| The type of drivers licence you hold and when you | | | | Roadworthy your trailer |
| passed your driving test determines the type of | | | | Keeping your trailer in roadworthy condition is just as |
| caravan or trailer you are allowed to tow. So before | | | | important as maintenance on your car. Take your |
| you hitch up, check out the rules and regulations online | | | | trailer in for regular services and always check the |
| at | | | | condition and pressure of your tyres and brakes. |
| Safety first | | | | |
| · Don’t set off without a safety check. | | | | Ready to hit the road |
| · Overloading is dangerous. Make sure you check | | | | · If the load on your trailer is too heavy to pull up to |
| your car instruction manual for the recommended | | | | your car, reverse your car up to the trailer. |
| maximum weight before you load up. | | | | · Adjust the jockey wheel so that the coupling head |
| · Secure your load. If you are towing a trailer, ensure | | | | is two to three inches above the ball hitch on the back |
| your load is securely tied down and nothing is sticking | | | | of the car. Get someone to help you so that the ball |
| out. If you are transporting animals, ensure that they | | | | hitch is underneath the coupling head. |
| cannot break free while en route. | | | | · Lower the jockey wheel. Lock the coupling head |
| · Distribute the weight evenly. Load up with the | | | | onto the ball. Wind the jockey wheel into the outer |
| heaviest items over the axle where the trailer is | | | | case. |
| strongest. Then pack your trailer to ensure a | | | | · Release the clamp lever and raise the whole unit |
| downward load on the tow ball. Check your car | | | | before reclamping the lever. |
| instruction manual for the recommended maximum | | | | · Attach the breakaway cable or securing chain to |
| weight and how to tow ball load. | | | | the hook on the tow bar. |
| · If you load your trailer correctly, it will be easier to | | | | · Connect the electrical plugs to the car. |
| control while driving. It will also help to avoid swerving | | | | · Check that all the lights are undamaged and |
| and snaking. If you do find yourself swerving or | | | | working. If you are towing another vehicle, you may |
| snaking, take your foot off the accelerator and reduce | | | | need to adjust your headlights. |
| speed until you have regained control. | | | | · Make sure all cables are secure and are not |
| Check your speed limits | | | | dragging on the ground. |
| Towing a caravan or trailer means that a new set of | | | | · Finally, take the trailer handbrake off. |
| speed limits apply. For instance if you are driving on a | | | | Driving with a heavy load |
| single carriageway, you must stick to 50mph. The | | | | Driving with a caravan or trailer in tow requires extra |
| speed limit for dual carriageways and motorways is | | | | skill. Your vehicle will be wider and longer which makes |
| 60mph but always watch out for signs on the road | | | | taking corners and manoeuvring more difficult. Keep a |
| that indicate a lower limit. | | | | watchful eye on both door mirrors and leave as much |
| Stick to the left-hand lanes of the motorway. Steer | | | | room as possible. You may think that a small trailer is |
| clear of the right-hand lane of a motorway with three | | | | easier to manoeuvre than a large one. In fact the |
| lanes or more. This does not apply if there are lane | | | | opposite is true because a small trailer is more |
| closures or the Police direct you to use the right-hand | | | | sensitive to steering. |
| lane. | | | | |