How to reverse a Caravan or Trailer, Caravan Tips and Tricks

This how to Caravan Tips and Tricks video makes reversing easy to understand using several basic explanations and simple graphics to explain the reversing techniques. A Caravan or Trailer can be difficult to reverse. The first time reversing one, they can appear to have a life and mind of their own.
You may be an advanced driver, trying to improve your driving and towing skills, this video will help you. Even if you need to use a motor mover in some situations like I do to go back.
You maybe a learner driver, trying to improve your knowledge because you are worried about your driving test with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (once known as the Driving Standards Agency and before that the Department of Transport). This video does not cover the reverse procedure used in the UK B+E Car and trailer test driving test but it will help you understand the skills needed to reverse a large caravan. Which in turn will help you become a better driver.
If you are interested in photography the 4K video camera I use, is a Panasonic 4K video camera, if you want one, the Amazon (affiliated) link is: amzn.to/2RuVhsY
Music from Nero Platinum Editing Program, copyright free.

[@lengthmuldoon]

The spoons demo was genius

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Bertie Blue. How kind of you to pay me such a compliment, thank you.😀

[@antoniolozano3637]

This is the best instruction I have been seen congratulation the lady explains very cleare

[@UsefulWisdom]

Thank you, I am happy you enjoed the video.

[@HI2LIFE]

Fantastic!

[@UsefulWisdom]

Thank you, we are delighted that you enjoyed the video.😀

[@pauloportocarrero9010]

Excellent tip. Thank you...:)

[@UsefulWisdom]

Thank you Paulo. This video was a challenge to make and we constantly changed it until we thought it would help everybody.

[@CoatsandGaiters]

I really struggled on my Class 1 artic licence with reversing and then I watched this the night before the test and Janet explained it so nicely and well that it actually went into my head. So no reversing ability all week and then on test day I suddenly got the reversing bit with her help. I passed everything but messed up on a silly uncoupling procedure in the yard and failed lol but thank you so much Janet for getting me to pass the reversing procedure part.

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Coats and Gaiters. Thank you for your comment. I am so pleased the video helped you and I like your attitude. So many people say the"Driving Examiner failed me", then they have a problem passing their next test, because they blame the Examiner and it gives them a negative thoughts. 🙂

[@denm7253]

This has got to be one of the best visual explanations I've come across, especially the tip for placing one hand on the top of the steering wheel to 'push' the caravan, and the demo with the red and green spoons. Well done!

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Den. Thank you for the compliments. Janet is over the moon with your post.

[@techatozdev9019]

No1 video out of 15 video I was watching from last 2 hours Best and very clear explanation Love these guys may god bless them

[@UsefulWisdom]

Thank you tech A to Z dev. You have done wonders for our confidence.😀

[@deborahanderson9847]

Enjoyed watchi g and love the spoons x

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Deborah, we are happy you enjoyed the video and hope you try the tips we demonstrated in the video. We used a local car park (on a bank holiday) when it is empty.

[@graceandmarvellouswonders6249]

Thank you

[@UsefulWisdom]

Your welcome.😀

[@boxer75010]

This channel is well-named! Especially for a driver like me, just about to start out with towing a boat trailer. This was really useful preparation. Thanks Janet and Ian.

[@UsefulWisdom]

It's nice to know the video is also useful in nautical circles. Thank you for watching.😀

[@gavinmathew7491]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Gavin. We are happy you enjoyed the video.

[@canbeyhan7538]

Well explained as usual, truly educative, spoon example was brilliant. Thank you for the good work.

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Can, thank you for your comment, it is much appreciated.😀

[@jimmyqing]

Thank you very much, excellent video..

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi jimmyqing, thank you, it is nice to have a compliment. 😀

[@jaynehook2520]

Thank you this was extremely helpful, we are looking to purchase our first caravan and have a towing course booked for early next year but Janets explanation with the spoons really helped, looking forward to the next one xx

[@UsefulWisdom]

Thank you Jayne and I am sure hope your towing course will be a wonderful experience.

[@chathurangasilva9891]

thanks for both of your. great video. my all confusing will solve here after.dear madam and sir both of you great

[@rockbandrubiks762]

Spoons were awesome!

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Rock Band Rubiks. Thank you for the compliment. We found measuring spoons work best. Start with 2 small measuring spoons, then gradually work your way up.

[@DavidSmith-fz5nl]

Excellent video

[@UsefulWisdom]

Excellent comment, thank you.😀

[@slinca]

I love Janet

[@UsefulWisdom]

Thank you, I love nice comments.😀

[@noshypoos1895]

Janet and the spoons really helped me understand. I want to go out with my trailer and practise!

