Trailer safety tips

Towing safely starts with the right setup. Explore these tips for a safer journey 

Every day Coates completes roughly 2,500 equipment pickups and deliveries across the country, making trailer safety an important part of our overall safety strategy and practices – and we know that it’s important to our customers, too.

Here we share some of the basic safety pointers that our teams follow to stay safe when connecting and towing trailers.

1. Choose the right vehicle and trailer

Simply having a tow ball doesn’t mean a vehicle is suitable for towing all types of trailers and loads.

• Compatibility: For safe towing, the vehicle you are driving, the trailer you are towing and the load you are transporting must all be compatible.
• Know your loads: Before you connect your trailer, check that your vehicle is rated to tow your load, and be sure of the limit for your trailer too. If in doubt, consult the manufacturer handbooks.
• Choose the right provider: When hiring a trailer, always choose a reputable equipment hire provider with current HSEQ accreditation, to ensure the safety and quality of all equipment that you hire.

2. Safely connecting your trailer

Before connecting your trailer check:

• Whether you have a level surface to work on, to avoid trailer movement during connection;
• If your bow shackles are adequately rated to secure the trailer to vehicle connection;
• If your trailer (in particular the tyres and bearings) are in roadworthy condition.

With these checks complete, follow this step-by-step guide to safely connect your trailer:

• Brake the trailer by applying the trailer brake and wheel chocks
• Wind the jockey wheel up so the tow coupler will clear the vehicle tow ball
• Reverse your vehicle and align the vehicle tow ball below the tow coupler
• Secure the vehicle (engage park gear and handbrake)
• Cross over the trailer chains and connect to the vehicle tow bar with rated bow shackles
• Open the locking latch (if fitted) and lift coupler handle (if required)
• Lower the trailer onto the tow ball by winding down the jockey wheel
• Engage the coupler handler, lock latch and fit safety pin or green indicator on
• Connect the trailer light plug to your vehicle
• Fully wind up the jockey wheel, rotate and lock into position
• Release the trailer brake and open the reverse lock-out latch (if fitted)
• Check all trailer lights work

To safely disconnect a trailer, complete these steps in reverse order.

3. Safe towing

• Whether you’re driving with a caravan, a trailer or another car in tow, towing can be quite different to normal driving. It affects:
• Acceleration – when starting out, overtaking and pulling into traffic.
• Braking / deceleration – when slowing to turn or responding to changing traffic conditions.
• Vehicle control and manoeuvrability – driving just feels different with something in tow.
• Fuel consumption – an important consideration when driving in areas with limited refuelling opportunities.
• Given these differences, some additional safety measures and driving skills are required when towing any load.
• Evenly distribute weight across your trailer where possible.
• Always properly secure your load, and because loads can move in transit it’s also a good idea to stop and check restraints soon after setting out.
• Allow for longer stopping distances and wider turns on curves and at intersections.
• Stick to the speed limit, and unless turning or overtaking drive in the left lane in dual carriageways and highways.
• Trailers can reduce visibility, so whenever possible use a spotter when reversing.

4. Final pre-flight checks

• If your trailer is fitted with brakes, adjust them according to your load before setting out.
• If your rear vision is completely blocked by your trailer, use extended side view mirrors.

Need to hire a trailer? Explore our trailers range or contact us or your local branch for information and advice