{"id":3490,"date":"2021-04-15T13:58:18","date_gmt":"2021-04-15T03:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/?p=3490"},"modified":"2021-04-15T13:58:34","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T03:58:34","slug":"towing-a-trailer-four-how-to-tips-every-trucker-must-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/towing-a-trailer-four-how-to-tips-every-trucker-must-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Towing a Trailer: Four How-To Tips Every Trucker Must Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Towing can be a skill in its own right, especially given the different types of trailers available. Not to mention an out-of-control trailer presents a massive danger to everyone. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure a safe ride when towing.<\/span><\/p>\n

While most experienced truckers know <\/span>how to tow a trailer<\/span>, some challenges can pop up every now and then. Matters like driving and reversing, choosing the right vehicle and the appropriate trailer, load and capacity, and similar concerns can present problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But if you get familiarised with a handful of crucial aspects, towing will become relatively straightforward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The main concern for anyone with a trailer in tow is road safety. Since all road users should feel secure sharing the Australian asphalt with truckers, this article will provide you with the essential tips to help you overcome towing-related challenges and make your trips as safe as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Four Tips<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip #1. Choosing the Right Trailer For the Purpose<\/span><\/p>\n

Not every <\/span>tow trailer<\/span> will fit every purpose, and using a trailer for a job that it\u2019s ill-suited for can lead to various problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s generally best to overestimate when it comes to trailer size. But you should still pay attention to specific regulations concerning the width and number of axles. Of course, your trailer’s capacity must meet the payload requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re looking for a <\/span>tow trailer<\/span> of a particular size, <\/span>Truck Dealers Australia<\/span><\/a> might have just the right offer for you. Our live chat and email support can even help you decide and answer relevant questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip #2. Registration and Legal Matters<\/span><\/p>\n

All trailers on the road in Australia have to be registered, which is an additional concern if you’re towing a trailer you don’t own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re renting a trailer from someone who can’t provide proof or guarantee of legal registration, it would be best to find a different service. It\u2019s because the owner won’t be responsible for any fines or injury liability – you will. But with a registered trailer, an insurance company would take care of such concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n

You should always check that the tow hitch and safety chains are undamaged and without cracks or severe rusting. And when connecting the trailer, you should ensure that the coupling can’t jump off and secure the D shackle that connects the safety chain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trailer tyres<\/span> must be appropriate for the conditions and match those on the towing vehicle. In most cases, <\/span>trailer tyres<\/span> will be suitable for heavy loads, but it would still be best to check. You should also see if there’s a spare wheel for the trailer and if the right tools are available for changing tyres.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before you set off, check if the gate opens and locks easily. And if there’s an issue here, the most likely causes are the bolts or slides used to secure the gate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip #3. <\/span>Trailer Capacity<\/span><\/p>\n

As mentioned, <\/span>trailer capacity<\/span> plays a key role when transporting any kind of payload. Different types of trailers can carry and offload materials of varying weight and kind, so you should be clear on what you’re transporting.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can choose a trailer with an open or closed bed based on the cargo, all with various offloading mechanisms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you know what <\/span>trailer capacity<\/span> you’ll need, there’s another crucial consideration.<\/span> Your vehicle’s towing capacity needs to fit the combined weight of the trailer and the payload. This maximum weight should clearly be stated in the handbook or on a placard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trailer stability might, in some cases, depend on how you load it. If the weight is considerable and sits too close to either the front or the back of the trailer, it might cause some stability issues on the road. When the cargo is evenly distributed or concentrated in the middle, the trailer should respond naturally when driving.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip #4. Driving and Reversing<\/span><\/p>\n

The primary matter when it comes to <\/span>how to tow a trailer<\/span> is, of course, getting on the road. Vehicles can exhibit different behaviour when towing, and it’s up to the driver to understand such changes and promptly react to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your following distance is among the crucial adjustments to make, especially when towing a trailer carrying exceptionally heavy cargo. When you hit the brakes, the trailer will exert force on the vehicle, making it more unstable at the rear end. The vehicle’s stopping distance will naturally be longer, which is something you must always keep in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Particular caution is required when towing under the impact of strong winds, rain, or snow, and the same goes for uneven or bumpy roads. The best strategy to keep safe on the road under those conditions is to reduce your speed by about 20%.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving up or downhill is also challenging with heavy loads. A common recommendation for traversing hilly terrain is to use the same gear for both going up and down.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reversing with trailers<\/span> can be especially difficult, or even impossible, with some trailer types. Although the method for doing so seems relatively straightforward, trailers won’t always behave as expected in practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

The back of the trailer should move to one side as you turn the back of the vehicle to the other. But if the trailer doesn’t respond to the movement, it would be best to not force it. Other people could be of much help for navigating during the manoeuvre, especially in confined spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re planning to tow the same trailer regularly, some practice in open areas would be the best way to gain confidence. After all, <\/span>reversing with trailers<\/span> will be much safer if turned into a routine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Towing Safely<\/span><\/p>\n

When you can rely on whatever trailer you’re towing, not to mention with the knowledge that your cargo is secured, every trip can be safe and devoid of worries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Making all of the necessary preparations before you set out will pay off every time and keep you and others safe on the road. Having an appropriate trailer paired with a good truck is the best way to make traversing any distance comfortable and free of headaches.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re looking for reliable new or used trucks or trailers that fit your needs perfectly, feel free to <\/span>visit Truck Dealers Australia<\/span><\/a> and see our latest deals.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Towing can be a skill in its own right, especially given the different types of trailers available. Not to mention an out-of-control trailer presents a massive danger to everyone. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure a safe ride when towing. While most experienced truckers know how to tow a trailer, some challenges can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2819,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3490"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3490"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3490\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3492,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3490\/revisions\/3492"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}