idiots guide to towing a trailer!

It is practice. Having a play is the only way to do it. A field as suggested would be great, thats what i did. Before my trailer lessons even.

But - if you cant reverse then i dont think its safe for you to be on the road?! What if you come across a situation where you HAVE to reverse?! An accident, a dead end, anything?
I'm sure Mr policeman who is waving you backwards is not going to be best impressed if you tell him you cant go back. I would suspect he could also book you for something.............

We once were out and took a wrong turn to a XC course. It was a single track road with hardly any turning points and a dead end right at the end. It looked the same as the right road until we got up there. We had to reverse for miles down this stupid road before we could turn around. No problem - but if you cant do this then what would you do?
 
As a basic rule if you are going straight back and want to remain straight only use your wing mirrors, if you start seeing too much trailer in the drivers side mirror (right hand drive car assumed) bring your right hand down on the steering wheel. Similarily if you start seeing too much trailer in your passenger side wing mirror bring your left hand down. So if you want to reverse around the corner to the left you need to see more trailer in your left mirror so its right hand down and the opposite the other way. The best thing is to take it slowly and only make small movements on the steering wheel so you dont get in a pickle! Its easy once you get it I promise!!!!
 
I think I am going to take all these suggestions on board and try it - however I still maintain I found it a lot easier with an articulated lorry :) I could park those things anywhere, reverse and bay park no problem (mind you I was a lot younger then). I think I need to take the trailer out to a field somewhere - at our yard I have to reverse it round a very narrow corner with not much room at the front so sometimes a 99 point turn is needed (even though the YO's OH can do it in one move .... grrrr) I definitely need to practice without an audience - there is nothing worse than my daughter screaming abuse and 'helpful' directions at me (and she's never towed a thing in her life) I may also consider booking an instructor for a half day as someone else has done
 
I know what you mean about it being tricky OP. I bought a trailer last summer having not towed one for about 17 years and for the first few weeks it took an army of people to help me reverse and lots of adjusting. I have to say though that practice helps and I can usually manage fine just about anywhere now although it still gives me chills when I get directed into a narrow space at a show lol!

My tips would be, first take a deep breath. Then, if possible, get out and have a look at the space you are aiming to reverse into and plan it out in your mind. (I know not always possible but find it really helps me!) To start the turn you need to turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction than you would if you were just parking your car. Put full lock on(be brave) to start the turn, then, as soon as the trailer has begun to make the turn, follow the trailer by turning back the other way( so now you are reversing as you would if you were reversing just the car). Once you get to this stage just make little adjustments with tiny turns of the wheel. A little goes a long way to change the direction of the trailer. I know this all sounds mighty complicated but I promise with practice it starts to feel more natural. Remember, you are pushing the trailer into place. good luck.
 
Ifor Williams trailers are usually amongst the easiest to back, quads with small trailers amongst the hardest. But if the brakes are not adjusted correctly on an IW, they can "lock up", especially on a slope.

Borrow or steal a toy vehicle with attached trailer off a small child and play with that on a table. It will help you understand the mechanics of what is going on. It helped me anyway!

I stupidly called in on someone the other day who lives on a housing estate. I took a wrong turning and ended up down a cul-de-sac with parked cars on both sides of the road and nowhere to turn. I had to back the trailer up a hill and around a corner with round bales on the trailer blocking my rear view! Not fun as the brakes kept locking up as well, so do get it right before you go on the road!
 
Sorry to resurrect an old thread but today it clicked!! I'm super chuffed with myself. Reversed into a gap with only about a foot either side... I have found that if I watch the trailer tyre on the drivers side, hold the hand up the way I want to go and low gear to save my clutch and I could do it!
Thank you so much for all your advice, this is a huge step for me... I can now take my daughter to club, pick up my own hay and am a free woman! Thanks again, becs x
 
Well done! That is great news! It's great when you know you don't have to worry about having to reverse the trailer when you are out and about. Keep practicing and you will get better and better at it!
 
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