7 tips to safer towing

Whether you're a seasoned tower or a newcomer, embarking on a towing holiday requires extensive planning and adherence to safety guidelines. Hayman Reese, your trusted partner in towing solutions, presents seven essential tips to help ensure your towing experience is not only stress-free but also safe and secure.

1. Identify Your Towing Requirements:

Begin your towing adventure by assessing your destination and the nature of your trip. Whether it's cruising down the Great Ocean Road or navigating 4WD tracks to Cape York, understanding your towing requirements is crucial. Tailor your towing setup to the specific demands of your journey, considering the type of trailer, camper, or caravan best suited for your needs.

2. Know Your Vehicle's Limits:

Before hitching anything to your vehicle, comprehend its towing limits. Refer to your vehicle's owner's manual to find the manufacturer's specified tow rating and towball vertical down load. Keep in mind that tow ratings may vary based on factors such as vehicle variant, fuel type, and the weight being towed. Stay within these limits to ensure safe towing practices.

3. Ensure You Have The Right Equipment:

Prepare your towing setup with the right equipment to enhance comfort, safety, and compliance with legal requirements. Select a towbar that aligns with your vehicle's tow rating, such as the heavy-duty 50 x 50mm hitch receiver by Hayman Reese. Additionally, install a brake controller if your trailer exceeds 750kg, and consider if other items such as brake breakaway systems and monitors are required for added safety.

4. Utilise a Weight Distribution System:

Managing the towball vertical down load when connecting a caravan is crucial for maintaining proper vehicle performance. The added rear weight can affect braking responsiveness, fuel consumption, and overall stability. Implementing a weight distribution system restores balance, improving handling, control, and comfort during towing. Choose the right kit based on your coupling position, a-frame height, down ball load, and towball height.

5. Reduce Trailer Sway:

Tackle the unsettling feeling of trailer sway by adjusting your driving habits. Decrease speed, apply smooth acceleration and braking, and account for external factors like crosswinds and road conditions. Consider additional systems like Hayman Reese friction and dual cam sway controllers, which integrate with weight distribution to prevent sway before it occurs.

6. Pack Your Trailer Wisely:

Achieve optimal stability by evenly distributing the weight in your trailer. Avoid excessive front or rear loading, as it can impact down ball load and stability. Place heavier items in the middle over the axles and consider the placement of water tanks, jerry can holders, and gas bottle holders, as they influence the trailer's balance.

7. Drive Safely:

Maintain a safe driving distance of at least 60 meters, as towing affects braking responsiveness. Adjust your driving habits, considering an increased turning circle and the need for more space when changing lanes or overtaking. Combat towing fatigue by incorporating additional rest stops into your travel itinerary.

Conclusion:

Embarking on a towing journey in Australia necessitates a combination of the right equipment, proper planning, and adherence to safety protocols. With Hayman Reese as your towing companion, these seven essential tips will ensure a safer, more enjoyable towing experience, allowing you to focus on the journey and destination alike.

Important Disclaimer – Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the above information is correct and accurate at time of issue, it remains of a general nature. All towing set ups are unique and only apply to the situation at hand. Expert advice should always be sought to ensure the towing solution is tailored specifically to your needs.