere but where it needs to go!
Oh my GOD!!! I went to fishing on my new little boat and backing on the ramp or boat launch was not too bad but I still strogle... Now!! trying to get just the trailer back in the boat launch with out the boat on it, it was a disaster, but with that simple and amazing little trick it made a world of freaking difference, thanks buddy, thanks a MILLION and thanks for sharing yoir knowledge and this great video..... No more embarrasing moments backing up.
When I was in the army driving a deuce and a half pulling a water buffalo you can’t see the trailer until it’s fully jacked. It’s a definite two person operation.
You give good advice/instruction in a clear (if wordy) manner; good job! I'm tickled that Martin finds great, knowledgeable, valuable friends wherever he goes.
Thanks Sean! appreciate the feedback, I'm adjusting my future videos to try and be as to the point as possible. Martin is a good guy and a great friend, i'm gonna miss not having him around here.
A suggestion that works for me; don't think in terms of "left" or "right". Steer the bottom of the wheel towards where you want the rear of the trailer to go. Also, don't crank the wheel. Always small corrections.
Great tip! Renting an enclosed trailer for a cross-town move tomorrow to my destination w/ a U drive. No practice run here but the tip may save me yet!
My friend was driving his medium passenger car on the highway with a wide grassy center dividing four lanes. An SUV pulling a trailer was oncoming on the other side of the divide when his trailer came loose, crossed the center island like a rocket and rammed his passenger vehicle HEAD ON. My friend said it was on his side of the road so fast he didn't even have time to change lanes to avoid it. He said he started to come to when he heard someone screaming in agony. When he was fully conscious he realized it was HIMSELF screaming because the trailer bar came through the engine compartment and struck him in the head and chest. It was still embedded in the front cab of his car. He spent months in the hospital with chest and skull fractures and has short term memory loss now. And tho we screw with him a little bit because of it, we all know we're lucky he even survived. The driver of the SUV just missed vehicular homicide because he didn't take care of business. So PUT THE DMN CHAINS ON and DO THE DMN SAFETY CHECKS whenever you pull a trailer.
I cannot understand why anyone would not do safety checks…making sure the safety chains are hooked properly and the hitch HAS the safety pin installed…and please make sure the lights on the trailer work…I see a lot of trailers with no lights!!!!
I just showed this to my husband, hee loved this idea of hand placement. Thanks so much. Will stop us from all the screaming to STOP! And to try, try again to park our trailer
EXACTLY👍👍 EVERY State Trooper will tell you the same, and yes they've seen trailer tongues dig into the asphalt and pole vault the trailer on top of the tow vehicle, like slamming a boat upside down on top of a minivan, and now you have an amphibious family hauler🤣😂
@@daviddou1408 Trailers also don't have engines. When they come loose, the fall behind and tighten the chains. That's why the chains are crossed. To cradle the tongue and hold it off the ground at speed.
Good video, I just watched for fun, I being driving with trailer since I was 16 I'm 44 now and you video is really good and easy to follow I show the video to my son since I don't have patience .
I liked your friendly attitude during the video. I had a small trail years ago and got rid of it Now I wish I had it to try this!! Thanks for the good information!
sticking your head out to see and steering from the bottom of the wheel makes it awkward. Use your mirrors instead and with you hands towards the top of wheel like you are use to, TURN TOWARDS YOUR MISTAKE. Works like a charm. You can also pull forward to reset the trailer. Also, another trick truckers use... Get Out And Look. Those methods worked like a charm for backing in a 53ft trailer. Actually, longer trailers are way easier to back up then a short trailer. For short trailers, go slower and pull forward often if you need to. (even though its a old thread, it just showed at the top of the list today).
That's a great tip to put your hand on the bottom of the wheel! I always struggle especially with small trailers trying to think which way I want the the trailer to go then making my turn the opposite way. Going to try this tip next time I'm out with my big trailer
I grew up on a farm, so this is a great skill to acquire. I always enjoyed backing. One tip I haven't read in comments is, if the trailer begins going in the wrong direction, there's no harm pulling forward to reset and try again.
Dude I pull forward sooo much
That’s my go-to move.
@@leskavage 😂😂😂
@@ProducerGio 😂😂😂
I drove semi's for years and that is exactly what to to. If you try to chase it you will be all over the place. Just go forward to straighten up.
