IRISH AMATEUR ROWINGUNION
TRAILER TOWING
All operation of a motor vehicle with/without a trailer onthe highway is covered by legislation. The principallegislation referred to here will be THE ROAD VEHICLES(CONSTRUCTION AND USE) REGULATIONS 2003and is coded S.1. No 5 of 2003.
The driver is the person immediately responsible.Should the offence happen with a club owned trailer ortow vehicle, then the club could also be charged; usuallyin the person of the club secretary.
GENERALHitching Up
Do not give yourself a hernia by lifting the trailer nose upand aiming it on to the tow ball. Raise the couplingabove the tow ball by winding the jockey wheel down.Persuade some trusting individual to stand by the trailercoupling and hold his/her hand above the coupling at aheight that is visible through the rear window and reverseslowly to get the tow ball close to the coupling. Swing thetrailer front to align the two parts and wind the jockeywheel up to engage and lock. It is good practice to windthe jockey wheel down to lift the rear of the car up a littleto check that the coupling is fully engaged and locked.Now wind the jockey wheel fully up and reclamp the unitas far up as possible. Attach the breakaway chain orcable to the tow bracket or to the hook (if fitted), but notround the tow ball neck – this is not a secure fixing. If thecoupling is of the old type with a hand-operatedreversing catch, make sure this is not engaged beforeyou drive off. Modern couplings are automatic.
Weight
It is assumed that all boat trailers will be braked; shouldthis not be the case consult the Construction and UseRegs. The maximum permitted weight of a trailer withoverrrun brakes is 3500 kg. This is the maximumpermitted legal loaded weight, i.e. trailer and load ofboats . However on a single axle trailerthe likely limit on maximum weight will be set by the loadcarrying capacity of the tyres (see the section on tyres).The relationship between the weight of the trailer andthe towing vehicle is usually quoted as a percentage.The weight of the towing vehicle (referred to as kerb sideweight) can be found from a) vehicle handbook, b)vehicle technical manual or information or c) on somevehicles (particularly of continental manufacture) thevehicle information plate (usually found in the enginecompartment). To find the gross trailer weight, add theweight of the unladen trailer (should be shown on thetrailer information plate, together with the maximumladen weight) and the individual weights of the boatsections, oars and riggers. Alternatively take the ladentrailer to a public weighbridge.To establish the individual weight of boat sections use aset of scales, e.g. bathroom scales, to weigh the boatsections (mark the weight for future reference on to thesection, use paint such as a car touch-up pencil or brush,or small stick-on lettering protected by spray varnish). Ifyou doubt the accuracy of the scales check them byusing some of the weights from your weight trainingarea.For guidance, the FISA minimum boat weights are:Boat type Weight (kg)8+ 934x 524+ 514– 502+ 322– 272x 261x 14Expect club boats to be slightly heavier e.g. 4+ @ 55 kgand 8+ @ 100 kg.The loaded trailer should be nose heavy i.e. it shouldexert a downward force on the tow ball of the towingvehicle of 50–75 kg. The exact recommended weight foryour vehicle can be obtained from your handbook, themanufacturer’s information or the Caravan Club publisha data list which includes ‘nose weight’. To check theactual trailer nose weight, use the bathroom scales(protected by a piece of wood, unless you like greasyfeet) under the trailer coupling. Alternatively use aproprietary nose weight indicator obtainable from acaravan dealer. Some boat trailers have therecommended nose weight shown on the plate.If you are not very experienced, use a trailer/towvehicle weight ratio of around 85%. It is possible to goto 100% with experience and care. If using aspecialised tow vehicle e.g. Land Rover or goods typevehicle, it is possible to tow a trailer in excess of the towvehicle weight. However the manufacturer’srecommendations should be observed and care takennot to create a danger. Some examples of vehiclemanufacturer recommendations are given below:WeightKerb TowFord Mondeo 1.6LX 1044 kg 1100 kgLand Rover 1746 kg 4000 kg
The ‘Tow ‘ Weight’ figures as shown above are taken from themanufacturer’s figures and these refer to twopassengers. If you carry more than this then deduct theextra ‘in car’ load from the recommended ‘Tow Weight’.When loading the trailer do remember to put the heavysections on the lower tiers and the lighter sections on theupper tiers, e.g. sculling boats. This will help keep thecentre of gravity lower and improve the stability; mosttrailer accidents involve overturning. The most commoncause of poor stability is incorrect loading. Caravanmagazines such as ‘Practical Caravan’ publish regularfeatures on towcar choice, listing kerb weight, 85%weight, towing factor and a ready reckoner to assist inthe choice.
Towing Speed
Keeping within speed limits.Do remember – a trailer may NOT be towed in the outer(overtaking lane) of a three or four lane motorway.If you overtake a slower moving truck, you may noticethat the driver flashes his headlights when you are safelyin front. This is to indicate that you are clear to return tothe inner lane. The polite response is to flash your taillights.
