Having a boat and a trailer is a wonderful experience but full of challenges. First, choosing the right boat for your needs, second, the ideal trailer for your boat, the care and maintenance of it… And once you have achieved all this comes a new challenge: parking in reverse. In this post we will give you some tips so that reversing your trailer doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
Lets start with the preliminary aspects: first of all, like any skill, trailer reversing is a matter of practice and patience. Practicing with an experienced person can help you a lot. Youtube tutorials can also be helpful as long as you practice right after watching the video-clip. You should first choose a secluded spot, such as an abandoned or uncrowded parking lot. Go with a co-pilot at first. This person can guide your movements and will also be able to see things that you cannot see from the drivers seat.
Lets move on to the aspects of the maneuver itself: Are you one of those drivers who turn your head when backing up? Then learn to use the three rear-view mirrors: the one in the center and the side mirrors. Use cameras as well if possible.
On the other hand, keep in mind that the trailer will always turn to the opposite side to the one you turn the steering wheel: that is: if you turn the steering wheel to the right, the trailer will turn to the left. If, on the other hand, you turn the steering wheel to the left, the trailer will turn to the right. Get used to this and practice with the rear-view mirrors.
As much as possible, try to keep your trajectory straight. If you have enough room, take the curve wide and sweep. This will give you room to straighten the trailer when you need it.
To conclude, you will achieve this driving skill with a lot of practice, patience, mirror management, steering and spatial management.
