HOW TO RETURN WITH A TRAILER: RULES FOR REVERSING

February 16, 2021 Off By admin

It is not difficult to buy and connect a trailer to a passenger car, but not all drivers manage to drive in reverse with a trailer. Correctly backing up with a loaded trailer means eliminating the likelihood of accidents, collisions and making maneuvering predictable. Learning to drive a car with a trailer is not difficult: it is important to follow a few simple rules, sit comfortably behind the wheel, provide sufficient visibility and not make sudden movements (the optimal reverse speed is up to 15 km / h). The slower the car goes, the weaker the shocks transmitted to the trailer and the less its deviation from the given trajectory. But the most important thing is the correct rotation of the steering wheel: if necessary, turn the steering wheel to the left, turn it to the right and vice versa. At the same time, during the learning process, it is necessary to turn the body back, and not be guided only by the mirrors – this way you will get maximum control over the situation.

REVERSE PREPARATION

Before reversing with a trailer, it is important to align the trailer and vehicle so that they are in line. It is worth training with a trailer without a high awning, otherwise you will have to look in the side mirrors additionally, which is difficult for beginners and distracts from driving. Get into a comfortable position, half-turned to the right (hold the back of the front passenger seat with your right hand). The unusual position of the body affects the coordination of movements, so you need to get under way slowly and smoothly. Correctly backing up means predicting the trajectory of the trailer and making timely steering shifts. If the trailer starts to tilt, turn the steering wheel in the required direction in advance with small, energetic movements. Another option to align the truck or caravan is to drive forward a little.

BASIC RULES FOR SAFE DRIVING

Safe driving with a trailer requires a wide view: when reversing, several blind spots appear, making it difficult to assess the situation. It is better to return in reverse when parking, entering a garage or leaving a parking lot with an assistant, who will report a critical approach to objects (other cars, fences, curbs). If there is no one to help, do not forget the following rules:

  • turns are performed in 2 stages (first set the trailer in the direction of travel, then turn the wheels out directly, acting sharply and in advance);
  • when driving in reverse, you need to constantly steer by turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction;
  • if the trailer deviates from the trajectory by more than 150, do not try to align – pass a little forward (otherwise, intensive rotation of the steering wheel will cause the trailer to turn sideways);
  • back and turn easier if you grab the steering wheel at the bottom.

A FEW TIPS FOR BEGINNERS AND MORE

If possible, turn left (towards the left side) to provide precise control and visual control over the movement of trailed equipment through the side window. For right-hand drive vehicles, the opposite applies: steering the trailer while driving is easier if you turn right. For training purposes, use long caravans – they are easier to control while driving, since shorter models are more maneuverable and sensitive to steering movements. To understand how to properly reverse with a trailer, we strongly recommend visiting a training area with poles or plastic cones. Turn the steering wheel as slowly as possible, and if in doubt, do not be lazy to get out of the car and make sure that your actions are correct (a couple of minutes spent is nothing compared to a couple of thousand that you will spend on removing scratches if you catch nearby objects).