I've recently bought a bargain wooden trailer - 5ft x 3ft.
It's lovely, but when I was trying it out (I've never towed before) I did have to reverse a short way with it, and it was a nightmare - it just went off it's own merry way and I didn't see it until it was at quite an angle.
I had fully intended to go an learn how to do it in a car park of an evening, but you can't even see the trailer from the car if they are in line, which makes it tricky. Plus I've been told that the shorter the trailer is, the harder it is to reverse.
Obviously the chances are I'm going to have to reverse with it sometime - when we go to Scotland we always stop at the Fort William Morissons (or Safeway, as it was) for an all day breakfast, for example, and I don't fancy my chances of getting in and out the car park without reversing at some point.
So how do you reverse your short trailer? Do you use towing mirrors to see it? Any tips on reversing with a shorty? Will practice make perfect, or just passable?
I don't know what car you have but if you have a hatch back or estate you could drop the back seats and open the boot when you are leaning in your local car park so you can see it and get use to how it reacts.
Or train tour oh to give hand signal to you in the car.
I agree very difficult to reverse a small trailer. We have a small Erde 102 and have fitted a jockey wheel to make moving it about easier, if we had to reverse I would just un-hitch the trailer and move it with the jockey wheel down. Works for us.
------------- May, Bridge House Marina Garstang
May Willowbank Southport
June Ashes Kendal
July Laverick Hall Halton
July Bridge House Marina
Aug Solway View, Borgue
Sept Willowbank Southport
Oct Wagtail Farm York
Oct Fisherpool Delamere.
When we used a trailer, I always unhitched and put in the direction needed when reversing in a tight spot ,maybe not correct but so much easier than tying yourself in knots, those smaller trailers really are a nightmare to reverse with
------------- "sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy"
Generally you don't need to reverse in supermkt car parks, just park at the far end of carpark where its empty & you can drive into 2 spaces. The trick of reversing trailer is little & often with steering wheel. Turn wheel in opposite direction to where you want rear end of trailer to go but straighten as soon as you turn. takes a bit of practise but as stated, with a small trailer you can usually avoid reversing.
I to have a 5x3 trailer totaly hopeless at reversing it as said before use 2 spaces when you park I unhitch the trailer when I reach the campsite much easier.
Did get into a pickle when I shot past the campsite on a single track road made other half unhitch and push into the site hee hee (Yes I am female)
Its easier to reverse a large caravan than a small trailer. As has been said low speed and small moves of the steering wheel but to be honest I agree its easier to unhitch and move it where you want it.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I to have a 5x3 trailer totaly hopeless at reversing it as said before use 2 spaces when you park I unhitch the trailer when I reach the campsite much easier.
Did get into a pickle when I shot past the campsite on a single track road made other half unhitch and push into the site hee hee (Yes I am female)
I like your style.
I'm still mastering the dark art of reversing but by DH says to always make sure you are straight before you start, and to turn earlier than you think to straighten up or turn the other way. All easy for him to say, he has been towing for years. I'm still like this when I try.
I like the flag idea for being able to see your trailer.
smiling at this , i have been towing 22ft vans for years and have had no problem reversing, even into the tightest spots, we have recently sold up and returned to camping and have an erde 122 trailer , on a recent trip i miised a turn off for a drive way , on a narrow country lane , no problem , i said to my missus , well i made the biggest hash of trying to reverse the trailer ( much to the amusement of onlookers ) , i did eventually have to unhook it and manually turn it round , i, have practised reversing the trailer in our local supermarket , and given up , i have been defeated ,
------------- derbyshire bloke, born & bred, strong in t'arm, weak in t'ead
and remember only dead fish swim , with the flow!!
Quote: Originally posted by iscacamper on 26/6/2013
Maybe attach a small flag to the back of the trailer (like the kind you see on bike trailers), so that you can see it from the rear window?
That's what I do put one one each rear corner can easily see where it is and it's still on lol
Quote: Originally posted by awratemiduck on 26/6/2013
smiling at this , i have been towing 22ft vans for years and have had no problem reversing, even into the tightest spots, we have recently sold up and returned to camping and have an erde 122 trailer , on a recent trip i miised a turn off for a drive way , on a narrow country lane , no problem , i said to my missus , well i made the biggest hash of trying to reverse the trailer ( much to the amusement of onlookers ) , i did eventually have to unhook it and manually turn it round , i, have practised reversing the trailer in our local supermarket , and given up , i have been defeated ,
I can totally relate to this, I have towed/reversed with tractor and trailer since I was about 12 years old on farms and then on to owning caravans as an adult.
Just like you I also make a hash of trying to reverse my 5' x 3' trailer
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I have had a number of trailers over the years including a TT and a caravan....Only once have I been able to reverse successfully..
Narrow single track road with high hedges and no passing places....Large horse box coming the other way on a bend..Reversed the TT perfectly through an open field gate without even thinking about it...Yay!! 1st and only time ever...Like others when needed...unhitched and turned the trailer rather than reverse...And always found a double parking space in carparks etc...
Used an old flexible car ariel with a flag on top on the front of my last trailer...Never for reversing....But came in useful when looking in the rear view mirror to check the trailer was still there....As my kids would take great delight in winding me up by asking "Wheres the trailer gone?"......
One of the reasons I gave up the van was my non existent reversing skills....
Jelboy.
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Topic: Reversing with a small, low trailer
I like your style.
