How To Safely Tow A Trailer

Adelaide Trailer Hire Safe Towing Guide.
ALL INFORMATION GIVEN IN THIS DOCUMENT IS TO BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY. IT IS THE HIRER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THEY HAVE THE REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO SAFELY TOW AND OPERATE THE TRAILERS OR EQUIPMENT.

BEFORE YOU TOW

Before hiring a trailer, it is important to know exactly what your vehicle is capable of towing. If a vehicle is overloaded, it can cause excessive damage to the vehicle and void any insurance as well as posing major safety concern on our roads. Strong laws govern the overloading of trailers and are there to ensure the safety of all road users.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR CAR’S TOW RATING

A car’s towing rating can depend on many combined factors including:

• The cars towbar rating.
• The tow ball rating.
• Whether the trailer has brakes.
• The cars transmission (manual / automatic).

Every new Australian car comes with a tow bar rating, either inside the driver’s / passenger’s door, in the owner’s manual or on the tow bar compliance plate.

Ensure your vehicle is rated for the job at hand before connecting a trailer.

CONNECTING A TRAILER

• Inspect your tow bar to ensure it is rated to withstand the weight of the trailer and its load.
• Use the jockey wheel to lower the trailer onto the tow ball (50mm tow ball).
• Latch down the coupling and double check that the trailer cannot disconnect.
• Attach the chains and cable ensuring they will not drag on the road.
• Check all lights are working correctly before use.

LOADING A TRAILER

• Always load the trailer front heavy (60% in the front half of the trailer).
• Never climb into a trailer that is not connected to a car or it may tip or roll away.
• Never remove a loaded trailer from the car as it may be unsafe.
• Always tie down your load using rated ratchet straps.
• Never overload a trailer or your vehicles tow bar.

Note: It is illegal to have an unsecure load. Always tie down your load.

TOWING A TRAILER

• Always allow extra space when overtaking or turning with a trailer.
• Allow greater stopping distance.
• Accelerate, break and steer smoothly to prevent swaying.
• Use a low gear when travelling down hills to increase vehicle control.

Note: Under no circumstances should any person ride in a moving trailer.

LONG DISTANCE TOWING

Long distance towing and country driving can be dangerous if the correct safety measures are not met. Below are some tips to ensure you and your family return home safely.

Before the trip:

• Tyres – Before you leave for a long trip, check all the tyres on both the trailer and your car for correct air pressure including spare tyres. Trailer tyre pressure should be at 40psi.
• Always ensure the spare wheel is attached to the trailer tightly. Check bolts are tight as vibrations can cause them to loosen over long trips.
• Wheel Nuts – For extended hires or long distance towing, double check all wheel nuts are tight using a wheel brace.
• Bearings – Check for excessive heat in the wheels over long distances. Excessive heat or wheel wobble may mean the wheel bearings require attention.
• Always pack a wheel brace and jack in case you are required to change a punctured tyre.
• Secure all loads to ensure nothing will fly or fall out of the trailer whilst driving.
• Always load 60% of the load weight in the front half of the trailer to prevent trailer sway (Heavy stuff up front closest to the car).
• Each time you reconnect the trailer, double check the trailer is secured to the car and your lights are working.
• Rest regularly. Fatigue is the number one killer on our roads.

MANUAL HANDLING

Manual handling is the use your body to lift, lower, push, pull, carry, move, hold or restrain objects or people. Please refer to the manual handling code of practice for further information.

• Ensure you are familiar with the correct manual handling techniques.
• Always use the correct lifting methods.
• Never attempt to lift or move a trailer alone.
• Check the weight of objects before lifting them.
• Always seek help for heavy objects.

Note: For further information, Google – Australian manual handling code of practice.

Adelaide Trailer Hire’s Safe Towing Guide

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Trailer Safe Towing Guides

Adelaide Trailer Hire offers an extensive range of trailer safety guides.

Our trailer safety guides include: Before you tow, How to check your car’s tow rating, Connecting a trailer, Loading a trailer, Towing a trailer, Long distance towing, Manual handling, Standard trailer brakes, Electric trailer brakes, How to use a jockey wheel, Trailer ramp user guide, How to use a ratchet strap, Sack truck user guide, Legal overhang guide, Car trailer safety, Motorbike trailer safety guide, Tipper trailer safety guide and more.

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