Reversing with a trailer

[R6 STU]

Why is it such a mother fu*ker?

Sometimes it works, sort of, other times just trying to reverse straight back, the bl**dy thing goes whether it wants!!!

Maybe I should just buy a van.

[Mervin]

nothing to it , just the smaller the trailer the more difficult it is ,this one is easy

[mike69]

The distance from the trailer wheels to the towing vehicle makes a massive difference when reversing, the longer the better. If you are using a small camping type trailer like Halfords sell if possible extend the draw bar on the trailer and if it is considerably narrower than the towing vehicle fix a "sight pole" to the trailer so it is visible through the rear window of the towing vehicle. You can't reverse it successfully if you can't see it.

[billinom8s]

I usually disconnect the trailer, turn the car around, refit the trailer and then load it.

[ptolemyx]

Take it dead slow, reverse at crawling pace. You will not look clever reversing fast and jacknifing your trailer - believe me

If the trailer starts going the wrong way pull forward and start to reverse again. Remember to start initially reversing the other way to get the trailer pointing the way you want to go then change the steering to the way you want to go.

Stay calm, don't lose your temper over your ineptitude at doing a simple thing like reversing a piddly little trailer - again

And as Simon's pointed out, if all else fails unhitch and manually put the trailer in position. Do not think yourself a failure if you have to do this

[Ruffian]

Don't worry there's lots of people out there who find reversing with trailers difficult,
I used to know someone with the correct trailer licence and how she got it I do not know.

Vans are alot less hastle, you wouldn't regret it

[Scotty]

I was lucky to learn how to reverse a trailer the easy way; in a tractor - nice and high up, no visibility issues and plenty of steering lock. Once you learn, you never forget and it's a useful skill to have. Agree with other posters that the longer the trailer (or distance from drawbar to wheels), the better.
It is funny watching the clueless trying and flying into impotent rages when they fail, again....

[TLS-Moose]

There are plenty of companies out there that offer driver trailer-training ........ I can't offer much more than what has been said above by others. It seems to be something you either "get" or you don't.

[Ruffian]

Well legal loopholes and legislation now also means that a test is needed once a certain weight is exceeded, but that leaves the pesky little camping trailer fine to drive without an +e licence.

[goatpants]

Best not bother then, I exceeded my weight limit years ago

[Bullet]

Unless you have grandfather rights! I can still have up to 7.5 ton gross! Lovely jubly

[graham22]

Never had a problem reversing trailers but have been doing it for years. As said, you just have to be able to see it - easy when loaded with a bike but must of mine have been wide enough to just see in the mirrors or see soon enough that they are turning.

Plan ahead a little, some times it's easier to make a tight turn as you can see where the trailer is - oh and none of the caravan club crap about holding the steering wheel at the bottom so left is left/right is right - it doesn't work sub-consciously. Just keep your hand at 12 o'clock and you will always know where the steering is whilst looking back.

Biggest benefit of a van is going forward - 70mph and outside lane of motorways and somewhere dry to get changed.

Oh - and unhitching is a failure - means having to leave a warm car with heated seats to rummage around in the dark and wet to reach the 7 pin plug, then unhitch, of course you find you can't push the bloody thing back unhill, move car, move trailer, attach hitch, try 7 pin plug, try plug again, and again, realise 7 pin plug is upside down and the cover's snapped shut, get it plugged in and back in the car soaking wet, as Scotty said, skill worth having.

[Robbo87]

All of the above, with one addition - and for me it was golden advice, drummed into me by my HGV 1 instructor in the 1970's.
USE YOUR MIRRORS! Reverse, taking things very slow and easy, when you see the trailer start to appear in one or other of your mirrors TURN TOWARDS IT - i.e. if the trailer starts coming into view in your left mirror turn the steering wheel left, if it's in yer right mirror turn the wheel right - simples!
To get the brain in sync, practise keeping the plot in a straight line at at first. 10 minutes of that and you'll be 90% there.
Forget looking over your shoulder if you're new to this, it won't come easy if you do. Use the side mirror system 'till you're confident , THEN you can cast a cocky eye over your shoulder and try doing it that way.