When I got my CDL (First class license) almost 50 years ago, I was taught the "Knock it back" technique. You keep your hand on the top of the wheel and when you see the trailer start to come into one mirror or the other, you "knock it back" by moving your hand toward that mirror. Maybe because I learned it that way, I find it much easier than putting my hand at the bottom of the wheel.
Yes, same technique here except I call it ‘bring it in or put it away’ in my head when backing up looking in the mirror.
Neat advice. Thanks!
I've been doing work as a landscaper for years and this is by far one of the more important techniques. Also, never feel ashamed if you have to switch between drive and reverse to align and get your trailer in that tight spot.
Wow that actually sounds so much easier and better (no discredit to the video uploader)
I like this way works for me 😊
As a professional truck driver, I do the same thing - start with hands on the bottom of the wheel. Great tip, professional approved!
Thanks for this video! Today, my dad, who is NOT a teacher, but means well, tried to teach me to back his single axle. It turned into an hour long fight, because i couldn't just do what he said. I put myself in time out, and i came in and watched this video. He didn't tell me ANY of this, and was surprised i didn't know!
Once I'd cooled off, i went back out, and pulled it in like an old champ. It was so easy, i even made this account specifically to tell you thanks!
Thanks for making the account :-) It's nice to hear when one of my videos helps someone out.
lol i could see my dad doing that too. he doesnt explain things very well, and when i ask questions, he doesnt really answer them. He just keeps talking about whatever indirect thing was on his mind . good job on getting it done, backing up a trailer is a lot harder than i thought it would be.
good for you for taking a time out. if i dont, then the argument just escalates and you know how that goes.. haha
Rachel Anschuetz ok
Yeah I feel you haha
@@kewlnes987 I've noticed often that parents can't be objective while teaching their kids driving. It's probably the one thing parents cannot do well. Its also fascinating to discover for the first time in your life, that your parents have a fault.
They are giving up control when they teach driving, and since your lives are a stake when you are behind the wheel, its counterintuitive for them not to be able to protect you from the shame, expense and culpability of an accident by rescuing you from making mistakes.
Plus, you are becoming an adult, and their status as an authority and identity as a caregiver is threatened. When you are gone, they will have to figure out where they were before you came into their lives, and start their lives over again from that point. It's tuff for you and for them too.
Remember, and have compassion, your other parent has to live with the spouse's challenges. It should make you more sensitive to what partners might have to deal with, with you.
Exactly. 6 O’Clock. I learned that when I was 17 and I’m 62 now. I can back a trailer on a dime the first time. You’re either pushing the trailer or following the trailer. Knowing that concept and mastering the 6 O’Clock hand position you can back any size trailer. I don’t care how big it is.
The "move your hands to the bottom of the steering wheel" tip is single-handedly the BEST advice I have received for backing up a trailer. I have a 32 feet TT and I no longer anguish over the thought of backing it up into a campsite. Thank you for the video. Cheers!
You're welcome Milton appreciate the post
I have a better tip when backing up a trailer, as i am a truck driver for 16 years and i use to train new drivers, this is a better tip and you wont have to worry where u put ur hands on the wheel, now as u look in your mirror and backing up...you always " TURN TOWARDS TROUBLE ". ...so as u are looking back and forth in your mirrors, when you see the trailer coming into view in your right mirror and u dont want it there, then "turn towards trouble " turn the wheel to the right and your trailer will go out of trouble and back the other way, reaction times on a pick up truck and little trailer are very quick so watch both mirrors and "turn towards trouble" and go very slow
? I'm missing something here because this didn't seem right and I've read it twice....
Ok, let me try again, what u do is turn away from trouble, and trouble would be where u see your trailer in the mirror you dont want it to be......so if u see your trailer( the rear end starts to pop in view and jack knifing ) in your right mirror and you want you trailer over to the left( driver mirror) then u must turn towrds trouble, you turn to your right, because u dont want your trailer in your right mirror per say. So as you are trying to "straight line" back, and want to keep it straight as u back up, as soon as u see ur trailer swinging to the right or left mirror, in order to keep straight , turns towards trouble, meaning turn the wheel to which ever mirror u see ur trailer jscking knifing into.
Remember u are to be looking back and forth in both mirrors and as sson as u see ur trailer jacking in whichever mirror, then turns towards it to straighten back out , we call it " turning towards trouble "
Btw, loved ur sandbox video, i just copied ur 6x4 box for my sons, very simple and great build u did. I made it in a few hours today, thanks
Ok I got you now. Good tip! and makes sense, wheel is doing the same thing as my way but your doing it from a driving position.
