Towing a Trailer
Towing a trailer ensures that they are many benefits for you and your family. You can go on holiday in a trailer tent, take your rubbish to the dump or transport large amounts of unwieldy equipment or materials that would not fit into a standard-sized family car. However, towing a trailer also presents some driving challenges which should be considered to ensure maximum safety.
Get A Tow Bar Professionally Fitted
The first and most essential advice for anyone considering getting a trailer is to have a towbar professionally fitted. This is not a job for amateurs; it requires skill, knowledge, and specialist tools. You have to remember that using a towbar doesn't just impact the safety and wellbeing of you as a driver; it also could potentially impact your passengers and other road users.
A towbar should only ever be purchased from a reputable towbar retailer and installed by a qualified professional in order to be 100 percent safe to use.
Northwest Towbars are the acknowledged leaders in installing towbars in Manchester. To discuss all your towbar requirements, visit us today.
Ensure Your Trailer Is Evenly Packed
You can't just strap cargo onto your trailer and hit the road; unfortunately, it's not as simple as that. When it comes to loading up your trailer, you have to be more methodical. If there is a lot of weight in the back of the trailer, you increase the chances of your trailer fishtailing on the motorway. Take your time when loading your trailer to ensure an even distribution of the weight.
Beware of Windy Conditions
When you travel with a trailer in strong gusty winds, it can increase instability and cause the trailer to sway from side to side or bounce up and down. You may have noticed this when traveling behind large lorries that create strong wind forces that make your vehicle shake. Drive defensively by avoiding sudden corrections that can lead to more problems.
Payload
Many trailers are equipped with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) on the hitch of the trailer, and dependent on the trailer type, some may also list how much weight is recommended to be distributed between the two axles. If you exceed either of these weights, your vehicle will be harder to control in certain road conditions, especially if you're traveling behind larger vehicles that create strong crosswinds or when going up or down a hill. It's best to follow those guidelines for distributing your load when driving with a trailer attached.
Ensure Your Vehicle Is Capable of Towing The Combined Weight of The Trailer
It is vital that you understand the limitations of both your car and trailer. A quick check of your vehicle's manual will provide you with the towing capacity of that vehicle. Ensure that you check your specific model and engine size, as this can dramatically alter the towing capacity based on engine and gearbox variations. It is critical that you check the weight before every trip to maintain maximum safety.
The best way to prevent any problems when towing a trailer is to familiarize yourself with the above guidelines before setting off on your journey. If you're looking for more information on how to tow your trailer safely, or need help finding the perfect tow bar, contact us today!
We can provide expert advice and assistance so that your next trip goes smoothly and without incident.
Ensure your trailer is in good working order.
Check your trailer over before each use, Check the lights all work check the tyres are inflated and in good condition, if possible check the wheels for play (wobble) this is a sign of damaged bearings a very common issue with trailers. It’s advisable to have your trailer professionally serviced at least once a year to make sure your trailer is at it’s best.