How to Tow a Trailer

[@ballwizz23]

One last step: Pluck your tie-down straps like a guitar string and slap the trailer twice before saying "Yup, that'll do." This will ensure everything is ABSOLUTELY as secure as can possibly be.

[@codyrobert12]

Alternative phrase after checking tie down guitar for correct tuning: "Yep, that thing ain't going nowhere." Basic concept still applies if double negative isn't utilized.

[@daniellueke4717]

"That ain't going anywhere!"

[@douglasmackellar3875]

"SHE AIN'T GOING NO WHERE" ... very important step. Well pointed out. Works 100% of the time, every time.

[@abyssalreclass]

If you pluck the tie down and hear a tone, its tight enough.

[@decisive-dolphin]

Lmfao

[@mikecoffin820]

I needed to learn how to tow with my tundra and his is identical to mine. Perfect video for me. Thanks!

[@jontest5718]

Do one final walk around and make sure you didn’t leave your beer on the trailer

[@phoenixsx1]

Sounds legit

[@dtxgmoney]

Alcohol definitely helps me manage the stress of pulling a trailer.

[@marcosmunguia7273]

Every time

[@Tundra-guy96]

cant tell you how many times ive watched bands pull away with beers on the trailer

[@adambranham8447]

Now that’s funny 😂

[@suziemyers9855]

I just bought a very small travel trailer and when I picked it up, I was a tad overwhelmed so this was a great reminder. Thanks.

[@klausitomeyer5016]

now this is an educational video, great information, thanks you sir. well done.

[@RuggyRat]

Thanks so much for the tips on the trailer brake usage.

[@ernestoheh]

I was asking myself "why am I watching this" and then the part about the trailer brakes came up. "hey! I did lean something from this!" haha

[@JayOrlando32828]

I'm guessing you need a special trailer to use this feature ....

[@deere3321]

Always carry a spare and check lugs nuts. In 50 years of towing I only found loose lug nuts once. That's 1 too many.

[@JohnSmith-ok9sn]

Very well done. Thank you, sir! I've been searching for a short, and concise, video on the topic, and I have found it.

[@luminescentlion]

As someone who partially grew up on a farm I towed trailers before I even got my license I already knew all of this, but this is still a good informational video. Also, your safety chains should be facing the opposite way so if they are needed there is no chance of them coming out of the truck.... less necessary with the safety latches on this trailer but still important. Tow mirror laws differ by state especially with farm plates... hell you don't even need lights on trailers with farm plates. (Hauling Bale Wagons(The kind that runs behind small square ballers with kickers) is super fun and teaches you a lot about dealing with fishtailing as they fishtail a ton and you can't really go faster than 35 MPH with them)

[@raymondschneider5217]

Ahhhh, I remember THOSE days! If the bales weren't stacked correctly and tight, too, it was hell, when you lost the load while driving! Y'all Be Safe!

[@grandmapatty1493]

Finally a video explaining a brake controller!!! Thanks!!!

[@BucketListBadass]

8 yrs later and this video still helps trailer noobs (me) out! Thanks!

[@peloncitosbikes431]

The truck King is always a good teacher when it come to explaining things

[@brettfoster8519]

Best trailering video I have seen. Great Job.

[@Ev3_6]

This is a most informative video. Clear, concise, easy to understand.

[@jennifersmith8900]

this is a very detailed great learning video. thank you. i'm considering getting a utility trailer for camping so i need to do my homework. this gives me a great starting point

[@Toyodadude]

Love the TUNDRA😍

[@canadiantimberwolf1]

