The trailer takes its own path
When you ride a bike round a corner, the rear wheel follows a slightly tighter line than the front. A trailer behind the bike does the same, only more so. The hitch pulls the trailer toward the inside of the bend, and the trailer’s wheels can end up closer to the kerb, a post or a parked car than your own wheels are. This is often called cutting the corner, and it is the main reason people clip things when they first start towing.
Allowing for trailer turning width is mostly a matter of looking further ahead and steering a little later and wider than feels natural. The idea is not complicated, but it needs practice because the trailer is behind you and you cannot see it clearly while you steer.
Know your rig’s width and length
Before you head anywhere narrow, get a feel for how big the whole rig is. Many trailers are wider than the handlebars, and the combined length of bike and trailer is longer than any bike you are used to. Stand beside the rig, or have someone watch, and notice how far the trailer sticks out compared with your bars. Over time you build an instinct for it, but at first be generous.
A trailer’s width also matters at doors, gates and bollards, as well as bike path barriers. Where a barrier is designed to slow cyclists, it may not allow a trailer at all. If it looks tight, stop and walk the rig through, or find another route.
Turning corners with a trailer
For gentle bends, a smooth, wide arc is usually enough. For sharper turns, consider:
- Slow down before the turn, not in it. Brake while the bike is upright and straight so the trailer remains stable.
- Swing wide on the approach. Start from the outside of the bend, then turn at the point where you can see a clear exit.
- Look past the corner. Your bike follows your eyes, and the trailer follows the bike.
- Turn later than usual. If you turn early, the trailer will clip the inside.
- Keep pedalling smoothly, or coast gently. Jerks on the hitch can unsettle the rig.
Cornering technique with a trailer is a gentler version of what you would do on a bike with no extras. Avoid leaning hard, because the trailer does not lean with you, and a sharp lean can make the connection work awkwardly.
Cars, kerbs and junctions
At junctions, other road users may misjudge how long and wide your rig is, so give them a little extra time. Road positioning that makes you visible helps, and a flag and lights make the trailer easier to see. When you make a turn into a side road, check the inside of the corner for kerbs, signs and parked vehicles, because that is where the trailer will go.
For kerbs, approach as squarely as you can and at low speed, so both wheels of the trailer meet the edge together. Hitting a kerb at an angle may twist the hitch or tip the trailer. If the kerb is high, get off and wheel the rig up or down at a gentle angle.
Reversing and tight spots
Most trailers do not reverse well while you are on the bike, because the hitch is not designed to push. Trying to back up while riding can jackknife the trailer or damage the hitch. The simplest trick is to get off, hold the bike steady, and walk the rig backward, steering with the handlebars and watching the trailer over your shoulder. Small, slow movements work better than big ones. If someone is available to guide you, ask them to stand where you can see them.
Good tight space manoeuvring comes down to patience: stop, think, move a little, check again. If you must turn around in a narrow place, it is often easier to lift or push the back of the trailer round by hand, assuming it is empty or light enough to handle safely, than to try a multi-point turn on two wheels.
Judging gaps
When you approach a gap between cars, posts or people, a useful trick is to line up the widest point of your rig with the narrowest point of the gap, well before you arrive. If it looks close, assume it is not wide enough. The consequences of being wrong with a trailer are bigger than with a bike alone, since you cannot easily steer out of a squeeze. Slow down, give pedestrians room and be ready to stop.
On shared paths with oncoming riders or walkers, remember that you take up more space than you used to. Keep to the side, ring a bell politely if needed and slow down to pass.
A practice routine
Try these in an empty flat space, such as a car park with no traffic, with the trailer empty first:
- Ride a slow figure of eight with wide loops.
- Place a pair of markers a little wider than the rig and ride through, then move them a bit closer.
- Practise stopping and walking the rig backward.
- Approach a low kerb square-on and cross it at walking pace.
Wear a helmet, go slowly and stop if anything feels unsafe. Always follow the trailer maker’s instructions and limits, and if you notice damage or odd behaviour, see a bike shop.