It’s important to understand that there will be absolutely zero traffic on the road right up until the exact moment you attempt to back your trailer into the driveway!
I rarely back up with a trailer, but I read a description of an easy way to do it, so I tried it. You watch in your side mirrors, and if you see too much of the trailer in your left side mirror, you turn the steering wheel to the left. For me, this is the answer that keeps me from sitting on the street for 30 seconds trying to remember which way to turn the wheel while holding it at the bottom.
This helped me sooo much! The pointer of counter steering then making sure to not stay in the turn but moving the steering wheel back and forth to get the turn you want was just what I needed! No room for error or I would be taking out our wooden fence and electric gate. Thank you for this video!
We're so thrilled this helped, Amy! Thanks for watching and letting us know. Backing a trailer is definitely an underrated skill, and it sounds like you need surgeon-like precision in your situation.
Thanks! I’m Trying to teach my niece to back her sailboat trailer up into driveway and eventually boat ramp! I hope she will understand more each time!
Thanks for watching, Mark! You're a good uncle! It takes a little practice, but soon she'll be doing it like a pro! The biggest thing is knowing which way to turn the wheel and how much. I learned the "old fashioned" way to turn the wheel in the opposite direction you want the trailer to go, so trying to wrap my brain around grasping the wheel at 6 o'clock is confusing to me. I recently saw a great technique where you envision your steering wheel as the boat on the trailer. (Most steering wheels kind of look like a boat, with the bow at 12 o'clock and the stern points at around 5 and 7.) You turn the wheel in whatever direction would move the "stern" of your boat on the steering wheel. I'm not sure if I'm explaining it well, but it was a game-changer for me because I no longer have to stop and think "opposite"--I'm envisioning the trailer on my steering wheel and turning the "stern."
I installed guide post lights on the rear of my trailer and they are tremendous help to see when backing up the trailer as well as keeping the boat tight when you are coming off of the water
It comes from years and years of practice, Amanda. You're approaching this the correct way by getting out there and working on it in a controlled environment before you have to do it at the ramp. You might also want to check out our other video on backing a boat trailer for additional tips and tricks: th-cam.com/video/9F8Fk26Ekxg/w-d-xo.html Keep it up and you'll be impressing everyone soon!
I enjoyed your video. I can backup my trailer with little problem when I come in from the direction you did and looking over my Right shoulder, but coming in from the other Direction, where the Driveway is on my Driver's side I have trouble with that case. This is when I now have to look over my Left Shoulder. Any suggestions to help in this issue. My driveway is at the end of my block, so I have to go around the corner to get in the correct position for me. Sometimes a car is parked on the other side where making the Turn is too tight, and so coming in from the other direction would be easier. But I have trouble from that position. Any helpful tips for this issue? Would just more practice from this side do the trick? Thanks for any tips or recommendations.
Hoo boy. That's a toughie, Thomas! I wish there were an easy answer here, but it may be that we have hard-wired handedness for backing up. (I don't know that for sure, but it would make sense.) The best way would be to take your truck and trailer (with boat, if that's how you need to park it) to an empty parking lot. Set out a couple cones or other markers to mimic the end of your driveway. Then practice, practice, practice. In case part of your issues comes from remembering which way to turn the wheel (I never learned the put the hand at 6 o'clock tip when I was learning to drive a trailer, and it doesn't work for me), I saw a cool tip on social media recently to envision your boat in the center of your steering wheel with the bow pointing up and stern down. Then just turn the wheel in the direction you want the stern to go. (It may not work for everyone, but it gets rid of the whole turn the wheel left to make the trailer go right.) Not sure if I explained that well enough, but it's the same concept as putting a hand at 6 but you can leave your hands wherever they're comfortable.
Always a great tip, Pete. We cover that in another trailer backing video. However, it doesn't work for everyone. I learned to back a trailer a couple (few?) decades ago by turning the opposite direction of where you want to go, and I have a really hard time with the 6 o'clock method. Use whatever works!
Pro tip…. Back to the drives side if possible. You will have a better view of your trailer and the area you are backing into. Also I like putting my windows down for better visibility but also so you can hear if someone shouts out or if you do happen to bump something you may hear it and be able to stop.
