12V Guru
12V Guru – Optimising your Solar Power System
Solar Panels installed on your vehicle roof? Our 12V Guru discusses how to optimise their performance in place of buying more panels
TeamBMPRO
March 14, 2024
5 Essential Tips for Safe Towing: A Guide for BMPRO Users
Exploring the outdoors and experiencing new things can be an exciting experience, especially when towing a caravan, boat or trailer. Nevertheless, it can also be hazardous without following the correct towing safety protocols.
To guarantee a secure towing experience for you and other road users, it is vital to adhere to five critical safety tips for towing, which every BMPRO user should be aware of and practice.
These tips will provide guidance to safe towing, ensuring that you and other drivers remain safe on the road, and you can comfortably savour your next adventure.
Tip 1: Know Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity
The first and most important tip for safe towing is to know your vehicle’s towing capacity. Towing capacity is the maximum weight that your vehicle can tow safely, and it is essential that you have a good understanding of this before you begin towing your trailer or caravan.
Going beyond your vehicle’s towing limit can result in accidents, damage to your vehicle, and create risks like swaying. To prevent such problems, it’s essential to prepare by using devices such as BMPRO’s SwayControl if you ever plan to drive with a trailer or caravan. This helpful gadget can detect and fix any swaying, ensuring that you and other drivers remain safe while on the road. Even if you’re towing over the limit, SwayControl automatically modifies your braking to provide confidence that your load and other drivers are protected.
In order to determine your automobile’s towing capacity, you can either read through the owner’s manual or get in touch with the vehicle’s manufacturer. It should be emphasised that the towing capacity may fluctuate based on variables such as the engine, transmission, and other considerations, underscoring the significance of knowing the precise towing capacity for your caravan.
Tip 2: Load Your Trailer or Caravan Correctly
Correctly distributing the weight of your load when loading your trailer or caravan is crucial for ensuring your safety while towing. Maintaining balance and preventing any swaying or loss of control depends on it.
Owners often improperly load their trailers and caravans, which can cause them to disconnect from their vehicles during travel. To ensure the safety and security of both you and your trailer or caravan, consider investing in BMPRO’s TrailSafe emergency break-away safety system. This innovative product is designed to activate the electric brakes of a disconnected trailer or caravan, effectively preventing potential accidents.
To ensure that your trailer or caravan is loaded correctly, it is also recommended to place heavier items directly over the axle. This will evenly distribute the weight and make it easier to manage while towing. Properly securing your load is also crucial to prevent any movement or shifting during transportation
Tip 3: Check Your Towing Equipment
Your towing equipment is just as important as your vehicle when it comes to safety while towing. That’s why it’s essential to inspect your towing equipment regularly, including your hitch, safety chains, and electrical connections.
Before you start towing, make sure that your hitch is secured correctly and that all of your safety chains are properly attached. You should also check your electrical connections to ensure your trailer or caravan lights are working correctly.
If your safety chains become detached because of age or improper installation, it is advisable to purchase the coiled retractable breakaway caravan cable. This cable serves as an excellent replacement for the loose wire cable that may get tangled or damaged and aids in keeping your cable safe while towing. The breakaway caravan cable from BMPRO is a dependable link connecting your tow vehicle to your trailer.
Tip 4: Drive Safely While Towing
When driving with a trailer or caravan in tow, it’s important to adopt a distinct driving technique that differs from driving without a load. Safety is paramount when towing, so it’s vital to maintain a safe speed and distance from other vehicles on the road. Additionally, when taking turns or corners, it’s necessary to slow down more than you typically would without a larger load.
Proper braking is also a critical aspect of safe towing. As it takes longer to come to a stop when towing, you should allow for extra stopping distance. Abruptly slamming on the brakes can result in load sway and increase the risk of an accident, so it’s best to brake gradually.
Tip 5: Be Prepared for Emergencies
Despite your level of preparedness, accidents and emergencies can still occur while towing. Thus, it’s crucial to equip yourself for any eventuality. You should always carry a spare tire and the necessary tools to replace a flat tire. Additionally, it’s advisable to have emergency supplies like water, blankets, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit in case of a breakdown in a remote location.
Besides having emergency supplies, you should also devise a plan for any mishaps or breakdowns that might occur during your road trip. It’s important to know the location of the nearest tow truck service and have a means of reaching them in case of an emergency.
Remember that everyone involved in the towing process, including the driver, passengers, and other road users, has a responsibility to ensure safe towing. By working together and adhering to these essential tips, we can all contribute to making towing a safe and pleasant experience.
Get in touch with us to see how we can help power your adventures.
Like this post? Share it!
You might also like...
12V Guru
12V Guru – Stay Connected
Looking at installing your own 12V products such as a DC-DC charger and shunt? Our 12V Guru discusses connectors and what you need to know here
TeamBMPRO
February 10, 2024
Announcements
LITHIUM BATTERY GUIDELINES TO AS/NZ3001.2:2002
This is a guide to help understand the requirements of the new standard in relation to lithium battery
Natasha Tran
October 18, 2023
