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Whether you’re towing a trailer for the first time or looking for some guidance before towing a new type of trailer, it’s always a good idea to consider the fuels and advice for towing. If you’re not used to towing a trailer it can be difficult to adjust to. For your safety and the safety of other drivers, it’s crucial that you read up on a few key things trailer best practice before towing on the road. As well as following the road rules for towing, there are also other aspects to consider like correctly loading your trailer, and choosing the right trailer for your job. At Hirepool we have a wide range of trailers for every towing job and want to ensure you get your jobs done safely and efficiently every time. Read on for everything you need to know about how to tow a trailer.
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High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
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High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
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High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Before you drive off with your trailer, there are a few things you need to check.
General towing does not require a special licence. However, what you can and can’t tow may be affected by which vehicle licence you hold as the driver. If you are on your learners or restricted vehicle licence you are permitted to tow up to 4,500 kilograms of combined weight (the weight of your vehicle, trailer, and load). If you hold your full driver’s licence you are allowed to tow up to a combined 6,000 kilograms. Of course, you must also take into account the towing capacity of your vehicle as well. It’s only when you look to be involved in a towing service such as vehicle recovery that you need a (V) licence endorsement.
It’s vital to check that your trailer is hitched correctly before you drive. There are a few steps to follow when it comes to hitching your trailer. Before you tow, make the following checks.
Aside from not exceeding your towing capacity, it’s also your legal obligation to make sure that your trailer load is arranged safely. This includes checking that your load isn’t too high, doesn’t overhang too much, and that it’s secured with no loose items that could come off while travelling. We have helpful items to help secure your load including nets and tarpaulin. Otherwise, read our full guide on how to load a trailer for helpful more tips.
The open road speed limit for towing a trailer with a light vehicle is 90 kilometres per hour. But, just as when driving without a trailer, it’s a good idea to reduce your speed and drive to the conditions. Stay in control of your vehicle and trailer by reducing your speed and the need to brake suddenly. If you have to break all of a sudden when it’s wet, you could end up jackknifing.
Handy Hirepool Tip: Jackknifing is the term used to describe when the trailer pushes the towing vehicle to one side or around so that it faces backward, making a shape that looks like a pocket knife or jackknife. It’s easy to do when you’re learning to tow a trailer.
Turning or steering with a trailer can feel pretty unusual at first. When it comes time for you to steer, the extra weight from your trailer will keep pushing your vehicle along. To help with this, it’s best to keep your speed low and be careful when using your brakes as you turn. As is true every time you drive, be extra careful on loose gravel or in icy conditions.
It takes you longer to come to a stop with a heavy load behind you. To combat this, allow at least a 4-second gap between you and the car in front of you, and always use a low gear when driving down a slope. NZTA states that both your vehicle and trailer must be able to come to a full stop from 30 kilometres per hour in less than 7 metres. It’s also always good to check that your brakes and tyres are in good condition before you hit the road.
It can seem very overwhelming to start with when reversing a trailer, especially if there’s a crowd watching. Start by adjusting your mirrors so that you can clearly see the end of your trailer, then, turn your car's front wheels to the left to pivot the trailer to the right and vice versa. Once the trailer begins to go in the direction that you want it to, straighten things up. Don’t panic if your trailer starts to jack-knife while you’re reversing. Just stop and drive forward to have another go. Check out our handy video for more tips!
Because of the extra space you will require, you need to be quite picky when choosing where to park with a trailer. If your load is quite high, stay aware of the camber or angle of the road as it could mean your load knocks power lines or light poles.
Your trailer could begin to sway if your load is not even and balanced. To help avoid this, make sure heavy items aren’t piled up at the back end of your trailer and try to not make sudden lane changes. If you do start to sway or snake, don’t abruptly pump your brakes. Instead, stop accelerating and let your vehicle slow down by itself. Check out our handy guide for tips on how to load a trailer.
If you need to tow at night you must have a red light displayed at the end of your trailer. Similar to regular night driving, you also need to be extra cautious on the road in the dark. If an oncoming vehicle is blinding you with its high beams, try not to suddenly brake. Instead, take your foot off of the accelerator to slow down without swaying.
We’ve all been stuck behind a trailer or truck before, so we know how it can feel inconvenient to be slowed down by the vehicle in front. As someone towing a trailer, there are ways you can be respectful to other drivers. Due to your speed restriction, chances are you’ll be slower than other drivers. Regularly check to see if traffic is backed up behind you, and pull over when it’s safe to let cars pass. It’s also a good idea to stop now and again to check that your load is still safely secured.
Even if you’re a seasoned trailer tower, it’s always good to remind yourself of best practice to keep everyone safe on the road. There are lots of ways a trailer can help you to get a job done. To find out which trailer is best to rent for your job, talk with one of the friendly Hirepool team at the nearest branch to you. Or, view a full list of all our trailer options with full specs on our website.
