The trailer checks listed below should be made before each journey.
The driver of the towing vehicle, or the trailer operator, holds the responsibility for the safe operation of the trailer and therefore needs to carry out the following checks before each journey:
- Is the actual gross weight that is being towed within the towing vehicle manufacturer's recommended maximum towing limit? This applies to both a braked or un-braked situation.
- Is the load within the trailer's official payload? - i.e. Make sure it is not overloaded.
- If the trailer is laden is the load correctly and evenly distributed i.e. Not too much or too little nose weight?
- Have you correctly secured the load?
- Are all the lights working correctly and undamaged?
- Is the correct number plate fitted? This applies to both registration number and style.
- Are all tyres free from cuts, bulges and with adequate tread and are the tyre pressures correct? These checks also apply to the spare tyre. Tyres must have a continuous tread depth of at least 1.60 mm on cars, light vans and trailers, across the centre three-quarters of the width (1mm for other vehicles).
- Are the wheel nuts and bolts tightened to the correct torque?
- If required are the mudguards in satisfactory condition and securely fitted?
- Is the trailer correctly coupled to the towball or pin?
- Is the coupling height correct? i.e. Not excessively nose up or nose down.
- Is the breakaway cable or secondary coupling undamaged and correctly connected, to a suitable point on the tow bar or towing vehicle?
- Is the jockey wheel and any corner steadies or prop stands fully wound up secure?
- Always follow these rules when towing:
- Make sure that the nose weight is between 50 and 100kg unless the trailer is very light.
- Make sure the tyre pressures are correct.
- Make sure the trailer is level when coupled to the towing vehicle.