Are you towing a trailer with your vehicle?
Read the following hints for safe driving, whether you are towing a trailer for professional or recreational purposes.
Carry out a mechanical inspection of your vehicle and trailer
Make sure that the vehicle that will be towing the trailer, as well as the trailer itself, are in good mechanical condition, including the lighting and signal system, and that they have been inspected recently.
Do not overload your vehicle or trailer
The load and towing capacity of your vehicle must be sufficient for what you want to do. The total weight of vehicle occupants, baggage and the load carried in the trailer on the coupling device must be less than the load capacity of the vehicle.
Use the coupling device properly
Do not carry a load that is greater than the limits set by the manufacturers of the coupling device. The device should be in good condition and properly attached. Check it before departure and each time you stop.
Use safety chains
The towing vehicle must be properly equipped to accomodate safety chains for the trailer it pulls. Use two sturdy chains that are the same length and that cross below the hitch or tow bar. The chains are a back-up in case the trailer comes loose from the vehicle. In addition, the chains will ensure that the trailer stays in the right direction if the coupling device breaks.
Chains are not mandatory when the trailer is equipped with an independent braking system that automatically takes effect if the trailer comes loose from the towing vehicle.
Check the tires
Check the tires on both the vehicle and the trailer. They should be in good condition and not show any signs of excess wear. In addition to the information written on the tires, consult the owner's manual to find out the tire air pressure recommended by the manufacturer.
Check the signal lights
Make sure that the brake and signal lights work and that they are synchronized with those on the towing vehicle.
Install a braking system on on each weight-bearing wheel of the trailer when the weight of the trailer, including the load:
- is 1,300 kg or more;
- is more than half the net weight of the towing vehicle.
In these cases, installation of a braking system on the trailer is mandatory.
Tie down the load securely
The cargo transported on the trailer must be well secured so that it does not move during the trip or fall off the trailer.
Use the proper mirrors
The vehicle must be equipped with mirrors that enable the driver to see both sides of the vehicle as well as to the rear. Make sure that the load is not too high and that it doesn't impare your visibility. If necessary, install extra mirrors.
Familiarize yourself with driving a vehicle that is towing a trailer
Vehicle handling is different when you are towing extra weight with your vehicle. Practice turning, stopping and reversing in a place where there is no traffic. Reversing takes practice because you must carry out manoeuvres that are the opposite to reversing without a trailer.
Make sure that the trailer stays horizontal
If the trailer is tilts too far forward or backward, find out what is causing the tilt and correct it. The trailer should stay horizontal once it is loaded and hitched to the towing vehicle.
Be visible!
- If the load is longer than the trailer by more than a metre, you must attach either a red flag or a reflecting panel on the end of the load.
- If you are driving at night, put a red light on the load that is visible for at least 150 metres from the back and sides.
- If you are driving slowly, install an orange reflective warning triangle.
Once you are on the road, drive cautiously
- Don't let any anyone ride in the trailer.
- Drive at a normal speed.
- Do not make any sudden manoeuvres.
- Slow down before making a turn.
- Respect the speed limit.
- Avoid expressways.
- Keep a greater distance than usual between your vehicle and the one in front.
- Always use your turn signals when changing lanes or passing.
- If you are passing, make sure than there is enough distance between your trailer and the vehicle you have passed before returning to the previous lane.
How can you tell the gross weight rating of your trailer?
Registration of the gross vehicle weight rating A trailer’s compliance label is usually placed on the forward left part and is pointed outwards, so that it is easy to read the information without moving any part.
If there is no compliance label on your trailer, the gross weight rating can be confirmed through an engineer’s report.
Failing this, the GVWR can also be determined as follows:
1. Add up the load capacity of the vehicle’s tires.
AND
2. To compensate for the load supported by the hitch, use the appropriate formula for the situation:
- for a TRAILER, add 10%; (GVWR = total tire capacity X 1.1)
- for a SEMI, add 25% (GVWR = total tire capacity X 1.25).
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