TRAILER TOWING TIPS

The only certainty about life is that no two days are ever the same, from transporting goods and furniture to driving around your holiday luggage and even your valuables. Most of us with limited trunk space will make use of trailers in our day-to-day life – the key is to make sure that everyone driving vehicles and towing trailers have the correct licences and know the regulations. The last thing anyone wants is to have a claim denied in case of an accident, so here’s everything you need to know about safely towing a trailer.

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Drivers licences: the difference between codes EB and B

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Firstly, there is the code EB licence – the former code 8. When card type licences were introduced, all drivers in possession of the old code 8 licence were automatically converted to code EB, which would allow the licensee to tow a caravan or trailer weighing in excess of 750kg. Drivers who obtained a B licence after the conversion may incorrectly assume that they are licenced to tow a trailer or caravan with a GVM of more than 750kg.

However, drivers need to be aware that an ordinary driver’s licence (code B) only allows them to tow a trailer with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) less than 750kg. For anything larger, such as a caravan, a code EB is required. Licence codes EC1 and EC also allows for towing GVM in excess of 750kg.

Tip: The indicator that one may tow more than 750kg is the ‘E’ in the licence code – EB, EC and EC1. This legislation has been around for some years already, but many are still unaware of this requirement.

Drivers who possess a code B or C licence and needs to tow a trailer or caravan weighing in excess of 750kg, will need to apply for and be tested for a code EB, EC or EC1 licence.

Driver’s licence vs. vehicle licence

A driver’s licence must not be confused with the vehicle licence. To tow legally, you should consider the following factors: the towing and load specifications of the towing vehicle, the tow bar rating and the specifications of the trailer or caravan. The following terminology is used in calculating towing equation:

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• Tare: The ‘dry weight’ of the vehicle – the mass of the vehicle without passengers, fuel or luggage, but including standard fittings.

• Payload: the maximum mass the vehicle may carry, including passengers, fuel and luggage.

• Gross vehicle mass (GVM): the sum of Tare and Payload.

• Gross combination mass (GCM): the sum of the gross vehicle mass of the towing vehicle and maximum towing capacity as stated by the manufacturer.

• Manufacturer’s maximum towing capacity: the maximum towing capacity specified by manufacturer in kilograms. A distinction is drawn between self-braked trailers/caravans and those without own brakes.

• Tow bar static load and tow bar maximum drawing capacity: as specified by the manufacturer.

What to know about trailer and caravan weight

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• If the trailer/caravan exceeds 750kg and has its own braking system, the weight of the vehicle must be equal to or more than the weight of the trailer/caravan.

• For trailers up to 750kg, the Tare of the vehicle must be double that of the trailer. In other words, should a trailer weigh 750kg, the vehicle must weigh at least 1 500kg. Please note that most smaller vehicles have a Tare of less than 1 500kg.

• Remember: the fitment of extras to a vehicle or trailer/caravan will affect the weight and will necessitate that the Tare mass of the vehicle be recalculated.

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Cross Border Information

Travelling Southern Africa by road can be a wonderful experience, but to stay safe you should be aware of all the relevant regulations and precautions.

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Stickers, Triangles and Safety Gear

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It is compulsory for any South African vehicle, caravan or trailer to have a ZA sign displayed when it crosses any of the borders. The ZA sign must be placed on the rear of each vehicle, caravan and trailer in a visible position and may not be within 150mm of the rear number plate.

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When travelling in Mozambique with a vehicle in tow, you are required to display a set of blue and yellow warning triangles. One triangle must be placed on the front right bumper of the vehicle and the other on the rear of the vehicle towed.

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When travelling in Zimbabwe and towing any caravan or trailer, you will be required to display a set of T-signs. The white T-sign must be placed on the extreme right of the caravan or trailer whilst the red T-sign must be placed on the extreme right rear of the same caravan or trailer.

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When travelling with any South African registered vehicle in Mozambique you will need to have a set of red warning triangles in your possession.

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Regulations are as follows:

• Each side of your triangle must be 500mm long and 50mm wide, with a thickness of roughly 5mm.

• The triangle must be uniformly covered in red reflective material.

• The back of the triangle must either be uniformly white, or have a 5mm-wide white border.

• The edge of the triangle must be yellow.

• The reflective surfaces must be well-maintained.

• The triangle must be visible from at least 100m in the presence of light.

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It is now compulsory for motorists to carry the reflective jackets when travelling to Mozambique. Your reflective vest must be made from polyester and it must be closable at the front and adjustable on all sides.

The vest must be equipped with polyvinyl reflective strips, no less than 400mm wide, in yellow or green on the front, to the sides, and on the back of the vest. The vest must be worn when at the scene of a car accident, when repairing your vehicle on the side of the road and when reloading cargo that has fallen from your vehicle on to the road.

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Click Here to view more Information as supplied by the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA SA)