dodge man
Super Star Member
I haven’t run into anything because I forgot but I have been driving down the road and all the sudden remembered I have a trailer back there.
Learning how to drive with a trailer..
- Thread starter tomcatg
- Start date
Paystar
Elite Member
That day I wanted to try it to see how it worked, it wasn't a big deal. Just need a tape measure, apply a decal to the tongue of the trailer and follow the instructions.
Truck came with multiple stickers so you could set up a few trailers.
I did find that it steers way more, and faster than I do to back a trailer up straight.
MossRoad
Super Moderator
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Find a parking lot and start doing figure 8's forward. Then start doing figure 8's in reverse.
Here's a hint that helped me a long time ago when backing a trailer and using your mirrors.
- Move your hands on the steering wheel from the common 10-2 positions to your lap at the 7-5 positions.
- Look in your mirrors.
- If you want the trailer to go left, push up with your left hand.
- If you want the trailer to go right, push up with your right hand.
Easy peasy.
Here's a hint that helped me a long time ago when backing a trailer and using your mirrors.
- Move your hands on the steering wheel from the common 10-2 positions to your lap at the 7-5 positions.
- Look in your mirrors.
- If you want the trailer to go left, push up with your left hand.
- If you want the trailer to go right, push up with your right hand.
Easy peasy.
dodge man
Super Star Member
I find just about anything would be faster than me backing a trailer although I’ve improved. My driveway is about 600 feet long and about a foot wider than my trailer. When I back down the entire length my technique used to be back 50 feet, get on the grass, pull forward 10 feet, then repeat. Now I maybe only pull forward once or twice. It’s great practice though. I could just go forward and turn around in the grass but that’s no fun.
I may have to add the stickers some day.
I may have to add the stickers some day.
YanmarFever
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When you buy the trailer, get a spare tire with a mount for it.
I had blowout on I-5 in Washington going 70 mph with 2 tractors on the back (heavy) and if it wasn't for the spare tire I would of been in deep trouble.
I had blowout on I-5 in Washington going 70 mph with 2 tractors on the back (heavy) and if it wasn't for the spare tire I would of been in deep trouble.
Fuddyduddy1952
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As a kid with trailer on tractor Grandfather said "look back. If you want trailer left, steer left". I never forgot that.
Going down road have your phone with you, wife following. She can see when trailer is on the edge. My Grandad towed trailers before RVs and always put a small piece of tape at windshield bottom where trailer wheel was on road edge.
Going down road have your phone with you, wife following. She can see when trailer is on the edge. My Grandad towed trailers before RVs and always put a small piece of tape at windshield bottom where trailer wheel was on road edge.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
luckily...ive been hauling trailers since i was 20 years old. way easier to learn when your young. I have a 24' bumper pull that is WAY easier to back than my short jet sky trailer. like others have said, short trailers love to jack knife. my easiest trailer to haul and back up is the 30' 5th wheel horse trailer. its amazing where i can back this out of.
when instructing my wife to back trailers, i set up a cones course in arena. way easy to learn this way. and you can only crush a rubber cone and not a fender.
with me, i ONLY use mirrors. looking backwards just makes it harder to maneuver.
when instructing my wife to back trailers, i set up a cones course in arena. way easy to learn this way. and you can only crush a rubber cone and not a fender.
with me, i ONLY use mirrors. looking backwards just makes it harder to maneuver.
jfsawatzky
Bronze Member
I’ve always found it easier to back up a trailer using a tractor. it’s slower but it’s easier to practice practice practice as others have suggested.
I just purchased a pickup and trailer within the past couple years so I’m still learning the art of backing up with the mirrors … I can do it but I am no expert and might need to take several attempts to get it to go where I want.
scaredychicken
Veteran Member
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I thought I was the only one, and I'm also 58.
I'm getting better at it over time, but it is still a very slow process for me.
- take it slowly
- open spaces, watch for obstacles
- 6 PM on the steering wheel
- use the mirrors
- have a more experienced buddy with you when needed
- snow and ice ... that is Master Level
- do the dump runs on the slow days, when there is time and space
- you don't want to meet up with me at the boat launch (nobody has that much patience)
I'm getting better at it over time, but it is still a very slow process for me.
- take it slowly
- open spaces, watch for obstacles
- 6 PM on the steering wheel
- use the mirrors
- have a more experienced buddy with you when needed
- snow and ice ... that is Master Level
- do the dump runs on the slow days, when there is time and space
- you don't want to meet up with me at the boat launch (nobody has that much patience)
9973720wb19
Platinum Member
when backing up, put your hand at the bottom part of the steering wheel. as you back up, turn the wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go...