Tyres
Modern remould tyres carryspeed rating symbols as per new tyres.Tyre construction can be either radial or cross-ply BUTmust not be mixed on the same axle.
Tyre pressures – See below for some examples for trailer.Check with your vehicle handbook or if noinformation available increase by 0.3–0.4 bar (4–6psi). Always check pressures cold.The same legislation applies to trailer tyres as to cartyres.If you have any doubts, ask your local tyre dealer tocheck them. If the tyres are not street legal thenremember each tyre is a separate offence.Example, a tyre marked ‘155 R 13 81S’ – Maximumload 462 kg at 2.5 bar (36 psi), this would limit a singleaxle trailer to a maximum all-up weight of 924 kg (2033lb).A conventional car type tyre has a 4 ply rating, a‘reinforced’ tyre would have a greater pressure and loadcapacity.A ‘155 R 13’ reinforced would have an axle rating of1045 kg (2303 lb) at a pressure of 2.9 bar (42 psi).A ‘195 R 14 PR6’ (Transit type) would have an axlerating of 1785 kg (3937 lb?) at a pressure of 3.75 bar(54 psi).A way of increasing the load carrying capacity is to usea twin axle close-coupled layout, thus the total loadcapacity is four times that of a single tyre.If you are unsure of the correct pressure ask your localtyre dealer.It is good practice to mark the tyre pressures on thewheel arch above the tyre, then anyone who uses thetrailer can easily find the required pressures. Usecontrasting car paint touch-up stick or small stick-onlettering protected with spray varnish.
Tow Vehicle Rear Suspension
Excessive deflection can affect towing stability andcreate problems such as headlamp alignment. Thisdeflection can be caused by 1) low rear spring rate, 2)overloading of the towing vehicle, 3) excessive noseweight of trailer or 4) large vehicle tail overhang (thedistance between the rear axle and the tow ball).
Thereare a number of proprietary rear spring stiffening aidson the market where excessive rear deflection is causedby (1) or (4). For (2) and (3) take the necessary steps toprevent the problem.
Stabiliser
A good stabiliser can make a car/trailer combinationmuch more stable and easier to handle on the road.Caravan centres will stock and advise on the latest typesof stabiliser. However if the combination has poorstability then a stabiliser will only mask the problemwhich can re-emerge at higher speed.
Rear View Mirrors
Motor vehicleshave one internaland one external offside mirror. If the internal mirror isblocked then it should have external mirrors offside andnearside. A boat trailer is more open than a caravanand the standard car interior rear-view mirror will oftengive a reasonable rear view. However it isrecommended that extended caravan tow mirrors beused where necessaryto obtain a view down theside of the trailer and obviate blind spots. Remember themirror should not be more than 200 mm wider than thetrailer , and when the tow vehicle is drivensolo the extra mirrors should be removed or folded back.
Brakes
Reg 18 C&U states that “Every part of every brakingsystem and of means of operation thereof fitted to avehicle shall be maintained in good and efficientworking order and be properly adjusted”.SecondaryMain or parkingEfficiency–Minimumrequired for MOT test 50% 25%If a vehicle only reaches the above minimum, there isprobably a fault. The parking brake should be capableof holding the combination on a gradient of at least 18%(1 in 8.33).Do remember to disengage the reversing catch (brakedisabling lever) in normal use and to use the breakawaychain or cable. Most modern tow hitches have anautomatic reversing catch. The breakaway chain isattached between the tow vehicle and the trailerhandbrake and, in the event of the trailer becomingdisconnected on the road, the chain applies the trailerhandbrake. If the trailer is left on the roadwaydisconnected from the tow vehicle, it requires thehandbrake applied or at least one wheel chocked orprevented from rotation (Reg 89 C&U).
Power to Weight Ratio
There are no hard and fast rules covering this. As aguide, a 1.5 litre petrol engine should be capable oftowing a trailer of 85% of the tow vehicle weight, andabove 1.5 litres should be capable of 100%. In generaldiesel engines have a lower power output than anequivalent size petrol engine.
Lights
When the trailer is coupled check the correct operationof the lights; remember that all lights “must be clean andin good working order”
Forward and Rearward Projection
A load on a vehicle which is not drawing a trailer ,or on aTrailer of a combination of vehicles shall not project 3 metresTo the rear beyond the rearmost point of the vehicle orTrailer. Where a load projects more than 1metre to the rearBeyond the rearmost point of the vehicle or trailer a warningDevice shall be carried at the rear of he load during the dayTime. A warning device means either a red flag or clothAt least 300 millimetres square.For towing in Great Britian check ARA web site.