Backing a trailer is not as hard as it looks. Actually, when you see the Big Rigs backing up, remember this, as a trucker for 40 plus years, the longer the trailer the easier it is. All you need is the space. The longer trailers are slower when backing. The shorter the trailer the more work it is all because of the placement of the wheels. The closer to the tow vehicle the quicker the turn time. It will begin to turn long before you want it to. So the shorter, the harder. Even when we back up the Pups or 32 footers and less, they can be a pain at times and you must learn to capture the turn before it goes. That is why setting up your mirrors to see the rears side of your trailer is So Important. When you see it moving out of sight in one mirror, means you look at the other to see where it is going. One trick or lesson when driving a tractor trailer, is always backup on your good side ( Left Side). The Bad Side is called the Blind Side, because you lose sight of the trailer no matter how long when you back up on the Blind Side ( Right Side). Also no matter if you have a Spotter, if you hit something, no matter what, it is Your Fault. You are the Captain of your ship. You have the final say in everything. We have an Acronym in the Trucking Industry that goes... " G.O.A.L " which means " Get Out And Look ", If you never 100%, then do so and be sure the way on the sides, below ( Curve or Ditches) or above ( Branches ) are simply clear. Practice makes you more skilled at backing up a trailer. There is an easy way and a harder way. Getting it wrong and jack-knifing is when it all goes wrong, when backing up. 25% of backing a trailer is being Slow and Intentional. As you get better at it, you will become more Skilled and Efficient. 20%, is just being courteous with other traffic and not getting cocky, it will bite you real fast. That last 5%, is watching for Pedestrians, Other Cars, Ditches, Trees, you name it. But, most important, is... Setting Yourself UP for backing UP, is 50% or half the battle. Simply turn the trailer in the direction you want it to go, and follow it, correcting as you go along. If you find yourself twisting the wheel left and right real quick to get the trailer and the tow vehicle under control, means your way too fast. Just STOP, and get yourself under control. Pull ahead a few feet or until your straight, and continue with the job at hand. Although you can use the Hand on Wheel truck ( Bottom of the Steering Wheel) or you can also think in this fashion. The Back part of your Front Wheels will always point in the direction of your trailer and the direction you want it to go. Turn the wheel Left for the trailer to go Right and Right for the trailer to go Left. Bring the wheel into the same direction as the trailer is going to straighten out. The Best Information I can give, just be slow and think. Don't listen to 10 people telling you, pick one you trust when backing up. Good Luck.. Oh setting yourself up, most people go into a back up situation straight and use the entire road to back up, which means you will be pushing the limits on everything. Setting yourself up, Turn on your 4-way Flashers, Safely drive on the to left side of the road to the driveway your backing into, when you are face to face with your head looking into the driveway. Look to be sure of No traffic, otherwise just sit and wait for an opening. Drive and Turn your wheel away from the point and drive towards the next lane or centre line and keep the distance from the curb on the right. Your whole entire setup should be on an angle pointed away from the driveway if going forwards, there is the 50% done when backing. Stop when your trailers is just past the driveway entrance by a few feet. Begin to turn your wheels to the right and slowly begin backing, watch the trailer enter the driveway and begin to turn the wheel to the left, to stop the turn and follow the trailer into the driveway. As someone had said, get cones and open parking lot and practice, it's really not that hard.

[@hunterdavis2282]

Amazing explanation

[@timstanley3314]

Thanks dude. This gave me the confidence needed

[@charleswd7932]

Great educational video thank u for that keep up the good work

[@motorheadbanger950]

Im buying a car (hopefully) and need to tow it, this video gave me some confidence thank you!

[@s.j.1298]

Glad you made this video.

[@towinglads7167]

Thanks for the tutorial, must say it really helped!

[@MrEdgarSanchezz]

Thank u this is the best video I've found about how to tow

[@annag467]

This helped me, thanks for making the video!

[@Triforcefilms]

Very helpful and clear, thanks for the well made video.

[@gregrowe1168]

3-4 car lengths isn't even sufficient at highway speeds for normal driving. 3 seconds is recommended distance between the car in front of you. At highway speeds, thats basically about the length of a football field. In poor weather, more distance is needed as well. If pavement is wet or poor visibility such as heavy rain, snow or fog, add to this distance.

