- Trash Day controls center on movement, grabbing, pushing, jumping, and throwing items in a physics-driven world.
- Wagon handling is the hardest control skill: slow down, line up early, and let teammates spot for you.
- Grab-and-carry works best with short, controlled trips back to the wagon instead of long hauls.
- Improvised tools like boards and elastic devices reward careful placement over raw speed.
- Voice callouts such as "stop," "reverse," and "clear" prevent most control-related accidents.
Trash Day Controls: The Basics
Trash Day controls are built around hands-on physics rather than menu-driven interactions. Your raccoon can walk, run, jump, grab objects, push and pull heavy items, throw lightweight trash, and interact with tools such as boards and elastic devices. Because the Steam page lists support for up to six players online, the control scheme is deliberately simple per player but demanding as a team: no single raccoon solves a section alone.
Video Highlights:
- Official release trailer showing raccoon movement and wagon physics in action
- Examples of grabbing, stacking, and hauling trash
- Cooperative obstacle crossing with up to six players
The table below summarizes the core control categories and when each matters most during a run.
| Control Category | What You Do | Where It Matters Most | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movement | Walk, run, jump across terrain | Scouting routes, crossing hazards | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Grabbing | Pick up and carry trash | Collection loops near the wagon | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Throwing | Toss light items short distances | Quick loading, passing items | ★★★☆☆ |
| Pushing/Pulling | Move heavy objects and clear paths | Obstacles, tight Junkyard routes | ★★★★☆ |
| Wagon Driving | Steer, accelerate, and load the wagon | Transport between areas | ★★★★★ |
Before your first co-op session, spend time in the free demo practicing grabbing and releasing objects. Most early mistakes come from forcing interactions instead of repositioning, and solo practice builds that instinct quickly.
Object Handling: Push, Pull, and Stabilize
Object handling is where most control mistakes happen. Trash Day rewards crews who work with the physics engine rather than against it.
| Situation | Recommended Control Approach | Team Role Split |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy object on flat ground | Push from a broad, unobstructed side | One pushes, one guides |
| Object near a wall or corner | Pull with clear direction control | One pulls, one clears route |
| Rocking or sliding item | Release, reposition, re-approach | Caller directs reset |
| Stacked pile | Remove smallest blocking item first | Free players handle small items |
| Item wedged under vehicle | Change approach angle, do not force | Two players reposition vehicle |
Approach From a Clean Angle
Position your raccoon on a broad, flat side of the object so force transfers in a predictable direction. Angled pushes on rounded objects often send them sideways.
Apply Steady Force
Use sustained pushes rather than short bursts. Short bursts work for fine positioning, but steady pressure moves heavy objects without tipping them.
Release When It Rocks
If the object starts rocking or sliding sideways, release immediately. Reposition the team and approach again instead of forcing the interaction and wedging the item.
Split the Roles
Assign one player to apply force, one to guide direction, and a third to keep the route ahead clear. This three-role pattern solves almost every heavy-object problem.
Objects trapped against walls, corners, or the wagon are the most common recovery nightmare in the Junkyard. Stop and reposition at the first sign of trouble — a wedged item can stall a run longer than any hazard.
Wagon and Truck Control
Line Up Early
- Position before loading
- Avoid sharp turns with cargo
- Low-speed corrections near walls
Momentum Management
- Stop accelerating when sliding
- Create space before recovering
- Balance loads across the wagon
Spotter System
- One driver, many spotters
- Spotters call stop, reverse, clear
- Never crowd the vehicle zone
The wagon is the centerpiece of Trash Day's control challenge. A truck can lose control when momentum combines with uneven terrain, crowded loading areas, or poorly balanced cargo. Treat the vehicle as a physics object, not a car in a racing game.
| Control Habit | Risk It Prevents | Best Used At |
|---|---|---|
| Slow approach to ramps | Flipping on steep angles | Improvised board ramps |
| Straight-line loading | Items falling off the sides | Collection zones |
| Early braking | Sliding into obstacles | Narrow passages |
| Balanced cargo spread | Wagon tipping on turns | Return trips |
| Regroup checkpoints | Leaving trash behind | Area transitions |
Assign a single driver for each section and have everyone else act as spotters. Multiple players entering the vehicle area during a difficult crossing is a frequent cause of pileups and lost cargo.
Co-op Control Coordination
With up to six players, Trash Day controls become a communication exercise. Divide the area into loading, staging, and clear-route zones, and move heavy objects before filling narrow access points with smaller rubbish.
| Crew Role | Control Responsibilities | Key Callouts |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Wagon positioning, throttle control | "Ready to move," "Reversing" |
| Collectors | Grabbing, carrying, stacking | "Item too heavy," "Crossing" |
| Obstacle Team | Pushing, pulling, route clearing | "Stop," "Go," "Path open" |
| Recovery Support | Unsticking players and cargo | "Need time," "Stuck" |
Use short voice commands — stop, reverse, clear, release. Long explanations mid-crossing slow reactions and cause the exact accidents you are trying to avoid.
Control Skills Checklist
Work through this checklist to confirm your crew has mastered the Trash Day control fundamentals before attempting longer routes.
Control Fundamentals:
- Practice clean grab and release on practice objects
- Push a heavy object through a corner without wedging it
- Load the wagon with balanced cargo distribution
- Drive a full wagon across a board ramp without tipping
- Run a full stop-reverse-clear spotting drill with your crew
Once every crew member can complete these five drills, your team has the control foundation to attempt the full run from Animal Control toward Raccoon Paradise without avoidable accidents.
Controls FAQ
Q: How do I stop objects from getting stuck in Trash Day?
Change your angle of approach instead of repeatedly applying force from the same position. Remove the smallest blocking item from a stack first, and keep a fallback path clear so a failed attempt does not block the work area.
Q: What is the best way to control the wagon or truck?
Line up the vehicle before loading heavy objects, avoid sharp turns with unstable cargo, and use low-speed corrections near walls and ramps. If the truck begins to slide or rotate, stop accelerating and create space before recovering.
Q: How should boards and elastic devices be used?
Place boards at gradual angles rather than steep ones, and check both ends before moving heavy objects across them. Treat elastic devices as momentum tools: clear the landing area first and keep teammates away from the line of travel.
Q: How do Trash Day controls work with six players?
Split the crew into a driver, collectors, an obstacle team, and recovery support. Use short voice commands such as stop, reverse, clear, and release, and designate one player as the route coordinator so everyone follows a single plan.