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Enhance Your Towing Safety This Summer With GEM's Expert Tips
Drivers no longer need an extra test to tow trailers, caravans, and horse boxes. However, GEM Motoring Assist stresses the importance of individual responsibility for all drivers towing, whether they are novices or experienced. To promote safer towing this summer, GEM offers five simple tips aimed at reducing accidents, injuries, and unnecessary breakdowns.
All drivers with full licences can tow trailers without additional tests. Yet, GEM advises inexperienced drivers to build confidence by enrolling in a towing course. These courses teach the basics of safe hitching and reversing and are available through caravanning organisations and driver training schools nationwide. Practising basic manoeuvres away from public roads is also recommended.
James Luckhurst, GEM's head of road safety, emphasised the importance of safety: "We want everyone to have a trouble-free summer on the roads. If you’re towing for the first time or the 100th time, then please put safety first on every journey." He highlighted that since trailer towing tests were abandoned three years ago, individual responsibility has become even more crucial.
Checking your vehicle's 'Gross Train Weight' is vital. This weight includes both your fully-loaded car and trailer. Exceeding this weight is illegal. Additionally, be mindful of limited acceleration and longer stopping distances when towing a loaded trailer. Ensure you leave plenty of space to stop safely.
Most car insurance policies cover towing a caravan or trailer but usually only third-party coverage. This means if your caravan detaches from your car, you'll be covered for injury to others or damage to their property but not for your own caravan. Ensure you have appropriate breakdown cover as most recovery companies won’t cover a trailer unless specified in your contract.
Speed Limits and Engine Power
When towing trailers, speed limits are lower than usual. On single-carriageway roads, the maximum speed is 50mph; on dual carriageways and motorways, it’s 60mph. Be aware of other rules such as not using the third lane on a three-lane motorway; violating this rule results in a £100 fine and three points on your licence.
Your car's engine power is another crucial factor. A good rule of thumb is that the maximum mass of the trailer should be 85% or less than the total kerb weight of your car for safe towing.
Reversing Techniques
The best advice for reversing with a trailer is to go slow and steady. Practise in an empty field or car park to get comfortable with steering the trailer by moving the wheel in the opposite direction compared to reversing without a trailer. This technique can be tricky but becomes easier with practice.
"As many owners of trailers and caravans tend to use them infrequently," James Luckhurst added, "it’s important to ensure the trailer is in a fit state for the road." This includes checking load distribution, lights, tyres, brakes, and couplings before setting off.
GEM Motoring Assist provides two levels of recovery service: Recovery EXTRA and Recovery RECLAIM. Established in 1932 as an independent driver-based road safety association, GEM aims to improve safety for all road users through accident prevention measures across the UK while offering comprehensive roadside assistance and vehicle recovery services.
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