Time to Roam Magazine Issue 11 - October/November 2014 | Page 16

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feature safe reversing

versing
to safe re
l guide
Essentia

Getting that
caravan exactly
where you want it
BY MICHELLE SLATER

It’s the fear of any first time caravan owner.
Pulling into the park in full view of everyone and
making an absolute hash of reversing it in place.
Some trailers seem to have a mind of
their own when you are trying to reverse
them, they just won’t go where you
want them to and it drives you nuts!
The key is to go slowly and understand
the theory of which way your car will
push your trailer in reverse.
Driving instructor Attilio Kermac from Metec
Driver Training says forget about turning
the wheel right-hand or left-hand-down.
“A lot of people have difficulty understanding
between left and right,” he said. “Typically
right goes left and left goes right.”
Confused? Imagine you are on the

When reversing around a corner, keep your
van on a 45 degree to avoid jack-knifing.
Get out and check you wont hit anything
Picture: Global Gypsies Tours and Training, WA

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road, with the curb on the passenger side
and the white line on the driver’s side.
You want to back it straight. If the trailer
is heading toward the curb, turn your wheel
toward the curb – so turn the wheel the
same direction the trailer is veering. This will
push the trailer toward the white line in the
opposite direction and straighten it up.
And vice-versa. If the trailer is veering
out to toward the white line, then turn
your wheel toward the white line and that
will push it back toward the curb.
Think in opposites. Use your mirrors instead of
turning around to watch it and confuse yourself.
Don’t play with the wheel to over-

Towing courses
in your state:
• Metec Driver Training is a
community non-profit organisation.
Full day caravan and trailer
course $545 ($315 tow only).
Bayswater, Vic. metec.com.au
• Tow-Ed offers full day on or off road
towing courses with prices starting
at $545. Book well in advance.
Various venues in NSW, ACT, SA,
QLD and Vic. tow-ed.com.au
• Global Gypsies Tours and Training
in Perth WA offers half-day private
courses at $350. Th ^H