what must you do when you hitch an unbraked trailer to a towing vehicle

The hitching of an unbraked trailer with a towing vehicle requires attention and care for the safety of all. From attaching the trailer with the towbar to getting it driven, every part requires a certain expertise. Additionally, the right type of licencing along with insurance also needs to be considered. To ensure that you have a memorable experience with your family or friends in an unbraked trailer, every essential has been mentioned!

Checklist To Follow After Hitching An Unbraked Trailer To A Towing Vehicle

Are you an adventurous soul and enthusiastic camper by heart who loves to have his comfortable unbraked trailer whenever out in the woods? Do you visit the beach and thick forests?

The luxury of having a trailer towed by your car is indeed a blessing. It helps one feel the peace of home even outside the four walls. However, it is pertinent to consider a couple of important things during and after connecting an unbraked trailer to your vehicle. These tips are equally important for both new and veteran users.

Without further delays, grab a seat as we pull the curtains:

Vehicle Suitability

Before you connect an unbraked trailer with your car - whether SUV, Sedan or a 4*4- it is pertinent to follow the vehicle's towing capacity as recommended by the manufacturer ( towing capacity by reg).

The length and weight of the trailer are two important considerations that need to be kept in mind for towing capacity purposes.

Example:

High-end SUVs and 4*4s can easily pull a trailer that weighs approximately 350 kg.

Properly Connected With A Strong Towbar

An unbreakable and properly fixed towbar is imperative for towing a trailer safely. It acts as a bridge between the main vehicle and the unbraked trailer. It ensures that the trailer is properly dragged without the fear of disconnection. 

It is a legal requirement as well under EC Directive 94/20 EC. This law applied to vehicles registered after or on 1 August 1998.

Properly Functioning Lights

The backlights and hazard lights of the unbraked trailer should always function to indicate the presence of a vehicle – especially during snow in the UK. These lights do not require any separate battery to work. You just need to connect the electrical cables of the trailer to the ones present in the vehicle. Boom, you have the lights functioning.

Revisiting the Insurance Requirements

Are you aware of the fact that connecting a trailer with your vehicle through a towbar necessitates the need to update the insurance payments? The reason is that trailers are a third party and any damage done by it needs to be financially covered.

Checking With The Towing Licence

Are you someone who wants to visit the countryside and tow your unbraked trailer by your vehicle? Do you know about the licence requirements needed to legally take your trailer? Well, no need to worry as we got you covered!

As far as the licensing is concerned, a B-category driver or licence holder is legally eligible to tow the trailer with their vehicle. In addition to this, an E degree licence holder is also eligible. 

Monitoring the Speed Limit

The speed limit for car towing caravan within the city is set up to fifty miles per hour ( subject to speed restrictions imposed additionally). On the contrary, the speed can be approximately 60 miles per hour on highways.

General Yet Necessary Requirements

For safely, legally and responsibly hitching an unbraked vehicle to a towing vehicle, we have jotted down some of the common requirements. They are stated as follows:

• The vehicles and trailer should be technically equipped and maintained so that chances of all sorts of loss should be minimal.

• It is imperative to attach red triangle reflectors on the back of the trailer. Along with this, the registration number of the towing vehicle should also be placed on the back of the trailer - in the form of license plates.

• For safety purposes, it is strictly advised not to use the trailer when it is being towed.

• In the case of overtaking with a trailer attached to a vehicle, the lines within the motorway should only be used. In case some or any one of the lanes is not functional, other lanes may be used!

• In most areas, staying during the night at rest areas in the unbraked trailer may be requested to move to the designated location.

• If a quad bike or bicycle is carried in an unbraked trailer, it needs to be properly placed inside for safety purposes.

• It is pertinent to remove one tyre if the trailer needs to be left for disconnecting from the vehicle used for towing.

Conclusion

To sum up, legal and physical requirements are necessary to be considered when you consider hitching your newly bought unbraked trailer to a towing vehicle. From choosing the right form of vehicle to connecting it with the trailer, every step mentioned above must be followed - for a safe and fun-filled camping experience.