How to drive a car with a trailer - where to start so that the trip is successful. Driving a car with a trailer: pitfalls and driving hacks

Driving a car with a trailer requires compliance with certain rules that will make driving with a trailer much easier. If you have to go on a train with a trailer, we strongly recommend that you read this article.

Not every load can be transported in the trunk of a car. Summer residents, villagers, lovers active rest and many other categories of car owners use single-axle car trailers in order to expand the capabilities of your machine. In addition to convenience, the use of a trailer is beneficial from an economic point of view. The unit cost of transporting cargo with a trailer is reduced by an average of one third, which is important at high fuel prices.

To feel all the benefits of using a trailer, you must follow certain operating rules, since driving in this case has its own characteristics and requires training for both the driver and the vehicle.

How to prepare a trailer?

Preparation should start with checking technical condition trailer
The hitch must be in good working order. To do this, check the reliability of fixing the lock in the closed position and fastening the cables and chains to the car
To reduce friction and improve electrical contact between the machine and the trailer, the hitch ball (tow hitch) must be lubricated (you can use graphite grease or any other similar grease)

Wheel bearings must rotate freely. In order to check this, it is enough to raise the side of the trailer and spin the wheel
The tire pressure of the trailer wheels must be the same
With faulty shock absorbers, the trailer will be unstable on the road
If the trailer headlights do not work or do not burn at full intensity, check the ground connection. Connecting the car body and trailer drawbar with copper wire often solves this problem.
The sides on the trailer must be securely closed, and the tarpaulin must be well fastened.

How to load the trailer correctly?

From the placement of the load in the trailer depends on its stability on the road. In order for the trailer not to impede movement, it is necessary to ensure that the main load falls on the axle (with a slight advantage towards the drawbar). In this case, the center of gravity should be as low as possible. To do this, heavy loads must be placed on the bottom of the trailer with a slight offset towards the front.

If the trailer is unevenly loaded, the vehicle's handling will deteriorate. When the stern is overloaded, traction is reduced rear axle with a road surface, and when the front of the trailer is overloaded, the car stops listening to the steering wheel (in addition, front wheel drive cars start to slip even on flat road with good coverage).

Features of driving a car with a trailer

The trailer not only increases overall dimensions and the weight of the vehicle, but due to the presence of a hitch, it makes the trajectory of the maneuver more difficult. In order not to create emergency situations on the road, the driver should follow some rules:

Keep an increased distance, as such a car needs more space not only for acceleration, but also for braking
Overtaking should be carried out only in good visibility conditions, the road section should be completely visible (no ups and downs and turns)
When overtaking a vehicle with a trailer big truck created sharp drop pressure at which the trailer is first sharply thrown to the side, and then, on the contrary, is pressed. Therefore, if you see that a tractor with a semi-trailer is overtaking you, take as much right as possible and reduce speed as much as possible.
When making sharp turns and driving on rough roads (especially on the descent), the trailer loses lateral stability and starts to sway to the side
The overall corridor for turning a car with a trailer is significantly increased. Therefore, in order to prevent the trailer from flying onto the sidewalk when turning (this is also true for avoiding obstacles on the road), it is necessary to leave 1.5 - 2.0 m more space than usual

If necessary, movement country road with ruts, you should immediately move along the rut so that the car and the trailer do not fall into different ruts;
Driving through difficult terrain or obstacles should be carried out on low gear, which must be included in advance, since a late gear change usually leads to the fact that the car will stall
It is especially difficult to drive a car with a trailer while driving in reverse. This is due to the fact that the trailer will turn in the opposite direction from the direction of the steering wheel.

If the trailer “folds” (ie becomes perpendicular to the machine) while reversing, stop and level the trailer. Continuing the maneuver may simply bend the drawbar of the trailer
In particularly difficult cases, if it is necessary to move backwards, the trailer must be unhooked and moved manually

Below is a video tutorial on driving a trailer:

Conclusion

To drive a car with a trailer of category “B”, it is enough if the weight of the loaded trailer does not exceed gross weight car, and total weight cars with a trailer does not exceed 3.5 tons. Otherwise, the driver needs to get an “E” category.

Article about travel rules passenger car trailer mobile. Trailer towing, movement features. At the end of the article - a video about driving with a tow hitch.

