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Safety on Roads
road safety information, road safety road rules regulations, road safety tips children
There is a saying, “A gentleman is well known by his behaviour on the
road”. The saying is equally true when you are towing a caravan or trailer.
You have prepared well for your towing expedition and are now on the roads.
You have to follow the traffic rules. You have to care for your vehicle,
luggage and life along with others. So you need to be more careful while
towing. This is not very difficult task. All you have to do is to follow
these some basic safety tips:
According to law, you can tow up to 1.5 times of kerb mass of your vehicle.
Consult handbook of your car for maximum recommended towing mass. It is
recommended that always keep the load slightly less than the limit so
as to keep some engine power reserve.
Your tow car should be in excellent mechanical condition with its brakes,
steering, suspension, tyres and cooling system in proper working condition.
There should be transmission cooler fitted if your tow vehicle is automatic.
Before going on a long towing trip, complete some short distance trips
for being confident and familiar with towing techniques. While towing
there will be extra burden on your car and accelerating, braking and overtaking
may slightly differ. Prefer to start early in the morning when there will
be light traffic conditions on the roads.
Disconnect power, water and waste water services, remove jockey wheel,
turn off bas bottle, fully raise parking legs before heading off. Ensure
electrical connections, coupling and chains are right in their place.
Tail/brake lights, side indicators and rear number plate lights should
be in proper working condition.
Tyre must be inflated as per the recommendation of the manufacturer. Also
check all the tyres are in good condition with good tread. There should
be o cracks on sidewalls of tyres. Tyres should be checked regularly as
the tyres which have remained idle and exposed to external weather conditions
for a long time may not be suitable for towing heavy loads.
It is always better to take advice of expert about tow bars and tow hitches.
Try to use load distribution hitches as these are capable of maintaining
level between your car and caravan if properly set up.
Electric brakes may be more effective in your towing expedition as they
operate with the brake lights of the car and can also be operated separately
from the car by hand control inside your car. You can avoid any push by
the caravan on rear side of your car in any swaying condition.
When towing a caravan there will be increased fuel consumption and continuous
use of your car for towing purpose may also reduce its overall life.
Avoid harsh acceleration at the time of moving off from the stationary
position. This will save excessive fuel consumption and extra burden on
the engine of your vehicle.
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