How to Back a Trailer

Backing a trailer is a skill that must be practiced. Whether it is a boat, recreational vehicle or utility trailer, you will need to have some experience in order to back it in to a location that you can't pull into. The trailer reacts very differently than a car when backing. Because of the trailer hitch, the trailer turns the opposite to the car when the steering wheel is turned.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Practice backing a trailer in a place where you will not damage anything or anyone. The best practice for learning to back a trailer is to find a vacant parking lot and set out some orange traffic cones. Practice maneuvering your trailer into parking spaces from different directions and different angles. You sill soon gain a feel for the procedure.

2. Line the car and trailer up in front of a parking space with the car and trailer parallel to the space. Ease the car back without turning the steering wheel much. Remember that turning the steering wheel will have the effect of turning the trailer in the same direction as you turn. If you overturn, don't try to correct it by turning back the other way, simply pull forward until the trailer and car are straight again. Once you are in line again, retry.

3. Avoid making sharp turns with the trailer attached. Sharp turns will jack knife the trailer at the trailer hitch. The best method of backing a trailer into any space is to take your time, and don't make fast turns. In this situation, patience pays off.

4. Use your side view mirrors to ensure that you center the trailer in the available space and to keep from hitting anything.

Tips & Warnings

• Multiple axle trailers are easier to maneuver than single axle trailers. You have more leeway with a trailer that has more than one axle because it doesn't tend to jackknife at the hitch as much. Taking your time is still extremely important.