The use of a trailer is an effective method of increasing the capacity of a vehicle. Some professional people do this out of necessity. Then there are also holidaymakers who tow RVs (recreational vehicles), allowing them to stop practically anywhere they want to. But regardless of what they are towing, it is important for people to remember that there are inherent risks in the activity, particularly around how they use their pop up hitches.
An important point to remember is that the sheer weight involved is more than what people ordinarily encounter in their daily activities. A light truck or 4x4 vehicle can easily weigh in excess of one ton. Once the trailer or RV has been added, the entire train has an exceptional weight by everyday standards. This requires the use of a hitch that is strong enough to sustain that mass, not only in a stationary parked position but also through the twisting and turning of ordinary driving.
The hitch should be able to endure a gross trailer mass of 30 000lb. That might seem like an enormous weight, but it illustrates just how dangerous towing can be, especially if the trailer swerves independently or comes loose.
This is why those who use towing as a transport strategy, whether recreationally or professionally, should incorporate some simple measures into their activities. These measures are easy to understand and have a positive impact on the safety of the situation.
The first one may sound obvious or even annoying in its simplicity. However, it is essential to stick to the maximum towing weight specified by the manufacturer of the equipment. People who design such equipment are qualified in the science behind the manufacture. If they have determined that there should be a maximum weight, it's best to trust their opinion.
Another self-explanatory measure is to keep adequate clearance between the towing vehicle and its trailer. In deciding on how much space is necessary, the driver should take into account how the trailer moves when the vehicle turns. As part of an articulated system, the trailer does not do exactly what the vehicle does in a turn.
The use of safety chains is very important, even though some people are negligent and don't use them. The chains must be tightened to an appropriate tension: not too tight or too loose. Too much slack will render them ineffectual if the coupling comes undone, while too much tension will interfere with ordinary driving, such as when the vehicle takes a turn.
Distributing the load in the trailer is another important guideline. Some trailers come with instructions on how to do this. But even if they don't, never position the cargo more to one side than the other, or more to the front than the back. An unbalanced load will make steering unpredictable and can cause over-correction during driving.
As a matter of course, you should inspect all the lights on the trailer to confirm that they are in working order. To some people, this might seem like unnecessary exertion, but it is considerate towards other road users and can prevent accidents. It is also legally required. The same applies to the use of mirrors, which should offer an unobstructed view to the driver.
Towing has the potential to be used in both commercial and private circumstances, providing greater cargo capacity and also holiday accommodation. But it needs to be done sensibly, so as to guarantee the safety of both the tower and other motorists.
An important point to remember is that the sheer weight involved is more than what people ordinarily encounter in their daily activities. A light truck or 4x4 vehicle can easily weigh in excess of one ton. Once the trailer or RV has been added, the entire train has an exceptional weight by everyday standards. This requires the use of a hitch that is strong enough to sustain that mass, not only in a stationary parked position but also through the twisting and turning of ordinary driving.
The hitch should be able to endure a gross trailer mass of 30 000lb. That might seem like an enormous weight, but it illustrates just how dangerous towing can be, especially if the trailer swerves independently or comes loose.
This is why those who use towing as a transport strategy, whether recreationally or professionally, should incorporate some simple measures into their activities. These measures are easy to understand and have a positive impact on the safety of the situation.
The first one may sound obvious or even annoying in its simplicity. However, it is essential to stick to the maximum towing weight specified by the manufacturer of the equipment. People who design such equipment are qualified in the science behind the manufacture. If they have determined that there should be a maximum weight, it's best to trust their opinion.
Another self-explanatory measure is to keep adequate clearance between the towing vehicle and its trailer. In deciding on how much space is necessary, the driver should take into account how the trailer moves when the vehicle turns. As part of an articulated system, the trailer does not do exactly what the vehicle does in a turn.
The use of safety chains is very important, even though some people are negligent and don't use them. The chains must be tightened to an appropriate tension: not too tight or too loose. Too much slack will render them ineffectual if the coupling comes undone, while too much tension will interfere with ordinary driving, such as when the vehicle takes a turn.
Distributing the load in the trailer is another important guideline. Some trailers come with instructions on how to do this. But even if they don't, never position the cargo more to one side than the other, or more to the front than the back. An unbalanced load will make steering unpredictable and can cause over-correction during driving.
As a matter of course, you should inspect all the lights on the trailer to confirm that they are in working order. To some people, this might seem like unnecessary exertion, but it is considerate towards other road users and can prevent accidents. It is also legally required. The same applies to the use of mirrors, which should offer an unobstructed view to the driver.
Towing has the potential to be used in both commercial and private circumstances, providing greater cargo capacity and also holiday accommodation. But it needs to be done sensibly, so as to guarantee the safety of both the tower and other motorists.
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