How to Make Sure That Your New Trailer Is Ready for Nighttime Driving
If you've recently bought a new boat and intend to use it throughout the year, you'll need to get used to towing it behind your vehicle during the hours of darkness. This will require an extra level of awareness if you're going to reach your destination safely and with due consideration for other road users. Before you set off on any journey, you need to get used to going through a specific routine to make sure everything is in good working order. What should this routine include?
Where to Start
When towing at night, the most important issue is visibility. You may have been very attentive when you first fitted or subsequently checked the lighting system, but you should know that these systems are notorious for picking up faults on a regular basis, due to the constant vibration that the trailer endures when towing on uneven roads.
Lighting Checks
Once you have the trailer hooked up to the towing vehicle, turn on all the lights and check not just the towing vehicle but the trailer carefully to see that all are working as intended. You will need somebody to sit in the driver's seat to press the brake pedal and to put the vehicle in reverse to check the rear-facing light if you have one fitted.
As the plug that connects the two vehicles together sits in a vulnerable location, you will need to check the metal pins and the casing as well to make sure that no damage has ensued in the meantime.
Furthermore, look at the cabling that runs along the length of the trailer for any damage or exposed wires. If something does not appear to be working properly, begin by checking individual bulbs, as most faults are caused by broken filaments. For more information on trailer lighting, contact a local business.
Wheels and Tyres
Once you've checked the lighting, have a look at the wheels and tyres and make sure that the rubber is inflated to the recommended pressure. You will need the same amount of tread depth on the trailer tyres as the towing vehicle to comply with legislation and make sure that the wheel nuts are attached properly and correctly torqued.
Safety Cable and Loading
Finally, make sure that the breakaway cable or secondary coupling is in good condition and correctly attached and always make sure that you load the trailer properly, while never exceeding maximum stipulated weight.
Next Steps
If you come across any faults (especially with the lighting) that you cannot pinpoint or rectify, get in touch with experts to help you before you set out.