One thing you forgot to mention that is an ESSENTIAL safety tip whenever backing ANYTHING: Always have your windows at least 1/3rd down. That way the driver can hear someone yelling STOP if they are about to hit something they can't see. Todays cars and p/u trucks are very quiet in the interior with the windows up and you will miss someone trying to warn that you are about to hit something/someone. ALWAYS BACK WITH YOUR WINDOWS DOWN!
Been driving 18 wheelers for 15 years. Stop worrying about hand positioning or turn left to make trailer go right or opposite. Watch your mirrors. If you see too much trailer in the left mirror turn I steering wheel to that mirror and now look for it to show up in right mirror. If there is too much trailer in right mirror. Turn the steering wheel to the right mirror and look for it to show up in the left mirror. Turn the steering wheel to the mirror that has too much trailer in it and it will start tracking other way. Use 1/4 to 1/2 turns. Most people over correct and get into trouble. Nothing wrong with pulling up a little to gain control again.
I was having a horrible time learning to back my 20' travel trailer and feeling so inadequate. Even thought about selling my trailer that I had ordered and waited for 9 months for delivery. I had always read about hands at the bottom of the wheel and thought that was the only way to do it. My brain just could not get it. I was in tears and my son was totally frustrated with me. Then I remembered someone telling me to 'steer into trouble', meaning if your trailer is going the wrong direction turn the steering wheel in that direction. I tried it and it got better. Now, I just need steer into trouble and get more practice.
A friend of mine told me to do that. He said ‘steer into trouble, Janice, just steer into trouble’. I will always remember what he taught me because backing my short, single axel trailer was making me feel so inadequate.
started semi truck driving today and i honestly was about the throw in the towel after today's backing lesson. your holding of the steering wheel at the bottom will save me. tysm for this tip!!!
The switching-hand-position tip at the beginning is absolutely brilliant. I have not seen this advice in any other other source so far. It turns the steering wheel into a "tiller"--if your hands "go right", the trailer goes that way. Beautifully simple, speaking to how the mind actually works when trying to figure out this mystery. Top shelf!
Nice video. Somehow I don't understand the hand placed on steering wheel. I dont get holding on top or bottom of the steering wheel. This boggles my mind. Im supposed to pull a pop-up with toyota sienna in 2 weeks. So nervous. Im not even sure where to practice. Im thinking of canceling my camping trip with my new aliner until im a pro. Backing up in to camp site is the only option. Im hoping I will find someone to help me once I get there, lol.
@@laj69 The hand at the bottom tip just makes it easier to start your back up.......you want the trailer to go right, you move your hand to the right... Great start. Think of it as you're PUSHING your trailer your bumper. Find an empty parking lot and practice ;)
@@laj69 when I went camping at Georgia State parks, the park hosts helped me to back up into the campsites many times. The mini teardrop camper is so tricky, even you hold on the bottom of the steering wheel, you turn right but the trailer still don’t go right you want, it is so frustrating, I eventually disconnect the trailer, I pushed it into my campsites, It is only 800 pounds weight.
I worked in a tire shop for 20 years and was amazed how many times pro semi drivers could not back their trailers into the shop! I used the steering wheel trick that I learned on the farm when I was 12 years old to back their trucks.
Great video. I learned some of my best curse words watching my dad back a trailer. Something I have learned over the years is; you can always go forward to straighten out and start over. I currently have a narrow spot next to my garage and when I was learning I often had to pull up and “straighten out” to make small adjustments easier. I often see people get “committed” to being in reverse and the get stuck. Remember if you get confused pull forward and start again. But please practice before you get to the boat ramp!
You are so right on, Which reminds me of my wife's brother in-law! He had an accident and a neck surgery which left him w/stiff neck that would not cooperate w/backing! So he had a tow bll installed on the front bumper of his trk problem solved!
Although I’ve backed trailers for several years, I love the video. One comment I would add for new backers or complicated backs. If your trailer is to far off track simply stop and pull forward a few feet. This helps realign the trailer and truck to continue the backing.
A lady I know helped me get hay with her trailer. She shocked everyone (except her husband) by perfectly and quickly backing up to the barn door, around a corner on uneven ground. I grew up on a farm and never saw anything like it. Her husband likes to see people’s reactions when she whips that trailer around like magic.
I don't understand why Anyone would be "shocked" in the first place. I mean, she's ONLY turning a steering wheel, right. Not like she's hoisting a trailer on her bare shoulders. = Level playing field for all.
Extremely informative. As a long time angler, who has been back of the boat for many years, I finally got my own first boat and trailer, and this is very helpful.
Not sure why I watched this as I have been backing trailers for years. The only thing I might add is that it is no shame to stop, get out, and look at where you are and where you are going to be. I have passed on the bottom of steering wheel trick many times ,often at a camper park.
That was my thoughts prezackly, lol, I can just about put a trailer in a hole where a rabbit can't go!!! Muhamid Ali said it best, Your not bragging if u can do what u sat u can do,,,,,,lol
@@victorbunch7725 Well I too can, "put a trailer in a hole where a rabbit can't go". Although that may not be the initial plan that I had started with.
Easier say then done... I just bought a new used boat and was having trouble backing it down the boat ramp... It took about 10 minutes to get it right... It was so embarrassing with all these other boaters waited and watched me... Thank you for the tips...
That's okay, nothing wrong with that. Plus, later on you'll understand what the guy is going through when he does the same thing and help you be patient as he/she learns.