[@scotty4649]

So true! I was gonna type the same thing before I saw your post.

[@brycegman8150]

Agreed. It may seem excessive but you shouldn't have to slam on your brakes to stop when the person ahead of you does.

[@medmark77]

This was a phenomenal video. Thank you!

[@flowmatic123]

You hook the thing on the thing and lock it. Then drive away. Easy Peasy.

[@Mr.k3n]

Id like that video

[@ConservativeVet84]

So say the guys who have dropped their trailers in the middle of the road. Check, double check, triple check. Watch some KZbin videos of guys dumping their fifth wheels and destroying their truck beds/tailgates.

[@aniganti5559]

Fantastic video, thank you so much for this, really.

[@AutoGuide]

Thanks for watching! We're happy you found it useful.

[@douglashelsel]

EXCELLENT Video young man!!!!

[@moniquem783]

First time in my life I’ve even considered towing. Never needed to before now. Damn I wish my dad was still alive. This was helpful, but there are times when Dad would’ve done it better ya know.

[@Supernova12034]

So...most modern day trucks come with the wiring already eh? Phenomenal video by the way.

[@26Bluegb]

The cotter pin should be on the passenger side. Roads slope towards the passenger side, so if the cotter pin fails when its on the passenger's side the angle of the hitch pin (being on the driver's side/ high side of the road) will hold because it's being pushed against the hitch. If the cotter falls out on the driver's side it can just slide downhill and out.

[@benjaminw9624]

This host is literally the most American person of all time

[@cdnstache]

He’s Canadian....the more you know....

[@johnsimun6533]

Yes, I knew.

[@frozenover4381]

Thanks mate was very helpful

[@sylviaortiz6941]

Your the best! Thank you

[@donmulder8061]

I live in Western Loudoun county Va where there's lots of horse farms. Seems like there's a few hundred people with large pick ups pulling multi axle 40 foot horse trailers. They come around bends in the narrow roads too narrow and fast with their trailers tracking in the oncoming traffic lane. On tight gravel roads I have had to suddenly drive into the woods to avoid losing my front quarter panel to these behemoths. The general response from these folks is "sucks to be you. Learn to drive." They should be required to go through a class on turning radius and avoiding oncoming traffic.

[@e.j1292]

Thanks a lot it's very informative.

[@dummkompf]

my car has a hitch but it doesn't have trailer wiring installed yet. Turns out it doesn't need it - all I had to do was smear some dielectric grease on the connector and that made sure that everything was working properly! TY guys!

[@stephaniecollard-cruz9892]

Thank you! Definitely great information!!

[@PechatiClub]

Thanks guys ! Great channel!

[@gadjules7334]

Excellent video, thank you

[@gophermaster]

Good video, I learned a lot.

[@clintpeterson9028]

Lots of good information thanks

[@He2NawfMemphis]

This was a bad ass video! In a good way

[@JuanitoSu]

Great video! Thanks

[@theophanial9432]

super helpful! thanks for the video

[@duo315]

Thanks for the helpful video

[@Timrathmore]

Your Video was great 👍!!

[@TheTrailerPartsOutlet1]

Great, simple guide! Thank you

[@gregluginsland8833]

great video guys

[@kynhan9863]

Right on! Great detail video by far!

[@brucec43]

A few things I think you need to emphasize that were covered only quickly in the presentation. 1. Just because your truck is rated for a max weight doesn't make it a good match for a really heavy trailer. Your truck's ability to handle lateral forces from the trailer in emergency maneuvers can mean that you should try to have a truck over-rated for a particular load. Pulling it forward is the least of your worries. 2. Make sure that the hairpin cotter pins holding the lynch pin and trailer latch down are not worn out and can slip off easily. If it goes the others are not far behind. A few cents to keep good fresh ones around isnt' a bad investment. 3. You inserted a hairpin cotter pin into the locking mechanism for the trailer latch. There are various designs, but you need to emphasize the importance of putting a bolt or pin of some sort through that hole to ensure it doesn't pop off the trailer ball. 4. Guard against temptation to "drag" the trailer a few inches to the ball unless equipped with a wheel.. There is a lot of pressure on the welded or bolted on "foot" and they can collapse under lateral loads. They are designed to handle vertical forces mostly.