The content of the article:

Driving with a trailer requires not only compliance with traffic rules and increased attention on the road, but also a certain skill. A road train, even a passenger one, is always certain difficulties, such as difficult maneuvering, increased consumption fuel, unforeseen jerks and trailer sway. Not to mention the restrictions prescribed in the traffic rules. Therefore, the driver of the tractor will have to observe some subtleties of behavior on the road and it is better to familiarize yourself with them in advance.

General rules for towing a tow hitch

1. Towing a trailer with a small load capacity is allowed for drivers who have a certificate of categories "B", "C", "D".
2. A driver who has received category "B" has the right to use a tow hitch only when his Weight Limit below the weight of the vehicle with equipment. Moreover, the weight of the car and trailer in total should not exceed 3500 kg.
3. hitch in without fail must be equipped parking lights, turn signals, brake lights.
4. To transport a trailer, the car must be equipped with a towing hitch, towing device or, as it is commonly called, a hitch. The tow hitch can be of two types: a fixing loop and a metal hook with a 50 mm (according to the RF standard) ball at the top.
5. If the dimensions of the trailer exceed the dimensions of the tractor, then the latter must be equipped with rear-view mirrors on holders longer than standard ones.
6. When towing, wheel chocks are a must, in case you have to stop on a sloping road.
7. Transportation of people in trailers is strictly prohibited.
8. The speed of the tractor vehicle must not exceed 90 km/h on motorways and 70 km/h on all other roads.
9. The driver must carry the registration documents for the trailer.
10. Transportation is not allowed if the cargo:
    • interferes with the review and control of the car;
    • close signal lights;
    • closes registration signs;
    • interferes with the movement of foreign traffic; creates excessive noise, dust cloud, etc.;
    • violates the stability of the vehicle.

Preparing for the trip. Inspection and loading

Before focusing on road train control technology, you should make sure that the trailer meets safety regulations and the load is stowed as expected.

Inspection and preparation of the trailer for towing

Check hitch elements

The lock must work properly, that is, securely fix the connection elements.
It should also be securely fixed in place and safety ropes or chains.
If there is play between the tow ball and the hitch assembly, it must be eliminated.

Lubricate the hitch

applied before the trip graphite grease(if the hitch needs it) will reduce the intensity of friction of the coupling elements, as well as increase the reliability of the electrical contact between the car and the trailer.

Check bearing performance

To identify existing problems (or lack of them), you need to raise the trailer and spin the wheels.

In the event of a malfunction, the trailer will “wag” during movement, and this will create certain difficulties in driving and may cause the car train to skid.

Check signal lights

Make sure they work properly and without interruption.

Check tire pressure

Align if necessary. The pressure in the tires should not differ.

Trailer loading features

1. Examine the documents for the trailer and operate it in accordance with the instructions. Among other things, it specifies maximum load capacity specific model.
2. It is necessary to position the load in such a way that its weight is evenly distributed over the entire area, and the center of gravity is located above the axle.
3. The concentration of the bulk of the load on the front of the trailer is not allowed. In this case, the load falls on the hitch assembly, which does not have the best effect on its functioning and provokes early wear of parts.
   Some people think that in this way the connection between the car and the trailer becomes more reliable, but this is a dangerous delusion. With prolonged exposure to loads, the section of the body to which the towbar is attached is deformed and destroyed. In addition, such an arrangement of the load impairs the controllability of the car, as the front wheels rise, losing contact with the road surface. And the pressure on the rear, on the contrary, increases, increasing the intensity of friction.
4. Shifting the cargo to the tail is just as dangerous, only in this case the “stern” of the car rises and contact with the road is lost rear wheels. And this is a huge disadvantage for safety. And the wheels under such uneven loads will not say thank you.
5. Find out which maximum load possible on the tow bar of your car. Most often, it should not exceed 50 kg, however, the range of restrictions for different models the car is quite impressive, from 30 to 90 kg.
6. Secure the load with special straps. Ordinary ropes can not only fray, but also stretch, which will lead to the loss of the load. IN best case it will not harm other road users, only the owner's wallet.
7. Keep in mind that the higher the center of gravity is in the vertical plane, the more likely it is that the trailer will sway while driving. This affects the controllability of the car, and in some situations the towing device may even tip over (usually the cause is a road with pits, potholes).

Features of driving a car with a trailer

Even an empty trailer affects the behavior of the car, not to mention loaded. This should be remembered throughout the journey, whether you are traveling with or without a load. The rules of conduct do not change.

