How to Turn While Towing

Turning while towing isn't impossible, but it can be rather difficult, even for an experienced driver. One of the most important points to keep in mind when you're turning while towing a trailer is that you must take turns significantly wider than you typically would. It's always a good idea to give yourself plenty of extra room for turning when you're towing. The outside edge of the trailer has to clear all curbside hazards while turning. Objects like mailboxes, street signs, other vehicles or even people can get in the way of a turning trailer.

The tires should also be a consideration. It doesn't matter what type of trailer you're pulling -- the trailer's tires will track toward the inside of the turn radius much more than the tires of the tow vehicle [source: RV Towing Tips]. To describe it in simpler terms, the trailer will always cut the corner sharper than the tow vehicle will, so the wider you can swing around a turn, the better the chances are that the trailer will make it around the corner unscathed.

The same tire tracking principles apply to the trailer as the speeds increase, but to a lesser extent. For example, if the trailer is being pulled through a series of turns at higher speeds, it would be a wise decision to keep the tow vehicle toward the outside edge of the turn radius (yet remaining safely within your lane) since the trailer tires will track closer toward the inside of the turn. The trailer tires will always track more to the inside of the turn at slower speeds and always track less to the inside of the turn at higher speeds [source: RV Towing Tips]. Either way, the trailer needs additional room for turning, so you should always be prepared to adjust accordingly.

Aside from planning ahead and giving yourself as much room as possible to make wide turns, there is one more turning while towing tip that anyone pulling a trailer might find helpful: Watch your mirrors. As elementary as this towing tip may seem, it's a point that can often be overlooked by novice drivers. If your mirrors are adjusted properly, they can show you exactly where your trailer is headed and where the trailer wheels are right now. They can also give you an overall sense of how to correct, if necessary.

Turning while towing doesn't have to be difficult; in fact, it may become relatively simple once you're familiar with the way the tow vehicle and trailer handle a turn. Just remember to have the foresight to plan for the corner early. Give yourself more room than you think you'll need, and don't forget to watch your mirrors. Practice helps, too, so bear in mind that every difficult turning maneuver that you make while towing is just another valuable learning experience.

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