Road safety is maybe the most important thing while driving a vehicle with a box trailer attached. Many traffic accidents are made because of driver’s poor towing experience. It is necessary some safety measures to be taken for towing your trailer safely.
Regardless if a trailer is used for business or private reasons, it is crucial to take care of its proper loading, towing and maintenance. This will allow the box trailer to work in its perfect order.
The most important thing to keep in mind is the trailer towing capacity. It’s something that should not be exceeded. Remember that every trailer has a maximum weight that it can bear. Any weight overcoming can lead to accidents because of damaged mechanisms or other components. Recommended towing weight is 85% of the limit. Don’t forget to include the weight of the passengers, load and the trailer itself. If the total weight is higher, it’s more difficult to stop the vehicle which tows a trailer. An interesting fact is that trailers don’t have a specific speed limit. However, watch out the speed constantly when you drive along the road and keep a greater distance between you and the vehicles in front of you.
Another important aspect that affects the vehicle handling is the proper load weight distribution. When loading your box trailer, put the heaviest items in the centre. Like so, the load will be evenly distributed. Find the optimal load weight: a smaller load can cause a lack of balance of the trailer; otherwise, too much load can overload the towing suspension of the vehicle.
Brakes are important too. Check if they are working properly. The lights should be synchronized with the brakes. It’s wise to replace the brake fluid once in a year in order to minimize the brake corrosion. Even better, replace them completely. If your trailer is used to carry heavier load – install electronic brakes. You can invest more in your trailer by getting a brake controller.
To increase the lifetime of the tyres, they have to be maintained accurately. Make sure to provide enough space around the sides in order to avoid tyre rubbing on the frame. You can save yourself money and energy by securing the proper tyre air pressure.
Other important safety measures for box trailers:
– Respect the rules and conditions of the road
– Do not drive if you are tired or sleepy
– Do not drive if you consumed alcohol or drugs.