Thread: Where to learn to tow a tralier?

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Where can one go (in Sydney) to learn how to tow a trailer?

Any streets ,

The hardest part is backing and visibility from your van won't help. Practice backing in a large open area, (a shopping centre carpark when empty) put some markers down and practice backing between them. 3 point turns with the trailer are a worthwhile exercise! Consider also putting 1 metre lengths of white conduit vertically on each of the back trailer corners.

Reversing is what worries me - the van by itself is bad enough. No useful visibility throught the back windows. The mirrors aren't too bad but there's still a big blind spot. I probalby could'tt SEE the trailer I was towing

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Reversing is what worries me - the van by itself is bad enough. No useful visibility throught the back windows. The mirrors aren't too bad but there's still a big blind spot. I probalby could'tt SEE the trailer I was towing

I've had a quick look at the spec's of these vans and if you get a 5' wide trailer, outside the guards should be as wide as the van (within an inch). I'd look at an 8x5 single axle, and if you can get one with an extra long drawbar, then that will help. (The longer the distance between the axle and towball, the easier it is to reverse). And a pair of clearance lamps on the rear corners will also help you see it behind you.

Good luck with the move.

I've always used 7*5 trailers because they are visible in the side mirrors, anything smaller is a pain to reverse when rearward visibility is limited. I've towed and reversed parked trailers, boats and planes. If you can see it you can park it. Like concreting, it's an acquired skill that takes practice (I park better than I can concrete).

My 2c worth.
cheers
Derek

As far as I'm concerned, mirrors (both sides) are the best way to back up any vehicle, with or without a trailer. The clearance lights, or similar outriggers, will help. To control the trailer's path, turn the top of your steering wheel toward the image in the mirror. For straight-line backing, equalize both images; for reversing on a curve, maintain a constant image in the affected mirror. And practice, practice, practice.

Cheers,
Joe

Thanks for the advice.
It's a bit of a catch-22. I don't want to get a trailer before I'm confident I can use one but I need to get one so I can build the confidence.

Parking a trailer will be an added problem, there's no room for the van as it is!

Geoff with that Van learn to drive using just external mirror you'll benefit from it.
Learning to drive in forward direction with a trailer is easy cornering they go where you go.

Reversing this depends on many variables confidence is the main one.

I have driven various vehicles sizes with various configurations of trailers from VW/Mini's to mate 3 semis plus coaches. I am willing to help instruct even have trailer we can use.

Now reversing is easy the trailer will normally go the opposite direction to your steering and twice as quick as it pivots one the union and on the wheels, small movements.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ti98L4PRCo]YouTube - DSA Car and Trailer B+E Driving Test Reversing Exercise[/ame]

Camber of roadway, driveway or ground will alter a car trailers direction very easy. Twin axle trailers react different.

Trailer Reversing Chapionships - LiveVideo.com

As others have said, for reversing it is 95% confidence and staying relaxed so take the plunge, pick the trailer up and go straight to an open area and have a go. I reckon you'll be surprised how quickly you'll get the hang of it.

For what they are worth, my tips would be to make sure the mirrors are angled down a bit so you can easily see the trailer wheels and rear corners, if its all getting a bit frantic at the steering wheel, and corrections are getting big, just pull forward, take a moment to compose and when ready have another crack, and most important, if you are uncertain at any time, just get out and have a walk round to see how much space you've got.

Si

Try some advanced driving schools, they might have a course.

I disagree with the above comments. Admittedly mine is 14' X 7' , but the fact is when your maneuvering in close quarters you can catch a nearby object with a trailer as you turn, GOING FORWARDS. As for reversing maybe it only takes a calm attitude for some but if your doing a complex maneuver it can get very messy. I've known some drivers who are truly excellent at maneuvering a trailer, I am not one of them . I can just about muddle through. I have managed to get stuck a few times. Try doing a multi point turn in a narrow driveway with a big trailer on like I did at trade tools when I picked up my saw. I gave up in the end and reversed out back about 200 m. NOT fun.

I would love to do a dedicated trailer course. I am told often that I am an above average driver but taking formal driving and riding courses were a revelation. I got a LOT better in the space of a day. I thoroughly recommend it.

2c.

Here perhaps?

or here

Found both by Googling

caravan towing course site:au

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Here perhaps?

or here

Found both by Googling

caravan towing course site:au

I had found the second linke, $495 for a course plus $80 if you don't have a trailer.

Let me start by saying I have been driving trucks for about 45 years. I had a trailer that could not be seen in any mirror and it was easy to reverse contrary to what most would think. If I wanted to just go straight back as soon as I saw the trailer in a side mirror I knew it needed correction and if I wanted to reverse it one way or another I just needed to swing it far enough so I could begin to see the thing. I learned to back a trailer in the army using a Land Rover and putting the LR and trailer between two vehicles parallel to the curb, everything after that was easy.

I'm an occasional domestic trailer user. I've got reasonable spacial coordination and have generally found reversing with a trailer not too much of a problem. Pulling a long way out and staring again usually fixes most of my misdirections.

Recently I changed cars to a Commodore Sportwagon. This has to have some of the worst rear vision I have come across in any wagon. The window line raises toward the back and it's impossible to see a rental size trailer behind. When I first tried a trailer on this car I made a complete mess of it. In the end I resorted to opening the back hatch when I'm reversed so I could see the trailer and everything went fine.

If it was something I did everyday I'm sure I'd get better at doing it without full vision, however as a once in a while thing I think full vision is your friend.

everyone has touched on reversing, but none have discussed about going forward.
just remember that you are longer and you need a little bit more room to overtake and pull into kerbs etc.

and for reversing, another option is to put your hand on the bottom of the wheel and move it to where you want to the trailer to go.
just be patient