[@gregrowe1168]

We have used a padlock on the trailer latch before. It makes sure it never comes loose while towing and also makes it harder for someone to steal your trailer when parked. With a simple pin, all someone has to do is pull a pin. With a lock, they have to cut the lock off. It still can be done but it takes some effort to do so. I agree that no truck should ever tow anywhere near its rated capacity. The suspension will be flexed a good amount too, affecting your handling as well. 75% is a good rule of thumb. So his truck with its 10,000 towing capacity shouldn't be towing more than 7500 lbs. That way you don't have to worry about how many people are in the truck so that you don't exceed max vehicle rating either. You also don't stress the brakes, transmission and rear end by overloading them. The engine can handle the weight, the driveline is what is stressed in towing. Heavier duty trucks have stronger frames as well to be more rigid when towing heavy loads as well.

[@ivantafolla9761]

Bruno TaTa a

[@asultico]

this guy's great lol

[@paulatighe7073]

thank you, very informative, well done

[@mikeramsey9747]

You advocate centering balance over your axles, you should never negative balance a trailer, you should always have some weight on the tongue to maintain controllability.

[@ze3bar]

Mike Ramsey he said 9- 15% over the hitch, is that not the same ?

[@ericstinnett9182]

Great video, what about greasing the ball to keep from wear and tear on the ball??

[@jayjaynella4539]

A light layer of grease helps keep the rust away and the mechanism operating smoothly.

[@cwqrpportable]

Good, educational video, thanks.

[@duweydang]

Audio fixed! cool

[@madamofmayhem3781]

Great video Thank you 😊

[@trueemids.]

I don't even have a truck.. this is dope though!

[@daveybernard1056]

nice and clear

[@kevincosta573]

Phenomenal video,

[@vrgamer3371]

Thank you sir

[@jeffrey3498]

Well done!

[@rileypotter6824]

Forgot about not having the overdrive on! Great way to mess up your truck!

[@catalinsoare1261]

How to tow while driving some sort of UFO with all sorts of cameras and sensors.

[@canadiantimberwolf1]

Nicely done, and one of the Better videos. I've been a trucker since 1976 ( Class D), and tractor trailer ( Class AZ) since 1978. I would like to ask your opinion of those who Twist the Chains if they are Too Long. A guys says the NHTSA says it is okay.

[@Crotal_Karma]

Thank you.

[@MattJonesYT]

4:20 Dielectric grease will help keep the connection from going bad but it's not going to fix an existing problem.

[@Chase_AM]

I was going to say the same. 99 times out of 100 dialectic does nothing to resolve an issue

[@ferruiz6173]

excellent video

[@cyrusthevirus5350]

Great video!!

[@Mortis_XII]

You’re my hero

[@CWalsh-pj9cp]

Hopefully will be doing this with a mini van for a little while until I get a truck.

[@iTsBoOgA001]

Great video

[@Arculus192]

Great info! Thanks!

[@toyota894]

Ill be towing a camper from 1 coast line to the opposite. Washington State to Murrells Inlet SC. Hopefully without a ticket.

[@heroknaderi]

Very cool can you also show how to tow a small trailer with a normal car

[@SynchronizorVideos]

Same stuff really, aside from the trailer brakes.

[@Josco31]

Thanks!

[@mayo4real]

very educative

[@johnschofield6675]

Do you use 4wd high or 2wd high gearbox settings? help please

[@ulicsc.5103]

I think you went short on GVWR not only count tongue weight but also cargo passenger fuel.