Great tips, Rick! I always like to keep my windows down when backing a trailer for that very reason. And Murphy's Law states that the times it would be most useful to back from the driver's side, it will be impossible to do so! 🤣 Thanks for watching and sharing your experience.
I prefer to pull up tight to the shoulder on the driveway side, then as I pass the entrance, I make a hard left followed by a hard right to straighten the truck. This way I can see the angled trailer in my side mirror already. I then turn left and start backing down the driveway.
Thanks for sharing your method, agoodhi! If it works well for you, chances are it will for someone else, too. I'm going to have to give that a try myself. Of course Murphy's Law is that it works perfectly the first time when no one is around, but the minute someone is watching, everything will go to heck in a handbasket! 😂
Good tip, André! We usually suggest holding the wheel palm down at 6 o'clock to make it easier to remember which way the trailer is going to go. Your tip may be equally or more effective for some. I learned the old "turn the opposite direction of where you want your trailer to go" and have been doing that for more than 30 years, so it's hard to retrain my brain. I'll give your technique a try next time.
Nice video! I'm a trailer noob and am trying to pick up all I can. I do know my single place jet ski trailer is a real pain. I didn't even get anything in the water yet because the loading dock has been full of people and I'm not fast enough yet to avoid annoying those waiting
Thanks for watching, Michelle. We've all been there! Here are a few other vids you might want to check out that may help: th-cam.com/video/9F8Fk26Ekxg/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/85b6JCEWkcg/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/5miy4dV0wFs/w-d-xo.html We also have more launch and load vids if you have someone to help you. Here's to a safe and fun season ahead!
😂 Oh boy! Now THAT'S a challenge, Bump! Here's my question: How much do you like your neighbor who parks there? I bet if you left enough rubs on the bumper, he'd move the car. Problem solved!! 🤣
High school geometry, Chancy. He's backing the trailer on a 90-degreen turn. Wanting to see it tighter is another thing altogether, but if you have the ability to use the oncoming lane, why not use it?
It is absolutely a 90 degree turn and in a real situation there will probably be another vehicle in the driveway which is actually more challenging so the video was amazing
the video is useless, you have to learn it by practicing. there's no other way. all you have to do is grab the wheel at the bottom and if you turn it to the right, the trailer goes to the right. turn it to the left and trailer turns to the left. then you have to practice and practice.
@@boatus you need to make another video showing what happens to the trailer when you turn the wheel in certain direction, because this is where most of the confusion is coming from and the easiest way is to grab the wheel at the bottom. this way you don't have to think about which way is opposite to the direction of the wheel.
@@piotrtrocki3842 Thanks for the suggestion, Piotr. We'll put it on the list. We do have other backing videos, but your take on it might be helpful for some. Regarding the 6 o'clock method, it works for some and not for others. I learned the "turn the wheel opposite to the direction you want to go" method decades ago, so using the 6 o'clock method is more confusing for me than not. But for others, it's a game-changer. I think we show the hand-at-the-bottom in our other backing video.
It’s important to understand that there will be absolutely zero traffic on the road right up until the exact moment you attempt to back your trailer into the driveway!
😂 Isn't that the truth, Robert?!!! Thanks for watching.
Every time!
So true 😂
I rarely back up with a trailer, but I read a description of an easy way to do it, so I tried it. You watch in your side mirrors, and if you see too much of the trailer in your left side mirror, you turn the steering wheel to the left. For me, this is the answer that keeps me from sitting on the street for 30 seconds trying to remember which way to turn the wheel while holding it at the bottom.
Thanks, Hal! Glad you found something that works for you. I'll have to try it! Maybe someone else will find it helpful, too.
This helped me sooo much! The pointer of counter steering then making sure to not stay in the turn but moving the steering wheel back and forth to get the turn you want was just what I needed! No room for error or I would be taking out our wooden fence and electric gate. Thank you for this video!
We're so thrilled this helped, Amy! Thanks for watching and letting us know. Backing a trailer is definitely an underrated skill, and it sounds like you need surgeon-like precision in your situation.
Thanks! I’m
Trying to teach my niece to back her sailboat trailer up into driveway and eventually boat ramp! I hope she will understand more each time!
