New to trailering - help
Discussion
Just bought a freelander to trailer my MK Indy but never trailered before. I'm having the towbar fitted Thursday PM, picking the trailer up Fri eve, and trailering the car to Sussex TVR Sat. Obviously I'll driving with extreme caution. What are the novice mistakes that I can avoid? Cheers
A few things off the top of my head...
Check that your licence allows you to tow the trailer you're buying behind the car you that you're going to use. The limits have dropped over the years, so it depends on when you took your test.
Try to get the CoG of the car centred roughly over the axle(s) of the trailer. If that's not possible, it's better to have a bit of weight towards the front of the trailer than the back (pushing down on the tow-bar rather than lifting it).
Think carefully about how you attach the car to the trailer so that (a) you're not pulling on any components that might not like it (on either the car or the trailer) and (2) the car can't move in any direction.
Make sure you know how to disable the trailer's brakes, because you'll need to if you intend to reverse.
Watch the angle between trailer and car when you're manoeuvring - it's perfectly possible to end up with the angle so tight that the corner of the trailer hits the rear bumper of the car, even when going forwards.
Avoid getting into a situation where you'll have to reverse in a confined space.
Until you get a feel for it, drive extremely carefully - double your usual stopping distances; avoid taking any corners at anywhere near the limits of grip; etc. As daft as it sounds, make sure you know the speed limits.
Avoid putting yourself in a situation where you have to brake hard, but especially avoid braking hard when cornering. If the trailer isn't lined up with teh car and you hit the brakes, it will two to push the back of the car 'round, brakes or no brakes.
Remember that on a corner, the inside wheel of the trailer will cut the corner. Leave plenty of space initially and keep an eye on your mirrors; you'll quickly get the hang of how much you need to allow.
Check that your licence allows you to tow the trailer you're buying behind the car you that you're going to use. The limits have dropped over the years, so it depends on when you took your test.
Try to get the CoG of the car centred roughly over the axle(s) of the trailer. If that's not possible, it's better to have a bit of weight towards the front of the trailer than the back (pushing down on the tow-bar rather than lifting it).
Think carefully about how you attach the car to the trailer so that (a) you're not pulling on any components that might not like it (on either the car or the trailer) and (2) the car can't move in any direction.
Make sure you know how to disable the trailer's brakes, because you'll need to if you intend to reverse.
Watch the angle between trailer and car when you're manoeuvring - it's perfectly possible to end up with the angle so tight that the corner of the trailer hits the rear bumper of the car, even when going forwards.
Avoid getting into a situation where you'll have to reverse in a confined space.
Until you get a feel for it, drive extremely carefully - double your usual stopping distances; avoid taking any corners at anywhere near the limits of grip; etc. As daft as it sounds, make sure you know the speed limits.
Avoid putting yourself in a situation where you have to brake hard, but especially avoid braking hard when cornering. If the trailer isn't lined up with teh car and you hit the brakes, it will two to push the back of the car 'round, brakes or no brakes.
Remember that on a corner, the inside wheel of the trailer will cut the corner. Leave plenty of space initially and keep an eye on your mirrors; you'll quickly get the hang of how much you need to allow.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 19th June 10:34
Newbie towing hints:
Never drive in to a dead end unless you are really confident about reversing a trailer.
Keep an eye on the mirrors to make sure the trailer doesn't get too close to the kerb or too close to on coming traffic.
Stop after half a mile and check the load hasn't shifted.
It's easy enough once you get the hang of it.
Never drive in to a dead end unless you are really confident about reversing a trailer.
Keep an eye on the mirrors to make sure the trailer doesn't get too close to the kerb or too close to on coming traffic.
Stop after half a mile and check the load hasn't shifted.
It's easy enough once you get the hang of it.
kambites said:
y2blade said:
kambites said:
avoid taking any corners are anywhere near the limits of grip
Did that need to be said?OP Just to add to what others have already said, use your commons sense and you will be fine.
my edit makes it better.
doogz said:
Another obvious one (probably) but don't loop the breakaway cable over the top of the tow ball, where it could come back off. Clip it on, or around something solid, so that if s
t happens, the brakes should come on.
