How do you learn how to tow a trailer?

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FinellaGlen

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My OH is buying me a little trailer for Christmas but neither of us has ever towed anything before and we want to make sure that we do it right from the start as we love our pony and her (and our) safety is paramount. We would really like some lessons but I don't think we need to take an actual test as we are both old and have been driving for a long time. Does this sound right? Any advice would be welcome please.
 
I have just got a trailer and had never pulled one (or indeed anything) before, I took the box out a few times with no horse on and just got used to it and how it feels, then put Jack on and off I went!

Just drive really slowly and don't use the brakes too much, use the gears as if you are on a slippy road and you will get the hang of it quite quickly, I also stuck L plates to the front of the car and the back of the trailer the first time I went out with Jack so other people would give me a bit of leeway.
Good luck it is fab being able to go off whenever you want.
 
If you can find a practice area - to try parking! I still get confused.

A friend of mine suggested using toy cars ....not as stupid as it sounds as you can see how the trailer reacts when you reverse them.

Take it very slowly, and watch out for people trying to get ahead of you at roundabouts/junctions.

Enjoy yourselves and let the other drivers wait if needs be.
 
hey , when we got our mum a while after my mum decided to get a trailer she had never towed a trailer before but had also been driving a long time .We have only had it a couple of months but you really dont know you have the trailer on the back when driving along , the only problem is reversing but after practice it becomes alot easier and had not lessons just practice . I suggest finiding somewere empty to practice and build your confendence ready before a show or going out in it. I hope this has helped x
 
Thanks everyone. Benjamin, we really would like some lessons but we don't know where to go for them. Does anyone have any ideas? We tried Googling it but didn't find much. We are in East Yorkshire by the way.

L plates sound like a very good idea too minerva if it is legal to use them if you're not actually a learner driver? I don't suppose you could tow a trailer if you hadn't passed your test could you? There again I really don't know.

Parking is one of my biggest fears Gal. I can't actually parallel park (or whatever it is called) in my car because I am too worried about making a mistake and hitting someone else's car. To be honest, I think my OH will be doing most of the towing but I need to know how to do it as well just in case.
 
xilovemyponyx - great name by the way - I love my pony too!

We will definitely go and find somewhere to practise with an empty trailer before we take to the open road. Once we feel confident to put the pony in I think we will just do some short trips round the lanes before we start going further afield.
 
You may find adverts for trailer towing lessons in the local press, alternatively the caravan club may be able to assist you.

The main difference between towing a caravan & a horse trailer is obviously the load. Everything, acceleration, deceleration, braking etc must be done smoothly so as not to shake up the pony. If the pony has a bad experience you may have difficulties loading him afterwards.

Reversing is possibly the most difficult manoevre, you will need a lesson or two on that & then it is down to practice, practice & practice some more. It's good to hear that you acknowledge that you need tuition, many don't & just muddle on, good luck to you
smile.gif
 
I got a trailer and was terrified of towing at first but I perservered and have slowly learnt how it reacts. Reversing is the hardest thing but I trial and error gets you there - just don't jackknife your car like I did!!!
 
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