Trailer characteristic estimation with vehicle sensors

A method for estimating characteristics of a trailer, the method comprising:

• receiving, at an electronic controller, first data from at least one of a sensor and a camera at a first location relative to a trailer,
• determining, with the electronic controller, a second location relative to the trailer for a vehicle, the second location being a different location than the first location,
• generating, with the electronic controller, a signal to move the vehicle from the first location to the second location,
• receiving, with the electronic controller, second data from at least one of the sensor and the camera at the second location,
• determining, with the electronic controller, a characteristic of the trailer based upon the first data and the second data, and
• determining, with the electronic controller, a movement behavior of the trailer based upon the characteristic before the vehicle couples to the trailer.