What to consider:

1. Sharp acceleration and braking are unacceptable, since the presence of a trailer impairs the maneuverability of the car and its cross-country ability. Braking distances road trains are also increasing.
2. Throughout the towing process, regularly check the condition of the load and its securing. If, nevertheless, they risked tying him with ordinary ropes, then checks should be more frequent, and the inspection should be carried out very carefully.
3. The start of the movement should be smooth. Sharp jerks will not speed up the process, but will only lead to slipping and excessive fuel consumption. And this is fraught with consequences - tires wear out, hitch subjected to increased loads, the transmission may be damaged.
4. Even the simplest maneuver with a trailer becomes difficult. Parking, overtaking, trying to change lanes, traffic lights, traffic on crowded city streets - all this presents certain difficulties. If you need to cruise around the city for some time, then at least try to choose a time when the streets are least loaded, for example, late evening or early morning.
5. When overtaking, it should be remembered that for a successful maneuver it is necessary to have a sufficient margin of distance. The same applies to the braking of the road train.
6. Try to avoid overtaking whenever possible. Especially if you are new to driving a car with a tail. This is a difficult maneuver, and with a lack of experience can be dangerous.
7. Consider the tendency of the trailer to roll over the vehicle (the so-called folding effect). When turning, this can provoke a skid of the vehicle, so you need to slow down in advance and smoothly. If the skid has already happened, then you can even out the movement by increasing the speed.
8. Keep your distance from both the vehicle in front and the vehicle being overtaken.
9. Strong gusts of wind can also rock the trailer and cause poor handling.
10. During turns (especially tight ones) it should be taken into account that the radius of movement of the wheels of the tow hitch is less than the radius of movement of the wheels of the vehicle.
11. High speed often causes the trailer to sway.

Conclusion

Skills come with practice. Over time, the driver learns to “feel” not the car separately, but the whole bunch as a whole. If you have doubts about your abilities, then some maneuvers can be worked out on some desert road or a suitable site.

The greatest difficulty is usually caused by reversing with a trailer into the gate, garage, etc. It is advisable to practice this skill in advance, since at first it is very difficult to calculate the trajectory of movement.

Passing driver's license exams is one of the life milestones of a car owner, since it is forbidden to drive a car without an appropriate document confirming the driver's skills.

The highest class is considered if you can get driver license to drive a vehicle with a trailer. These are the following categories and subcategories:

• Category BE - a passenger car with a trailer weighing more than 750 kilograms;
• Category C1E - "light" trucks with a trailer weighing more than 750 kilograms;
• category CE - a truck with a trailer weighing more than 750 kilograms, etc.

In fact, there are many varieties of vehicles that can be complemented by a trailer. Each vehicle, when it is complemented by a trailer, has its own characteristics and nuances, which we will discuss later.

Basic rules for driving a trailer

The rules for using a trailer for each driver are the same:

• First of all, you should take care of the most reliable fastening of the trailer. Practice shows that the reason emergency, When trailer installation is disconnected at full speed, it may be the negligence of the owner of the car, who did not take care of fixing it. It is best to attach the trailer by first studying the user manual for a specific design.
• Light signals trailer must be in good working order, because in this case role rear dimensions and turn signals will carry lights on the stern of the trailer. Connecting these elements with side panel control must be reliably and correctly synchronized.

Thus, it is the quality and correctness of connecting the trailer to the vehicle that determine the safety of all participants. traffic. Also, compliance with these simple rules eliminates any conflicts with the traffic police that arise when checking a car or during an accident (even through no fault of the trailer owner). Another simple rule for resolving issues related to the operation of a trailer on the road and ownership rights to it is mandatory registration with the registration department of the traffic police (GAI).

The beginning of the movement and the main technical nuances

After the driving school is behind you and you have obtained a driver's license, it is worth moving on to driving practice.

One of milestones is the loading and securing of the load of a single-axle trailer of a car, since it is she who determines the stress created on the clutch mechanisms. The bottom line is that the trailer will move optimally only if the load is evenly distributed over its entire area. If the weight falls on the rear axle of the trailer, it will rise rear axle car, which, of course, will adversely affect handling. On the other hand, when the front axle is loaded, the trailer itself can be made uncontrollable, which will dangle arbitrarily. When the adhesion of a car to the road decreases, it becomes almost impossible to brake quickly, which will greatly complicate the life of the driver and safety on the road.

