Hooking up – Trailer safety these holidays

With the holidays just around the corner and many folks heading away on vacation or returning home to their families in rural areas, many road users will be making use of trailers. Whether these are caravans, bush camping trailers or the trusty old Venter, we thought it might be good idea to check out a few tips before you head on your way.

1. The Pre-trip Inspection

Before even hitching your trailer it is always a good idea to do a pre-trip inspection. Things that should be checked are the license disc, jockey wheel or stand,reflectors or reflective tape, lights, cables, connector plug and spare wheel.

For larger double axle trailers there is more often than not a trailer handbrake that should also be checked. Ensuring that the trailer is in good, roadworthy, working order could mean the difference between a good holiday and one that ends up in a potential disaster. Once the trailer is hooked up to the vehicle a pre-departure light check must be performed, checking that the indicators, brake and running lights are all operational.

2. Tyre Pressure

This is a vital step before heading out. Check that all the wheels are inflated to the correct pressure for the load you are towing. This will keep you from having a blowout (rapid tyre deflation) on your journey. Ensuring that the tyres are in a good condition before departure can save you time in the long run. Quite often trailers will stand for extended periods of time, leading to tyre deflation and even tyre rot. Check all the tyres for cracks and punctures and replace them if needed - especially the spare. If you are using a double axle trailer you should have two spare wheels.

3. Safety Chain or Cable

All trailers are fitted with a back-up safety device such as a high-tensile cable or the very popular chain. This should always be slipped over the tow bar’s ball before leaving. In the event that the hitch bottoms out there is a likelihood of the ball and hitch separating, losing connection with the tow vehicle and an almost guaranteed loss of the trailer. The safety cable or chain prevents this from occurring, keeping the trailer securely fastened to your vehicle.

4. Know Your Load

All towed vehicles, whether they are caravans, bush campers or skeletal frame, have a load rating. This is largely dependent on the axle and chassis, ranging from 500kg to over 5 tons. It is never advisable to exceed the load capacity of the trailer. Just as important is placement of the load in or on your choice of tow.

Caravans are often loaded with camping equipment and accessories and the weight distribution of these items will have an effect on the way the trailer moves while under tow. The same is true for skeletal frame trailers that are often used to move luggage and furniture. Placement and even weight distribution are vital to prevent rollover and the dreaded jack-knife. Exceeding the weight rating can see broken axles or wheel bearing failure. Neither are ideal at speed.


5. Drive with appropriate care

This is of course the most important aspect of towing any trailer - to remember to drive appropriately for the load you are towing. Taking wide turns to avoid running over curbs or catching on posts or other vehicles is a must.

Most probably one of the biggest faults is speed. When driving with a loaded trailer you have to adjust your speed, as you have added extra weight to the vehicle, and should you need to brake rapidly the trailer's weight is added onto the vehicle weight, so your braking system may not cope, resulting in a jack-knife were the trailer basically overtakes the tow vehicle leading to a terrible accident.

Keeping an idea on weather conditions is also paramount, as high winds and wet roads can also significantly affect the way the trailer handles behind you.

If the trailer begins to sway behind you, the chances of a jack-knife or rollover increase exponentially, and it is very advisable to come off the power and very slowly begin applying the brakes while holding the steering wheel firmly. Once your speed drops enough the trailer should stop weaving, and you can continue on your way slowly at a reduced speed.


By following these few simple tips you and your preferred trailer will get to your destination without a hitch (terrible pun).

Stay safe on the roads and enjoy the holidays!