How to Back Up a Trailer Perfectly!

[@brucebabin4137]

I think what was meant to be said, was that if you want the back end of the trailer to go in a particular direction. Put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and the direction your hand goes is the direction the back of the trailer will go. 20 years driving tractor trailer and I didn’t get it wrong once. Thank you for the video. 🙂

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

that is much clearer!

[@richardprice5979]

😊😊😊

[@phamc777]

make sure you look in to miror

[@johnmacdonald6220]

Absolutely right the simplest way to understand the direction will move is the one you mentioned, hand at the bottom. The shorter the wheel base limit the turn of the steering wheel as the unit responds quicker than the longer unit. ie. a 24’ pup trailer turns quicker than the 53’ trailer. So when backing up your RV keep this in mind or you will have the RV Jack knifed in a heartbeat.

[@stanbancroft1054]

thank you!

[@bobbertc4932]

Loved this. Seeing steering wheel, vehicle AND trailer in one view was very helpful. Thumb-pointing is also a great tip. Thanks!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You're welcome!

[@MC-ph7gr]

I go to CDL school with 10 teachers and noone knows your solution nor taught this as good as you. You are the man

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Aw Garsh. Glad to be of help. The best to you in your transportation career! Best, DFJ

[@louislandi938]

DFJ, You always have practical lessons. No rambling on and on. The shorter the trailer, the harder it is to back up. I have a short utility trailer for my garden tractor. I get as close as I can to the garage overhang, unhitch (It’s empty at that point) and push it back in. Since it has to fit between other equipment, this is the quickest way for me.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks my friend. Best to you, DFJ

[@salgiordano9937]

Best advice I was given: whichever way the back end of the trailer needs to go, make the nose of the truck go in that direction.

[@angelamonk716]

Question please don't think it's stupid. So make the nose of the truck POINT in the direction you want the trailer to go ? You know being it's going in reverse, right? I'm in CDL classes and having hard time back up and being a female, in getting shunned big time. Any help would be very appreciated in reference to your advice you were given in past. ty

[@salgiordano9937]

@@angelamonk716 Yes, if I'm understanding you correctly. Imagine you're looking down at the truck and trailer from above, when you're turning they will make a v-shape with the rear end of the trailer and the front end of the truck being the tops of the v and the pivot point at the hitch being the point. I hope that makes sense, this is hard to put into words!!! Good luck!

[@angelamonk716]

@@salgiordano9937 I think I get it! Ty

[@Robmancan1987]

I just make my vehicle follow the trailer. In my head I'm driving the trailer and trying to make the vehicle stay as closely behind it as possible. Sometimes you need your trailer to go in a direction that looks crazy before you ever get under it with your vehicle to follow it on around.

[@dancindavey1515]

@@angelamonk716Being a female is not a problem. For some reason, backing a trailer can boggle anyone’s brain. Wait till you’re in your 70’s. Something really this simple gets harder. Just keep practicing. A light bulb will come on over your head eventually.

[@brettbarager9101]

The best advice in backing up a trailer was from my best friend of 50 years: "Get the hell out of my way and let me do it!" I have never had a problem since! Perfect every time. 😂😂

[@DebSeymourMusic]

THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU! I just spent the last two days learning to back up...and while I managed, if I had only know the bottom-of-the-steering-wheel-thumbs technique, I would have acheived my goals more smoothly.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad it helped!

[@kasperaquatics]

Loved the video, solid no nonsense advice as usual. Just maybe, I can learn to park a trailer before I leave this earth. Thanks for the great tip.

[@forefathersdaughter]

Omg. Thank you so much. I love using my mirrors but I have been struggling driving a 12' trailer for the first time. I don't HAVE to reverse bc my driveway has a wrap around but I am absolutely determined to get this right. Your video has helped me so much!!! Thank you!!!

[@imablank9701]

Just seen your truck at tractor supply. New subscriber. Glad to have someone in my area taking about gardening and other stuff.

[@scottstewart9154]

One of the best tips I got when learning to back trailers was to make small turns, don't crank it, make small adjustments to your steering the trailer will eventually get to where you want it.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Great insight. Thanks for sharing. When backing a trailer, a little bit of steering goes a long way. Best, DFJ

[@jacebmace]

Will have to give the mirror approach a try the next time I’m backing a trailer. Thanks, Jay!

[@toddsmith9598]

Outstanding! Thank you very much. I’ve been backing up a trailer for years and I learned alot in this video.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks Todd Smith. Best, DFJ

[@Elijah-fc3ex]

Best backup video demonstration I've seen

[@DirtFarmerJay]

I'm glad you found it to be helpful.

