TOWBARS & TOWBAR ACCESSORIES

The first thing you need to know when backing a trailer is where you are going. It is a good idea to get out of the vehicle and have a look at where you want the trailer to go. While out of the vehicle, take note of any obstacles that may need to be avoided.

Before you start, make sure that your trailer brakes are not engaged. Some larger trailers, in particular those with override brakes, need to have the reversing brake disengaged before you are able to back the trailer. After you have backed the trailer into position it is a good idea to reengage the override brakes. This is because towing with the override brakes disabled can make normal towing far more dangerous.

Make sure that you leave yourself plenty of space to drive forward while reversing. Reversing a vehicle and Trailer takes a lot more space than most people would appreciate, and this extra space will enable you to make the necessary steering corrections without getting yourself ‘jammed’ against a fence or wall and in a position where it is very difficult to get out without the need to take the trailer off the vehicle. Lack of consideration can leave the inexperienced driver in an impossible situation which only seems to get worse the harder they try to rectify it!

Try to commence your reversing manoeuvre with the tow vehicle as straight as possible. You should get the feeling that you are following the trailer into position, and not pushing it against the inclination of the direction of the vehicle. This feeling will take some practise, but will enable you to become an excellent practitioner of towing and backing trailers.

Many drivers find it easier to look out the window at the trailer to judge its position when reversing rather than use their side mirrors. Others prefer to look over their shoulder through the rear window to get a better view of how much the trailer has deviated from the line of the car. By practising reversing into small spaces, around corners and doing complete about-turns, you will find your preferred technique.

Getting someone to direct you while backing can be a good idea. However be certain that you are both "talking the same language" and the person directing you knows something about backing, otherwise you could end up in more trouble than if you had gone it alone. Be sure that they realise that the directions for backing a vehicle on its own is the exact opposite to backing a vehicle with a trailer attached. An inexperienced helper can cause lots of confusion which can easily lead to positioning the vehicle and trailer very awkwardly.

Think about the differences of your vehicle with and without the trailer - without the trailer - reversing with a right turn on the steering wheel will move the back of the vehicle to the left - with the trailer - reversing with the steering wheel turned to the right will move the back of the trailer to the right - and a little steering wheel action goes a very long way when reversing trailers. Some people find it helpful to think about the rear wheels of your car as the steering wheels for your trailer. The direction the trailer will go depends on the direction of your rear wheels.

When you begin your reversing manoeuvre, straighten your vehicle’s front wheels as your trailer begins to turn and follow the trailer around the curve. It may be necessary to turn your trailer wheels onto the opposite lock to complete this straightening process. Most reversing problems are caused by over steering - that is, failing to straighten your wheels early enough so that you can follow the trailer around the curve that you have initiated.

If you do over steer, your trailer could ‘jack-knife’ - in other words, the trailer and the vehicle end up at a very acute angle to each other. If you are in a small, tight area, it could be very difficult to drive forward and straighten up. If you do ‘jack-knife’ the trailer, get out and carefully inspect your connection and cable as you may have damaged them and your lights and or electric brakes may not be working.

It is wise to remember … just because you are reversing, you do not always have to go backwards. It is much easier to go forward to straighten up than to try to correct the reversing line.