Also thanks for the kind words about the sandbox, did you use the new video where I break it out or the old one? I have to get this new one I'm building finished, hoping for good weather this weekend to get the top built and it painted and the finished video up.
Well done. Yes he is right about the hand placement on the steering wheel. I am a professional truck driver and I’ve driven more miles in reverse than most have driven going forward. Always remember G.O.A.L. Stands for get out and look. It is always a good habit to get in to. Always look at the area you are reversing into make sure there are no obstructions in your way. And another thing I always done is draw attention to myself. When backing the semi off a street into a dock I always have my four way flashers on to force people to notice me and the big truck.
Thanks again Burb Billy, this has given me the confidence to pick-up my trailer and start my move to North Carolina. Cheers, Martin.
Awesome to hear! Glad I could help, happy travels and be safe down there
...Thanks to you Martin, for all your great advice on your UA-cam channel....had not realised that you were not in South Africa....
Don’t move to NC unless you vote conservative!
My god, save us all!
The trick I learned in CDL school was similar but easier to understand. Grip the steering wheel at the top with both thumbs pointing towards each other. Look at your drivers' side mirror. To make the trailer move out of the mirror push your right thumb towards the mirror, pushing the trailer away. To make the trailer come into the mirror pull you left thumb in, pulling the trailer into view. I used this trick to back up an eighteen wheeler then used it to back up a B-Train (two trailers) The trick to backing up two trailers is to steer the front of the rear trailer with the back of the front trailer. Using this method I was soon able to back both trailers from the street , through a gate and into a customers yard with only a foot of clearance on either side. Sure it took a few pull-outs and adjustments but I had only been backing a B-Train for a couple of months when I performed this feat for the first time. Happy backing.
When I first started driving semis, a driver told me the best tricks... If youre backing into somewhere that you know the trailer fits into, ignore the right side mirrors. (Obviously check once when you start for pedestrians, kids, etc) But then just watch the left side and get it tight. The right side will be fine. Trying to watch both sides, especially for a novice or someone that doesn't do it often, can be confusing and stress inducing...🤣
Also, try to get trailer pointed as close to where you want it first, with truck and trailer straight. The less angling you have to do the better!!
That was some GREAT ADVICE!!
@@EmmaDee 😁 thanks!! Wish I could take credit, but someone older n wiser was the source. Just like the stuff Im starting to do on my channel, its all copied knowledge, getting passed on!!😉
I am praying this works for me here shortly. I just had to get our truck out of the back yard after unloading the trailer. I always rely on my husband to do the hauling but he's working and we are moving so I have to do this myself. He works so hard so I am doing everything I can to help ease what he has to do when he's home on his day and a half off. When I moved it to the driveway I went back and forth probably 5 times because it kept going the wrong direction than I needed it to go ☹️ But I got it to the driveway and I was rather proud of myself. The real test will be at our old place because that's much less space to maneuver. He makes it look effortless. It was difficult as I imagined it would be. But I'm going to use your tip and I'll update this evening to let you know how I did. I'm so glad I found your video though I think it's going to help a lot. At least I hope so 😊
One important thing I would add is to back from the side of the street, or road, closest to where you want the trailer to go...this will keep your steering axle on your vehicle from going through ditches, or worse, stationary objects. 38 years as a truck driver! Btw, the longer your trailer the easier it is to back up (meaning less distance to move it). I hope this helps!
JIM BRIDGES ..absolutely.
starting out right makes maneuvering easier. BUT never underestimate the damage people do to fences, flowers, parked cars and othet people while backing!
Great video! I bought my first boat and last weekend I struggled backing up the trailer. I’ve never driven a trailer before. Thanks for all the tips
Dude I'm at work as we speak and was asked to tow the trailer today and I looked this up at the job site so I could appear to know what I was doing. You saved me today from looking silly. I owe you one chief.
Glad to hear it helped you out!
i'm 54 years old, I haven't backed up a trailer in 25 years. I thought I knew exactly how to do it, but I had to re-learn it. I live on a busy street and the people around here don't have any common courtesy and just drive up on you like you need to get out of their way when you're trying to back up a trailer. I had to abort and drive around 5 or 7 different times before i could finally back my new utility trailer into my driveway. After I got done I looked for videos - yours helps a lot. I kept my hand up top and struggled.
