Reversing a trailer

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain why a trailer turns the opposite way to the steering wheel when reversing
• You can use the hand-at-the-bottom steering method to aim the trailer
• You can recognise the early signs of a jackknife and correct it
• You can work with a spotter using agreed hand signals
• You can reverse a trailer in a straight line and around a gentle corner

What you need to know and understand

• When reversing, steering the car right makes the trailer swing left, and the other way round
• Small steering movements are enough; large ones quickly fold the trailer
• Short trailers react faster than long caravans and are harder to control in reverse
• A jackknife happens when the angle between car and trailer gets too sharp to recover
• The road rules say you must only reverse when it is safe, and only as far as you need to
• Towing limits and learner or P plate towing rules vary by state

Why a trailer goes the 'wrong' way

The trailer pivots on the tow ball, which sits behind the rear wheels of the car. When you reverse and turn the steering wheel, the back of the car swings one way and pushes the front of the trailer the same way, so the rear of the trailer heads in the opposite direction.

Once you understand this, you stop fighting it. The aim is to set an angle on the trailer, then follow it with the car.

The hand-at-the-bottom method

Many towing instructors teach this simple trick, and it is fully legal and safe. Place one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Move that hand in the direction you want the back of the trailer to go.

1. Line the car and trailer up straight before you start, if space allows
2. Check all around, including blind spots, then reverse at walking pace or slower
3. With your hand at the bottom of the wheel, move it a little towards the side you want the trailer to go
4. As soon as the trailer starts to turn, steer back the other way so the car follows the trailer
5. Keep making small corrections; stop, get out and look whenever you are unsure
6. If the angle gets too sharp, stop, drive forward a little to straighten, then try again

Spotters, mirrors and space

Towing mirrors help you see down both sides of a wide caravan, and a reversing camera on the trailer is useful, but neither replaces a person who can see the whole area. A spotter should stand where you can see them in a mirror, never directly behind the trailer.

Agree on signals before you start, including a clear stop signal. If you lose sight of your spotter, stop straight away.

• Do: reverse slowly, check often, and stop if a child, pet or pedestrian appears
• Do: choose a wide open space to practise first
• Do not: reverse a trailer onto a busy road if you can avoid it
• Do not: let a spotter stand between the car and trailer or behind the trailer

Common mistakes

• Turning the wheel too much: use small movements and let the trailer respond before adding more
• Reversing too fast: walking pace or slower gives you time to correct
• Ignoring a growing angle: stop and pull forward to straighten before a jackknife happens
• Relying only on the camera: get out and look, and use a spotter in tight spaces
• Losing sight of the spotter: if you cannot see them, stop until you can

Test yourself: Reversing a trailer

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.