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Noshy Poos, thank you for your comment and practice makes perfect. 😀

[@noshypoos1895]

UsefulWisdom thank you. I live in the sticks in France and really need to use my trailer a lot, but have so far only been able to drive it forward. Your video has got it in my head about “ pushing the hitch” . It all makes sense now. I am going to practise in a big empty car park!

[@oletamary187]

i love your voice x

[@UsefulWisdom]

And I love your comment.

[@davey320]

Thanks, B + E lessons are expensive and this video helped me understand the concept of reversing with a trailer before my B + E test, which I passed!

[@UsefulWisdom]

Congratulations davey320 for passing your B+E driving test.

[@lizzie9581]

just bought our first caravan found this extremely informative. thank you

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Lizzie. Thank you for the compliment. We have made several other videos on towing caravans. If you search KZbin for our channel: usefullwidom or you can use this link: kzbin.info you will find videos we have made for you on caravans and driving.

[@ShinobuChan.]

The best

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Ally. Love the complement, it is so good for my ego. 😀

[@ShinobuChan.]

@@UsefulWisdom sorry my dad was on my account but it is pretty good

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi @@ShinobuChan. . Tell your Dad, he made my day.

[@ShinobuChan.]

@@UsefulWisdom Okieh

[@susanheaford3271]

Great instructional video, thanks. Does it make a difference if you don't have 4 wheel drive or do I just use the same technique x

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Susan. It makes no difference at all. Exactly the same techniques are used. 4 wheel drive is useful in slippy conditions, ice, mud, and off-road driving. So it would help to get your caravan off a boggy pitch, where you need double the traction on the tow car but you would steer exactly the same.

[@mondodaftasabrush]

What happens when you cannot see the small width trailer your towing as the tow vehicle is a long wheel base van. Help Not allowed any additional mirrors

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Mondo. Good question. If the trailer is as wide as the tow vehicle, the outside mirrors of that vehicle should give you the same information as the caravan mirrors in the video. If the trailer is wider than the tow vehicle you need extended mirrors as per the video or you could be braking the law (in the UK) . These mirrors also help you judge the width of the trailer when driving forward. If they are correctly mounted and you are travelling in a straight line, if the mirrors go through a gap, your trailer should also go through the same gap. Narrow trailers are the most difficult to reverse. In the scenario you have given me. A revering camera system would help. Failing that, if the trailer is small, not too heavy and on level ground. Unhitch it and push it into position. I have made other KZbin videos that cover most of what I have explained above. They should help With your problem. Please search KZbin for the 4 videos below: Rear view camera system for a Caravan, Motor Home or RV. Another: Caravan Tips and Tricks Choosing Safe Caravan Mirrors: Caravan Tips and Tricks How to safely tow a caravan or tow a trailer: Caravan tips and tricks What can I tow, what you need to know before buying or towing a Caravan or Trailer in the UK

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Mondo. I thought about your question again. If when you want to reverse, you had markers/outriggers to mark the width of the trailer and if they were the width of the tow vehicle, you could line the trailer up with them. Basically widening the trailer to the width you want. I would only attach these when they are needed to reverse off road, or they could be a problem to other road users or pedestrians.

[@grahamskilling2147]

Great content, but delivery just a little flat - speaking with a little more variation in tone and speed variation will help engage interest. Please keep making - I am learning about caravanning from you. Thank you

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi graham, it is the message that is important and it is very difficult to have complicated graphics working in time the narration but for you, I will tell Janet to do better.

[@miz_pi3876]

Agreed, great info but very unnatural delivery.

[@miz_pi3876]

UsefulWisdom Janet was brilliant in her delivery actually. 10/10. Very natural, not stilted at all.

[@bhawnalifeforever]

Telll dear where best place for caravan reverse practice

[@UsefulWisdom]

The best place may change as time changes. Some industrial estates that allow 24 houre public access can be empty on a Sunday or a Bank Holiday.

[@bhawnalifeforever]

How to turn caravan on mini roundabout dear tell

[@UsefulWisdom]

This video is a reversing tutorial and I would not recoment reversing around roundabouts.

[@jaimielibbi1]

Which make is your motor mover

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Harley & Me, Powertouch make my motor mover. Here is a link to their website: www.powrtouch.com 😀

[@millomweb]

I think it would have been a good idea to start by locking the caravan brakes off - so they are not applied while trying to reverse. Also, the techniques described only apply to single axle trailers or close-coupled multi-axle trailers. Trailers with steering wheels is a completely different technique !

[@karenthornton7014]

Janet was much better :-))

[@UsefulWisdom]

Hi Karen, yes Janet is a star.