Camping and caravaning is a long standing tradition for lots of UK holidaymakers, with us even celebrating a national camping and caravaning week as well as there being a number of clubs and associations to boot. It's vital that you take the towing capacity of your vehicle seriously, and refrain from overfilling your trailer or buying one that's too big or heavy in the first place. Tip: When towing a vehicle long distances, check the hitch connection regularly to make sure it is still properly connected.
One aspect of towing a trailer that you should constantly be aware of is that the added weight will affect your braking distance. Roadside assistance from your local towing service can help decrease your nervousness during tense roadside breakdowns as well as help keep you safe.
If you have a car accident you should check the vehicle condition and make sure that it is safe to drive. 4. Flat bed tow trucks put the entire vehicle on the back of the truck so that it is transported without having to be towed. Try to keep some tension in the towrope or towing pole at all times, which will minimise any jolting.
The brakes on a tow vehicle or motor home are designed by the vehicle manufacturer to stop the weight of that particular vehicle, not the additional weight being towed behind it. This additional weight adds a substantial increase to the distance required to stop safely.
After a few hours on the road—and every time you stop—inspect the trailer. Maximum of 2 trailers may be towed behind passenger or pleasure vehicles. The towed vehicle must also have rear lights at night and you must have a safety chain on the coupling. If it is lower than 85%, then the MTPLM of the caravan should not exceed this towing weight limit.
The tow truck then draws the vehicle up so that the vehicle only rests on one axle, usually the back one. Once the trailer is attached, you'll want to secure safety chains from the trailer to the vehicle in a criss-cross pattern, and be sure the chains don't touch the ground.