When driving with a trailer, it is very important to understand that it is in fact another vehicle. It also has suspension, a certain ability to overcome bumps pavement etc., which undoubtedly affects the features of its towing. The highest skill of driving a car with a trailer is to go around any hole not only with a car, but also with a trailer.

The art of maneuvering when driving in such a complex coupling is what a car instructor should teach a driver at a driving school so that the MREO traffic police examiner, when taking a practical exam, has no reason to doubt the driving skills of a driver candidate. A careless turn can cause the trailer to drag the vehicle into a ditch and cause injury to other road users. The smartest action for a driver of a car with a trailer is to choose correct speed when cornering and turning radius.

Another feature of cornering is cutting corners when changing direction. It should be borne in mind that the trailer cuts the corner when turning even more than the wheels of the rear axle of the car. Must be adhered to as much as possible large radius turning the trajectory of movement and make sure that the entire hitch passes the turn without docking with the curb or nearby cars.

The hardest thing to pass practical exam driving a car in the traffic police - the ability to park in a narrow space, remembering that the trailer does not move along a perfectly flat path. It is worth remembering the following combination of movements: auto left - trailer to the right, auto right - trailer to the left. This is how the hitch moves when reversing. Thus, when driving backwards, the driver must control his actions with double care.

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that any driving school is simply obliged to give the driver the following knowledge:

• when driving a car with a trailer, teach not only to park in narrow places, but also to move in reverse;
• to teach to assess the situation, since the dynamics of the movement of a car with a trailer is different from driving a car.

For a beginner, the real secret , disclosed at the Central Driving School by the masters of driving training, is how to make a U-turn on a narrow area with a trailer, because the standard “reverse and drive forward” sequence will not work. It is precisely these nuances that instructors in a driving school teach their students, and their experience will allow them to give more than one life hack regarding how obstacles are overcome and complex maneuvers are performed in a trailer hitch.

One of these life hacks that make life easier for an inexperienced car enthusiast is a unique way to change the direction of a car by 180 degrees. It is enough to unhook the trailer, turn it manually and go around by car. After that, the hitch is restored, and the movement can be continued. But, of course, it is not entirely advisable to do this all the time, and therefore it is worth learning how to maneuver a car in a hitch.

Only the driver of the vehicle who is not only familiar with technical features driving a car with a trailer, but also aware of the physics of the movement of a car and a trailer, as two individual elements coupling, can move without difficulty even with very heavy traffic and on winding roads.

The Moscow Central Driving School was awarded in Skolkovo for active work in the field of security

International award in the field of safety from the experts of the forum "Leaders of Safety" in the nomination "The best educational program of the year" in the category "Safety of road users".

Honorary diploma from NP "Guild of Driving Schools" of Russia

NP "Guild of Driving Schools" of Russia awarded the Educational Holding "Central Driving School of Moscow" with a certificate of honor and a diploma for professionalism, successful work to improve the quality of driver training and the introduction of new training technologies.

A well-deserved award from the Federation of Motorists of Russia

The Federation of Motorists of Russia awarded the director of the Moscow Central Driving School with an honorary award "For Contribution to Socially Beneficial Activities" in the field of road safety.

Non-profit partnership "GUILD OF DRIVING SCHOOL" of Russia recommends:

Training centers educational holding "Central Driving School of Moscow" - a guarantee of high-quality and safe driving education!

NOTE! NP "GUILD OF DRIVING SCHOOL" Russia warns:

If the cost of training in a Moscow driving school is below 19 thousand rubles, it is possible that this driving school does not have a traffic police conclusion, works according to old programs, does not fully conduct training, and you may have difficulty passing exams in the traffic police.

Sometimes it is not so easy to take back the car. The process becomes more complicated if a trailer is attached to the car. With practice, you will be able to reverse with a trailer quite easily. If you think over your actions in advance, then reversing will turn into a routine operation.

Steps

Preparing to Reverse with a Trailer

Work out a strategy. Remember that when reversing with a trailer, the vehicle must be steered in a certain way. This implies the calculation of the trajectory of the trailer and the trajectory of the car, taking into account the presence of nearby objects and the direction of the car with the trailer relative to these objects.