I drive truck and it’s amazing how many drivers do that
Awesome video. I recently bought a utility trailer to haul our pottery set up for art festivals. I found out the hard way that I am backing up inept. Thanks for sharing the tips.
Nice video here. The hand on bottom of the wheel tip is great advice. Thank you for not assuming everyone knows how to properly hook up a trailer, including all redundant safety devices. It could save someone lots of grief. One tip I would add, is ALWAYS double check the ball sizes matches the hitch size.
Great video. I used a uhaul trailer for the first time a couple of months ago and I felt like a moron because I couldn't back the trailer up correctly. Now after seeing your video and reading the comments, i know exactly where i went wrong. Thanks for the video!
You're welcome Andrew! Appreciate the post
i just keep driving around the block until i find a parking spot!
Lol. Been there :-)
I’ve been doing that with mine too lol.
absolutely true. :-))
🤣🤣
Hahahaha me too!
You’re the man. Bought my wife a cheap pop up and I’ve never had to tow or back something up before. Good looking out and thanks for the great instructional video. Take care.
Thank you!
The moving your hand from top to bottom of steering wheel is such a great idea! Thanks… 👍🏽
It's good that people like you are showing others how to back a trailer up alot of people are unable to me I can almost do it with my eyes closed but I've been doing it for over 30 years now so it's just that easy for me but I will take the time to show someone that is unable to
I can imagine this will help a lot of people. I learned by just doing it. Repetition & learning from my mistakes.
Good video man!
How many times did you slam into your bumper lol
One little tip I learned in 46 years of trucking. When you need to correct, most people, myself included, tend to pull up too far. When you need to correct the angle, only pull up as far as you need to. Much easier.
Been backing trailers of all types since I was 13 years old. Taught my boys and many of their friends. Just a note, short tongue trailers are more difficult to back than trailers with longer tongue lengths. Short trailers can "get away from you" and reach a point of no return, where you can't correct the turn without jack knifing. You have to stop and pull forward and make a correction and try again. Good point on hand position though. It helps many people with learning this skill. Thanks for sharing.
Wish you can teach me too
Thanks mate, never had my old man around to teach me these things
You’re welcome! Thanks for the comment
Your trick with putting your hand on the bottom of the wheel is AWESOME! Now I won’t get embarrassed driving my Food Trailer
Little tip, it always helps to straighten out after your first turn, especially if you want to turn the other way, after that, just keep doing Micro-adjustments to you get it where you want.
I’ve been backing up trailers for 45 yrs and this is an excellent tip for newbies! Thx
I'm a 57 year old lady, 5 feet 2 inches short, but .. boy howdy, is Hubby going to be surprised when he gets home! We hooked up the trailer to the truck yesterday. This morning I drove to pick up the riding lawn mower, unloaded the riding lawn mower and put it away, then backed up the trailer, all by myself!
Didn't cuss, and didn't break a nail.
Thank you thank you THANK YOU! You made it such a breeze!
(Cue Helen Reddy)
ua-cam.com/video/rptW7zOPX2E/v-deo.html
Thanks for this! I just got a (relatively) small pop up camper and had the worst time backing it into my driveway. I even did the hand at the bottom thing. Finally called my dad to help. The two tricks I learned, along with the hand at the bottom of the wheel, was: don't look at the backup camera, like you said, and GO SLOOOOOW! Just coast and only use the gas if you need to. Panicing and using the gas and jackknifing will get you frustrated.
Right on! Smaller the trailer the more jumpy it is. So take your time.
The most important thing to learn to back a trailer into a space at any angle is to approach it as normal, and make your last turn moving forward such that it turns the trailer in the direction you want it to go backwards. Example - if I am going down the right hand lane and want to back into a driveway on the right side, I stay toward the right as I approach the driveway, turn toward the left as I pass the driveway, and then make a quick right just before stopping to reverse. At that point, the trailer is already turned toward the direction of the driveway and backing in is much easier. If you stay straight as you approach, you will spend much more time getting the trailer properly oriented.
Thank you for this video. I just bought a small camp trailer but own a few small work trailers. I have NEVER been able to figure out how to back them up. Your idea is so simple....plus I was probably always going to fast. I will be using this method ASAP. Thank you again.
