When backing a horse trailer, which way do you turn the steering wheel?

Question

If you want the back of the trailer (bumper-pull) to go left, do you turn the steering wheel clockwise or counterclockwise?

If you want the back of the trailer to go right, which way do you turn the steering wheel?

Answer 1

to make back of trailer go left, turn  your steering wheel to the right (clockwise).

to make back of trailer go right, turn your steering wheel to the left (counterclockwise)

all trailers except one wheel trailers work like this.

Probably best to take the horse out of the trailer before you start practicing this.

It will take some time for you to develop your skill in this.

Answer 2

great question but if you are backing a trailor to the left you turn your steering wheel clockwise to start the turn then counter clockwise to follow the turn,to turn right you start the turn counterclockwise then follow with clockwise.

Answer 3

This is not as simple as which way to turn the wheel.  To start with, as others have mentioned, turn the wheel right to get the trailer started turning left, and turn the wheel left to get the trailer started turning right.  Once the trailer has started turning this all goes out the window to  keep trailer on course.  For example if backing the trailer left, you turn right to start with.  Then as the trailer starts to turn left, you will start turning left to keep from jack knifing the trailer.  There comes a point that you can turn the wheel all the way left and the trailer will keep turning left.  It does take practice to learn how to turn the wheel to keep the trailer on course.

If you are just learning, try to find a long trailer to start with such as a four horse.  A short trailer like two horse is more difficult because of the short wheel base.  Also, longer wheel base vehicles are more difficult to back with that short wheel base vehicles.  A club cab pick up will be more difficult than an SUV.

Answer 4

If you want to back the trailer to the left then  you turn your steering wheel counter clockwhise....and the opposite for the opposite

Answer 5

both ways.  Seriously!  to back to the left side of the vehicle (which is actually a right turn if you face the way you are backing) you first turn the wheel clockwise to turn the trailer then back up and when the trailer turns you turn the wheel counterclockwise until the truck is lined up to continue the trailer backing on its curve.  The reverse directions are for the other turn.  This is confusing and telling you really helps little.  It is something you learn by doing.

I grew up on a farm and I used to work for a lawn service where I hauled trailers everyday in town.  I could back them when and where I wanted them.  They ranged from 12 to 25 feet in length.  I no longer work there but I still pull horse trailers weekly or more.

Also use your mirrors to make sure the sides are clear and if you are backing straight then lined up with your truck side.  remember there is a lag time between the truck turning and then the trailer so you have to turn the truck before the trailer need to start turning.

maybe this works better to describe it....

Turn the truck in the opposite direction you want to turn and then after the trailer is lined up turn the truck back in the direction you want to turn.

Here hunterdude you can have a thumbs up to make up for the troll (LOL)  And one for you too John r

HEE HEE another troll but this one does not know how to back!!!!  Usually it is just that they do not know horses!

Answer 6

Trailers are tricky. for me i turn the steering wheel left to turn the trailer left. and right to go right.

Answer 7

Just forget right and left...watch in the mirrors and adjust and turn the wheel accordingly.  It becomes too confusing if one thinks right vs left..just use the gut...watch in the mirrors if it is turning off of where you want it to go...adjust, turn the wheel in the opp direction that you were when it was going off of the path...I hope that I have made sense here.

Answer 8

I used to have the hardest time backing trailers until my dad taught me this trick:

Grasp the bottom of the steering wheel.  Then move your hand whichever direction you want the back end of the trailer to go.

Works like a charm!  It's easier than remembering to go opposite, at least.  I find it to be more intuitive.

Answer 9

Just think of turning the bottom of the wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go.

So if you want the trailer to go left, you would turn the bottom of the wheel left (clockwise), opposite for right :)

Answer 10

Trailers are tricky for me too!!..that's why I try to go forward and straight ahead as much as possible!!  And I only do pull in parking!! LOL

Juliane--that is a great tip!!  Thanks!!

****Edit***

Jeff Sadler, your thumbs up were very kind...I shall hereby return your good sportsmanship with one too!!  It is well deserved as are others!! He He