Tips & Tricks for Backing Up Your Trailer

At Ainsworth, our trailer repair service professionals deal with a lot of rear-end body repair issues. Backing up a trailer is tricky, and comes with a steep learning curve. Novice drivers do all kinds of things to avoid this dreaded task. But we promise you, it is possible. 

5 Tips for Backing Up Your Trailer

After years of backing up an automobile with no trailer attached, the science of backing up a trailer can scramble your brain. With a little insight and a lot of practice, however, you can turn yourself into a trained trailer-toting expert. Here are the basic steps:

1. Hold your hands in the 6 o’clock position.
   This position will help you better visualize the steering direction.
   1. To go left: Move your hand to the left.
   2. To go right: Move your hand to the right. 
2. Think about pushing your trailer.
   Rather than considering your trailer and tow vehicle as a single unit, think of them separately. Visualize the back end of your tow vehicle pushing the trailer coupler. If this doesn’t work, try the wheelbarrow analogy. If you were pushing a wheelbarrow and you want to go left, you’d have to move the handles to the right (and vice versa). 
3. When possible, look over your shoulder when backing up your trailer.
   If your trailer blocks your view, face forward and roll down your windows, using your side mirrors to track trailer movement. 
4. Move slowly and make wide turns.
   Inexperienced drivers tend to understeer, then overcompensate. Be forewarned: Exaggerating turns and moving too fast can cause your trailer to jackknife. Avoid rapid maneuvers and exaggerating turns, making wider turns instead. This technique will get easier with practice. 
5. Avoid jackknifing the trailer at all costs.
   Jackknifing often results in the need for trailer body repair for both the trailer and the tow vehicle. Move slowly and carefully. If you fear overcompensation, correct excessive turns by pulling forward or steering the tow vehicle in the same direction of the trailer. It is better to suffer through multiple attempts than jackknife your trailer. 

Towing shenanigans left your trailer out of sorts? Don’t hide in shame. Repair it fast with the help of the local trailer service pros at Denver’s Ainsworth Denver’s Trailer Repair Pros.