How to Back up a Horse Trailer for Parking

Imagine you've hauled your horse to your first show. You're running late and most of the parking spots are taken. There's one spot left way back in the corner. You're going to have to back your horse trailer into it. Don't panic--just follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Backing a Bumper Hitch Trailer

1. Find a spotter. Hopefully, you have a friend or family member with you, so have them hop out and direct you from behind to keep you from going too far astray or running into something, or ask someone passing by to spot for you.
2. Get as close to and as straight with the parking spot as you can. Don't back any farther than you have to. Try to make it a straight shot backwards into the spot.
3. Use the mirrors on your truck as you back up. Set them so you can see both rear corners of the trailer, if possible. Or turn your head and look back over your left shoulder. Use the driver's side rear corner of the trailer to aim the trailer into the spot.
4. Take your time. Getting in a rush here might cause an accident. Back slowly and make small adjustments as you go. Don't ride the brake, but keep your foot over it while backing.
5. Be aware that, when backing a bumper-hitch horse trailer, the back end of the trailer is going to turn in the opposite direction from the direction you are turning the steering wheel.
6. Pull up and straighten the trailer out if it starts to go too far astray. Try again, slowly.

Backing a Goose-neck Trailer

7. Follow Steps 1 through 4 for backing a bumper hitch trailer.
8. Be aware that, in backing a goose neck or fifth-wheel trailer, the back end of the trailer is going to turn to the same side you are turning the steering wheel. This is opposite of a bumper pull trailer.
9. Back slowly into the parking spot.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice makes perfect. Backing up a horse trailer is a skill that has to be refreshed periodically.
• It's best to get accustomed to using your mirrors for trailer backing, so you can monitor both sides of the trailer.
• In using a spotter, agree in advance on what the hand signals are going to be. Usually, he points right if you need to move the back of the trailer right and left to move left. A throat-cutting motion means stop.
• Be aware of where your spotter is at all times. There have been tragic accidents when the spotter got pinned between the trailer and another obstacle.
• Goose neck trailers can cut across the back of your truck very quickly, getting you out of position for parking, so go very slowly when backing.