Initially, when you start a turn, you need to turn in the steering wheel in the opposite direction, and when you got the trailer at the proper angle, then you can turn in the direction you want to go.

As it was mentioned, practice, practice, practice....

 

Actually, for a really tight place just unhook the trailer, and put it there *manually*. That trick may be difficult with heavy trailers, fiftwheels, or goosenecks, however.

 

What worked for me was to think as if I am steering the trailor with the hitch/bumper. I have driven a car in reverse so it is not something I have to "think" about, I kind of imagine myself sitting on the tounge of the trailer driving the car/truck with a remote, then I can FEEL what I am doing better.

It also helps me to go slow, then when the trailer starts doing the opposite of what I wanted, I just stop, crank the wheel the other way and keep going. Also there is no shame (At least to me) in pulling forward to straiten the trailer out.
I am not too bad but I am sure I couldn't do a steap, narrow, curvy driveway!!!
I don't think it is a HORABLE idea to look over your shoulder out the back window when you are just starting out, until you get the idea in your head, just remember that you wont always have that option.

 

Nother tip: the easiest trick to backing up straight is to START straight. Get the truck and trailer lined up before backing if you have that option. Once you get that all worked out, THEN worry about backing up in a sharp bend.

 

Several tricks that I find useful. We routinely pull a 26 foot travel trailer to state parks where you can find all sorts of interesting obstacles to setting the trailer on the pad (like adjacent camper's kid's). I also pull an 8 foot utility trailer around the farm. But the most stressing situation was backing a 30 foot boat trailer down a crowded boat ramp in Daytona Beach next to some guy's multi-gagillion dollar cruiser.

First, get out of the truck and walk the ground identifying obstacles and picking the spot that you want the trailer to end up in. Rehearse the path in your mind breaking it up into gentle radius' (radiai? CURVES!!), and tell your helper (if you have one) what you're thinking. In other words, make a plan. Give yourself plenty of room at the start, set the angle between the truck and the trailer for the first curve, and back up slow.

While backing, glance at a point where you can see the angle between the truck and the trailer and set your steering wheel where it won't change. When you get to a point where you want to change the radius of the turn, slow down, change the angle between the truck and trailer, then back up again.

Avoid making a lot of changes while moving until you get to be a "natural" like some of these guys.

Next tip: Practice, like in a school parking lot. You might not realize it, but every time you do it you're training your mind, and after a while it will be second nature. Pay attention to little things. Like, when you're practicing, learn to find the "point of no return" in the steering angle of your front wheels. This is the point at which no amount of steering input can straighten you out when backing up (you're jack-knifing). It's worse with short trailers, and may be non-existant if the trailer wheelbase is longer than the trucks (guys with long 5th wheels are chuckling right now). Once you reach this point, pull forward to straighten out a bit, then set your backup angle again.

Don't get stressed if you're being watched by campers or boaters. Even if some of them are laughing, most of them are reminiscing...

 

Make that mirror- singular. Once the trailer starts turning the mirror on the outside of the turn is useless, no? That's why it's nice to have a spotter when backing up one of any size - to watch that outside back corner. Oh yeah, don't get so busy watching the mirror on the inside of the turn that you forget to watch your front fender on the outside of the turn. You get the trailer at a sharp angle and that outside fender swings in a wide arc........

 

Well it is true you dont have a clear view of the other corner, but you have to be aware of the enviroment you are backing into. It is nice to help from a spotter, but if you are going to practice I would recomend setting up some cones of some sort of obsticle and back up without help. you dont always have someone to help you.

BTW, if you want a challenge backing up, try a 53' trailer backing into a spot between two trucks at a truckstop starting from a 90 deg angle. truck drivers do it all the time, it just takes practice and knowing your vehicle.

 

Find a big parking lot and go there when it's fairly empty... it's a perfect place to practice. When I pull smaller trailers with my SuperDuty it's hard to see the trailer so many times I put the tailgate down when backing it in, it helps ALOT! Obviously make sure you have enough clearance so you don't hit your trailer with the tailgate when manuevering.

 

left is right and right is left when backing...

 

TWo tricks to use are disconnect the trailer brakes before backing up so you are not fighting them and if you have a 4 x 4 go to 4 low without locking the hubs. This gives you less ground speed and more reaction time. Having mirrors thatare extended out enough to give you a good picture of what the rear of the trailer is doing, longer trailers give a better picture so are easier to back up and having someone at the read driverside of the trailer to let you know what is in the way or which way and how far to go helps.

 

I think those two ideas are both dangerous...

For the first idea, I'd suggest turning off the trailer brakes in the cab rather than disconnecting at the hitch. That way your lights still work, plus you don't have to get out of the cab.

For the second idea, be very careful doing this... many trucks don't have the option of not locking the hubs. The electronic shift F150's don't have that option.

 

and when you are new to it, SLOW is the only other thing i can say. Back up almost like you are on snow or ice. In fact that's what I tell people who are towing for the first time around here when they ask for advice. Pretend the road is snow covered. Accelerate smooth and easy, andticipate stops and brake early, and easy into corners.

But yes, practice practice practice. 30 mins in an empty parking lot can do wonders.

 

I guess I am missing something, but how do the trailer brakes fight you backing up? As far as low range goes, I just take it easy on the throttle.

Another practice idea is place a cone and back up to it. see how close you can get to it without hitting it. This helps you with learning where the back of your trailer is. You have to remember there isnt always someone to help you!

 

The brakes can "snap" on and off at low speeds, making it fustrating for the driver. I've only noticed this with heavier trailers with brakes set more on the higher side.

 

With the automatic transmissions people tend to drag the tow vehicle brakes to slow ground speed while backing up. The newer brake controllers turn on as soon as your brake lights are activated. Controllers in vehicles I have driven do not have an off position on them or a means in the cab to turn them off, when backing you normally don't need the trailer lights, so just pull the connector while backing the rig in where you need to go so the brakes are not on and fighting you. Also prevents brake damage to the trailer brakes, if they are on while you are manuvering you risk damaging the linings. I just replaced some on a stock trailer that had failed, factory ones had thin linings compared to aftermarket replacements.