How To Back Up And Park While Towing A Trailer

Towing a trailer is no easy feat in itself but if you add to it the need to back up and park, well now you’ve got yourself a challenge. However, with a few basic tips and tricks we can have you backing up and parking that trailer like a pro.

Tip #1: Know which way the trailer is going to go when backing up

You should know that when you’re backing up a trailer, the vehicle and the trailer are going to form a V-shape pointing away from the direction you are turning the wheel.

As you continue to back up the V shape will get sharper and sharper. Be cautious here because creating too sharp of a V can create a jack-knife situation.

If you find that the V is getting too sharp, you need to pull forward and straighten the angle out a bit before reversing and trying again. When backing up aim your wheels at the direction you want the trailer to go and always remember anytime you are stuck, go forward again, straighten out, and start again.

Tip #2: Take it slow

I know you want to be a champion at this but learning anything takes time and needs to be done slowly to be mastered. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

Going to fast or trying to show off will almost always result in less than perfect results at best and disaster at worse. If you feel like you’ve gotten yourself into a bad situation stop and think before you continue moving. Evaluate your situation, come up with a plan, then slowly execute that plan.

Tip #3: Practice, practice, practice

Before taking the trailer on the road and having to back up and park near other people’s unsuspecting trailers practice somewhere safe until you feel confident that you can handle whatever situation comes your way.

Great places to practice are big open parking lots, fields, driveways, etc. where you are the only one that is affected. You can also set up some obstacles that won’t damage your vehicle or trailer like traffic cones and create some tight situations for yourself in order to get in a lot of practice before heading out on the road for real.

Always remember that nothing worth learning happens without practice. You got this!

Tip #4: Have a guide to help you

There’s a lot to be said for having a co-pilot. Having someone who can stand outside the trailer and direct you can make the difference between getting stuck and parking like a pro.

If you’re having trouble seeing or hearing your guide then investing in a inexpensive pair of walkie-talkies can be a great investment and make the  maneuver much easier to achieve.

Tip #5: Get Backup Camera

Lastly, investing in something a little more high-tech like backup cameras can make backing up as easy as aim, back up, and take a bow. This is actually essential if you do not have a guide to help you. Backup cameras can not only save you time but money by helping you avoid situations that might damage your vehicle, trailer, and other people’s property.

Following these tips are bound to increase your backing up and parking skills when towing a trailer. Remember take it slow and think about what you’re doing before you actually do anything and if you find yourself in a situation that you don’t know how to get out of, know that it’s okay to ask for help.

If you are still looking for that perfect trailer or you need advice on how to handle your current trailer stop in and see us at M&G Trailer Sales and Service. We would be happy to help you with all your trailer needs. Call us today at (763) 506-0930.