10 Tips to Know How to Drive With a Trailer

If you have just added a tow ball to your car to transport something one-off or because you need it for your several-day vacation, here we will teach you how to drive with a trailer with ten practical tips.

On many occasions, it is very useful to resort to trailers to transport more luggage on our trips. Although driving may be somewhat more difficult with this trailer behind, it will only require a period of adaptation when maneuvering and following the following 10 practical tips.

 

Maximum speed with a trailer

One of the worst situations for driving with trailers is when there is a side or crosswind. To avoid unnecessary scares during your trip, it is advisable to properly distribute the weight in the trailer and reduce speed or even wait for the wind to die down. Regarding speed, the speed limits for cars with trailers are:

On highways and expressways, cars with trailers up to 750kg, limit of 90 km/h; cars with a trailer of more than 750 kg, the limit of 80 km/h.

On conventional roads signposted as car lanes and on other conventional roads, provided that the latter has a paved shoulder 1.50 meters or wider or more than one lane for some of the traffic directions: 80 km/h.

On the rest of the roads outside the town: 70 km/h.

In urban areas, follow the 50 or 30 km/h signs. And finally, in case of driving on roads, the maximum speed will be 25 km/h.

Check tire pressure

In the same way that you must adapt the pressure of the tires to drive with a load, you must also do it to transport a trailer before starting your trip.

Increase the safety distance to stop

Now more than ever, it is important that during your trip, you respect, and even lengthen,  the safety distance with the vehicle in front because if you have to perform an emergency braking, you will need more meters than usual to stop the vehicle.

Climb tricky hills

Choose a low gear that will increase the revs and torque to start the climb. In this way, you can overcome any slope with the engine prepared.

Check the weight your car can tow

In the technical sheet of your vehicle, you can check the data of maximum weight, maximum load, and maximum trailer load.

 

Load weight and gravity point

As far as possible, try to lighten the weight you carry in the car's trunk as much as possible so that the rear does not drop in height. Try to get the center of gravity just in front of the trailer wheels and as low as possible on the trailer. With about 10 or 20 centimeters, it is enough for the towing company near me trailer to be transported safely in curves and in straight lines. The trailer will not turn properly if the center of gravity is too far forward.

Trailers that must pass or not the ITV

Trailers of less than 750 kg, driven without registration and needing a special license, do not need to pass the ITV. However, don't forget to check the trailer before you go on a trip, even if you don't use it often. Do not forget to check with details: the hitch's fastening, the trailer brake's operation (if any), axles and wheels, and the correct operation of the lights.

Trailers over 750 kg, registered with a red plate and with their own papers, must pass the ITV every 2 years from their registration during the first 6 years, every year from 6 to 10 years, and every 6 months in trailers of more than 10 years.

 

Make sure you have the correct card

For trailers less than 750 kg, the normal type B permit will suffice. However, if the trailer exceeds that weight, you must check the valid license :

If the vehicle weighs 3,500 kg or less, the trailer is more than 750 kg, and between the two, they weigh less than 4,250 kg, the B96 type license is required.

If the vehicle weighs 3,500 kg or less, the trailer more than 750 kg, and between the two, they weigh between 4,250 and 7,000 kg, a B+E permit is required.

For vehicle and trailer or semi-trailer combinations weighing more than 7,000 Kg, the C+E truck license is required.

Insurance for non-light trailers

If the trailer is light, that is, it weighs less than 750 kg, it is not necessary to insure it since it is covered by the insurance of the vehicle to which it is attached. Registered trailers over 750kg need to carry their own insurance. The normal thing, in any case, is to declare the installation of the hitch ball in your company.

 

Practice before you start

If it is the first time you drive a vehicle with a trailer, you should test in a large and clear area before embarking on the trip by road or city. When backing up, make sure the trailer and car are aligned and don't try to make a very sharp turn in one go.

 

With these 10 practical tips, how to drive with a 24 hour roadside assistance in nyc trailer will no longer be an impossible task. You will only need to be more careful and conscious driving, considering the weight you carry in the rear.

Remember that it is always advisable to accompany all recommendations with Travel Insurance, which covers medical assistance, luggage, and delays, among other things.

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