Tips To Help You Tow Safely During The Busy Summer Period

The summer period is when the vast majority of caravan and trailer tent owners like to get out on the roads and enjoy the lovely warm weather. Schools are off, most people take at least one or two weeks off in July or August, and as a consequence, the roads are naturally busier.

Considering that most of us probably only tow a caravan or trailer tent once or twice a year, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your trip and to ensure you get to your destination safely.

What Size of Trailer Do You Need?Preparation is Essential

If this is your first trip, or even if you are an experienced driver, take some time to ensure that you have followed these tips before setting off.

Does Your Car Meet The Legal Requirements?

The entire driving experience will be different from how you normally drive your car every day because of the excess weight, length and height. The first thing you must ensure under current legislation is that your vehicle has sufficient power to tow your caravan. As quoted by the RAC - From late 2021, all drivers will be allowed to tow trailers with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 3,500kg without the need to take a car and trailer driving test. Rule changes were delayed after they were originally scheduled for 15 November 2021.

Do You Have The Correct Type of Towbar Fitted For Your Specific Needs?

Not all towbars are created equally, which is why it is essential that you have an expert check that your towbar is suitable to tow your specific caravan.

The best advice is to visit a specialist towbar installer such as Northwest Towbars and have us check your current towbar, both for suitability and to complete a quick health check.

Adjust Your Driving Technique

Tow Bar For Caravan

Before embarking on a long trip, taking the caravan out, perhaps on your own, for a short five to ten-mile drive is a good idea.

This will enable you to get confident towing a caravan again without the added pressure of your family being onboard to increase the tension and pressure.

 

Invest In Rear Vision Mirrors

The standard mirrors which are fitted on your car are designed to let you see beyond the rear of your car, but they will not be able to provide visual coverage behind the caravan. That is why it is essential to invest in rearview mirrors and that those mirrors are correctly fitted to cover the areas in question.

Brake Slowly

Your braking distance when towing increases dramatically, so you need to pay attention to this by extending your braking distances and refrain from any sudden emergency-style stops, where possible.

Northwest Towbars sells all the equipment anyone could ever need to make their towing experience as safe as possible. Feel free to seek our specialists' advice a few weeks before you are due to set off on holiday.

We will be more than happy to offer our guidance and recommendations to ensure that you have a safe and fantastic holiday full of wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Tel: 0161 474 7474