[@JeepCherokeeful]

Might wanna check the trailer lights!

[@ericgrajeda2671]

Do you pull over every 2 hours on long trips to check the trailer or only once when u start 20 minutes into starting u say?

[@Unplugged704]

Tundra Newbie to towing... when towing a boat, what mode should I be driving in. D or manual shifting?

[@casececase2308]

young man u hook chain wrong , but cross chain is fine but your hook is on top this is wrong

[@rtspacer_hd]

I'm surprised he's not using a Cummins seeing how he threw the 6.4 Hemi under the bus in a "review" from before.

[@kosieS]

Hi thanks nice video. I have a question I am used to manual from South-Africa pulling big boats with small trucks. Moved to Canada and bought a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. It has a O/D button. So when I tow for first time now how do I go abouts? Put it in D and turn O/D off or do I still only pit it in 3 and O/D off. Can anyone help please. Not sure regarding towing with automatic.

[@matthewstandridge225]

My grandad always turns over drive off

[@adamsmith2823]

You mention to cross the chains so that the chains will cradle the tongue in the event of a decoupling, but the chains are way too long for that to actually happen. All you are going to do by crossing the chains with that much slack is cause the tongue of the trailer to drag on top of the chains if your primary coupling fails. With that setup (truck and trailer), you would get about 1.5" of slack under the ball before that tongue falls all the way to the ground. There is a lot of great info in this video, but those chains are not going to do what you hope they will with that configuration.

[@TheOneWhoMightBe]

Also the point of the safety chains is not to stop the trailer dragging on the ground in the event it becomes unhitched, it's so the trailer stays behind the vehicle doesn't head off into oncoming traffic.

[@trevorcarpenter9039]

What's a good gear to tow in

[@redez-ik5xz]

I dont have any of that fancy stuff in my second gen dodge lol well wish me luck

[@SynchronizorVideos]

I tow with an old van that has no brake controller and a trailer with no brakes at all. Just get to know your limits and drive conservatively. Leave plenty of space to stop and do what you can to save your brakes on hills.

[@opera93]

Thanks, some great ideas, & overview. Interestingly, a great part towing is back-up! Many, areas and routes ne3d a lot of back,up:: practice, learn, practices...full DISCLOSURES : I,am not in good Practice,for a lot of backing a trailer ( or,two in Garm Situations: had an Uncle that was an expert )! Anyways, the other part of TOWING!, not to,be ignored...( I learned the Hard Way).

[@naumansyed]

There are many videos which show trailers getting out of control due to distribution of weight. Can you please comment on that? Whats the best position to center the weight on the trailer?

[@davidgaleon5642]

Looking for a motorcycle trailer I have a street glide anyone recommendations?

[@zakaria600]

check Uhaul they sell trailers for bikes

[@pyro323]

All this and he didn't mention anything about backing up a trailer?

[@SOS-dr2oo]

Very helpful!

[@luker8wetthuhn455]

he is wrong

[@ghilliemanreviews]

Ain’t gonna lie you should know how to do this anyways. My dad taught me at like 10 years old. But I wanted to watch and see what he says. I never look at all the ratings and capacities 😂😂 my rule “if it squats too much, upsize your truck” I used to tow huge trailers with my little 3.0 v6 ford ranger 😂

[@nyrubin]

This video is pretty old so I understand how you could’ve forgotten the most important thing! ”Don’t forget to hit subscribe” 😂💪💯✌️

[@mosteve30]

Nice video. I got my first truck this week and it's a 2015 Ram. It has a tow/haul button. What does that do?

[@joulemine]

Stephen Moss most tow buttons keep the truck in a lower gear longer.

[@emilybh6255]

Even without towing a trailer you should leave a full car length for every 10 mph you are driving. That means at 60 mph you 6 full truck - lengths between you and the car in front of you. Add on to that if you are towing a trailer.