Keep this in mind while towing caravans and trailers this vacation
One of the many things to keep in mind while towing is that speeding is the number one cause of accidents while towing. Stopping distances need to be increased as the added weight of the towing item increases the stop time needed.
Sometimes things happen unexpectedly, and vacation time is no exception. In fact, during vacation times, more people are likely to be travelling long distances than usual. During this period, instances of caravan, trailer or boat towing also increase. This is therefore a good time to brush up on your knowledge about what is and isn’t allowed when towing.
A press release from the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) gave the following advice.
Dewald Ranft, MIWA Chairman noted that, “It’s important to understand the rules around what your driving licence entitles you to tow.” By doing a quick check of the back of any driver’s license, you can check what you’re allowed to tow. An AB driver’s licence, for example, entitles you to tow a trailer or caravan no heavier than 750 kilograms.
He further explained that it’s important to make sure that the trailer or caravan has been properly serviced by a competent and skilled person/ workshop. The following should receive special attention: brakes, electrical connections, lights, cables, wheel-bearings, and tyres.
“If you don’t have a driver’s licence for towing, you’ll need to do the K53 again. You need to write a learner’s test and then go for a towing driver’s licence test,” Dewald explained.
“It is important that motorists don’t attempt to tow an item that is too heavy for their vehicle. It’s not just a fine you need to be worried about; your insurance won’t pay if you’re involved in an accident and don’t have the correct driver’s licence for towing.”
The cost of fuel and fuel consumption is also a factor to consider before heading off on holiday with an item in tow.
“Towing roughly halves the normal distance you can travel on a full tank, so be careful to plan your stops beforehand. It’s also important to budget for the additional fuel you’ll use when towing. You’ll need to double your usual fuel expenditure,” he advised.
According to Dewald, speeding is the number one cause of accidents while towing. Stopping distances need to be increased as the added weight of the towing item increases the stop time needed. Passing heavy vehicles and vice versa creates a vortex which can affect the towing combination stability. “Do not use excessive braking when descending a steep descent as this may overheat the brakes on the units and lead to premature brake failure. Rather select a lower gear to assist with the braking force and keep to the recommended speed limit. Use only approved towing equipment such as towing bars and ropes. Be aware when using a rope that it will slacken on deceleration. By using the correct rope, you avoid the risk of the rope snapping on acceleration. A tow bar should be used if the towed vehicle’s brakes are not working. Be aware that the steering on the towed vehicle may be extremely heavy when the engine is not running. And don’t forget that the brakes will be off without the usual vacuum assistance.”