You're welcome David Thanks for the post
Picking my TAB camper up tomorrow and really appreciate this. I have some confidence now.
Thanks so much for posting this! I’m determined to learn how to back my utility trailer up and then move on to the boat - which I hope is the same concept. Fingers crossed.
This is great practice too! It’s much harder with a shorter trailer, you have to make quick adjustments so it won’t get away from you
I think you’re a good teacher, and it also appears you are a good friend. Thx for the video!
Thanks for this! I didnt have time to look as we are moving two households on a time crunch I wish I had seen this first, everything from hitching to brake lights and then backing up wow you fit a lot of useful info in a short timespan thanks for sharing!
Good advice, Burb billy. I wanna go and try this now.
I’m watching this 3 years later when this was posted. Still such a useful technique! Thank you sm!! This helped me a ton!
Glad it helped!
Good trick with moving your hand to the bottom of the wheel to steer. The way I learned it is if you see the trailer start to peak at you in your left mirror, you turn your wheel to the left. Peaks at you in the right mirror, turn your wheel to the right. Both work.
Thank you especially for hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. I've had a truck drive try to teach me this and they failed to mention this. Such a simple idea. Powerful
Thank you! Great video. Feeling a little more comfortable now.
Great tip. Going to try this. We just got a small trailer for hauling brush to the dump and my hubby cannot get the hang of it. Always a line up behind us which makes him more self conscious. Thanks
Going to Massillon to pick up a bike today with my GX this was a really good refresher thank you!!
11111a,,,
11111a,,,
Great video, wonderful attitude while teaching!!! Thank You for putting this up!
Awesome video. Thank you for the simple tip. Hauling my daughters horses is nerve wracking as it is but this video has given me the confidence on the backing up piece! Thank you!
I've been driving a utility trailer for years, it's second nature now...so easy for me. BUT, what is funny is when I don't have the trailer on my truck, and I need to back up, like into a regular parking place at the mall for example, I end up turning my truck in the wrong direction. Old habits are hard to break. Good video.
Haha I know exactly what you are talking about, I will go to back up my truck and I have to think for a second or I mess it up.
LostInMySpace / that's funny as shit
LostInMySpace n
LostInMySpace you should try driving a semi and backing a bobtail 😂 every freaking time at the terminal, in front of everybody I ALWAYS end up turning the wrong way
nhyijy- I used to drive Tractor trailer. I drove for about 7 years at this point and my company had put me in a straight truck just for one afternoon. This was my first time driving a straight truck. Well needless to say the fence at my first customer had a bad day. I put this thing into reverse and drove it like a tractor trailer, she swung the opposite way and crushed that fence. Ooooops my bad!
Awesome, you don't know how much of a help this video was! God bless ya!
Kk n no jk
I want to say thank you for this trick my friend. I hauled a couple of trips to the city landfill with a 12 foot trailer and your advice was the best.
You are very welcome Julio and thanks for the post/feedback
Man oh man!!!!! I just got my first trailer and it took me forever to get it in the driveway. Can’t wait to try this!!!!!
My wife just bought a pop-up tent trailer. I have to get it and bring home and into our driveway. It's going to be a circus for sure. I just have to remember all these tips...
Great tips! Thanks!
You're welcome Mark! Thanks for the post/feedback
Thanks for the info about hand placement on bottom of steering wheel and not onto. I plan on buying an open work utility trailer in next couple months. Thanks for the trick. Greatly appreciated 👍
this video gives me seriously hope to learn to backup a trailer ! Thank you!!
Love the positivity and sense of humor
Another tip is to take a gander at where you are trying to put that trailer BEFORE you go there. It might be a few seconds looking out the side window as you drive by and maybe a quick walk-around to double check for enough space or possible obstructions. Most of the tips here are also geared toward backing up straight. Backing around a corner will need practice and knowing your vehicle plus the width of the trailer, which you can't see in both mirrors. Don't forget that a short wheel base (Jeep?) mixed with a short utility trailer can be a little quirky on the first few attempts, especially if the trailer is narrow and low so it's not easily seen in the mirrors. There's no shame in having a buddy guide you when safety is the name of the game.
Very good point about the shorter wheel base and trailers. They get squirrelly FAST!
