Driving with a trailer attached requires some practice and additional precautions when driving. Although moving forward is relatively easy, driving can become complicated when you have to perform certain manoeuvres while ‘pulling’ a trailer, especially if it is heavy or bulky, or both, and even a simple process of slowing down or stopping can become extremely dangerous.
It is important to note that there are two categories of trailer permitted in Spain, which in simple terms are small and large, and each has a unique set of rules and requirements, but for the purpose of this article we are talking in general terms for all trailers.
“With a trailer, everything we do wrong is multiplied and can have more serious consequences,” says Juan Ignacio Serena, Head of Section of the Driver Training Department of the DGT. “This type of vehicle is driven looking more backwards than forwards. If at any time you ‘forget’ that you are towing it, you can have problems due to its size and weight.”
Thus, it is essential to adapt driving to the conditions of the trailer we are towing: the characteristics of the towing vehicle, the dimensions and weight of the trailer, the speed of travel or the atmospheric conditions are factors to consider, as they directly affect the stability and safety of the vehicle while driving.
Contents
Braking
Even a so-called ‘light’ trailer weighing up to 750 kilos represents a considerable mass which, added to the mass of the car, directly affects the distance needed to stop. Therefore, to stop a trailer, more space is always needed. “With a trailer, the braking distance can increase by up to 20%,” says Juan Ignacio Serena.
Overtaking
When overtaking, always take into account the length of the vehicle, the speed limit and the power of the vehicle you are driving, as with a trailer behind you, you will need more space and time to complete the manoeuvre. Driving training specialists always insist on remembering that if you are not sure when overtaking, do not overtake.
Turning
Manoeuvres to change direction, make sharp turns or enter a roundabout require greater anticipation and adjust your speed: a sharp turn while towing a trailer can result in a rollover. You have to be careful, because the trailer pushes, especially if it is loaded. If we arrive at a curve with a car with a trailer at ‘excessive’ speed, we will lose control, go off the road or roll over. And be very careful when braking once the turn has started,” warns Serena.
Speed
Speed limits for vehicle combinations, in other words towing a trailer, are lower than vehicles on their own. To maintain control over the combination at all times, it is essential to adjust the speed based on the additional mass of the trailer, especially on interurban roads.“
Reversing
Driving in reverse with a trailer can be tricky if you are not familiar with it, mainly because a trailer goes in the opposite direction to the direction you turn the steering wheel. If you have never had experience driving with a trailer, it is very advisable to practice first in an area without traffic: “When starting to reverse, always do so with the towing vehicle and the trailer aligned, back up slowly, gently, to avoid the trailer crossing and potentially hitting the car or breaking the connections” explains Serena.
The Load
The distribution of the load in the vehicle affects its stability while driving. If the distribution of the load in a trailer is not correct, the dynamic behaviour of the whole can be affected. “When distributing the load, it must be concentrated in the centre, where the axles are. With a lot of load in the back, the drawbar of the trailer – which hooks onto the ‘ball’ of the car – tends to lift and generates instability in the rear of the car. And vice versa, too much weight in the front of the trailer will lift the front of the car,” says Juan Ignacio Serena. And, of course, it is forbidden to travel with passengers in a trailer or caravan.
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