trailer backing 101 help?

[Lady Beretta]

I have to admit... I SUCK at trailer backing. I also have to admit that DH is quite good at it and can park it on a dime. However, he doesn't teach parking 101 well and I don't translate his language well. This leads to a few rounds of cussing on both sides.
Today I am trailering the horses to an event, looks like I will end up taking them back to the farm alone.. which means I have to park the friggen thing.
I have to move it in a backwards Z shape to it's spot. The farm road is only as wide as the trailer. Very little mess-up space.
Any hints from you pros on doing this.. I know it's hard to give advice over the internet.

[Karl/PA]

Make sure your mirrors are properly set and place your steering hand at the six o'clock position on the steering wheel and NOT near the top.

Placing your hand near the top means you have to turn opposite of the way you want to go. By placing it at the bottom you just steer normally.

[4XLT]

been driving truck for 17 years and Karl hit it on the head put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and then whatever way you want the trailer to go move your hand to that side .. takes some practice but you'll get it..

also: i can back a 48" and 53" trailer faster and easier that i can a 12" the shorter the trailer the harder it is...

don't over steer, the more you move the wheel the faster and sharper the trailer turns .

slow and easy is the best way..

[Lady Beretta]

Thanks guys, that's one hint I hadn't heard before. I have heard it IS harder to back the smaller rigs. This is a small bumper pull, wish it was gooseneck but it's not.

Wish me luck..I'm gonna need it.

[Frenchy]

I remember seeing trucks with a hitch ball in front and asking why, then one day, i saw a man drive his boat 5 miles up a road barely large enough for one truck and put his boat in the lake... Seems in some areas it is very common in Quebec to see this.

Might be a thought for you

[str8shooter]

What they said, and as another person who needs a lot more practice, here's a couple things I have learned. Take is smooth and slow, and bail out early if the angle between the 'burban and the trailer gets too sharp. Assuming you start with an angle of 180 degrees (straight line), if the for newbies like us, if the angle gets less than 120 degrees, it's hard to recover in a narrow space. Better to take 10 tries at it than jack knife yourself into a corner where you can't go forward or backward.

Start out in the middle of the path/road with the trailer and 'burban in a straight line, just a few feet in front of the spot you're going to back into. Then with your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, slowly start to back up, moving your hand in the direction you want the back of the trailer to go. Slow slow slow, and watch the trailer on one side, and your trucks back end on the other side. When you see the trailer turning into where you want it to go, keep the angle small if room allows, and be ready to steer back to where your hand is at the bottom again to maintain the angle. If the trailer starts turning too much, slowly move your hand in the opposite direction to lessen the angle.

eg. if you're backing into a spot on your left. Drive past the spot until the back of the trailer is about 5 feet from where you want it to go.

Put your hand on the steering wheel at 6 o'clock, slowly start backing up and move your hand to 7 o'clock (thus, the back of the trailer has to go to the left, so move your hand to the left). If you need a tighter angle, move your hand to 8 o'clock, if you're doing okay, put your hand back to 6 o'clock. If the trailer starts turning too sharp, move your hand to 5 o'clock.

It's an art form, and even if I do it perfect three times in a row, I can still screw it up the next 10 times. I think of this everytime I hear some bubble head dis a big rig driver who can drive through towns and drop their load a WaWa I can barely get my Envoy through.

[41 Redhawk]

Try using the tractor to park the trailer. Much better visibility and you don't have to worry about mirrors. Plus, alot of tractors have hitches on the front which makes it even easier.

For real fun try backing a 4 wheeled wagon!

[Exbiker]

If your truck is a 4X4 put it in 4wd low. That way it will just creep backward. Those short bumper trailers turn quick and it`s easy to over-correct.

[hdward@verizon.net]

A little late for your task, but it always helps to get a few tips.
1st DON"T get flustered.
The proper mirrors and ajustment make thing much easier.
Slow & smooth movements are key.
Some people always have their at the top pf the wheel. in this case
watch the side of the trailer, if you see more of one side in a mirror turn the
wheel toward that side. That straightens out the trailer. It dosen't cost a
thing to pull ahead, and if nesscesary get out and LOOK. Running the side of your truck or trailer against a pole or fence or into a ditch can cost plenty.

[jb12string]

Practice and Patience, take it from a person who once jacknifed a trailer into the side of a brand new pickup(long story).

I hate backing 4 wheeled wagons, thankfully, I only have to do it one or two days a year when we cut our corn or beans