Reversing with a trailer is a challenge for many of us – me included – so we were especially interested in Volkswagen’s electronic support package, "Trailer Assist", which makes popping your trailer into just about any space (provided it’s big enough) as easy as using a computer mouse!

So that inexperienced trailer drivers can quickly and safely move a trailer, boat or horse float backwards, the innovative, optionally available "Trailer Assist" is activated by pressing a button. With the mirror adjustment switch, which is now used as a joystick, the desired direction of travel of the trailer can be adjusted continuously and changed at any time. The instrument cluster visualises the current and the set travel angle. The system automatically controls the electromechanical power steering while the driver only controls the throttle and brake.

If the trailer is in the right direction, the mirror adjustment switch is simply pushed back and the trailer pulls the vehicle seemingly effortlessly in a line behind it. So even long straight reversing with a trailer loses its terror.

The deciding factor in the manoeuvring process is the camera technology integrated in the vehicle. With their help, the "Trailer Assist" takes over the automatic lateral guidance of the trailer. This works on the basis of image processing algorithms from the data of the reversing camera, which observes and evaluates the bending angle of the trailer. By the optical detection of the bending angle, the steering angle calculation takes place - regardless of which trailer model and which drawbar is concerned.

The bad news: currently it’s only available here in the Crafter van.