Vehicle towing, loading and trailers

Vehicle towing and loading As a driver : • you MUST NOT tow more than your licence permits. • you MUST NOT overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading is more common with public transport operators. • You should not tow a weight greater than that recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle. • you MUST secure your load and it MUST NOT stick out dangerously. Make sure any heavy or sharp objects and any animals are secured safely. If there is a collision, they might hit someone inside the vehicle and cause serious injury or death. • you should properly distribute the weight in your caravan or trailer with heavy items mainly over the axle(s) and ensure a downward load on the tow ball.

Manufacturer's recommended weight and tow ball load should not be exceeded. This should avoid the possibility of swerving or snaking and going out of control. If this does happen, ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently to regain control, do not try to fight with the vehicle's steering.

• carrying a load or pulling a trailer may require you to adjust the headlights.

In the event of a breakdown, be aware that towing a vehicle on a tow rope is potentially dangerous. You should consider professional recovery or a tow-bar.