First let me say that this is really intended to find out your teaching methods for anyone, not just a spouse. Problem is there is a bit of sensitivity issues that get in the way with a spouse. I have a Subaru Outback with the CVT, and 4 cyl. The shifting paddles in manual mode is on the steering wheel. The trailer is enclosed and weighs about 500 lbs empty. Only going to load it to a combined total of 1,200lbs. The trailer is short, 4x6 and you cannot see it in the side mirrors while pulling which is not a bad thing. So, the question is, how do you go about teaching your wife how to pull a trailer and how to back it up with out ending up in a divorce?

Drop her off at a truck driving school.

Patience, calm talking, positive reinforcement. I taught pilots to fly large airplanes, (C-5's and others), cops, medics, doctors, nurses, fire folks, and others how it install car seats, (4 day course), kindergartners how to ride bikes and safely walk to and from school, and corporate folks overall safety practices. I also taught DW how to drive a 43' RV pulling a 26' pickup. (she's handled downtown Atlanta with the rig just fine in rush hour traffic). Patience, calm talking, positive reinforcement.

Attach pieces of broom stick or PVC pipe vertically to the back corners of the trailer. It will make backing much easier. Go to an empty lot and have her back around cones or cardboard boxes.jdc1 probably has the most realistic answer. :B

If she wants to learn, she will, if she doesn't, no one can teach her.

K Charles wrote:If she wants to learn, she will, if she doesn't, no one can teach her.You are exactly right! For me as the DW, I want to be comfortable with whatever we are driving or towing. Lately I have made sure that I get my seat time when on the road. Our major problem is that I am also the navigator using gps and my phone for the map programs, little difficult if there is a problem, like a wrong turn. LOL!

Teaching Your Spouse How to Pull a Trailer | Good Sam Community

ppine
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2020
My girl is good driving my one ton Ford. With a little practice, she is good pulling a TT. When the roads get difficult, or we have to park it, she lets me drive. No problems.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Sep 03, 2020
BIG parking lot with a few cone.
SweetLou
Explorer
Sep 03, 2020
I enjoyed most of these posts and took in some good advice. It will be a challenge for sure but I just wanted to find out how some of you were able to do this with your spouse. Good news is we are in a remote area and can do this with out issue. The test is with other cars around. Here we go!!!
smarty
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2020
Find a large gravel lot, get some cones, train away, never yell, if things get tense take a break, make it a fun experience
bucky
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2020
My beloved has hit (and I mean hit, not bumped) a parked handicap van, and torn the fender off of a boat trailer and then said she didn't do it until we got home and the marker light was laying in our driveway. Not to mention riding the white line on the right side of 2 lane roads while I'm flinching every time we get near a mailbox. Oh, and tailgating. No thanks honey, I'm good.
She has many many good points and skills but driving isn't one of them. Good luck with yours.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Sep 03, 2020
I wouldn't teach anyone with the rig you have. It's the worst case scenario for anyone, particularly a beginner. A short wheelbase trailer is far harder to back up then a long one. Having inadequate mirrors that don't allow you to see the trailer makes it even worse. The short wheelbase of your tow vehicle will make the movement of the tow vehicle more exaggerated which is also undesirable.
A long wheelbase tow vehicle with a long trailer and some good mirrors, in my opinion, would be very important for teaching anyone to back a trailer.
ppine
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2020
Find someone else to teach her.
Trust me.
Tal_IL
Explorer
Sep 03, 2020
Towing that little trailer will be barely noticeable. Backing the small trailer OP described behind an SUV when you can't see it in the mirrors will be a lot like backing that yard cart behind a garden tractor.

And, from some of the suggestions offered, I'd buy a ticket to see some of those folks teach the wife to back a trailer. It would be a great show, I'm sure.
RobWNY
Explorer
Sep 03, 2020
JAC1982 wrote:
Also from what I know about towing, a small utility trailer is pretty much the worst thing ever to back up :)

Almost but my vote goes to one of these behind a lawn tractor. Worst thing ever to back up.
kellem
Explorer
Sep 02, 2020
Depends on the woman.

My wife is a kitchen queen, highly intelligent but no common sense.

She wanted to take the kids camping with the assumption that I would join after work " 1990's" so took her to empty school yard and she did quite well.

No problem towing but apon arriving at campground, she forgot to chuck trailer so it rolled down hill.

I'm retired now so no issues.

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