Thanks for watching, Mark! You're a good uncle! It takes a little practice, but soon she'll be doing it like a pro! The biggest thing is knowing which way to turn the wheel and how much. I learned the "old fashioned" way to turn the wheel in the opposite direction you want the trailer to go, so trying to wrap my brain around grasping the wheel at 6 o'clock is confusing to me. I recently saw a great technique where you envision your steering wheel as the boat on the trailer. (Most steering wheels kind of look like a boat, with the bow at 12 o'clock and the stern points at around 5 and 7.) You turn the wheel in whatever direction would move the "stern" of your boat on the steering wheel. I'm not sure if I'm explaining it well, but it was a game-changer for me because I no longer have to stop and think "opposite"--I'm envisioning the trailer on my steering wheel and turning the "stern."
I installed guide post lights on the rear of my trailer and they are tremendous help to see when backing up the trailer as well as keeping the boat tight when you are coming off of the water
What a great idea, Joe! Thanks for sharing. No doubt someone will find that helpful.
You make that look easy like my husband does. Currently practicing with no one around so I can help him more when fishing.
It comes from years and years of practice, Amanda. You're approaching this the correct way by getting out there and working on it in a controlled environment before you have to do it at the ramp. You might also want to check out our other video on backing a boat trailer for additional tips and tricks: th-cam.com/video/9F8Fk26Ekxg/w-d-xo.html Keep it up and you'll be impressing everyone soon!
I enjoyed your video. I can backup my trailer with little problem when I come in from the direction you did and looking over my Right shoulder, but coming in from the other Direction, where the Driveway is on my Driver's side I have trouble with that case. This is when I now have to look over my Left Shoulder. Any suggestions to help in this issue. My driveway is at the end of my block, so I have to go around the corner to get in the correct position for me. Sometimes a car is parked on the other side where making the Turn is too tight, and so coming in from the other direction would be easier. But I have trouble from that position. Any helpful tips for this issue? Would just more practice from this side do the trick? Thanks for any tips or recommendations.
Hoo boy. That's a toughie, Thomas! I wish there were an easy answer here, but it may be that we have hard-wired handedness for backing up. (I don't know that for sure, but it would make sense.) The best way would be to take your truck and trailer (with boat, if that's how you need to park it) to an empty parking lot. Set out a couple cones or other markers to mimic the end of your driveway. Then practice, practice, practice.
In case part of your issues comes from remembering which way to turn the wheel (I never learned the put the hand at 6 o'clock tip when I was learning to drive a trailer, and it doesn't work for me), I saw a cool tip on social media recently to envision your boat in the center of your steering wheel with the bow pointing up and stern down. Then just turn the wheel in the direction you want the stern to go. (It may not work for everyone, but it gets rid of the whole turn the wheel left to make the trailer go right.) Not sure if I explained that well enough, but it's the same concept as putting a hand at 6 but you can leave your hands wherever they're comfortable.
Cheers brother, getting me first boat soon and more knowledge I get the better😊
Thanks for watching, Davy. We're thrilled to be part of your education -- as well as a safe and fun time on the water.
Always put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. The trailer will then turn in the correction direction of your hand.
Always a great tip, Pete. We cover that in another trailer backing video. However, it doesn't work for everyone. I learned to back a trailer a couple (few?) decades ago by turning the opposite direction of where you want to go, and I have a really hard time with the 6 o'clock method. Use whatever works!
Pro tip…. Back to the drives side if possible. You will have a better view of your trailer and the area you are backing into. Also I like putting my windows down for better visibility but also so you can hear if someone shouts out or if you do happen to bump something you may hear it and be able to stop.
Great tips, Rick! I always like to keep my windows down when backing a trailer for that very reason. And Murphy's Law states that the times it would be most useful to back from the driver's side, it will be impossible to do so! 🤣 Thanks for watching and sharing your experience.
I prefer to pull up tight to the shoulder on the driveway side, then as I pass the entrance, I make a hard left followed by a hard right to straighten the truck. This way I can see the angled trailer in my side mirror already. I then turn left and start backing down the driveway.