Maintenance
The trailer needs to be maintained in the same way asany motor vehicle, probably more so since they willoften be stored out of doors in all weather for most of theyear. Wheel bearings, brakes, tyres and lights needchecking particularly at the start of the summer regattaseason, to ensure that the trailer is street legal. It isuncommon that the tyres will wear out quickly due toroad use, the more likely cause of deterioration is theexposure to ultra violet light. This causes surfacecracking of the rubber. Good caravan practice is tostore the wheels in the garage when not in use for aprolonged period..
ON THE ROAD
It is (or should be) the collective responsibility of theindividual crew who load their boat on to the trailer toensure that it is correctly loaded and secured. The drivershould then check the loading of the trailer beforehe/she sets off.When you first set off on a journey it is good practice tostop after a mile or two and check the security of theload; it is surprising how the various ties and fasteningsloosen off with the vibration of the journey. Once theadjustments are made that usually solves the problem,but you will see truck drivers always rechecking theirloads before starting the next leg of the journey. If theprofessionals do it, why not you?Be considerate to other road users. When towing,everything takes longer, allow more time foraccelerating, overtaking and braking, make more use ofthe mirror. Read the road ahead and behind, look out forthe effects of side winds from overtaking vehicles (a largevehicle will first push the combination to the left and then,as it gets about halfway past, will suck it to the right),cross winds from bridges etc. on exposed roadsparticularly on motorways. Do not let the speed build upgoing down hills, this will help to reduce the possibility ofsnaking. If the combination does snake, ease off, try notto brake, slow down gently. If you have to brake, do sogently, do not accelerate. Road hazards such asroundabouts should be taken at a lower speed than whensolo – remember that the centre of gravity of the trailerwill be higher above the ground than a conventional carand this means it is less stable and more liable tooverturning if you treat a roundabout as a Grand Prixchicane. Ensure that all braking is done in a straight line,i.e. do not go into a corner and then brake; estimate therequired speed and complete your braking before theactual corner. Going round corners, roundabouts, etc.,keep in mind the much greater length of the combinationand allow a greater turning circle, since the trailer willtend to follow a tighter curve than the tow vehicle.Practise smooth safe driving. For example, if you decideto overtake and swing out as you might when drivingsolo then there is every possibility of a degree of swingappearing. You must take the move slower and ease thevehicle out as opposed to swinging it out.400 mm. Vertical distance to suit lateral placementand to form a matched pair.
Trailer Towing - sic Definitions
- Kerbside weight – Weight of vehicle with full tank ofpetrol but no passengers or luggage. Can be found inyour driver’s handbook or from the vehicle informationplate.
- Tow weight – The gross weight of a braked trailer, i.e.trailer and boat.
- Gross train weight – Total weight of laden vehicle andtrailer.
- Gross vehicle weight – Maximum total weight of ladenvehicle.
Towing the Line Safely
The standard B category licence allow driversto drivecategory ‘B’ vehicles (vehicles lessthan 3500 kg and amaximum of eight passenger seats)plus a braked trailer up to 750 kg. These weights aretotal all-up weights, i.e. vehicle (or trailer) plus load.Thus a category ‘B’ driver can drive a combination of3500 kg vehicle plus a 750 kg trailer – a combinationof 4.25 tonnes.A heavier trailer may be towed provided the maximumcombination is within the 4.25 tonne limit and the ladenweight of the trailer is not greater than the unladenweight of the tow vehicle. The laden weight of the traileris that shown on the trailer ‘plate’ (it may be labelled asGVW) and this applies whether or not any load isactually carried. If there is a requirement to drive avehicle/trailer combination where the tow vehicle is lessthan 3500 kg and the total vehicle/trailer combinedweight exceeds 4.25 tonnes or the trailer weightexceeds the unladen weight of the tow vehicle then thedriver will need to pass an additional test for categoryB+E. As a guide, the latest design of 30 ft twin axle boattrailer has a laden weight of 2500 kg; it appears likelythat the unladen weight of the tow vehicle would be lessthan 2500 kg and this set-up would require a categoryB+E licence .Minibus-Passenger carrying vehicle with 9–16passenger seats not operating for hire or reward:This vehicle would fall into sub category ‘D1’ and couldtow a trailer of up to 750 kg. In order to drive thisvehicle a category ‘B’ driver (basic car test) would needto a) meet higher medical standards and b) pass afurther test for category ‘D1’. If a trailer in excess of 750kg is to be towed then the maximum combination weightis 12 tonnes and the laden weight of the trailer must notexceed the unladen weight of the mini bus. To complywith this requirement the driver would then have to takeanother test for sub category ‘D1+E’. To get to thissituation a category ‘B’ driver would have to pass twoadditional tests, first the ‘D1’ test followed by the ‘D1+E’test.