Trailer safety..

[karenjj]

Hi everyone, I am currently taking lessons in order to do my trailer towing test, the reversing part of which is confusing me quite a bit but never mind! My main question is, I have read on here people writing about trailers flipping and things and am now worried whether I should have saved the money I'm spending on the lessons and put it towards a small horsebox instead. How safe are trailers? Why would one flip? Eek.. am finding the whole thing slightly daunting now!

 

[ladyt25]

Personally I would always go for a small box over a trailer but then my sister was involved in an incident where a trailer did flip over.

Some people have always had trailers and always will. However, my argument is you need to have a decent 4x4 to tow a trailer as safely as possible plus buying the trailer itself which surely is going to be more costly or the same at least as buying a small box and a cheap run about car?

I would research the costs involved and also what suits your budget and needs best. The downside of a small 3.5T wagon is, although you are legally able to drive it on the car licence it is not ideal if you are wanting to travel more than one horse - the payload isn't enough.

If it was me I'd save up and pay out for an HGV or even LGV licence so you have more options! Wagons up to 7.5T tend to be cheaper to buy than the 3.5T (as they are now v popular), the tax isn't bad and fuel wise (depending on wagon size) not an awful lot more than gas-guzzling 4x4s!

 

[BigRed]

I have been towing for 30 years and never had a scary moment. The main thing is to think ahead and drive within your limits and road and weather conditions. If it is blowing a gale, stay at home. If it is icy, stay at home. Drive slowly, always remember to leave plenty of time to get to your destination.

Some of these flip-overs are caused by bad driving, by loading a single horse on the kerbside of the trailer, so when you drive on a road with a steep camber, the trailer is already un-balanced. Add some bad weather and having to brake hard and et voila, you have a problem.

TBH some of the smaller lorries don't give a very balanced drive either.

 

[Donkeymad]

If you have passed your towing test, just continue to drive sensibly, and the risks remain very low. A horsebox will always be that bit more safe, but obviously, driving safely and sensibly is the best way to drive regardless of what you use.

 

[miketdt]

The main reason for a trailer snaking is poor loading and excess speed. Remember you have an overrun coupling which operates the trailer brakes always de-accelerate before braking ,brake smoothly and progressively whilst the vehicle and trailer are in a straight line. Do all braking and gear changing before bends not whilst steering through them. Use light acceration to pull you through bends.