I have a short trailer...about 10ft long.It used to be a pickup but the PO chop it and turned it into a trailer. It still has the truck axle underneath. It's not easy to back up and control it. It's easy to jack knife.
Would it be easier to back up if I lincoln lock the two wheels together?
Basically put a locker in the diff...

 

i have a m416 trailer, and i think shorties are just generally hard, but you'll get used to it. i don't think locking the rear will help, it will just skip.

 

I tow an 8ft trailer almost every day....it's hard to back up, but you get used to it.

 

use very slight movements in the steering wheel and dont turn around to back it up. if you are trying to back up straight use your side mirrors and if you see it in the right mirror chase it with the steering wheel but with only a little turn. with a long trailer use more turn.

 

I have a hard time backing my little trailer up as well. My trouble is the trailer is hidden by the tailgate. I cant see it in the mirror until it is to late.

it is just a pain to back up a short trailer get used to it.

 

I think locking the diff would make it worse.

 

I use the side mirror technique mentioned above.

Hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, palm up, move your hand the way you want the trailer to go.

 

When I first started towing a seadoo, I found the same problem. I couldn't really see where the trailer was going because the view was obscured by the truck. A little cheat I came up with was using a rod and a flag attached to one of the back corners of the trailer. Once I backed it into the lake a few times, it wasn't a problem anymore and I got rid of using the flag. It just takes practice,

 

The shorter the distance between the hitch and the wheels the faster it reacts to your steering wheel movements. Get comfortable using your side mirrors. Put one hand at 6 o'clock on the steering wheel when using your mirrors, I find this makes it much easier. And I always keep my distractions to a minimum, stereo off, nobody telling which way to turn when I can clearly see which way to turn.

 

If you want to fix the problem rather than get used to it.. Put or get someone to put a longer tongue in it.. Its not that hard if you can use a cutting torch and a welder...

 

well, I'm getting used to it but I just wonder weather it'll be easier if the two wheel were locked together. I think maybe it would prevent it from turning so easily or it will turn more to one side if the air pressure are not the same...

 

I back up a 7-8 foot trailer, and ive found putting it in 4lo realluy helps. Slows things down alot so you more time to concentrate and your not riding the clutch!

 

I can back either.. Ive done it all my life but i would rather have a long toungue over a short anyday.. It just makes it more simple..I was backing 4 wheel cotton trailers when i was 15 years old.. not THAT take a little touch!

 

Or you could move the axle back a little on the trailer. Doesn't take much to make a big difference. Plus, it's not putting on a longer tongue wherein you also have a longer trailer. That presents it's own issues, although I suppose it's be easier.

Locking the wheels will not change your problem at all except to make it handle squirrelly on the road.

 

Locking the two trailer wheels together won't help your backing up problem at all. All it will do is cause the tires to wear faster when you turn.

Some of the above suggestions are good ones. I also have one of those shorty trailers (Snow Bear) that Home Depot sells. Works great for what I use if for, but backing up takes practice. My boat trailer is much easier because of its length, but I've gotten pretty good with the 'shorty', just have to concentrate on what your doing. Take it to a big mall parking lot and practice way out in the back with it. You should be able to get the hang of it after a while.

 

As everyone has already stated, short trailers are harder to back up because of the reduced distance between the wheels and the hitch. You can lengthen the tongue, practice and put flags on so you can see the trailer better.

One other thing to consider instead of a locker is trailer brakes. They talk about locking up the trailer wheels in some specific scenarios on Expedition Portal. I don't know how'd you operate trailer brakes on a stock pickup rear end , but it would be something do able on military or garden trailers.

Erich