You’ll master backing up in no time. Want to go left? Steer right. And vice versa. With a little forethought, you can avoid most backing situations. Plus, the trailers are so light you can unhitched it and move the kayak / trailer easily.
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Guy
DNA is a settled science. And I have non backing up trailer DNA. I have tried.
I can drive six on the floor.
I can park a MGB in the space between two parked cars. And receive applause.
I can and have driven a pulp truck.
I have commuted with a car with no brakes just a stick.
But I cannot drive backwards with a trailer.
Just not in the picture.
Join some free online dating site. Put in profile “looking for kayaking buddy, must be able to lift (my) Kayak to top of Jeep or be able to back up jeep with a trailer” when interviewing candidates, have overly protective men lurking about. If at all possible have them cleaning guns and/or looking eager and ready for violence. State clearly that their lifting and hauling your stuff does not obligate you to do anything to their stuff. Things get weird (or weirder as the case may be) tell them you think it’s time to date (only) other people and find another one.
Believe it or not there are plenty of guys (or girls one supposes) that would think it would be a fun adventure, with no strings attached.
Just not in the picture.
I can guarantee you this -- everyone that can back a trailer had to learn. Let that be encouragement.
Believe it or not, the longer the trailer is in comparison to the towing vehicle -- the easier it is. The opposite is also true, for the most part. A short trailer behind a longer wheelbase tow vehicle can be a bit "touchy", more difficult to back, particularly for the inexperienced.
I can back a 53' trailer into some fairly tight spots -- and get it in there square to a loading door, and I'm not even what they'd call all that good.
One key --- whatever steering input goes into the "wheel" has to come back out of it (resulting in the steering tires being back to straight in-line with tow vehicle and trailer).
Another (while backing, of course): if the trailer is lined up with the vehicle -- and you can see BOTH sides of the trailer in side mirrors, and the steering tires of the tow vehicle are straight in line with tow and trailer--- while backing slowly, grasp the BOTTOM of the steering wheel, moving your hand the direction you need the the back end of the trailer to go (as you back up).
Use slight inputs --- remembering those inputs must be "taken out" (as in the steering tires of the tow vehicle straightened). If held too long, you may send the trailer too far past how far it was needed to be over to right or left. Slight inputs, even tiny ones -- but take those inputs back out, straightening the wheels .
Whatever art there is for this aspect is: how much steering input to put in, and how fast to take it back out (centering your hand back at the bottom). In this, if you can begin with things lined up where you need the trailer to go (even if you have to pull forwards several times to straighten everything) just drive the back of the trailer from the bottom of the steering wheel.
Say it together with me -- "drive the back end of the trailer with the BOTTOM of the steering wheel".
As soon as you see the back end of the trailer moving in a direction you do not want it to go -- grasping the bottom of the steering wheel move your hand the direction the end of the trailer needs to go. But don't hold that input too long. It must come back out and the steering wheel put back to centered. Then again, as you go (backwards) drive the back end of the trailer with the bottom of the steering wheel.
Can you see it? By which I mean, see it in your mind's eye? I've presented a bit of an over-simplification in regards to ALL aspects of backing situations, I admit, for in this it is assumed things begin with tow vehicle (and steering tires of tow vehicle) being straight inline with the trailer.
What is called 'jacking', and following, are a bit different.
In 'jacking' (which sets the tow vehicle at an angle to the trailer) whatever steering inputs were made also HAVE TO BE taken out. T then "follow" the trailer, even more steering input in order to "swing" the nose of the tow vehicle (towards straightening everything, but things are still set in an angle). Add even more steering input to over-follow the trailer, which over-following (extra inputs that direction) will swing the tow vehicle into line with the trailer.
I'd teach you these things in person if you'd pay me to.
But here's another point of encouragement : Once you can see both sides of the trailer in the side mirrors, and the trailer is even somewhat lined up with where it needs to end up -- you're gold, baby. It's not hard from there.
Little bitty steering inputs at that point. Just enough to see *some* (not a lot) of response in the trailer. Again: Drive the end of the trailer (where you want it to go) with the bottom of the steering wheel. (yeah, I'm repeating myself -- you can thank me later)
I'd teach you these things in person, for free, if you would agree to the shock collar training method.
That way does tend to discombobulate the student more than the usual stresses, but can be cheap-thrills entertaining for the instructor. Ouch! ouwweeh! ouch! dang it! ouch!