[@amypletcher4411]

Thank you sir for this lesson of backing up. I had to back up a lawn trailer for the first time all by myself. 😢 I was quite concerned but very confident to learn. My husband was at work so i just took my time and keep calm. I did it and finally after maybe an hour I managed to get it down half our driveway and into my back garage. Short story,( I drove in forward and made a loop, then started the backing up.) It is definitely muscle memory😊 and i have a lot of practice to still make it smooth but i was pretty impressed with myself!!

[@codeman3564]

You're absolutely right when you said you don't need an audience or someone telling you go left no go right I didn't get it really down packed until I did it by myself getting that muscle memory like you said

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Indeed. It isn't helpful getting that type of advice or pressure.

[@jayneweathers]

Thank you so much for making this easy to understand!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gregmaxfield4405]

Thanks DFJ, will try the mirror technique next time I move my Camper Trailer. 🙂🚜🐻 Bear Queensland Oztralia

[@daisylee298]

Thank you Jay , can I use the same instructions for driving a truck?

[@mareyananan9533]

Good demonstration. Helped a lot,

[@dancindavey1515]

I bought a toy truck with a trailer carrying a bulldozer. Practiced with it on a table and was really proud of my back- up ability. When I backed up my boat in my pickup… I must have jackknifed five times. Like getting hit with a mass confusion syndrome. Figured out…want boat to go left, butt of pickup goes right, and Vice versa. And I’d still screw up a couple of times.

[@lindabradford9591]

Lol. And just when you thought you had it. That's a cute story! I just heard that you "hold the top of the steering wheel to drive forward and the bottom of the steering wheel to back up the trailer." I'm gonna try that also.

[@toto-dh9dw]

❤thank you.. now sommeone explained where i got wrong. I swapped between technics. .. noone ever expalined that to me.. next time i practise ❤ thank you

[@FrantasticFacials]

Learning how to back up a trailer hitched to a 1 ton truck when I was in the Air Force was a challenge. Great demonstration and I like the looking in the mirrors much better. Would love to see you do a 2nd video in an actual vehicle. 😁

[@KNKLHEAD]

Thanks. I understand your very clear video! My biggest challenge is to not overstear at the very start. Practice I will!

[@nickrhiley5416]

You are awesome thank you for the video. I was taught to hold the bottom of the wheel and it's still how I do it. I jacked-knifed my first trailer after knowing how to back it up, 5 years later. the walls blew apart on the highway I immediately pulled over and instantly forgot I had a trailer backed up and crunched my rear end. Luckily, I owned that truck anyway I'm always trying to better myself to ensure I don't destroy company property, or my future property.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for watching and writing. Sorry to hear of the damage to your vehicle. I'm sure that won't happen again. That lesson was hard learned and now is yours. Best, DFJ

[@jefffox8991]

What if you can't see the trailer to start with (even when straight)? I have. A low bed trailer?

[@JonathanARae]

It looked so easy until I tried it. Thanks for sharing.

[@nicholastube17]

I worked as a ground crew worker for a sports team. I was told to go back up the trailer into some area. The older fellas knew I had little experiences. They gave me a few tips. And then proceeded to crack open some drinks and harassed me until they got bored. Only then after they tired out did I start figuring it out. But it in the end, I recall getting off the tractor and picking up the trailer and muscling it to where I wanted it and then proceeded to park it where I wanted.

[@Felix2A]

Hey Farmer Jay-- I grew up on a large Midwestern grain farm and spent years in 4-H. I used to win blue ribbons at the county and state fair in the tractor & wagon backing competitions. Both single-axle wagons (same as a trailer) and dual-axle wagon with front-wheel steering. As a dirt farmer, I'm sure you have experience backing a front-wheel steering wagon. So how about doing a video on that as well. 😦

[@slimwantedman6694]

Good morning from Southeast South Dakota

[@slimwantedman6694]

Being a retired truck driver. (No I don't mean a pickup/suv). I have almost just as many miles forward as I do backing up. Try backing down multiple blocks at the meat market in Chicago. Enjoy your video's keepem coming

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks Slim WantedMan. I always enjoy your comments as well! Best, DFJ

[@predictiveprogramming3760]

Do the people in northern South Dakota ever feud with the people in southern North Dakota?

[@slimwantedman6694]

@@predictiveprogramming3760 No We have East River and West River issues. The Missouri River is the dividing line.

[@Garry-nf2dx]

Does that mean your backing up from norwest north Dakota 😊

[@huanengneng]

best video for this topic

[@gerybase7818]

Thank you!

[@darrenrichards4840]

Thanks for this and a great explanation. I remember the first time I drove with a trailer as a 17 year old and was about to reverse it just the same way I would the pickup when my father said 'you know you reverse the opposite way' I just replied 'WHAT' in disbelief 😅

[@luisonofre3394]

Thanks really helpful!

