Maneuvering With Trailer
Start with basics – accelerating, slowing, stopping
smoothly and steadily
Increase distance from vehicle ahead
Do not pass other vehicles until you feel comfortable
pulling trailer
Maintain steady control in the wake of large trucks and
buses
When turning, signal your intention well ahead of time
Swing a little wider than you would without a trailer
Stop every hour or so to inspect wheel bearings,
connections, tiedowns, cover and other fastenings
Back up slowly with a trailer:
Practice with an empty trailer in an empty
parking lot
Get the feel of backing straight. Small, S-shaped
steering corrections will be needed
When you’re ready to turn while going
backward, put your hands on the bottom of the
vehicle’s steering wheel. The trailer turns
opposite the towing vehicle’s direction. By
moving the bottom of the steering wheel in the
direction you want the trailer to go, the towing
vehicle will go the opposite way.
As the trailer starts to turn, move the bottom of
the steering wheel back to center. The trailer will
continue to turn at an increasing rate. Move the
bottom of
the steering wheel opposite the
direction of the trailer in order to slow the
turning rate.
If the trailer turns too sharply (“jackknifes”) or
does not turn enough, stop, pull ahead and try
again.
Practice, practice, practice!
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