Reversing a trailer feels backwards the first few times, because it is. The trailer goes the opposite way to the steering wheel, small movements get bigger the further you go, and everyone on site seems to be watching. The good news is that there is a simple method, and once it clicks you will not forget it.
Here is how to reverse a trailer for the first time, step by step, whether you tow with a ute, a 4WD or a small truck, plus the mistakes that catch most people out, and how to get yourself out of trouble when it goes wrong.
Before you start
- Set your mirrors. You want to see the back corners of the trailer in both side mirrors. If your trailer is wider than your vehicle, towing mirror extensions make a big difference, and may be required if the trailer blocks your view.
- Check behind you. Walk around once and look for posts, kids, gutters and overhead branches. Get out and look (GOAL) is the oldest rule in towing for a reason.
- Start straight. Pull forward until the vehicle and trailer are in a straight line. A straight start is much easier to control than starting at an angle.
- Take your time. Walking pace or slower. Mistakes made slowly are much easier to fix.
Step by step: how to reverse a trailer
Step 1: Put one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel
This is the trick that makes reversing make sense. Hold the bottom of the wheel with one hand. Now move your hand in the direction you want the back of the trailer to go. Hand moves left, trailer goes left. Hand moves right, trailer goes right. You no longer have to think in reverse.
Step 2: Start with a small turn
Move your hand a small amount, then reverse slowly. The trailer will start to swing. Small inputs early are far easier to manage than big inputs late.
Step 3: Follow the trailer
Once the trailer starts to turn the way you want, ease the wheel back towards straight so the vehicle follows the trailer around. If you keep the wheel turned, the angle will keep growing.
Step 4: Correct early and often
Watch both mirrors. If the trailer drifts, make a small correction straight away. If it is getting away from you, stop.
Step 5: Stop, pull forward, try again
There is no prize for doing it in one go. If the angle gets too sharp, stop, drive forward until the trailer straightens up, and start again. Professional drivers do this all the time.
The mirror rule: our favourite trick
If you would rather steer by your side mirrors, this is the simplest rule there is, and it is how we reverse trailers in our own yard:
Turn the wheel towards the mirror you want the trailer to leave.
Say the trailer is creeping into your left mirror and you do not want it there. Turn the wheel a little to the left, towards that mirror, and the trailer will swing back out of it. Seeing too much trailer in the right mirror? Turn a little to the right. Keep the trailer sitting where you want it in your mirrors with small turns, and it will follow you back.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
| Mistake | What happens | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| Turning too much | The trailer swings fast and starts to jackknife | Small movements of your hand at the bottom of the wheel |
| Holding the turn too long | The angle keeps growing | Ease off once the trailer starts to move your way |
| Going too fast | Corrections cannot keep up | Walking pace or slower |
| Watching only one mirror | You miss the other corner | Check both mirrors, and use a spotter in tight spots |
| Fighting a bad angle | You end up jackknifed | Stop, pull forward, straighten up and start again |
How to fix a jackknife
A jackknife is when the trailer and vehicle fold into a tight V. Do not keep reversing, because you can damage the trailer, the drawbar or the back of your vehicle. Stop, straighten the steering wheel and drive forward slowly until the trailer is back in line behind you. Then start again with smaller inputs.
Using a spotter
A second person makes tight spaces much easier. Agree on simple hand signals before you start (left, right, slow, stop), and make sure the spotter stays where you can see them in a mirror. If you cannot see your spotter, stop. Your spotter should never stand directly behind the trailer or between the vehicle and the trailer.
Short trailers vs long trailers
It surprises most people, but longer trailers are easier to reverse than short ones. A short box trailer swings quickly and needs very small inputs. What matters most is the distance from the hitch to the trailer's axles. A longer trailer, like an 8x5 or 10x5 tradesman trailer or a 10x6 tipper, reacts more slowly, which gives you more time to correct. If you are stepping up from a small box trailer to a work trailer, expect the bigger trailer to feel calmer, not harder.
Practice makes it easy
Find an empty car park or a quiet paddock and practise:
- Reversing in a straight line for 20 metres.
- Reversing around a gentle left-hand curve, then a right-hand one.
- Reversing into a "bay" marked with two cones or bins.
Twenty minutes of practice before your first job on site makes a huge difference to your confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Which way do I turn the wheel to reverse a trailer?
Put one hand at the bottom of the wheel and move it the way you want the back of the trailer to go. Hand left, trailer left.
Why does my trailer jackknife when I reverse?
Usually from turning too much or holding the turn too long. Use small inputs, and ease the wheel back once the trailer starts to turn.
Is a dual-axle trailer harder to reverse?
Not usually. What matters most is the distance from the hitch to the axles. Longer trailers react more slowly, so they are easier to control, though tandem axles can resist very tight turns.
Is reversing a truck and trailer different?
The method is the same: one hand at the bottom of the wheel, small inputs, and follow the trailer around. Longer combinations react more slowly, so take it gently and correct early.
Should I use my reversing camera?
A camera helps with what is directly behind you, but use your mirrors for the trailer's corners and get out and look if you are unsure.
What if I cannot see my spotter?
Stop straight away. A spotter only helps while you can see them.
Find the right trailer for the job
A well set up trailer makes every job easier, including reversing into tight sites. See our tradesman trailers, our hydraulic tipper trailers, or call us on 1300 798 100.
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