Towing Help

Alright guys, so I’m absolutely terrible at backing up when I tow my ATV. I didn’t grow up in a family that ever towed a boat or camping trailer so I never really had the opportunity to learn. I’m always safe when I do tow (I know how to hook up properly, cross my chains, make sure my lights are plugged in and do in fact work) and take my time (no speeding) and set myself up where I know I can turn around in a full circle if possible so I don’t have to worry about backing up. What kind of tips do you all have to make this task less intimidating?

 

While backing up. If you steer from the bottom of your steering wheel, hand goes left-trailer goes left. Hand goes right trailer goes right.
If you steer from top of steering wheel, hand goes left trailer goes right, etc...

 

Appreciate all the help guys. Not sure if it’s the best way, but I actually keep my hand at the top of the wheel and do the “turn towards danger” method. My biggest challenge is wrapping my head around the concept of when you can’t make a full turn and the truck and trailer aren’t straight, how the hell do you backup in that situation? Say the truck and trailer are trying to turn around in the neighborhood and you can’t make the full turn without going onto the lawn. What’s the process for getting out of that hot mess?

 

And my trailer is made of a standard piece of plywood, just baring fits my ATV and the tongue is probably 4 feet or so?

 

He stole my answer.

 

Practice practice practice. Find an empty lot or big enough space that you can practice in. Drive and get out a lot. See what the trailer does to your actions and learn those actions. Then place flags or cones out and set up a test course. The best way to learn is just doing it in a safe environment over and over until you fell comfortable. It's a skill that is learned over time. Learn to love your mirrors. These other guys advise is spot on. Use it in practice as well.

 

Plan ahead. Slow down and think about your next move. With my small utility trailer I have to turn around and look at it while I’m backing up. I drop my tailgate. So much easier to back my 20’ TT.

 

Ya I could see that. Unfortunately I just added a camper shell last month so that won’t be an option for me.

 

X2

 

That's what I do.

 

Hook up the trailer and do everything with it. Don't unhook until you've mastered it. That's the way I was taught. It's just like everything else in life. You'll get comfortable with it.

 

Thanks for the pointers gents. Sounds like I just need to go find an empty parking lot and go mess around for an hour or two. That’s the only way I’m gonna learn. Just by doing.

 

Sounds like u have a atv hook that up to your small trailer and practice!! That’s how I taught my son to do it... he picked it up super fast that way. Then the truck was way way to learn.

 

Hmmmm never thought of doing it that way. Good idea.

 

That’s probably illegal in California. It might hit an endangered bird going down the road.

 

That's what I do! Forget who taught me it, hold the wheel at the bottom, quite an effective mind trick as the direction your hand goes is the same as the trailer when reversing.

 

Mirrors mirrors mirrors .I pull a 20ft every single day and back all the time and a 4ft is a pain in the a** for me to back and I'm pretty good at it .so don't feel bad .Lol

 

Do this! Great advice!

 

I get what your saying some times the only way to turn around is to back in where you need to be first.
Get two traffic cones and go to an empty parking lot and practice 90 degree backs to the left and right... I have a 5×8 utility trailer and it is by far the hardest thing to back. I often pull up and unload the the trailer then unhook and push the trailer into place since it's super light.
Don't be discouraged though that little trailer you got is a real fucker. I drive a semi every day and my little utility trailer is the biggest pain to back.

 

That’s a true blessing to hear. I was starting to think there was something truly wrong with me. Lol.

 

Nah your good. Your confidence will grow the more you practice. Just remember to get out and look even if you have to get out ten times. It's only a fail if you hit stuff.

 

just an FYI the shorter the trailer the tougher it is to back up.

 

Well I’m glad I made things easy on myself. Lol.

 

Practice and small trailers are hard to back up, like everyone else said. I'll add, set yourself up to go backwards while you are still going forward. In other words, when you are backing into a driveway your truck and trailer should be set with the trailer positioned at the end of the drive with truck and trailer angled in the way they need to be to make the turn. If I am going to back to the left, the last thing I do as I set my trailer in position is turn left to pre angle my rig the direction I need it to be to make my turn backwards. Hard to describe I hope you can follow my description.