What’s the right way to back a trailer?

Silly question but...

When you are reversing a trailer or boat or caravan, there’s one important rule of thumb: left is always right and right is always left.

Say what? No, it’s true - when you reverse whatever you are towing into a desired spot, your vehicle has to be steered left so your trailer can turn right, and vice-versa.

For the uninitiated this can be confusing, and for onlookers very funny. Anyone who has spent any time at motor camps will recall hilarious occasions when motorists new to towing have found themselves completely crossed-up.

But there is one simple way of overcoming this problem - and it is all to do with how you hold your vehicle’s steering wheel.

Remember how in a recent Silly Question article on how to hold a steering wheel, our experts advised that the correct steering position when driving is quarterto-three? When backing a trailer, the correct position is six o’clock. Yes, hold the bottom of the steering wheel. That way, when you turn the wheel, the direction your hand moves will be the same as the trailer’s direction of travel.

Try it - you’ll be surprised how it helps simplify things. And here are a few more helpful hints on how to back a trailer into a 90-degree parking space.

Try to ensure the parking space is on your right side

With a right-hand drive vehicle it is much easier if the parking space is on your right-hand side. That’s because you will then be on the inside of your reversing arc, and the full length of the trailer will be in full view at all times. Position your vehicle so the back of the trailer is slightly forward of the parking space. To achieve this, it’s a good idea to have someone standing in such a position that he or she can give you verbal and visual signals on how you are going.

Make sure there’s only you in your vehicle

Reversing a trailer requires concentration, so tell everyone to get out of your vehicle - the last thing you want is kids arguing in the back seat, or somebody in the front seat telling you what to do. It’s also a good idea to wind down your windows so you can hear people talking to you from outside, and adjust your wing mirrors (particularly the one on the driver’s side) so you can see either side of the trailer when you are lined up straight before starting your reversing manoeuvre.

Take it easy...

When you are ready, select reverse, put your left hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, then move your hand towards the parking space. That will turn the front wheels left, and when you begin to move the trailer will start to turn right. Then all you need to do is adjust the rate of turn so it is neither too sharp or not sharp enough - all the time listening to instructions from those helping you.

Finally, straighten things up

You might have to move backwards and forwards a few times so you can get things absolutely right, but eventually you will find both your tow vehicle and the trailer in line and sitting 90 degrees to your starting position. Well done!