Thanks for sharing your method, agoodhi! If it works well for you, chances are it will for someone else, too. I'm going to have to give that a try myself. Of course Murphy's Law is that it works perfectly the first time when no one is around, but the minute someone is watching, everything will go to heck in a handbasket! 😂
Why do all boating videos look like they were filmed in 2003 😂
All the dads who record them bought their gear in 2003
Drop the tailgate if possible. This is a great series by the way
Thanks for the advice, Dougie! Good tip.
I came to say this too. Even with the boat on, I drop the tailgate or lift the hatch, full visibility.
Also the trick is to hold the steering wheel at the 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions . Then the steering is more predictable. André in Sydney
Good tip, André! We usually suggest holding the wheel palm down at 6 o'clock to make it easier to remember which way the trailer is going to go. Your tip may be equally or more effective for some. I learned the old "turn the opposite direction of where you want your trailer to go" and have been doing that for more than 30 years, so it's hard to retrain my brain. I'll give your technique a try next time.
Nice video! I'm a trailer noob and am trying to pick up all I can. I do know my single place jet ski trailer is a real pain. I didn't even get anything in the water yet because the loading dock has been full of people and I'm not fast enough yet to avoid annoying those waiting
Thanks for watching, Michelle. We've all been there! Here are a few other vids you might want to check out that may help: th-cam.com/video/9F8Fk26Ekxg/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/85b6JCEWkcg/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/5miy4dV0wFs/w-d-xo.html We also have more launch and load vids if you have someone to help you. Here's to a safe and fun season ahead!
Bro go early early early or late late and find a ramp that's 24hrs so you can go when it's dead. It just takes practice!
@@hiimtoxic9518 Great advice! Thanks for sharing
@@boatus thank you for continuing boater education!
I usually just drive headfirst down in the water and turn around...never had to back up yet
Should we look for you on one of the boat ramp fail videos, Jason? 😅
@boatus not nowadays, but years ago I could have provided plenty of fail content 😆
Can you now demonstrate this, using a one lane driveway; with neighbors car/s parked in the street? 🤣
That's my dilemma ... 🙁
😂 Oh boy! Now THAT'S a challenge, Bump! Here's my question: How much do you like your neighbor who parks there? I bet if you left enough rubs on the bumper, he'd move the car. Problem solved!! 🤣
Same situation. Me neighbors are probably laughing their asses off watching me.
this video is classic!
My son in law says his method is to get the trailr starting to go the direction he wants then follow it with the truck.
Great tip, Clyde! Thanks to you and your SIL for sharing!
Damn I would hate to share that driveway with my neighbors.
Busy road + shared drive is not the easiest combo
Now do this with pwc trailer
Seriously! The shorter they are, the tougher they are to back, rangerman! Thanks for watching
I wouldn't call that 90° at all. You were able to pull into the opposite lane and give yourself plenty of room.
High school geometry, Chancy. He's backing the trailer on a 90-degreen turn. Wanting to see it tighter is another thing altogether, but if you have the ability to use the oncoming lane, why not use it?
It is absolutely a 90 degree turn and in a real situation there will probably be another vehicle in the driveway which is actually more challenging so the video was amazing
the video is useless, you have to learn it by practicing. there's no other way. all you have to do is grab the wheel at the bottom and if you turn it to the right, the trailer goes to the right. turn it to the left and trailer turns to the left. then you have to practice and practice.
You're not wrong about practicing, Piotr. But you have to know where to start.
@@boatus you need to make another video showing what happens to the trailer when you turn the wheel in certain direction, because this is where most of the confusion is coming from and the easiest way is to grab the wheel at the bottom. this way you don't have to think about which way is opposite to the direction of the wheel.
Your Useless for thinking its useless.
@@piotrtrocki3842 Thanks for the suggestion, Piotr. We'll put it on the list. We do have other backing videos, but your take on it might be helpful for some. Regarding the 6 o'clock method, it works for some and not for others. I learned the "turn the wheel opposite to the direction you want to go" method decades ago, so using the 6 o'clock method is more confusing for me than not. But for others, it's a game-changer. I think we show the hand-at-the-bottom in our other backing video.
That taught nothing
Sorry you feel that way Shridhar. What were you expecting to learn? Perhaps there's another video we could add to our list.
Skip, terrible quality
We're very sorry you didn't find it useful, Ryan. Can you be more specific? Was it the instructions or the video quality?
Cry about it
and the troll with no valuable input, arrives...