Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings

Driving in reverse with a trailer is not as difficult as it seems, especially after some practice.

To step

1. Keep in mind that you need to know in advance where you want to go with the trailer. The route must already be planned, you need to know the direction in which the trailer is going to move, which way to steer the car, the position of nearby objects, etc.
2. Place one hand on the steering wheel and turn your body and head over so that you can look back.
3. Turn the steering wheel to the right to turn the trailer to the left. You can also see it this way: the bottom of the steering wheel moves in the same direction as the trailer. Looking behind can help you feel the steering direction.
4. Turn the trailer around the corner by (as described above) turning the trailer in the direction of the corner, then you have to steer a little in the opposite direction to keep the same angle.
5. The most common way to reverse is to turn the trailer to the left. If possible, turn the trailer to the driver's side as the other side is harder to see. Follow these instructions:
6. When you approach the spot you want to turn into, drive past it first. Steer slightly to the right, to the middle of the road and then steer your car sharply to the rightso that you make an angle with the trailer (less than 180 degrees to the left, as if you had to make a left turn forward).
7. Place your hands on the bottom of the handlebars and steer in the correct direction as you reverse.
8. Make sure the car and trailer do not "scissor", make sure that the angle does not become too great. Ideally, you can park the trailer in one smooth movement. But usually at some point you have to stop, drive back to the front and try again.
9. Repeat the back and forth until you are properly parked.
10. Relax. It is often more difficult when people are watching. Try to stay calm and reverse calmly.

Tips

• Don't be afraid to stop, get out and see how far you are. It is better to keep checking where you are than to take damage.
• Never steer too suddenly in any direction.
• Try it first with a long trailer, then a smaller one. The shorter, the more difficult.
• Practice in an empty parking lot. Set up some cones so that others can see what you are doing.
• It is easier to reverse in a straight line with minor corrections. Avoid making a right angle. First, put your nose on the other side of the road so you don't have to make a sharp backward turn.
• Take it slow! If something unexpected happens, stop the car and calmly think about what to do to fix it.
• Remember to also look up. Your attention is often focused on obstacles on the ground, but you should also look higher to check for tree limbs and wires. Also watch out for overhanging trees.
• An extra pair of eyes can be very helpful. Someone who is paying close attention behind the trailer and giving directions in view of your mirrors can be a great help.
• Buy some walkie talkies. Then you don't have to shout at the person who is paying attention at the back.
• Think of it like this: your rear wheels are actually the steering wheels for the trailer (pretend the trailer has four wheels, the steering front wheels are actually the rear wheels of the car. So to get the trailer in the right direction, the angle has to be between the trailer wheels and the rear wheels of the car are correct.

Warnings

• Stop the car if the trailer scissors. Go forward and try again.
• Stop the car if the trailer turns the wrong way. Go forward and try again.
• Check that the trailer coupling is properly secured and check that the safety cable is correctly mounted. After plugging in, check that all lights are working properly.