Differential control user interface for reversing vehicle and trailer system

A method of maneuvering a vehicle-trailer unit in reverse travel with a backing system, wherein the trailer has a front with a trailer tongue and the vehicle has a rear with a trailer hitch, the trailer tongue being connected to the trailer hitch allowing a horizontal swivel movement of the trailer around the hitch the method comprising:

• determining that the vehicle-trailer unit is backing up with an electronic control unit for the backing system;
• determining a current hitch angle, which represents the relative angle between the vehicle and the trailer with the electronic control unit;
• calculating a requested hitch angle rate of change versus distance traveled with the electronic control unit, wherein the requested hitch angle rate of change is based upon a input from a joystick control which provides a requested hitch angle rate of change signal value in proportion to the joystick position
• calculating a steering angle with the electronic control unit based upon the requested hitch angle rate of change, wherein the steering angle will allow movement of the vehicle-trailer unit in the reverse direction to obtain the requested hitch angle rate of change;
• and
• sending a request to a steering system to provide the steering angle.