Message from 2017-10-12 at 13:47 o'clock
Rameder’s tips on how to travel with trailers safely in winter
Stability and safety
Be it a snowmobile, Christmas tree or a number of punch bowls you want to carry: you may need a trailer even in winter. But what do you have to do to be safe in adverse weather conditions? Rameder, Europe’s largest provider of automotive transport solutions and towbars, has some tips on how to cope with ice, snow, rain and slush.
1st lesson: drive carefully, slowly and keep a safe distance
A trailer-car combination is longer, heavier and, due to the coupling, less stable than a car on its own. So, keep a safe distance to the vehicles in front of you and drive slowly to have a shorter braking distance. This also helps to avoid any abrupt movement and to have some space left to evade objects. Do also avoid abrupt movements when steering and don’t brake hard. A slow speed also prevents rocking and rolling, as is so typical on slippery roads. What also makes sense is a special trailer safety training. Ask your automotive association. While winter tyres may not be mandatory for trailers, experts recommend them anyway, for models with their own braking system in particular.
2nd lesson: assistants and technical condition
Some modern cars have the recommendable trailer ESP. If not, or if you want to upgrade your car, an anti-roll device is worth your money. It is mounted on the trailer and works through integrated friction linings. Rameder has the universally retrofittable WS3000 for about €379. Tests have shown that combinations with trailers featuring their own brakes stop 25% faster. But the braking system must be in top condition, of course. You will get brake shoe spares for common models at www.rameder.eu. Poor visibility and darkness also make driving in winter more dangerous than in summer. So, check your trailer’s lights before any trip you may take. Again, you will get spare lamps and wires or reflectors from Rameder. If the trailer has a mechanical indicator at the drawbar that shows if it has been connected correctly, this may have to be de-iced if it’s very cold. You can also do that before temperatures plummet below 0°.
3rd lesson: secure your load
To be sure, you need to secure your load all year round. But in winter it is even more necessary because, for example, a trailer-car combination may break out much faster and you also may need to brake hard more often. Your cargo should then not be turned into bullets. So, please use certified lashing straps or a special net. And pack your cargo flush so it won’t slip away. In order to protect damageable load from the weather, a trailer should be closed. If you have a tarped-off trailer, check the tarp’s condition. If hooks, eyes or small parts should be broken, Rameder has the right spares.
1st lesson: drive carefully, slowly and keep a safe distance
A trailer-car combination is longer, heavier and, due to the coupling, less stable than a car on its own. So, keep a safe distance to the vehicles in front of you and drive slowly to have a shorter braking distance. This also helps to avoid any abrupt movement and to have some space left to evade objects. Do also avoid abrupt movements when steering and don’t brake hard. A slow speed also prevents rocking and rolling, as is so typical on slippery roads. What also makes sense is a special trailer safety training. Ask your automotive association. While winter tyres may not be mandatory for trailers, experts recommend them anyway, for models with their own braking system in particular.
2nd lesson: assistants and technical condition
Some modern cars have the recommendable trailer ESP. If not, or if you want to upgrade your car, an anti-roll device is worth your money. It is mounted on the trailer and works through integrated friction linings. Rameder has the universally retrofittable WS3000 for about €379. Tests have shown that combinations with trailers featuring their own brakes stop 25% faster. But the braking system must be in top condition, of course. You will get brake shoe spares for common models at www.rameder.eu. Poor visibility and darkness also make driving in winter more dangerous than in summer. So, check your trailer’s lights before any trip you may take. Again, you will get spare lamps and wires or reflectors from Rameder. If the trailer has a mechanical indicator at the drawbar that shows if it has been connected correctly, this may have to be de-iced if it’s very cold. You can also do that before temperatures plummet below 0°.
3rd lesson: secure your load
To be sure, you need to secure your load all year round. But in winter it is even more necessary because, for example, a trailer-car combination may break out much faster and you also may need to brake hard more often. Your cargo should then not be turned into bullets. So, please use certified lashing straps or a special net. And pack your cargo flush so it won’t slip away. In order to protect damageable load from the weather, a trailer should be closed. If you have a tarped-off trailer, check the tarp’s condition. If hooks, eyes or small parts should be broken, Rameder has the right spares.
Press contacts
| Rameder Anhängerkupplungen und Autoteile GmbH | IKmedia GmbH |
|---|---|
| Marcel Räse | Oliver Schielein, Andreas Hempfling |
| Am Eichberg Flauer 1 | Friedenstraße 33 |
| 07338 Leutenberg OT Munschwitz • Germany | 90571 Schwaig bei Nürnberg • Germany |
| Phone +49 36734 35 745 • Fax +49 36734 35 753 | Phone +49 911 570 320 0 • Fax +49 911 570 320 69 |