Reversing My Trailer

[janem_g]

Hi All,

Please help. I cannot seem to crack the reversing of a trailer into spaces if I have to deviate at all from a straight line! I understand the concept of moving the wheel in the opposite direction but just cannot get it right. Never helped by the "advice" of 16 year old passenger who can't even drive. I am old enough to not need to take a new test and am quite happy actually the towing the thing. It's an aged Rice trailer but does the job. It had a new aluminium floor and is very light so comes within the tow capacity of our Volvo V70. What I'm really looking for is some kind of course I can go on specifically to help with this. Any ideas before the teenager and I fall out forever and I refuse to attend anything which doesn't have drive in drive out venues! We are in Hampshire.

Jane

 

[Sallyfinn]

This may be a silly question but have you tried reversing only using your mirrors? I find it helps with the turning the wheel the wrong way phenomenon.

 

[janem_g]

My brain has a meltdown and the trailer seems to have a mind of its own. I'd just like someone calm to sit there and talk me through it so I can work out what it is exactly that is making it so hard.

 

[alainax]

I also use only my mirrors. Take is slowly. You want to turn the wheel towards the mirror that you want to see less of the trailer in, if it looks big on one side, and you dont want it to be there, steer towards that mirror. Also, the tiniest movements of the steering wheel are amplified through the trailer, you only need tiny little turns of the wheel. Most people have a problem by steering too much.

 

[alainax]

My brain has a meltdown and the trailer seems to have a mind of its own. I'd just like someone calm to sit there and talk me through it so I can work out what it is exactly that is making it so hard.

Maybe a couple of lessons would help?

 

[janem_g]

Yes Lessons would be ideal buy I have no idea where to find someone experienced to help. I don't want a full towing course just this one bit so if anyone can recommend an instructor I would be very grateful.

 

[dozzie]

It is just about practise. Have you got access to a field where you can practise reversing into a space? Use some cones to help. People who can reverse a trailer will understand the difficulty.

 

[Spottyappy]

Get a Lorry.
I've never mastered reversing, also if an age to not need to have taken a test.
Hate towing with a passion.
Lorries are just so much easier all round! Not least of all because they can be reversed with no problems!

 

[ellis9905]

Are you aware that once the trailer starts to move in the right direction you then have to correct the direction your steering to follow the trailer back and stop yourself jack knifing... I never knew this when I started to tow- when someone pointed this out it was like a lightbulb moment!
I also find it easier to reverse by turning and looking backwards rather than rely on my mirrors.... It does get easier with practice

 

[LovesCobs]

Rog may know of someone, I'm not sure of his area but he may be able to point you in the right direction.
I'm self taught but found learning better when on my own. When I got it wrong I pulled forward and tried again. You'll learn every time without anyone confusing you or frustrating you I do think a couple of lessons will really help. I only know of someone Wrexham way though

 

[Vodkagirly]

Most instructors who do towing courses will also do one off lessons, just call and ask.
What I found worked for me is practice when there is no one around and no pressure. Use mirrors, if there too much trailer in one, take the hand on that side of the steering wheel down. Remember it takes a few seconds for any changes to take effect.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

Whereabouts in Hampshire are you? I have a heavy old rice trailer and spent many hours practicing! Remember slowly is the key, rush and it goes pear shaped!!!

 

[Floofball]

My hubby bought me a one off towing lesson before I bought my trailer. The intructor tailored the lesson to my needs It was 2 hours and really useful. Gave me loads of tips and by the end I could reverse into a coned 'garage' and back through zig zag cones! Still find that I need to practice by myself in the yard to keep my confidence up though. Hubby just looked up towing lessons on Yell.com

 

[janem_g]

Thankyou. I'm going to print off some of these tips and as you all say practise, alone!

I'm in BAsingstoke Peregrine Falcon. I've also contacted a company that offer full courses in case they would do a couple of one off sessions with my own trailer.

 

[Samfin]

Hi, I'm self taught, I taught myself with a little car trailer, the reason is, the smaller the trailer the harder it is, as it jack knifes a lot quicker than a big trailer and it's harder to see in your mirrors (so you have to learn which way the car is sending it more), once you've mastered a little trailer the big ones actually feel really easy, it teaches you to not over steer, if you can't find anyone to take lessons with then try borrowing a little trailer off of someone and practise with that. I can now put a horse trailer in nearly anywhere I need to and very quickly (much to the disgust of a lot of men who offer to do it for me before they've seen me do it)

 

[nato]

Second the lessons.

When reversing, as others have said, a very slight turn of your wheel will turn the trailer significantly.

Don't go too fast - all you should need is the clutch and the brake; use your clutch to move the Jeep and not the accelerator!

Place your hand at the BOTTOM of the steering wheel and then move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go - makes it easier to remember.

Turn slowly - until you see the trailer start to turn.

As soon as the trailer turns, your job is to make the Jeep FOLLOW the trailer. So if turning right, you place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and move right (therefore turning the wheel left). Your jeep is now turning left in order to move the trailer right. As soon as the trailer moves right, you now turn your steering wheel right so the Jeep turns right and follows it.