Thank you for an excellent video. I have to drive with a trailer at work this week and I've never driven with a trailer before, this video has taken away some of the fear and given me a small degree of confidence.
@@Distorted_views Notice how Paul hasn't answered you in 4 years? That should be the true indicator on "how it went". Sadly, I think coronabc was correct in their assumption. 😅
This is the second video I’ve watched where it’s been suggested to put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. Very good tip. I’m going to try this next time I take my boat out
Superb video with great tips. I especially like using a reference point on your vehicle and a reference point on the trailer. I have a bad habit of only looking at my target point so this video will help me immensely.
Very good video this will help you. I work at a busy boat ramp near downtown Chicago. I see lots of first timers. They a lot of times ask if I can do it for them. I always say NO. I tell them pull straight start backing slowly when you see to much boat on the left side turn towards it slowly it will correct it and when you over steered left you will see to much boat on you’re right turn towards the right and you will find the sweet spot. By the time the wheels are to hit the water 99.99 % of the time it looks like they been doing it for years. How I learned many years ago was by finding a flat loading dock and putting the trailer in the center of the door. When I was young I used the hand positioning at the bottom of the wheel method. This is the first time I heard of the reference point of the wheel well and light on the trailer. I absolutely love it and it will be part of my future instruction. Excellent video.
One of the better videos on backing a trailer and I have watched a bunch of them. Moving from a pop up shorty to a longer hardside and I am sure hoping it will be easier. Practice, practice, practice.
#1 Place one hand at bottom of steering wheel. #2 Shift vehicle transmission into reverse. #3 Press accelerator to the floor. #4 Call for a Tow Truck. Carry On ✌️
One of the tips I learned (which I find also helps in explaining these techniques to others) is to stop talking about 'left' and 'right' (especially when one is going in reverse....). Instead I use "driver side" and "passenger side" without exception (and particularly when my wife and I are communicating as I back the rig...)
@@AppliedFool042 So envision you sitting in your truck backing up...Your spotter can be behind either rear corner of the trailer, on either side beside the trailer or on either side of the front or rear of the truck. The spotter is facing towards the rear of the trailer or facing the front of the truck. Meanwhile, you are sitting in the truck facing the front of the truck...looking backwards while facing the front or looking backwards in your mirrors while facing the front. Anything you do changes (or needs to change) the direction of the rear of the truck and applies the one direction to the front of the trailer and the opposite direction to the rear of the trailer and you need the spotter to be clear as to the direction which the front or back of either vehicle needs to move when the spotter and driver have different perspectives...
my wife is hearing impaired so we use different hand signals or light signals to connect to our trailers . raising my open hand up and down - go away from me moving my hand in a circle - come back to me, as she gets closer I make smaller circles when she is about 2 ft away I use one closed fist for stop, and indicate how much farther to go with my other hand by using my fingers 1 finger = 1 ft, when she is 5 ft away I flash 5 fingers then 4 down to 1 finger. this lets her know how far away she is from the trailer. our system works well because we each know the signals. our cardinal rule is "if you don't understand a signal stop the move" the forward or back signals can be used with a flashlight if it is dark, the distance count is given by quick and short up down motion of the flashlight.
@@Darkshadoz If you have the time, watch the adventures of "Willem Powerfish" on RU-vid. When he backs a trailer.....well....I'll leave you to find out.
Very good except for the ground guide hand signals. It is hard to see what the ground guide is signaling. The ground guide should extend the appropriate arm fully/straight out, parallel to the ground. In other words, if the ground guide wants the trailer go to the ground guide's right, the ground guide should extend their right arm fully.
with narrow trailers just keep a slight angle on the trailer so you can see it from the mirror and with shirt trailers only use very small steering wheel inputs to keep trailer straight
That aiming point is correct, but I find it necessary to keep that fender as close to the dock as possible to help the person that may be holding the rope, to get control of that boat as soon as the boat floats from the trailer.
James Tierney... How are you really doing this beautiful and wonderful Monday morning? I would be glad and happy to hear back from you this great and wonderful Monday morning?
okay but if youre looking at the back window and your trying to go right, is it going right from your vantage ppoint in the truck or if you were outside looking at it?
easiest way is to continually check mirrors left and right whatever mirror the trailer is getting bigger in turn the wheel into that mirrors direction to straighten out
Only way is fit a hitch to the front of the vehicle for when you are at the destination for your trailer move it to where you want it disconnects turn the motor round and reconnect ready for the off ❤
A far easier trick for straight line backing is putting one hand on top of the wheel. Instead of trying to steer the trailer you correct it by turning your hand towards the side that is going off track. Nothing to think about at all. Most new drivers learn in seconds how to back. From there you can teach steering the trailer super easy.
The person on the ground must only tell the driver which way the trailer (not the tow vehicle) is to go, and must never tell which way to turn the steering wheel. Here is what the driver does NOT need to hear: "Okay, now CUT IT. Turn your wheel. NO, NO THE OTHER WAY! No, not THAT way, the other way! You're doing it all wrong, turn your wheel the other way. Can't you just follow my instructions? STOP, STOP, get out and let ME do it!"
an easier way to do this is if you turn the wheel towards the tire you want to see less of the trailer if you want to see more of the trailer you turn it away from the tire works on both side obviously.
Thanks for the video, very helpful! We plan on buying an 8' wide 22' long trailer and our driveway is 9'3" wide. I do not have experience backing up a trailer. Do you think this will be an issue?
