Towing requires a greater degree of knowledge and skill than normal driving. Here Is a guide to towing a trailer, caravan or camper trailer behind your vehicle.
- Your driving speed needs to be decreased
- Allow for the extra length and width of the trailer or caravan when entering traffic, turning and changing lanes
- Be aware of speed restrictions may vary in each Australian State
- Apply the accelerator, brakes and steer smoothly and gently to avoid swaying, especially in wet or slippery conditions
- A vehicle that is towing a trailer or caravan uses more fuel, remember to take this into account when calculating distances between fuel stops
- Avoid applying the towing vehicle’s brakes if the trailer begins to sway. If the trailer is fitted with brakes that can be operated independently, apply the manual control firmly or continue at a steady speed or accelerate slightly until the swaying stops
- If planning to tow a trailer, camper or caravan in offroad conditions only use a heavy-duty custom built trailer made for 4Wdriving
- Maintain a space of at least 60 metres between you and the vehicle in front to allow for a longer stopping distance
- Use a lower gear in both manual and automatic vehicles to increase vehicle control and reduce brake strain when travelling downhill
- Use the trailer or camper to store extra water, tyres, fuel or firewood if required
- When overtaking allow more time and a greater distance in which to pass the vehicle as your vehicle’s capacity to accelerate is reduced
- If you are interested in driving into very rough remote areas for a few days and you would rather not tow anything an option is to leave your trailer, camper or caravan at campground or station. You may have to pay a small fee.
- When reversing have a person watching the rear of the trailer
- Where roadside stop areas are provided, pull off the road to allow traffic behind you to overtake
- Plan more rest stops because towing is more stressful than normal driving and is more likely to cause fatigue.
Do you have any more Tips For Towing a Trailer, Caravan and Camper Trailer?
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While these tips are helpful please go to http://www.dangeroustrailers.org
You have made no mention about proper hitching.
Time and Time again people just don’t know how to properly hitch these trailers.
Most of the time these trailers have a failure rate of 50% of the lights… So please use DOT TYPE C-2… 3M Makes an excellent product and put at least 8 feet on the back.
Virginia is the only state that requires it… the industry has fought it..look here..http://www.dangeroustrailers.o.....In_VA.html
Please note in Richmond Virginia a 20 year old mom lost her life because she was hit by a loose trailer….her 8 month old survived.
http://www.dangeroustrailers.o.....hnson.html
Please go to http://www.safetysentryinc.com and see what this company is trying to do.
You have no standards on Hitches… on safety chains… they break!!!! and anybody can build a uitlity trailer.
In the United States since 1975 over 15,150 lives lost….
Since 1988 over 439,000 injured and 735,000 items like cars, trucks, trailers destroyed.
In the United Kingdom… over 500 have lost their lives since 1995 and in 3 years in New Zeland 149 have lost their lives.
“Random Victims of Negligence” The father who just lost his daughter… fought in Desert Storm.. Kosovo, Somillia and put his life on the line for us… yet the Government of Virginia did nothing to save the life of his daughter… I gave this report to every elected official in Virginia… and they ignored it due to the powerful lobby group… read the last page..
http://www.dangeroustrailers.o.....A14new.pdf
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