When towing a trailer, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with safety regulations and restrictions on the trailer and towing vehicle. Here’s a general guide of trailer towing dos and don’ts. Show Dos Do check your speed There are no specific references to trailer speeds in Australian road rules, so for trailers less than 4.5 tonnes, the maximum permitted speed is the posted speed limit. However, the road laws in Western Australia state that while towing vehicles can drive the posted limit, towing trailers with an aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of 750kg or greater are limited to 100km per hour. Do judge road and weather conditions Safety always comes first, so drive at a safe speed according to the road and weather conditions. It will be up to you to decide what’s safe to ensure trailer stability on different roads and in various traffic and weather conditions. Remember, your vehicle is heavier than usual, so stopping and manoeuvring in tight spots may be difficult. Do check equipment needed before towing Tow bars and trailer wiring connectors are needed when towing a trailer, but in instances where the trailer mass is close to the upper limit of the tow vehicle’s requirements, you may need to fit high-capacity tow bars, heavy-duty rear suspension and brake controllers. To ensure stability you can also fit load-distribution devices to the tow vehicle, but seek advice from the vehicle manufacturer before fitting one. Do fit a safety chain In Australia, you must use safety chains. They must be strong enough to hold the trailer should the trailer coupling accidentally become disconnected, and they must comply with the appropriate Australian standard. Do check the tow bar height Consider the height of the vehicle tow bar and the trailer’s draw bar. They should be level in order to be stable and safe. Don’ts Don’t assume your tow bar can tow heavy loads If your car has a tow bar, it doesn’t mean it’s safe to tow a heavy trailer. Many tow bars are only intended for light trailer loads The tow bar has a plate fixed to it which shows its tow rating. Don’t buy non-genuine tow bars When buying a tow bar, it may be cheaper to buy a non-genuine product. But keep in mind that the specialist tow bar manufacturer’s towing kit may include other things, such as heavy-duty suspension, body reinforcement and additional transmission oil coolers. Don’t tow a heavy load without safe brakes If your trailer has a gross trailer mass (GTM) of less than 2,000kg, it must be fitted with brakes that operate on at least one axle. Override brakes are acceptable on trailers up to 2,000kg GTM, but trailers with a GTM greater than 2,000kg are required to have brakes that can be automatically applied, and they must also have brakes on all wheels. Follow this simple guide to trailer towing and you’ll ensure your drive is a safe one for you and other road users. Check out this guide for things you need to know about trailer towing and here’s a guide to maximum trailer mass.
 Ryan McVay/Digital Vision/Getty Images Most single- and double-axle trailers are not self-supporting while in motion and they must be held up by the tow vehicle for transportation. Using a vehicle with a suitable hitch installed is recommended for safety; however, it is sometimes possible to pull a bumper-pull style trailer a short distance without a hitch. In these instances, the legality of pulling the trailer on public roads should be checked before proceeding. Gooseneck and fifth-wheel style trailers cannot be towed without a hitch designed for their unique configurations. Step 1Check the vehicle's manufacturer's specifications to determine if the vehicle is approved to pull the weight of both the trailer and the trailer's contents. Pulling a heavier trailer than is recommended may lead to vehicle damage and unsafe accelerating and braking conditions. Step 2Determine the size of ball required by the trailer's ball mount system. If the tow vehicle's bumper can be used as a hitch, there will be a hole in the center of the bumper where the ball can be inserted. Use a locking washer and correct nut to ensure the ball will not loosen during towing. Step 3Connect the trailer's ball mount to the tow ball. Attach the trailer's safety chains to the bumper, or to the tow vehicle's frame underneath the bumper, ensuring that there enough slack in them to allow for turning. Plug the trailer's electrical wiring into the vehicle's receptacle. If they are not compatible, the trailer will not have functioning lights or brakes and should not be used on public roads. Converters can be purchased that will adapt different prong configurations to one another. References Things You'll Need
Warnings
Writer Bio Kate Klassen has been a professional writer and photographer since 2005. She has completed work for notable companies such as The Fight Network, Travelodge and The Yellow Pages Group. Klassen attended the University of Calgary and graduated with a Bachelor of General Studies in communications. More ArticlesCan you pull something without a hitch?Not using a hitch is risky, but possible! To tow a car without a hitch, you'll need a strong rope or chain. Once you have that, you can follow these steps: Attach the rope or chain to a place on the front of the vehicle.
Can you attach a trailer without a tow bar?Trailer registration
Towing vehicles must be properly equipped with, Towbars and couplings of a suitable type and capacity. Electrical sockets for lightning. Brake connections, if the trailer is fitted with power or electric brakes.
Why doesn't my car have a hitch?Why Doesn't My Car Have a Trailer Hitch? Ideally, your vehicle will come pre-installed with a trailer hitch. However, it is becoming increasingly common for manufacturers to save a few dollars by leaving them off. It is a myth that vehicles without pre-installed trailer hitches cannot have one.
Can you hook a trailer to a car?Whether you need a tow hitch for your car or rental truck, installation is fairly common (and relatively easy). It can get complicated on certain cars and with some hitch types, but most simple installations require only basic tools, so you won't have to splurge on a new toolbox just for this project.
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How to tow a trailer without a hitch
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