Reversing a Caravan or Trailer

One of the most frustrating and intimidating tasks of caravanning as a beginner is reversing – especially when all the other campers at the park are peering over the tops of their newspapers watching you. Unfortunately it takes a while to become confident and proficient at reversing because after driving a normal vehicle for some time, everything seems to be turned on its head. I am still not as good as I would like to be – far from it, but I have picked up some useful tips along the way and present them all here so they may help someone else too. This is by no means a reversing tutorial, just a few things to bear in mind as you slip into reverse for that initial manoeuvre.

So, we all know (or pretty soon learn), that when reversing with a caravan or trailer attached to your vehicle you steer in the oposite direction to that when in normal un-hitched drive mode. But how do you stop this thing playing with your mind to such an extent that you reach a point where you haven’t a clue which way to steer?

Adopt a rule NOT to look behind you (over the shoulder I mean). Use your towing mirrors only, and adjust them if necessary to provide you with the best views down the side of your ‘van. I adjust my mirrors from the normal driving position such that they point down a little more; then with little effort I can see where the ‘van wheels are in relation to where I want to be.

Place your hands at the six o’clock position on the steering wheel. Now you are in a position to say – without looking over your shoulder, “I want the back of the ‘van to move to the right so I move my hands to my right”. Move your hands to the left of course to move the back of the van to the left. Using your towing mirrors only you will be able to see positive movement in the desired direction, which should be quite comforting …

Take it slowly – very slowly. It can be tempting to put full lock on one way and then surge into reverse hoping that as if by magic everything is going to line up first time. If you take it slowly, you are in control, and there should be no need for full lock except right at the beginning of your manoeuvre. But as soon as you see the ‘van moving in the desired direction ease off on the steering. The idea is to start the ‘van off in a specific direction and then follow it with the towing vehicle.

Admit to yourself that you are not going to get it right in one smooth movement, and hey, there’s nothing wrong with pulling forward sometimes to make a correction. In fact I try to make my manoeuvres in a series of reversing and forward correcting moves rather than one swoop. Also don’t be afraid to get out of the car and take a look at where you are and where you need to go next, it helps to relieve the stress too. Talk to yourself : “I need to swing back to the right a bit and then over to the left and then straighten up, being careful not to hit that tree …”

You will have noticed that if you do over-steer and reverse too quickly, that you will jack-knife. Do not try to correct this while reversing. It isn’t going to happen. There is a point of no return and it is to do with the radius of the path the towing vehicle is following and that of the ‘virtual vehicle’. This involves the complex mechanics of steering so for obvious reasons I am not going to say any more on that topic. You will just have to pull forward at least a car length or so before attempting to reverse again.

Finally, an assistant or guide will help, and the job usually falls to your wife. Consequently many a happy camping holiday is often spoiled by sullen moods and angry grunts after a reversing confrontation – it can be a real test of the strength of your marriage! Another reason to stay as calm and lighthearted as you can.

There are mixed opinions on where the guide should stand. My preference is at my offside mirror facing to the rear of the caravan when giving guidance, but of course the guide needs to check behind and to the sides of both vehicles every now and then to avoid hitting any unseen obstacles. Get the communication organised beforehand. Agree on a set of terms such as easy right or heavy right, forward straight, etc. Nothing can be worse than trying to interpret, “I think you need to go back this way a bit, or perhaps that way first and then back over” … What the … !?

If you have time to practice before the grand show then certainly do so, and even switch roles with the guide so that each has an understanding of the others role. You need to get to know the limits of your towing combination because there are several things that can make a difference to handling when reversing. Some say that the shorter the trailer or caravan is, the harder it is to reverse. The longer the wheelbase of your towing vehicle, the easier it is.

The last words have to be: Don’t stress. Take it gradually. Take it slowly. And if the worst comes to the worst, gracefully admit defeat and ask the park manager or another more experienced driver to park it for you.

Safe and happy camping.

Click here to recommend this article:

Related posts:

1. Rollingstone Beach Caravan Resort

Filed under: Towing/Reversing