Camper trailers can be tricky to reverse park for some drivers. It’s a good idea to give things like reversing and parking a few practice runs beforehand in a big open space, at a time when there isn’t any pressure to get it right.

Here are a few tips to make it a little easier. Don’t feel defeated if you don’t get it right the first time. Simply drive forward and start again, the principles remain the same.

• If possible, reverse with a 2nd person watching the rear of the trailer.
• If parking up at night time, it’s a good idea to have walkie-talkies or CB radios so you don’t wake fellow campers shouting instructions.
• Forget about using the rear-vision mirror because you won’t see much of the trailer. Use your side mirrors, particularly the right-side mirror as the left-hand side won’t show much until you straighten up.
• Avoid looking over your shoulder as this will confuse your sense of direction.
• The driver side of the vehicle should be positioned on the inside of the reversing arc (the right side).
• Proceed slowly so you only need to make small and fewer corrections to keep the trailer in line.
• Turn the steering wheel right (turning the front wheels of the vehicle left) as you ease backward. This will move the rear of the tow vehicle out to the left and the rear of the camper trailer out to the right, putting the vehicle and trailer into a rightward arc.
• Straighten the steering wheel to the point where the vehicle and the trailer remain in a constant arc, like reversing in a circle.
• Ease the trailer into the spot you wish to park in.
• Keep straightening the wheels until both vehicle and camper are in line with each other. Continue to reverse straight back with minor adjustments as needed.
• If you see the trailer in your right-hand mirror, move your left hand up to correct it and vice versa for the other.