Practice in an empty parking lot. Buy traffic cones to limit a certain area of ​​the terrain with them. Learn to reverse with a long trailer and then switch to a shorter trailer. When practicing, do everything slowly. Short trailers are more manoeuvrable and therefore more difficult to handle when reversing. A long trailer is easier to steer, but it will take more effort to get around the corner.

Ask someone to be an observer. The observer stands behind the trailer and sees something that you cannot see from the car. Also consider buying a pair of basic walkie-talkies to ease communication between you and the observer.

• The observer must watch for obstacles in the path of the vehicle with the trailer. Often people focus on objects on the ground and forget about tree branches and dangling wires. Remember that low-lying tree branches are not an obstacle to the trailer, but can easily damage the roof of your car.

1. Adjust the rear view mirrors. When reversing, it is important to have a clear view of the area behind your vehicle. Therefore, adjust the rear-view mirrors so that you can see the rear wall of the trailer.

   Try to make sure that when reversing the trailer turns in the direction that coincides with the location of the driver. In this case, it will be easier for you to control the movement of the trailer in the rear-view mirror located on the driver's side; what's more, when reversing, you can look over your shoulder and see the back wall of the trailer. If you need to drive around the campground to get closer to right place left, do it!

   Put one hand on steering wheel and turn your head so you can see the trailer and the space behind your vehicle. The right hand should be at the bottom of the steering wheel (6 o'clock position). When reversing, move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. By placing your hand in this position, you will avoid turning the wheels in right direction(when reversing with a trailer).

   Driving in reverse with a trailer

   1. Turn the steering wheel to the right to move the trailer to the left (if you are looking at the hood of the car). Alternatively, hold on to the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand in the direction the trailer should be moving; this method of control is very convenient when you look behind (at the trailer).

      • If you need to round a corner, steer the trailer to the corner and then gently maneuver in the opposite direction to achieve the desired turning angle.

   2. When reversing, turn the trailer in the direction of the driver, not the passenger (for example, to the left in the case of a car with a left-hand drive); this will make it easier for you to see the trailer. As a rule, the most difficult is turning at a right angle (when reversing).

      After backing up and approaching the corner, turn right to find yourself in the middle of the road. Here we consider the case of a left-hand drive vehicle. Then sharply turn the steering wheel to the left so that the car is located at an angle to the left shoulder (as when making a left turn when moving forward).

      Wrap your hands around the bottom of the steering wheel. Turning the steering wheel from this position will make it easier to steer the trailer. Do everything slowly. It is recommended to get out of the car and make sure you are moving in the right direction. Do not try to do everything the first time - it is better to sacrifice self-esteem than to break the trailer.

      • Try to make sure that the car and trailer do not "stack" with each other (like a jackknife). For this, do not rush. Usually take correct position can be done in one smooth maneuver. In most cases, you will have to stop and lean forward a little to get the trailer in the correct position in relation to the vehicle.

   3. Reverse and drive forward until the trailer is in the correct position. Sometimes this is the most difficult part of the process, attracting viewers. If other people are watching your actions, don't worry - unlike them, you are interested in the end result, so focus.

   • Stop, get out of the car and make sure you are moving in the right direction. It's better to be safe than to pay to repair a car, trailer, or someone else's property.
   • Don't turn the steering wheel too fast.
   • It is much easier to reverse if the car and trailer are in the same straight line. Do not reverse if the trailer is facing the vehicle at a right angle. If possible, lean forward to get rid of the angle between the trailer and the vehicle. If there is space, drive forward until the trailer is directly behind the vehicle.
   • Do not hurry! If something unexpected happens, stop and think about your next steps.
   • It is easier to back out with a long trailer than with a short one.
   • Imagine that the rear wheels of a car act as the steering wheels of a trailer; that is, if the trailer had four wheels, then the rear wheels of the car would be the steering wheels. Therefore, in order to move the trailer in the right direction, it is necessary that the rear wheels of the car are located at a certain angle to the wheels of the trailer. Therefore, first turn the steering wheel so that the trailer wheels are at the “correct” angle to rear wheels car, and only then hand it back.
   • If the trailer and vehicle begin to “stack”, stop immediately. Step forward and try to back out again.
   • Stop immediately if you are moving in the wrong direction. Step forward and try back again
   • Double check tow hitch, safety chains and electrical cable.

many owners cars exploit various trailers - cargo platforms, motorhomes, car carriers, etc. Naturally, driving a car with a trailer has its own characteristics, which I want to talk about in this section.