I'm driving a 96 Ford Ranger with a little trailer with a generator welder on it for work and I have been lost trying to back in anywhere 😂😅
@@rheeneek ... if that trailer is too low and too narrow to see in the mirrors, try adding some of those yellow fiberglass poles you see on snowplows to the rear of the trailer. BTW, they also make cheap backup cameras these days. For under $100 you can see everything back there without leaving your seat. I see one on Amazon for $79 that is also wireless, so install is a snap.
By manually hooking it up, you left out half the cussing.
haha yea that's for another video
Steve Brettell 😹😹😹
Steve Brettell 🤦🏻♀️😂😂😂😂🙌
They didn't swear at all
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Great video it's so simple but it makes so much since.
This helped a lot for when I had to back up a 26’ uhaul with a 20’ ft trailer on the back down a small street
Thanks for sharing! Hand on the bottom is great advice! I think Ron Jeremy perfected that technique.
Lmao. Lol! You made me crack up. Thanks. :)
Ron Jeremy is disgustingly old, fat and can't satisfy the old ladies at the retirement home. His weiner went shnitzel.
Say what
New to trailers and my single axle gave me hell reversing into the furniture store... needless to say embarrassed to the Max and I did get angry. But we learn from our mistakes 🤣
I bought a Harbor Freight 4x 8 trailer I went to a local school parking lot and practice backing up and learned from this video and other comment tips , thanks a million!
Thanks! Your advice helped me, was terrible at backing up trailers just after watching your video I was able to successfully back up a water trailer for work for the first time. Really appreciate you posting this!
I've always put my hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, makes it a lot simpler. Another thing with single axle trailers they tend to turn quicker than a tandem axle trailer, so going slow is the key. good video
Thank you and right on about going slow with the smaller trailers
Since you covered the basics about connecting the trailer, it's worth mentioning that the load in the trailer be balanced so as to keep weight on the tongue.
Good point! If your weight is out of balance, too much to the rear of the wheels, you will have problems. It can cause loss of control of the trailer. Thanks cakeman
You're very welcome. I always lift the tongue after my trailer is loaded to make sure it feels right (heavy enough, but not too heavy for the rated hitch's tongue weight limit).
What is the proper weight distribution (If not hauling a full trailer)? Is it supposed to be like a "triangle" with the base of the triangle over the trailer axel & the point of the triangle over the hitch?
the most interesting parts for me, oversteer recovery, were deleted; so I can follow along and imagine which way to turn wheel, and compare it with what he does and the effect.
Look beyond the trailers axel at the very rear of the trailer wile backing. As you look into the mirror move your hand to the bottom of the steering wheel and everything will jive inside your brain, left will be left and right will be right.
Drove semi 22 years . can back a 53 footer around the corner to a dock with inches to spare. One of those 10 foot trailers on my truck. It goes everywhere but where it needs to go!
😂
Oh my GOD!!! I went to fishing on my new little boat and backing on the ramp or boat launch was not too bad but I still strogle... Now!! trying to get just the trailer back in the boat launch with out the boat on it, it was a disaster, but with that simple and amazing little trick it made a world of freaking difference, thanks buddy, thanks a MILLION and thanks for sharing yoir knowledge and this great video..... No more embarrasing moments backing up.
When I was in the army driving a deuce and a half pulling a water buffalo you can’t see the trailer until it’s fully jacked. It’s a definite two person operation.
TOTALLY HELPFUL! Thanks!!
Great tips. MJ is amazing on his electronics.
You give good advice/instruction in a clear (if wordy) manner; good job! I'm tickled that Martin finds great, knowledgeable, valuable friends wherever he goes.
Thanks Sean! appreciate the feedback, I'm adjusting my future videos to try and be as to the point as possible. Martin is a good guy and a great friend, i'm gonna miss not having him around here.
Launching my "new to me" boat from it's "new to me trailer" this weekend so I hope this works out...lol
Thanks man, my anxiety levels just dropped 95%. 👍
Great video! Picking up new Sea-Doos tomorrow and this was a confidence builder!
Great video - awesome tips, and great job backing up first time!!!
A suggestion that works for me; don't think in terms of "left" or "right". Steer the bottom of the wheel towards where you want the rear of the trailer to go. Also, don't crank the wheel. Always small corrections.
Small corrections for sure. Often the sudden movements will shoot it off in the wrong direction and then you have to pull forward to correct it.
Truck driver 32 years glad I found this video
Great tip! Renting an enclosed trailer for a cross-town move tomorrow to my destination w/ a U drive. No practice run here but the tip may save me yet!