[@JoeIsuzusGarage]

Great advice. Definitely make small corrections and go back to center. Buddy worked on Mack trucks that hauled trailers loaded with coal. He always knew the trucks without power steering because the drivers backed up their trailers easier and quicker. Also, if you can start out with vehicle and trailer straight you're better off.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Good insights, Al! Best, DFJ

[@lawntiger8923]

Sound advice and so helpful. Thanks!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

So glad!

[@israelnemitz8323]

Great video!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thank you!

[@sharonwisinger5162]

good explanation thanks

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You're welcome!

[@flora5803]

Great🎉😅! Looking from Austria, Vienna

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Greetings! Thanks for watching and writing!

[@alidjillali7450]

Bonjour 🇩🇿🌹🇩🇿 Merci pour l'explication Salutations

[@johnmellyn2700]

The way I was taught to back up is to put both hands on the bottom half of steering wheel ( left hand at 7:00 , right hand at 5:00 )…. As your backing up if you want the trailer to go to the left ( drivers side ) feed the bottom of the steering wheel to the left , if you want the trailer to go to the right ( passenger side ) feet the bottom of the steering wheel to the right ( that way there’s no thinking turn opposite ,… works like a charm !

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Excellent technique. Once you've done whatever memory cue helps, eventually muscle memory takes over and that trailer goes where you want it to without a lot of conscious thought. Thanks for writing! Best, DFJ

[@mykelbaurle5758]

The easiest and less confusing way is to turn the bottom of the steering wheel the direction you want your trailer to go.

[@arnoldndukidinsimba1924]

super easy to learn.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for watching and writing! Best, DFJ

[@ThisHatvd]

Good advice sir thank you 🙏

[@lindabradford9591]

Thank you for sharing

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You're welcome.

[@kaos94591]

Thank you sooo much!!!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad to be of help!

[@echapeah]

OMG i wish you were my instructor. the one i have is only yelling exactly like you did "left, right, what are you doing" which making me more confuse. i need to make mistakes so i know how to do it correctly but he only yelling everytime i move the wrong direction JEEZ

[@vaughanscott7308]

Great advice old timer 🍾

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad you think so!

[@willbcat1]

When talking about using a mirror - is that the rear view mirror, or a side mounted mirrors?

[@DirtFarmerJay]

We use both, whatever gives us the clearest view and angle. Both work well, depending on the situation. Best, DFJ

[@charlescoker7752]

Just take your time. Move slow. Watch the trailer like a hawk. If it heads in the wrong direction , stop , and adjust.

[@johnnyplair8532]

Great information

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad you liked it. Best, DFJ

[@jencarlson]

Thank you DirtFarmer Jay! You made backing out a rental trailer a breeze!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Great to hear! Be careful about letting people know that you can back a trailer well. Before you know it, you'll be asked to help on all sorts of projects! Best, DFJ

[@kikibrewer6571]

Best video, thanks

[@MichaelGlennglennimages]

Bottom of the wheel works for me.

[@paulleeson250]

Missed the critical explanation that once the trailer starts going in the chosen direction you need to center the steering or perhaps even reverse steering direction to avoid a guaranteed jack knife if you hold the initial input.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You’re right, thanks for pointing that out!

[@silverdragontaylir8252]

Thank you

[@ThePopulationofAfrica]

love ya tnx

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for watching!

[@Corndogryn07]

We’ve got a tiny 10ft camper that wants to jackknife at any chance- thank you for advice!

[@codeman3564]

Those tiny adjustments is a big key in backing a trailer

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You are correct. The shorter the trailer or the tongue, the more those little adjustments make a difference. Best, DFJ

[@fltingley]

Isn’t this guy running for Vice President right now?

[@DirtFarmerJay]

I wish someone would have told me! LOL!

[@neilmerlino6475]

I think he was a dictator in Yemen for a number of years ... But he's retired now.

[@elkhuntr2816]

Would be nice for someone to show the best possible way to turn a trailer around on a single lane logging road.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Now that is quite a challenge! A double length vehicle, trying to get turned around on a single lane, likely mountain road. I'm sure somebody has pulled it off!

