B
TOWING
B - 14
Backing Up
In BACKING UP the important thing to remember is to DO EVERYTHING SLOWLY
and to correct immediately if you see the trailer turning the wrong way. Concentrate
on the rear of the trailer. With your tow vehicle and trailer in a straight line back up
slowly and turn the bottom of the steering wheel in the direction you want the trailer
to go. Watch out the window or in the mirror until the rear of the trailer is pointing in
the desired direction. Your tow vehicle will be following the trailer in an arc. Straighten
the tow vehicle and trailer by turning the steering wheel more sharply, and then when
they are in line, straighten the steering wheel.
ALWAYS TRY TO BACK TO YOUR LEFT BECAUSE THE VISIBILITY IS MUCH
BETTER. (See Illustration) When you don’t make it on the first try it is usually much
easier to pull forward to your original position and start over.
If your spouse or traveling companion normally directs you when backing they should
position themselves forward of the tow vehicle so the driver can easily see them.
Their directions should always indicate to the driver the direction the rear of the trailer
should go. A little practice in a parking lot with the person giving directions can save
a lot of frustration when backing into a campsite.