The most important thing to remember before driving with a trailer, oddly enough, is that the trailer must be securely attached to the vehicle. In my life I have witnessed more than once how low-quality trailers became the reason that the trailer came off while the car was moving (Fig. 5.19). And it's good if in such a situation the trailer just flies somewhere into a ditch without hitting anyone. Therefore, the first thing to take care of before starting the operation of the trailer is the correct and serviceable towing devices and safety chains or cables. The trailer must be attached to the vehicle in strict accordance with the instructions for its operation.

Figure 5.19 The first thing to take care of before starting to operate the trailer is the correct and serviceable towing devices and safety chains or cables so that the trailer does not come off while the vehicle is moving.

next, no less important point, is a test of the trailer lights. That is, if the trailer is equipped with brake lights and direction indicators, they must certainly be connected to onboard network car in order to inform all road users about the intentions of the driver in a timely manner (Fig. 5.20). It would seem that these are all banal things, but the safety of people depends on them. And you need to understand that it all starts from the moment the trailer is connected to the car.

Figure 5.20 If the trailer is equipped with brake lights and direction indicators, they must be connected to the car's on-board network in order to inform all road users about the driver's intentions in a timely manner.

As is known from the Rules of the Road, a driver with a category “B” license has the right to drive a car with a trailer with a maximum permitted weight of 750 kg. As a rule, these are small trailers with no more than two axles. Why was this number chosen? The fact is that driving a car with a trailer of a larger mass (Fig. 5.21) requires special skills and an understanding of many driving processes that require separate training (for category “E” rights) - we will not delve into this issue.

Figure 5.21 A driver with a category "B" license has the right to drive a car with a trailer with a maximum authorized mass of 750 kg. To drive a car with a trailer of a larger mass, special skills and separate training are required (for category “E” rights).

So, you have connected the trailer to the car and now you are going to load it with something (after all, it’s not easy to hang out behind the car like that). In this regard, the next important point to remember is the correct loading of the trailer. In any trailer operating instructions, you can find such a characteristic as the maximum load on the hitch. And, as a rule, this value is not too large - somewhere in the range from 30 to 70 kg (depending on the size of the trailer and the carrying capacity of the car itself).

The fact is that only the rear part of the trailer can be loaded (Fig. 5.22 c), as a result of which, like a lever, it will raise the rear axle of the towing vehicle, thereby worsening its handling, to the point that on some uneven road the car with the trailer can easily fly into a ditch. If, on the contrary, all the cargo in the trailer is concentrated in its front part (Fig. 5.22 b), then the rear axle of the towing vehicle will be pressed against the road more than necessary, which is why this time the front wheels will rise, which, as you know, are steerable - the car will “chat” strongly from side to side, and often in such a situation it is simply impossible to keep the car on the road. In addition, due to the weakening of traction on the front wheels, braking does not create sufficient braking force, which is especially necessary when driving with a trailer, and it is on the front wheels that a much greater braking effect is formed than on the rear. That is why it is extremely important that the load is evenly distributed in the trailer (Fig. 5.22 a).

Figure 5.22 It is essential that the load is evenly distributed in the trailer.

So, you connected the trailer, loaded it correctly and drove off. It must be understood that a trailer is another vehicle with its own suspension and its ability to resist various road surface irregularities, as a result of which it exerts its influence on the vehicle towing it. Therefore, you need to remember about those wheels that are on the trailer. That is, if you drove around the pit in a car, you need to manage to make the trailer wheels drive around it too.

It is especially important to remember about the trailer in turns. It is no secret that turns often lead to the tipping of the trailer, which, falling into a ditch, drags the car along with it (Fig. 5.23 a). Alternatively, when passing a turn into high speed the trailer continues to move straight by inertia, while the car is already turning, which leads to the folding of the road train, followed by a rollover (Fig. 5.23 b). Therefore, when entering a turn with a trailer, it is not out of place to slow down.

Figure 5.23 When entering a turn with a trailer, slow down to avoid tipping the trailer.

Another feature of cornering with a trailer is that the trailer's wheels cut corners even more than the car's rear wheels. That is, if, when driving without a trailer, you need to wait until the middle pillar of the car is level with the obstacle, then when turning with the trailer, you need to lay even more sweeping trajectories and do not forget to watch in the mirrors so that the trailer does not hit the obstacle located inside the turn (Fig. 5.24).