[@vikingcove]

Your best advice: No peanut gallery. My advice: Relax and don't overthink it (closely related to your advice). Neat model. Perhaps make your model's axle moveable fore-aft to illustrate the different turn rate for short hitch-to-wheel vs long hitch-to-wheel distances. Show an over head view with track lines on your bench 'road' surface: the ball track illustrated black, short hitch-to-wheel trailer center point track in red, and long hitch-to-wheel trailer center point track in green. Also illustrate vehicles with short rear wheel > hitch vs long wheel > hitch vs tractor trailer / 5th wheel hitch forward of rear wheels track differently. Show ONLY the backing up direction; don't move it backwards and forwards while your talking only about backwards movements. Tell any 'helper' that if they are not very clearly visible to you in the same mirror the whole time, and they don't talk with their mouth aimed directly toward you, and they don't point to the side that the trailer should go towards -- they should consider themselves a speed bump.

[@robertbrandywine]

I find this left and right terminology with reference to a steering wheel confusing! I can only make sense of clockwise and counterclockwise. And another thing, talking about your trailer going left or right is also confusing. It's easier for me to think in terms of the trailer "appearing" and moving more in the passenger side mirror or driver side mirror. Example: If I want the trailer to appear more and more in the driver's side mirror, I *always* move the steering wheel clockwise regardless of where I place my hands on the wheel.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks, Robert for both watching our video and taking time to write! It's likely that we'll be doing another episode on this topic and your concepts are great ones to incorporate into that video. Thanks again. Best, DFJ

[@robertbrandywine]

Thank *you*!@@DirtFarmerJay

[@yvonnejocks4042]

Thank you for the reminder that we're working to establish muscle memory :-)

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Right on.

[@fishlanding]

I have always wanted to be better at this....

[@Inisfad]

I’ve learned to put my hands on the bottom of the steering wheel of my car, so that my hands go in the direction I want the trailer to go. But I still need to learn how not to jackknife it….lol

[@DirtFarmerJay]

That's a great technique, you'll get it and then the jack-knifing will go away.

[@LitlD]

Most folks figure things out in mere moments if they do one thing: Put your hand on the bottom half of the steering wheel.

[@jkyontz]

So that's how you do it.

[@MrRadiodio]

turn wheel opposite way you wanna go

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Indeed!

[@akulinamackenzie4492]

👍 ruined a car once like that......ouff 😄

[@johns3106]

When learning, go slow….no…REALLY slow, make lots of little corrections frequently rather than big corrections once you’re off your line, go slow, think about what your doing, go slow, have a spotter that knows the difference between talking too much and actually giving helpful directions, go slow, and practice a bunch in a wide open area until you’re confident in your ability. And….go slow!

[@JoseBaez-em8vr]

How many of you guys have a stubborn friend who just keeps trying to reverse the trailer and keeps messing up more and more..let me try...no i got this and fails

[@NancyJohnson-kq2rf]

I, myself, never understood why people could not back up a trailer. Maybe it was the farmer in me.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Probably so!

[@shawnlanders2034]

If you want your trailer to move to the RIGHT, you turn your wheel to the LEFT. If you want your trailer to move to the LEFT, you turn your wheel to the RIGHT. It's always the opposite to the way your wheels are turned. If you want to go straight backwards. Keep the wheel straight.

[@Jean-GuyMaurier]

Turn off the music

[@williammelichar8600]

This video is way too complicated. First best thing is to set your self up well. If you don't set yourself up correctly even the best trailer backer upper can't do it right. Make your backing as straight as possible. Make your path as short as possible. I am a truck driver and I can back a 53' trailer into a narrow spot like a sports car but if I don't set myself up correctly I will have to make several pull ups to get into my spot. Second, don't over steer. If you are zig-zagging back and forth your are over steering. How much steering is required depends upon the length of your trailer and where the wheels are on the trailer. They are not all alike. Get to know your trailer. Practice. Finally, always remember to turn your steering wheel opposite the way you want your trailer to go. It doesn't matter where your hands are on the wheel or what mirror your are looking at. If you want your trailer to go left turn your steering wheel to the right. If you want your trailer to go right turn your steering wheel to the left. That's it. It's that simple.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Love it! Thanks for your insights. And, thanks for being a important part of our national infrastructure! Best, DFJ

[@johndennis3181]

Turn towards trouble.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Indeed, that's a great memory cue. We are going to do another episode using the actual trailer and truck and we'll make sure to include that. Thanks for watching and writing! Best, DFJ

[@mikehanks1399]

You KZbin guys really like to hear yourselves talk. It's very aggravating. Fortunately, every once in a while I get a guy who gets right to the point. You should work on that. I was almost 5 minutes into your video and had to leave. Sheesh.

[@RetroRobPlays]

Must be tough having such a short attention span…

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Wow Mike. It sounds like another channel or creator may be more to your liking. Thanks for stopping by.

[@brettbarager9101]

The best advice in backing up a trailer was from my best friend of 50 years: "Get the hell out of my way and let me do it!" I have never had a problem since! Perfect every time. 😂😂

[@bryanspencer4856]

Great video!