How To Backup A Trailer

If you have ever tried to back up a trailer, you know how difficult it can be. Backing up a trailer is actually a simple operation. However, it involves some counter-intuitive techniques that are not really taught to most drivers.

Let's begin with safety. Whenever possible you should get out of the tow vehicle and walk around the trailer and look over the backup area. Note any obstacles and plan how close you would like to end up being to those obstacles when done. You might want to place a marker so you know when to stop. If possible have a spotter to watch blind spots and look for kids, bikes other vehicles etc.. The spotter should be positioned where you can see and hear them. Walkie talkies are great for this.

Usually you want to back in on the drivers side. It is much easier to back up a trailer when you can see the trailer and the trailer wheels out the drivers window. So circle the block if you can and approach with the turn on the drivers side. However, there will be times when you don't have a choice.

Most people when backing up for the first time spend too much time watching the back of the trailer. Of course you don't want to hit anything. However, you need to focus on where the wheels of the trailer are going. The wheels may not get there first, but they will determine where the trailer ends up.

Determine the pivot point of your turn. It could be a tree, a curb a fence post, etc.. Usually you want the path of your trailer wheels to be very close to the pivot point, within two or three feet if possible. If your trailer wheels are going to pass ten feet away from the pivot point you will need a much bigger area to complete the turn.

Before backing up, pull the tow vehicle and the trailer wheels ahead past the pivot point. Start with your wheels straight and the tow vehicle lined up in a straight line with the trailer. Begin by backing straight up toward your pivot point. Start your turn just before the trailer wheels get to the pivot point.

When backing up, your trailer will go the opposite way as the tow vehicle. This can be very confusing, especially if you are not experienced. One way to counter the confusion is to place your hand at the bottom or 6 o'clock position of the steering wheel. Now when you move your hand to one side or the other, the trailer will begin to turn to the same side.

There are three parts to a turn. The first part is the cut, where you cut the tow vehicles wheel to change the direction of the tow vehicle, the trailer starts to turn in the opposite direction and the angle of the two vehicles to each other increases. If you hold the wheel in the cut position too long the angle will increase until the trailer jackknifes. To prevent this, when the angle starts to get too steep, you will want to follow the trailer. To do this. turn the wheel back in the other direction until the tow vehicle starts to follow the trailer through the turn without increasing or decreasing the angle of the tow vehicle to the trailer. The final part of the turn is the return. The return consists of continuing to turn the wheel opposite the original cut until the tow vehicle is again in a straight line with the trailer.

Now that you know some of the elements of successfully backing up a trailer, it doesn't take a lot of practice to be backing up like a pro.