How to Back a Trailer

Backing a trailer can be very complicated but with a little practice you can master the task easily. You'll be backing a boat onto a dock or backing a U-Haul into your driveway in no time with these steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car and trailer

1. Look in your side mirrors. If you can see the trailer in the driver's side mirror, turn the steering wheel to the left (toward the driver's side). If you can see it in the passenger side mirror, turn the wheel to the right (toward the passenger's side).

2. Back the vehicle until the trailer is directly behind you. As you back the vehicle, you will need to straighten out the vehicle as the vehicle and trailer line up. Once you can no longer see the trailer in either of the side mirrors, you'll know it's straight behind you.

3. As you back the trailer straight, it will most likely drift from one side to another, so you'll need to adjust. Just remember that backing a trailer is opposite of backing just the vehicle. You need to turn the steering wheel toward the trailer when you back it, not away.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful not to let the trailer get to a steep angle toward the vehicle because you might jackknife it with the vehicle.