reversing trailers

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tiramisu

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I recently passed my trailer test :D managed to do the reverse manoeuvre without a shunt but tbh my reversing skills leave a little to be desired :rolleyes:

The trailer I learned with had a strip of electrical tape on the front...if too much tape appeared in the mirror you knew to straighten up...so wouldn't get in too much trouble/no chance of jackknifing!

So my question is is has anyone heard of this and does anyone know where about (what height/position etc) to stick the tape tape on my own trailer??!!

Thanks!
 
The tape would only help you for that particular manoeuvre. If you wanted to reverse into a tight or differently shaped space it would be wrong - as you would need a different type of turn to get in.



Just spend some time practising with your own trailer and car, you will soon get to know it :)
 
Highlights the inadequate training for the B+E

B+E trainers I know teach how to reverse and not just how to do the test reverse
 
OP, it also changes depending on the car and trailer (I'm re- learning as I now have a longer car:eek:)
but it is just practise, better with no time constraints. My hay farmer used to say I was the best packer of hay into the trailer (must be a female thing, I know how to pack:D) he now says I'm bloody good with the trailer.
It'll come with time and in the early stages I had no problem having someone get in and do it for me when I was under time issues. It will come
 
ROG said:
Highlights the inadequate training for the B+E

B+E trainers I know teach how to reverse and not just how to do the test reverse
Click to expand...

Exactly this, the tape will only work with that car & trailer combi & for that manouvere & I thought the whole point of the test was to make sure people could tow safely? Have you got a largeish area near you where you can practice? I remember it as if I am looking over my shoulder & too much trailer appears one way, thats the way you need to turn, if you are looking in the mirror its the opposite way. Hope that helps.
 
I've just got a trailer ( I have an old-school license so not test required for me)

I have done lots of towing with a caravan before, but my oh did most of that reversing so I am in a similar boat.

These are a few things that helped me so I hope they will help you too.

-Get lots of practise in.
-Take every manoeuvre slowly slowly
-Think through a manoeuvre before you start it ie I need to move more this way so I need to steer that way, and if you need to stop and have another think halfway through or start again then do it.
-Ask helpful types not to start shouting things like "left hand down" at you, and to be quiet and let you work it out yourself. I know I can do it on my own if left to quietly get on with it and people trying to be helpful just confuses me and doesn't help me to learn.

Hope this helps :-)
 
Agree that it varys between trailers, vehicles and people.
I know that when hitching up, when the trailer handles *just* disappear from the bottom of my back window, I'm just cm's away from the trailer.
I told my OH this when he had a go at hitching up.
Of course he is several inches taller than me, followed my instructions and then wondered why he was still feet away from the trailer.

I'm afraid it's down to practice, taking it slowly and only making small adjustments.
Oh and don't feel silly getting out and checking. You have blind spots and it's better to get out and look than to reverse into someone's car!
 
Jules Rules, you have a very good point, i want to kill anyone who starts shouting 'left hand down at bit' to me it makes absolutely no sense to me!!
Took me years to figure out if its going horribly wrong pull forward straighten up and start again.
I now have a friend who helps me as my parking space at the farm is absolutely shocking and she knows to just tell me if I am going to hit something and nothing else - works a treat! last night we had to avoid no end of sculptures a tractor and trailer, the grass mower and still reverse round the usual fixed obstacles took a while but we got there.
It is still my weakest female trait lol.
 
Underpinning knowledge is the key

Once the basics of what will happen when this or that is done has been mastered then the rest falls into place for every occasion


The first thing to do when learning to reverse a trailer is to do it in a straight line with lots of explaining of how and why to keep it straight

I taught LGV C+E and the principals are the same for B+E
 
yes agree with the others, just lots of practise, keeping it in a straight line first. I also cheat and stick my head out of the window if it involves turning:o
 
I found playing with a child's car and trailer on a table top very helpful in getting to understand what actually happens, but then I'm male and like to understand the mechanics of what is going on and not very good on instinct and intuition!:)

Some trailers are easier to back than others. Ifor Williams's trailers are mostly good, some quad trailers virtually impossible (even now)! Use wings mirrors and get to know your trailer -- then you can imagine where the tape would be. (Never heard that one before but it makes sense).
 
ROG said:
Highlights the inadequate training for the B+E

B+E trainers I know teach how to reverse and not just how to do the test reverse
Click to expand...

I never used tape in my B+E training. I was taught how to reverse into the space by looking using mirrors and turning to look behind me at the actual area I was reversing into. I don't have a problem reversing, it becomes natural after a while and A LOT of practice. Find an area you can just keep practising in until you are confident.

ETA: I found if I overthought a manouver I would get in a real muddle. Try not to overthink each little move and once you have a feel for the trailer when reversing it may be easier to just 'do it' rather than thinking of the routine you are about to do.
 
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Many of the reversing problems encountered with trailers are due to poor training given prior to the test. Drivers should be trained to tow correctly & also reverse properly, not just taught to pass a test. When you see the mess so many make of trying to park at shows & at yards it makes a complete mockery of the current training & test procedure. With a video camera handy some of the antics would make a You Tube sensation.
 
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