Towing a trailer, boat or caravan? Here is what you need to know

As the December holidays approach, traffic officials across SA will be on high alert for increased traffic volumes as holidaymakers head off for a much-needed December break, traditionally a high-risk period on all SA roads.

Stats from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) show that although the number of fatalities decreased by 14% from 1 808 during the festive period 2021/22 to 1 560 during the festive period 2022/23, the number is still unacceptably high.

Motorists are reminded to travel responsibly, and if you are towing a trailer, boat or caravan, towing should be correctly done to avoid damage to your vehicle and accidents on our roads.

Dewald Ranft is the chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), an association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI). He says the first thing to do is ensure a competent and accredited repairer services the trailer or caravan correctly.

“These have probably been standing idle since last December. During the service, the following areas should receive special attention: brakes (if fitted); electrical connections and components such as lights, cables and more; wheel bearings (these must be greased if the trailer stood for a lengthy period); and tyres with emphasis on the tyre age, like cracks and more.”

He says it’s also vital to ensure you have the correct licence and that what you are towing falls within the legal requirements in terms of the weight in relation to your vehicle.

“Many motorists don’t realise that their driver’s licence determines what vehicle they can drive and what type of trailer they can pull. The AA provides a breakdown of licence codes and the corresponding trailer weight.

“It also explains how to calculate the trailer-to-car weight ratio. It is important that motorists don’t attempt to tow an item that is too heavy for their vehicle,” says Ranft.

Fuel costs and consumption are also factors to consider before heading off on holiday towing a trailer, boat or caravan.

“Towing roughly halves your normal distance per full fuel tank, so be careful and plan your stops. A budget for the additional fuel you’ll use when towing is crucial. You’ll need to double your usual fuel expenditure,” he advises.

Ranft says that speeding is the top cause of accidents when towing.

“Drivers need to be aware that the stopping distance is far longer when towing, and drivers should allow for this.”

He adds that passing heavy vehicles and vice versa creates a vortex that can affect the towing combination stability.

“Ensure you are not caught unawares. Do not use excessive braking when navigating a steep descent because this may overheat the brakes and lead to premature brake failure. Rather, select a lower gear to help with the braking force and keep to the recommended speed limit.”

Weight is also a key consideration when towing. Towing a trailer with the wrong weight distribution can be dangerous. If more than 40% of the load is behind the axle, the towed vehicle will become unstable. At least 60% of the weight should be loaded in front of the axle.

A tail-heavy trailer will create a whiplash effect that will force you off the road and cause an accident. He also encourages drivers who stop to help a broken-down vehicle when it is safe to do so to ensure they use the correct equipment before attempting to tow it.

“Use only approved towing equipment, such as towing bars and ropes. Be aware when using a rope that it will slacken on deceleration. By using the correct rope, you avoid the risk of the rope snapping on acceleration.

“You should use a tow bar if the towed vehicle’s brakes do not work. Drivers should never use a tow ball on the towing vehicle to tow another stranded vehicle because the tow ball could break, causing parts of it to become potentially fatal flying objects.

“A tow rope or bar should always be affixed to a safe towing point, ideally attached to the chassis of the towing vehicle. Be aware that the steering on the towed vehicle may be very heavy when the engine is not running. So, too, are the brakes without vacuum assistance,” he adds.

“Every festive season, we have many fatalities on our roads. Let’s ensure that we tow responsibly and take it easy on our roads this December.”