IAM's latest advice on safe towing techniques
Thank goodness it's Friday and you know what that means, time to share the latest weekly motoring tips from road safety charity IAM and Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week, he is advising on towing techniques.
Rodger said: “Whether you’re towing a speedboat, a horsebox, a caravan or another car, there are certain rules which must be applied. It is important to recognise the challenges which come with having to control not just one vehicle, but two.”
Here are just a few of Peter Rodger's tips you can also find posted in full on the IAM's helpful website:
Please click here to view all towing tips/advice found on the IAM website. For further help and advice on towing, you may want to consider signing up for a manoeuvring course with the Camping and Caravanning Club, which now has a tie up with the IAM’s own towing test.
As many of you have work vans it's important to check your van’s top permitted towing weight. Gross Train Weight (GTW) has to be taken into account. This is total permissible weight of the vehicle + the trailer. This figure will vary depending on whether the trailer is fitted with a braking system or not. A braked trailer has a total weight limit of approx 2,000kg (inc. the trailer itself) while an unbraked trailer would only be around 500kg. It is the GTW that is actually used to assess if the vehicle needs to covered by an ‘O’ licence. And don't forget that speed limits vary when towing so be aware of what they are before setting off in your van.
Rodger said: “Whether you’re towing a speedboat, a horsebox, a caravan or another car, there are certain rules which must be applied. It is important to recognise the challenges which come with having to control not just one vehicle, but two.”
Here are just a few of Peter Rodger's tips you can also find posted in full on the IAM's helpful website:
- Watch the weight of the towed vehicle – this should not exceed 85 per cent of the car’s kerb weight. Excess weight will cause instability.
- Check the unit you are towing is secure before pulling away, and check again after a short distance. Look for anything loose, disconnected, missing or broken.
- Check that your extra rear lights are all connected and fully functional. Get somebody to help while you test the brakes and indicators. As well as additional lights, you will also need an illuminated number plate at the rear of the unit.
- Check the pressure of all tyres before you set off, bearing in mind those of the towed unit as well as your own vehicle.
Please click here to view all towing tips/advice found on the IAM website. For further help and advice on towing, you may want to consider signing up for a manoeuvring course with the Camping and Caravanning Club, which now has a tie up with the IAM’s own towing test.
As many of you have work vans it's important to check your van’s top permitted towing weight. Gross Train Weight (GTW) has to be taken into account. This is total permissible weight of the vehicle + the trailer. This figure will vary depending on whether the trailer is fitted with a braking system or not. A braked trailer has a total weight limit of approx 2,000kg (inc. the trailer itself) while an unbraked trailer would only be around 500kg. It is the GTW that is actually used to assess if the vehicle needs to covered by an ‘O’ licence. And don't forget that speed limits vary when towing so be aware of what they are before setting off in your van.
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