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Towing a Trailer or Caravan. The driver is responsible to ensure the tow vehicle and trailer/caravan are loaded and balanced so the combination is stable when in motion. To achieve this, the following are some recommendations for your guidance.
Vehicle Towing Capacity. Each vehicle has a maximum un-braked and braked trailer/caravan towing capacity. You can usually find this in the vehicle owner’s handbook or by contacting your authorised dealer. The handbook may mention train weight which means you have to take away the weight of the vehicle to find your towing capacity.
Nose Weight. It is recommended that the Nose Weight or Tow Hitch Load should be approximately 7% of the Gross Trailer/caravan Weight up to a maximum specified by the tow vehicle manufacturer. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend a maximum of 75kg with some exceptions i.e. Land Rover 140kg. Nose weight can be measured using a proprietary brand of nose weight indicator or simply using a set of bathroom scales under the jockey wheel.
Vehicle Handling . To preserve the vehicles handling and stability the following is recommended:
DO NOT exceed:
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Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) AKA – Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM)
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Maximum rear axle load
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Maximum Gross Trailer Weight
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Tow Hitch Load (Nose Weight)
Only fit approved towing accessories design for the job.
Exceeding the recommended maximum load for the vehicle and/or trailer/caravan will increase the risk of tyre or suspension failure, increase stopping distances and adversely affect vehicle handling and stability. Consult your vehicle owner’s handbook or authorised dealer.
Balance the Combination. To ensure optimum stability the trailer/caravan must be parallel with the ground, with the tow hitch and trailer/caravan drawbar set at the same height. This is particularly important when towing twin axle trailers/caravans!
Smart Tips!
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When calculating the laden weight of your trailer, remember to include the weight of the trailer itself.
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The trailer nose weight plus the combined weight of the rear seat passengers and the vehicles load carrying area must not exceed the GVW or the maximum permissible axle load.
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Where the luggage load can be divided between the trailer/caravan and the tow vehicle, loading more weight into the vehicle will generally improve the stability of the combination.
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Ensure the trailer/caravan loads are secure and unable to move during transit. Position loads so that most of the weight is placed close to the floor and immediately above of just in front of the axle(s).
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Towing regulations vary from country to country. Always ensure national regulations governing towing weights and speed limits are observed.
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