Nice. I will be trying this method. Thank you.
My friend was driving his medium passenger car on the highway with a wide grassy center dividing four lanes. An SUV pulling a trailer was oncoming on the other side of the divide when his trailer came loose, crossed the center island like a rocket and rammed his passenger vehicle HEAD ON. My friend said it was on his side of the road so fast he didn't even have time to change lanes to avoid it.
He said he started to come to when he heard someone screaming in agony. When he was fully conscious he realized it was HIMSELF screaming because the trailer bar came through the engine compartment and struck him in the head and chest. It was still embedded in the front cab of his car.
He spent months in the hospital with chest and skull fractures and has short term memory loss now. And tho we screw with him a little bit because of it, we all know we're lucky he even survived. The driver of the SUV just missed vehicular homicide because he didn't take care of business.
So PUT THE DMN CHAINS ON and DO THE DMN SAFETY CHECKS whenever you pull a trailer.
I cannot understand why anyone would not do safety checks…making sure the safety chains are hooked properly and the hitch HAS the safety pin installed…and please make sure the lights on the trailer work…I see a lot of trailers with no lights!!!!
I hate assholes that want to be complete pieces of shit like that. Also I wish chain's had carabiner style hooks but like shackles
After 20 years of trucking,I've never heard backing explained that way.....so simple yet so useful.....great video...thanks...
I just showed this to my husband, hee loved this idea of hand placement. Thanks so much. Will stop us from all the screaming to STOP! And to try, try again to park our trailer
I just discovered this video. The hand at the bottom of the wheel advice is so cool. Thanks!
Tip #2. When backing into very tight place don't use your brother-in-law as a ground guide.
🤣🤣🤣
How about an x-wife? 😏
That's cold. LOL
An excellent way to teach is to build the confidence of the person.
I couldn't even backup a small trailer hitched to my riding lawn mower. This video is awesome, and I can't wait to try the tip.
Great video! Thank you! The putting of hands on the bottom of the wheel has given me understanding of where I have failed in the past.
You're welcome Marilyn, appreciate the post/feedback
You x the chains to cradle the tongue if it comes lose to keep the tongue from gouging the road and flipping the tow vehicle.
EXACTLY👍👍
EVERY State Trooper will tell you the same, and yes they've seen trailer tongues dig into the asphalt and pole vault the trailer on top of the tow vehicle, like slamming a boat upside down on top of a minivan, and now you have an amphibious family hauler🤣😂
@@daviddou1408 Not until it slows down a lot. If you have break away brakes, it will never dig in (until you stop).
@@daviddou1408 Trailers also don't have engines. When they come loose, the fall behind and tighten the chains. That's why the chains are crossed. To cradle the tongue and hold it off the ground at speed.
@@daviddou1408 I never said a word about "this trailer".
@@daviddou1408 What are you, 12?
Use shopping mall parking lots when the malls are closed works great.
Good video, I just watched for fun, I being driving with trailer since I was 16 I'm 44 now and you video is really good and easy to follow I show the video to my son since I don't have patience .
I liked your friendly attitude during the video. I had a small trail years ago and got rid of it Now I wish I had it to try this!! Thanks for the good information!
sticking your head out to see and steering from the bottom of the wheel makes it awkward. Use your mirrors instead and with you hands towards the top of wheel like you are use to, TURN TOWARDS YOUR MISTAKE. Works like a charm. You can also pull forward to reset the trailer. Also, another trick truckers use... Get Out And Look. Those methods worked like a charm for backing in a 53ft trailer. Actually, longer trailers are way easier to back up then a short trailer. For short trailers, go slower and pull forward often if you need to. (even though its a old thread, it just showed at the top of the list today).
I should have looked at you video before I towed the trailer.
Me too!!!
This video legit helped me back up the trailer I had when I moved cross country. Thanks for the tips bro!
OMG! THAT THING ABOUT WHERE TO PUT YOUR HAND MADE A WHOLE WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!
That's a great tip to put your hand on the bottom of the wheel! I always struggle especially with small trailers trying to think which way I want the the trailer to go then making my turn the opposite way. Going to try this tip next time I'm out with my big trailer
Just picked up my trailer driving it home easier than I thought and then I tried to park in my driveway and it was a complete shit show
Billy, tell your friend I say ‘howzit’.