Reversing My Trailer

First thing - kick the 16 year old out of the car, send her to do something else so you have some peace. If you're at home get the horse off the trailer too so that you don't have to worry about him getting stressed and you can take as much time as you need.

One lesson is probably all you need. My OH (he's got an artic licence) tried to teach me, we had a massive row within 10 minutes and I went off to Google trailer reversing lessons. The instructor was fab and gave me the best tip I ever had. Nato has already mentioned it. Hold the bottom of the wheel and to turn the BOTTOM of the wheel the way you want the trailer to go. It removes the need to think about opposites. As soon as he told me this it just clicked in my head and I now reverse better than my OH. He doesn't use his artic licence much these days, whereas I reverse the trailer at least once a week!
 
I think my brain may actually be wired the wrong way as turning the wheel to reverse a trailer actually seems more natural to me than reversing without! I remember learning to drive and having numerous rows with my parents as I just couldn't seem to train my brain to turn the wheel the right way to reverse!

That said, there are still occasions when I get a trailer reversing manoeuvre wrong. I find that, when that happens, I'm better off going forward and starting the whole manoeuvre again as attempting to correct it can sometimes make it worse. I also totally agree about practising on your own without spectators. The whole "left hand down" command that men seem to shout completely confuses me!

My advice would be to have a lesson with an instructor and then find a quiet industrial estate on a Sunday and practise 'til your heart's content by yourself.
 
Clannad48 said:
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 :) :)
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I do not have a trailer which is why I go to those locally that need my advice - all they do is cover my expenses - I do not charge
 
I am an instructor and my advice would be to contact local B+E instructors or just spend a quiet afternoon practising reversing - remember it doesn't matter if you have to pull forwards to correct it. Just make sure you have plenty of space so you're not worrying about hitting stuff and you can experiment with what happens when you steer and whether or not you can correct it.

The more you reverse the easier it gets to put it right and in all honesty there aren't many venues I go to that I HAVE to reverse, but I do have to when I park the trailer at home.
 
Fiona36 said:
I think my brain may actually be wired the wrong way as turning the wheel to reverse a trailer actually seems more natural to me than reversing without!
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Me too - but only when I'm hitching up. When I reverse normally I just do it automatically but when I'm hitching up I think I'm in trailer mode and I completely lose it! I think I start over thinking it all instead of just relying on instinct.
 
OK, I can't manage Rog's game but I could get my car and trailer down there in reality!

I passed my B+E years ago, Dad has grandfather rights. Putting the trailer away is the only thing that is likely to lead to rows. Dad likes me to tell him which way to go, but I can't do that, my brain just will not work it out unless I'm in the drivers seat. Dad likes to try and help me put it away, but I can't listen to anyone else, just do it by myself....
 
As per NATO's post earlier on the thread, this is what made reversing a trailer crystal clear for me:

* Sit facing forward - with wing mirrors adjusted so you can clearly see your trailer;
* Place your hands at the BOTTOM of the steering wheel;
* When reversing, if you want to see your trailer in your right hand mirror, move your hands to the right mirror!

It really is as easy as that - you will think there has to be a catch, but really there isn't. I was given the above advice when I had a full day's training course with my trailer, and since then I've had no problems. I've shared it with many friends - all of whom are amazed at how easy reversing your trailer becomes!

Last point, remember to reverse really slowly, with tiny movements with the steering wheel.

Since learning the above method, I have been able to reverse my trailer into and out of the most awkward spots / reverse back around tight corners etc etc. At our vets you drive down a longish single track lane and the car park is always completely grid locked with trailers and horse boxes parked everywhere. I've never had a problem reversing / manoevering the trailer back out - usually with an audience, and much to the amazement of those who you can see are rubbing their hands with glee and thinking "lets see this women driver get out of this mess!!"....
 
Why are you all so far away as I actually enjoy teaching drivers to reverse trailers ...... seriously ![/QUOTE]

Where are you based in Leicestershire please?
 
practise, practise, practise and others have said, tiny movements, then straighten using just your mirrors. go slowly and pull forward if you make a mess of it. It will become completely natural - When I upgraded to a lorry I kept reversing as though I was in a trailer ;-)
 
Just one more tip I was given. I you have a low range option on your vehicle, engage it, that way the car and trailer will move very slowly on tick over and you have more time to react without having to worry about getting the speed right.
 
Dry Rots suggestion of using a childs toy really helped me. Once you understand which way the wheels needs to point to go where you want and how to get them to do it, I found it quite easy to put into practise with the real one.
 
look in the mirror - what one has too much trailer in it? Now steer towards that mirror to make it go away. (Tip I picked up on here that lead to me passing test first time).
 
Thanks for the game ROG that has really helped me to to understand how it all works, especially how you need to vary the amount of lock to straighten up. I hate reversing the trailer but have been doing a bit more with the help of a calm friend. She can'take tow legally but is good at manouvering so between us we go out fairly successfully, I drive and then when we have to park she jumps out and talks me through it! Hopefully the game will help me get a bit better too.

I find lots of people are rubbish at helping. Some can do it but can't explain it, and others haven't a clue. But having someone talk you through it calmly is brilliant. It helps to actually do it even if you are only following instructions!
 
My instructor said to try to avoid using more than quarter turns of the steering wheel at any one time. You are basically trying to nudge the trailer in the direction you want to go, so just small movements. Anything more and I find I jack knife it.
 
Another tip....try and start off with the trailer and towing vehicle in a straight line before reversing....if you are kinked you will have to correct this first which leads to the snaking problem...

Last tip is do it really slowly with minimal steering input and watch the mirrors...by going slowly and with slight input if you see it going the wrong way you can quickly adjust without having much effect.....

Only keep the lock on for a short while as reversing will exemplify the speed the trailer will suddenly deviate or Jack knife....
 
I could have written this, also have a 16 year old co driver, who is the world's best driver despite never having sat in the driving seat and a husband who can reverse happily all the way down the drive, through the field and into the yard. I feel your pain, good luck! (I even avoid going places where I know parking is dodgy).
 
:)
Domirati said:
I could have written this, also have a 16 year old co driver, who is the world's best driver despite never having sat in the driving seat and a husband who can reverse happily all the way down the drive, through the field and into the yard. I feel your pain, good luck! (I even avoid going places where I know parking is dodgy).
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Unfortunately my 16 year old has mastered this... Came out of the barn the other day to find that she had reversed the Range Rover hitched up and was reversing the combo out of the yard quite professionally..., certainly ten times better than her mother!
 
Thankyou all for your help and suggestions. I will give them all a go. I found someone who will offer some reversing only lessons for £75 does that sound reasonable? Teenager likes the suggestion of a lorry best though! Won't be happening as just not practical also she is trying endurance and you need a vehicle to crew with.
 
About 10 years ago I did a half day session with a local :hgv instructor and he took me up to their training area at a nearby disused airfield - which was great as they had it all marked out with cones etc and I could practice the reversing without worrying about hitting anything. I used my own car and trailer and it cost £85 which I thought was a lot at the time, but it was the best £85 I have spent!
 
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