Importance of Car Towing

[Ella Rich]

Towing a car may look easy, but there are a number of safety considerations you should take into account before you get started. It all depends on how you're towing. It can end in disaster if you don't have the proper know-how. To ensure a safe and incident-free trip, make sure that you're aware of all the different variables involved in car towing. You have a lot to options to consider when you're towing your car. If you have any more query or opinion you are most welcome. :)

[willa]

How about a basic checklist before you leave, and some need-to-know basics to go with them?

Obviously towing correctly is very important, and I feel as though your post could do with a bit more detail.

Will.

[sundee]

Spam!

[Matt]

Spot on, user is banned and was only to boost their SEO based on a url in the signature.

[mcBen]

Haha I was going to say.. so many recent odd posts, and this one told me absolutely nothing about car towing

Sent from my LG-P990 using Motorculture mobile app

[Matt]

Well it does now..

when loading your car try to get most if the weight above the axles .

Use tie downs large enough to support the weight of the car. Where does everyone but their tie downs from?

and be aware new tie downs stretch and its worth checking them after the first few mins of towing

[sundee]

I get mine from Fred tapping.
Good quality and fair pricing, not far from you

[willa]

Haha I tried hard not to tell them to eff off, that is one of the most useless posts I've ever read.

Small things can make a difference, I towed my car for a while, then closer to the track filled the tank. I noticed the extra weight threw out the balance of the trailer and I almost needed to move the car forwards.

I also position my ratchets on the drivers side so I can see them in my mirror. Then I can see if they are loosening at all by checking for droop.

Can't stress enough that as a driver, it's your job to check your trailer is hooked up correctly. If someone else puts it on, double check it!!!

I'll add any more as I think of them...

Will.

[AJPS]

buy a good tow car and get a tilt or bob tail trailer

[slide86]

Trailer maintenance.....Just because its a trailer doesnt mean it doesnt need maintaining also.

- Wheel bearings!!!!!!! How many times have you seen a trailer on the side of the road with a rim missing or sheared off.
- Decent tyres including spare.
- All lights working.......and working correctly.
- Hydraulic brakes, are they working?? adjusted??

Go to a weight bridge with the load and put the trailer on the bridge with the jockey wheel down, this way you can adjust your ball weight by moving the car slightly on the trailer. Lots of people forget about ball weights, causing damage to the vehicle and unstable driving.

[Matt]

Another thing is the age of the tyres, given most trailers sit idle for years it is common for tyres to be up to 10 years old and the sidewalls crack etc.

You can tell the date tyres are manufactured by looking at the 4 digit number on the side wall... first 2 will be from 01-52 and the last number will be the year it was made in.

Shelf life of tyres is approximately 7 years.

[hollywood89]

If you have the option to choose, get a trailer which travels at the same or similar height as the tow vehicle (making the trailer level as possible) this creates a much more balanced and smooth drive

Whilst driving with trailer, if you can feel the trailer snaking behind you do not slow down.

Slowing down adds to the swaying effect, you need to accelerate in order to pull trailer into line...much like when a fwd car tail kicks out through a tight corner.

As mentioned before, check straps regularly due to stretching under load...