Keep doing the above (and don't be afraid to go forward to straighten up) until you get it right.

When someone told me about getting the Jeep to follow the turn it changed everything. Try it!

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

Thankyou. I'm going to print off some of these tips and as you all say practise, alone!

I'm in BAsingstoke Peregrine Falcon. I've also contacted a company that offer full courses in case they would do a couple of one off sessions with my own trailer.

If you were closer to me I would have said you'd be welcome to come here and I'd sit with you. Hope you get sorted before strangling your teen! LOL

 

[FfionWinnie]

Most instructors who do towing courses will also do one off lessons, just call and ask.
What I found worked for me is practice when there is no one around and no pressure. Use mirrors, if there too much trailer in one, take the hand on that side of the steering wheel down. Remember it takes a few seconds for any changes to take effect.

This and go in a big empty carpark and practice going back straight then angling it. Just make sure you can always pull forward to get out of a situation and you'll be fine.

Use your mirrors. Train yourself to do so. I am so used to reversing trailers I sometimes turn the wheel the wrong way when I don't have one on!

 

[ROG]

Please help. I cannot seem to crack the reversing of a trailer ...... We are in Hampshire.

Jane

Pity you are not in Leicestershire as I would help for FREE with expenses covered

 

[ROG]

Little tip - the set up will still be bending until you can see the same amount of trailer in both side mirrors

Try this - park in straight line

Turn wheel the opposite way to what you want trailer to go
move slowly back for 2 seconds
turn wheel towards the side mirror which is showing the most trailer
when both mirrors show same amount of trailer straighten wheel to keep that view and stop

Turn wheel the opposite way to what you want trailer to go
move slowly back for 2 seconds
turn wheel towards the side mirror which is showing the most trailer
when both mirrors show same amount of trailer straighten wheel to keep that view and stop

Turn wheel the opposite way to what you want trailer to go
move slowly back for 2 seconds
turn wheel towards the side mirror which is showing the most trailer
when both mirrors show same amount of trailer straighten wheel to keep that view and stop

Doing it in little bits to start with is better than trying to do it in one go which comes with experience

Ex LGV and B+E instructor 2005 to 2008

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I learnt on a tractor and a two wheeled farm trailer, sitting above it you can see what is happening and the brain learns to work it out.
Dont try a four wheel farm trailer though!

 

[FfionWinnie]

I learnt on a tractor and a two wheeled farm trailer, sitting above it you can see what is happening and the brain learns to work it out.
Dont try a four wheel farm trailer though!

My most favourite reversing experience was a 6 week contract lambing with a pick up and bike trailer (you couldn't see it behind the pick up) and a 300ft reverse narrow between she'd (but not secure enough to let these particularly mad sheep out at the end!) up to the lambing shed if you had something to bring into the pens from the fields. It was about 3500 ewes most with problems so that was a lot of reversing!

 

[JulesRules]

Another idea is to try the caravan club.

They do a manoeuvring course which of course is the same concept as a trailer, although after a long wide caravan a trailer will suddenly seem easy.

It's £140 pounds though, although they provide the caravan for that cost

 

[Dry Rot]

Borrow a child's vehicle and trailer and play around with it on a table top. Half the problem is understanding how you need to turn the wheel to get the correct response from the trailer. That's how I learnt. Once you understand the mechanics involved, it is easier, I promise!

 

[turnbuckle]

Go on a course!

It is an art, and needs practice. But if you're in a mindset where it's all a nightmare, it'll be TERRIBLY hard to get it right without help.

The Caravan Club have a list of courses - or Google trailer training in your area. A good calm teacher will have you right in no time - but take the time to actually chat to them or even drive over to meet them before yo sign up, chemistry will be key.

 

[ROG]

Try this = http://www.marops.net/portfolio/trailer-reversing-game

Have fun

 

[Clannad48]

Hi All,

Never helped by the "advice" of 16 year old passenger who can't even drive. Any ideas before the teenager and I fall out forever and I refuse to attend anything which doesn't have drive in drive out venues!

Jane

I feel your pain, I too have chosen venues that allowed the drive in/drive out parking with a 17yr old who could drive but thought reversing a trailer was simple - HAH. To be honest the only way I got over my nerves was to practice,practice, practice -mind you it had to be on my own without any spectators. As soon as anyone watched me I fell to pieces. A couple of lessons may well help.

If it is any consolation and you do have to wait a while but when your 16yr old 'advisor' has to do it themselves - just wait for the "How the **** do you do this - the trailer won't go the right ******* way". - that is unless you are really unlucky and they manage it perfectly.

Good luck

PS my now 24yr old daughter wants me to now teach her how to drive with the trailer................ she can't seem to understand my reluctance...... I would rather pay for her to have professional lessons

 

[ROG]

Why are you all so far away as I actually enjoy teaching drivers to reverse trailers ...... seriously !

 

[Clannad48]

ROG - I would happily transport my daughter to you to let you teach her - don't know what it would do to your sanity though

 

[forumuser123]

This is brilliant! Thanks Rog.