Figure 5.24 If, when driving without a trailer, you need to wait until the middle pillar of the car is level with an obstacle, then when turning with a trailer, you need to lay even more sweeping trajectories and do not forget to watch in the mirrors so that the trailer does not hit an obstacle located inside the turn.

Sometimes a trailer may be slightly wider than the vehicle towing it. Therefore, if you are towing, for example, a motorhome, then, accordingly, visibility in the rear-view mirrors will be significantly limited. Consequently, any rebuilding will need to be done much more carefully, or you need to install additional rear-view mirrors on elongated racks (Fig. 5.25) in order to be able to see traffic situation behind your vehicle. In addition, do not forget that in a narrow place where your car can pass, the width of the trailer may be too large.

Figure 5.25 If you are towing a motorhome, for example, visibility in the rear view mirrors will be significantly reduced. Any rebuilding will need to be done much more carefully, or you will need to install additional rear-view mirrors on elongated racks.

Finally, the biggest challenge in driving with a trailer is reversing. It's no secret that "pushing" a trailer (especially a single-axle one) somewhere in a parking lot or garage, just sitting at the wheel, is a very difficult task, and sometimes completely impossible. Therefore, if you do not often drive with a trailer, then at least try to choose your route in such a way that, if possible, go only forward. If you have to engage reverse, remember the following: in reverse, when turning the steering wheel, for example, to the left, rear end the car will also start to turn to the left, and the trailer will start to go to the right; and vice versa - when the steering wheel is turned to the right, the trailer will go to the left (Fig. 5.26).

Figure 5.26 Keep the following in mind: when reversing, for example, turning the steering wheel to the left, the rear of the car will also turn to the left, and the trailer will start to go to the right; and vice versa - when the steering wheel is turned to the right, the trailer will go to the left.

If you are going to drive in reverse for a long time straight, then this is unlikely to work out - the trailer starts to “run away” to the left or right. Accordingly, you need to make preventive actions with the steering wheel, as a result of which the trajectory of your car will resemble a microscopic wavy line (Fig. 5.27). That is, by deliberately turning the steering wheel slightly to the right, you will notice that the rear of the car also goes to the right, while the trailer starts to go to the left. As soon as you feel the beginning of this pull, immediately turn the steering wheel a little to the left - the rear of the car will go to the left, and the trailer will level out and continue to move back until it begins to move to the right. Thus, by finely maneuvering the steering wheel, you can initially influence the trailer with an understanding of what it will do in the next moment. This is similar to how to hold a vertical stick in an open palm - if you move your palm from side to side finely, you can hold this stick long enough to prevent it from falling; if you keep your palm motionless and try to run after the stick with your whole body, then this will require a very large territory. The same is with the trailer - if you try to turn the steering wheel sweepingly, at some point the trailer will simply “fold”, that is, it will simply become impossible to move in reverse further, but you will only need to drive forward to align the trailer again.

Figure 5.27 If you are going to drive in reverse for a long time straight, then this is unlikely to work out - the trailer starts to “run away” to the left or right. Accordingly, you need to make preventive actions with the steering wheel, as a result of which the trajectory of your car will resemble a microscopic wavy line.

In connection with such handling features, I strongly recommend that those who are going to drive a car with a trailer, go somewhere to a fairly spacious area and there it is good to practice driving straight back with a trailer, and also learn how to reverse with a trailer, forcing it to turn 90 degrees. Once you master these basic skills, driving a road train will become much easier and more understandable.

Advice
There is also a simpler option, which is used by many trailer owners - the trailer is simply unhooked from the car and deployed manually in the right side, after which they turn around on the car and reconnect the trailer. If for some reason you don't want to bother learning how to ride properly, this option is a perfectly acceptable solution.

By the way...
The Internet has a large number of videos demonstrating the skill of driving vehicles with a trailer. Sometimes they manage to turn around on such a patch that it seems like it's just magic. However, you need to understand that there is no magic on the road, and everything that the driver does is the result of long training and acquired skills and reflexes. Driving with a trailer is also a separate skill and a separate experience. Therefore, to begin with, at least, you need to understand where and how the trailer is going. Practical acquaintance should begin from the training ground.