Travel safely with car and luggage trailer
Are you going on vacation soon with your car and luggage trailer? Then run through the checklist below and avoid dangerous situations on the road. We wish you a safe journey in advance!
Checklist:
Loading the trailer
Checking tire pressure
Headlight adjustment
Hitching up the trailer
Last check before departure
Know what to do when a trailer swings
1. Loading the trailer
Avoid overloading
Properly loaded luggage trucks are stable on the road. Therefore, make sure the trailer is not overloaded. This not only prevents dangerous situations on the way to your vacation destination, but also hefty fines. In the Netherlands, the fine for driving with an overloaded trailer is between €90 and €300. Thereby, the higher the overload, the higher the fine.
Not 100% sure what the maximum gross payload of your luggage trailer is? If so, please contact your HAPERT dealer.
Secure the luggage properly
Make sure the load is properly secured to prevent it from shifting while driving. In fact, loose luggage can negatively affect the handling of your trailer.
Distribute the load evenly
Follow the load distribution tips below to ensure proper braking and optimal road handling.
- Make sure the center of gravity of the load is as short as possible above the axle.
- Place all heavy luggage above the axle of the trailer as much as possible.
- Distribute the load evenly between the left and right halves of the baggage car.
- Avoid point loads.
- Couple the trailer to your car before placing the luggage.
Make sure you have the correct drawbar pressure
Always avoid too low or too high a drawbar pressure. In fact, this can cause the luggage cart to skid and sway.
Want to know more about getting the right drawbar pressure?
The best drawbar pressure is near the maximum allowable pressure on the hitch. The maximum drawbar load is usually listed on the nameplate of the tow bar or vehicle.
2. Check tire pressure
Avoid overloading
Loading and tire pressure greatly affect the safety of your trailer. Therefore, also check the voltage before you leave. Proper tire pressure not only improves grip on the road but also minimizes the chances of a blowout. So the tires last longer.
Also make sure that the car’s rear tires have maximum tire pressure. This is necessary because of the luggage trailer’s nose weight and the luggage in the trunk of the car.
3. Headlight adjustment
A fully loaded luggage trailer and extra luggage in the trunk can cause the car’s headlights to rise too high. In that case, it is important to adjust the headlights downward before going on vacation with the loaded trailer.
4. Attach
Check that the clutch falls securely into the lock. The drawbar pressure causes the hitch to lock to the hitch. This is always easy to hear. When the trailer is properly hitched, the ball is no longer visible and the handle automatically slides back into the initial state (it is indicated by a green +).
5. Last check before departure
Hand brake break cable
Check that the handbrake breakaway cable is tight. The breakaway cable ensures that the handbrake is applied if the luggage trailer unexpectedly detaches from the car. In that case, the trailer brakes by itself and the pulling force of the car breaks the cable. Legally, the handbrake breakaway cable must be attached to a fixed point on the car or tow bar. Note: Making a loop around the tow bar is not allowed in the Netherlands.
Don’t have a fixed hitch attachment point? Then use an auxiliary hitch.
Plug
Check that the plug is properly inserted.
Trailer handbrake
Make sure the luggage cart is off the handbrake before driving off.
Lighting of the luggage cart
Check that the trailer lights are working. They must be equipped with:
- 2 city lights (white light) if the trailer is wider than 1.60 meters
- 2 rear turn signals (red or amber light)
- 2 brake lights (red or amber light)
- 2 taillights (red light)
- License plate light (white light)
The situation may arise where the trailer trailer lights stop working while on the road. It is therefore advisable to take a plug connection diagram with you on vacation.
Maximum speed
Each country has its own speed limits for cars with trailers. Are you going on vacation abroad? We have listed the speed limits for the most popular vacation countries for you.
6. Know what to do in the event of a swinging trailer
On the way to your vacation destination, the trailer may swing. Therefore, be prepared for this type of situation. If your luggage cart begins to sway, respond as follows:
- do not increase your speed;
- Release the gas pedal and press the brake forcefully;
- keep the steering wheel straight until the trailer stops swaying;
- drive at a slower speed to the first possible parking space.
Once you arrive at the parking lot, it is important to check the trailer for the following items:
- Is the cargo box evenly loaded?
- Is the luggage properly secured?
- Is the tire pressure right?
- Is the drawbar pressure optimal?
When everything is in order, you can continue your journey in peace.
During descents, it is important not to increase the speed of your car with trailer too fast. This prevents the luggage cart from swaying during the descent.