The law states that the breakaway cable must be connected to an eye or similar attached to the tow bar and mustn't be looped around the tow ball which reminds me I must fix an eye to my tow bar and stop looping the cable round the tow ball.t happens, the brakes should come on.jagracer said:
doogz said:
Another obvious one (probably) but don't loop the breakaway cable over the top of the tow ball, where it could come back off. Clip it on, or around something solid, so that if st happens, the brakes should come on.
The law states that the breakaway cable must be connected to an eye or similar attached to the tow bar and mustn't be looped around the tow ball which reminds me I must fix an eye to my tow bar and stop looping the cable round the tow ball.t happens, the brakes should come on.doogz said:
The bracket plate my tow ball is mounted to has a hole drilled in it for this very purpose, but i guess if you have a swan neck type tow ball that's mounted away up behind the bumper somewhere, you might not really have an appropriate place to clip it onto.
Yes it's a removable swan-neck jobbie. I guess you wouldn't want it on the removable bit anyway, because that would mean the brakes don't get applied if the removable tow-ball removes itself while towing. Learnt from experience that:
having the radio on too loud masks that rattling noise, which turned out to be the jockey wheel scraping along the ground.
If your crap at reversing (like me) and struggle for space where the trailers stored then become an expert at the quick unhitch and turn around.
dont read a topic on pistonheads about towing and then realise you towed for nearly 8 hours on the weekend and forgot to put the breakaway cable on for the entire time..
Rich
having the radio on too loud masks that rattling noise, which turned out to be the jockey wheel scraping along the ground.
If your crap at reversing (like me) and struggle for space where the trailers stored then become an expert at the quick unhitch and turn around.
dont read a topic on pistonheads about towing and then realise you towed for nearly 8 hours on the weekend and forgot to put the breakaway cable on for the entire time..
Rich
Buy decent quality ratchet straps with wheel straps and strap all four wheels. When connecting the straps to the trailer loops attach them from above, if for some reason the strap comes loose it's less likely to drop off.
Check tyre pressures on towcar and trailer, ensure you have a decent spare wheel for both. I always take a trolley jack when towing as it's easier to deal with a flat than the std scissor jack.
When you first set out, get a feel for how the trailer feels, if you think it's a bit "snakey" then move the weight forward on the trailer slightly and try again.
If you do get into a snake, dont try to correct it, hold the wheel dead solid until it stops, if you're in the inside lane when it does it, drop the wheels of the trailer over the white line, this often corrects the snake.
Make sure the lighting cable has enough length for full articualtion of the trailer, thoroughly check all lights including brakes, fogs, number plate lights work.
Check tyre pressures on towcar and trailer, ensure you have a decent spare wheel for both. I always take a trolley jack when towing as it's easier to deal with a flat than the std scissor jack.
When you first set out, get a feel for how the trailer feels, if you think it's a bit "snakey" then move the weight forward on the trailer slightly and try again.
If you do get into a snake, dont try to correct it, hold the wheel dead solid until it stops, if you're in the inside lane when it does it, drop the wheels of the trailer over the white line, this often corrects the snake.
Make sure the lighting cable has enough length for full articualtion of the trailer, thoroughly check all lights including brakes, fogs, number plate lights work.
jagracer said:
doogz said:
Another obvious one (probably) but don't loop the breakaway cable over the top of the tow ball, where it could come back off. Clip it on, or around something solid, so that if st happens, the brakes should come on.
The law states that the breakaway cable must be connected to an eye or similar attached to the tow bar and mustn't be looped around the tow ball which reminds me I must fix an eye to my tow bar and stop looping the cable round the tow ball.t happens, the brakes should come on.Fish981 said:
jagracer said:
doogz said:
Another obvious one (probably) but don't loop the breakaway cable over the top of the tow ball, where it could come back off. Clip it on, or around something solid, so that if st happens, the brakes should come on.
The law states that the breakaway cable must be connected to an eye or similar attached to the tow bar and mustn't be looped around the tow ball which reminds me I must fix an eye to my tow bar and stop looping the cable round the tow ball.t happens, the brakes should come on.47p2 said:
Does your license cover you for pulling a trailer?
I really wish people would stop banging on about this, how many times, a standard car license covers you for a car and trailer that does not exceed 3500kg total weight which covers pretty much all car + trailer combinations!!!The only thing that changed years ago was Small lorries and trailers was removed, I.E. with a TOTAL weight exceeding 3500kg's!
OP - be sensible, take it easy, practice reversing somewhere big and empty and you will be fine!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff