How to reverse a caravan

The idea of driving along towing a caravan may not seem too daunting a task until you have to reverse it.  Reversing a caravan isn’t something that comes naturally to drivers and it takes practice to perfect it. The important thing is to take your time and with practice and teamwork you’ll be able to perfect this technique.

When reversing you should consider which way you want the rear of the caravan to go. Place your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and if you want the back of the van to swing left then move your hand left. If you want the rear of the van to move to the right then move your hand right.

Continue reversing slowly, slowly when the van is on line. The caravan may drift slightly so make corrections as needed as mentioned above. Sometimes you may need to make a more significant correction. To do so drive your tow vehicle forward at least one car length to straighten up. It is easier than making a big recovery because there is a tendency to over-correct and end up in a big mess.

Having effective towing mirrors that allow you to see right down the side of the caravan will immensely help you reversing the caravan.

It’s crucial that you settle on some mutually understandable terminology with your partner or guide before attempting to reverse. The guide is the best placed person to help a driver to manoeuvre and will have the biggest field of vision. However, it’s no use screaming “this way” or “that way” and frantically waving your arms about as this is not going to help the driver. It doesn’t matter what terms or hand/arm signals you use as long as they are clearly understood by both driver and guide. For example, “towards me”, “away from me” or “straighten up” is much better than saying “this way” which might mean “that way” to the driver. Safety is always number one priority so make sure that your guide never goes out of your sight and if they do stop immediately.

Your observer is useful standing on the driver's side towards the rear of the van watching how far you can push into the site or on the passenger side of the car, about level with the driver to watch the door-side back corner of the van as it swings onto the site.

Before reversing your caravan it’s advised that you inspect the intended location on foot. Look out for overhead obstacles, culverts, obstructions etc. Visualise exactly where you want the caravan wheels. If it is a sloping site have your level wedge(s) in place.

Drive past the site with it on your right hand side. This is essential, even if it means doing a lap of the park to correctly align yourself, because it will allow you to watch the van as you reverse in.

Stop with the driver's side caravan wheel a metre or two past the left hand side of your site. Wind down the front windows of your car to allow effective communication with your observer.

When the caravan line is close to being achieved retract 50% of the steering wheel movement (now right hand down) to keep the van parallel to the site. Refer to the reversing techniques above to fine tune your position.

You’ll find that reversing a caravan becomes a lot easier the more practice you have. Practice always makes perfect so why not practice reversing your caravan in an empty supermarket carpark or the local park.