A Guide to Towing Caravans, Trailers or Horseboxes
If
you are taking to the roads with a caravan, trailer or horsebox, don't
set out without a final safety and maintenance check, especially if you
leave it standing for most of the year.
To raise awareness of the safety risks involved when towing a caravan
or trailer and the importance of ensuring you are towing safely, the Highways
Agency has issued a new safety DVD, Fit to Tow, presented by Carol Smillie.
The video can be found on the Highways Agency website and a handy 'Fit to Tow' check list can be downloaded below
Fit to Tow Checklist (84KB PDF)
Before you set off
Carry out a final maintenance check before you set off.
* Is the load correctly distributed and firmly secured?
* Are all the lights undamaged and working correctly?
* Are the tyre pressures correct and all tyres in good condition?
* Is the trailer correctly coupled to the tow ball or pin?
* Is the coupling height correct? It should be level.
On the Road
Driving with a loaded trailer will inevitably affect the vehicle's performance:
* Moving off needs more effort.
* It will take longer to slow down and stop.
* You need to take extra care when negotiating sharp bends.
You need to check:
* That the vehicle and trailer are loaded securely and correctly distributed
in accordance with the manufacturers' specifications.
Are you adequately covered for recovery and breakdown?
Most recovery agents won't cover a trailer unless it's specified in your contract. Make sure you have specialist breakdown cover. Standard trailer insurance does not automatically include breakdown cover.
Reversing with a Trailer
* Make sure the area behind you is clear before reversing.
* Be especially aware of children and pedestrians.
* Try to get somebody to observe for you.
* Practice makes perfect! Try reversing before setting off.
Have you got the Right Licence?
An ordinary category B licence allows you to drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes Maximum Gross Weight and to tow a trailer that weighs up to 750 kilograms Maximum Gross Weight, giving a Maximum Combination Weight of up to 4250 kilograms.
Drivers who have got a B category licence are entitled to tow a trailer over 750 kilograms Maximum Gross Weight provided that the gross weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen or kerb weight of the towing vehicle, and the maximum combination weight does not exceed a total of 3.5 tonnes.
If you want to drive a larger vehicle or pull a heavier trailer you will need to take a category B + E driving test.
For more information visit: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing
Speed Restrictions
* Always keep within the legal speed limit.
* 30mph limit applies on all roads with street lighting unless signs show
otherwise.
* 50mph applies on single carriageways unless signs show otherwise.
* 60mph applies on dual carriageways and motorways.
NOTE: You must not travel in the right-hand lane of a motorway
with three lanes or more.
Avoid problems before they happen
* Following these 4 simple rules could help you to avoid unnecessary repairs.
* Avoid parking your trailer on long grass - moisture could damage it.
* When you park up, you must not leave a detached trailer on a public
road.
If it is hitched up it must always be parked with lights on at night on
any public road.
* On a level surface if it is safe to do so, avoid parking with the handbrake
on.
* Grease all the greasing points with a grease gun, plus the brake cables
or rods, and handbrake.
What if you break down on a motorway?
Remember it is illegal to stop on a hard shoulder except in an emergency.
If an emergency forces you to stop, then follow these top 5 personal safety
tips from the Highways Agency:
* Pull onto the hard shoulder and park as far to the left as you can.
* Turn on your vehicle?s hazard warning lights.
* Leave the vehicle via the doors furthest away from traffic and stand
as far away from traffic as is safe.
* Contact the Highways Agency using the emergency roadside telephone.
* Follow the instructions of the Highways Agency staff.
CASSOA
storage sites offer piece of mind for owners as member sites have to undergo
various checks and are classified as either a Gold, Silver or Bronze site.