- Brian Byrne
Know how to tow!
28 May 2003: RAC Ireland has issued guidelines for safe towing, as an increasing number of Irish families take to the roads in their caravans for holidays.
Or, if they're staying closer to home, use their car or trailer to transport anything from building, DIY and gardening materials for those home improvements to rubble and garden rubbish destined for the local tip.
"First and foremost, if you haven't towed before make sure you to practice in a large open space to ensure you are competent enough to go out on the road," says Robert Taylor of RAC Ireland.
Other points:
- Never overload your car, caravan or trailer beyond their designed carrying capacity.
- If you're towing a small trailer without brakes, remember the weight of the trailer is limited to 50% of the kerb weight of the car or 750kg, whichever is less.
- Make sure the tyres on your car can cope with the increased weight and are correctly inflated for the weight being carried.
Make sure you're carrying a spare wheel that is correctly inflated for the caravan/trailer. Also a suitable jack and wheel nut wrench will be necessary as the car's one will not fit the caravan/trailer.
Pay particular attention to the condition of the brakes on both the car and the caravan or trailer.
When pulling a caravan or trailer ensure that it is displaying plates and has fully working lights.
If you are carrying bikes on the back of the car ensure that they are secure and that they are not masking the number plate or lights.
Try to put all heavy items over the axle and make sure they are secured to prevent movement when cornering or braking.
Where possible, put heavier items in the car and larger lighter items in the trailer.
Remember to keep to the specified speed limit when towing a caravan or trailor.
The car and caravan/trailer will take longer to stop, accelerate and turn than a vehicle on its own.
Remember to allow for the extra length and width of your car and caravan/trailer when taking corners or maneuvering.
Take a wide line to ensure the caravan/trailer does not clip the kerb, keeping a watchful eye on both door mirrors.
When reversing into a space, turn the steering wheel the opposite way to normal to start the caravan/trailer turning, then slacken off and turn the normal way to enable the car to follow the caravan/trailer.
Remember to keep plenty of space between you and the car in front to allow for the increase stopping time.
©2003 irishcar.com