A controlled steering system includes a sliding carriage attached to the steering at least one steering rod. As the carriage slides from one side of the horizontal pivot pint of the towbar, the direction off steering with respect to the towbar reverses. Also, the distance of the sliding carriage from the horizontal pivot point controls the degree of steering. By controlling the movement of the sliding carriage in response to measurements of towbar angle, the backing process can be partially or completely automated.