Whatever the salesperson told you, you have to believe that the “featherweight and easy to pull” trailer will serve as an anchor off the road. There are many aspects to be considered when towing off the road. All aspects of road use apply but there are certain circumstances that should be considered when towing off the road.
Which one to choose?
If you were to pick the main topic about “selecting the right trailer” then that you select a trailer that is first compatible with your vehicle’s towing capacity, and only after that, it should be able to fulfill your list of requirements. This is a means of selecting an option that has the same track width to that of the vehicle towing it and is within the weight towing limits of the tow vehicle.
Before proceeding, a additional piece of advice is to select the lightest trailer you can. As long as it’s well built, and you won’t regret it!
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TRAILER BREAK-OVER ANGLE AND JACK-KNIFE
Like a 4×4 car that has an angle of break over under its belly, the trailer/tow vehicle combination is also equipped with a break over angle that’s shared between both the wheels on the back of tow vehicles as well as the wheels of the trailer. This is different because the break over angle is constantly alter as obstacles are overcome and the trailer and vehicle turn, twist and increase and decrease.
In the same way, the trailer comes with a departure angle which is to be taken into account when off-roading.
However, there’s a further important aspect that needs to be taken into consideration, and that can be attributed to the fact that it is attached to the tow vehicle. It means the space between the front and rear end of the vehicle towing it is always changing, and the process of negotiating deep ditches, or “dongas” could cause the trailer to collide with tow vehicle as a result of the trailer being elevated over the top of the tow vehicle , or due to the the tow vehicle rising up the incline to a steep one.
Also, care must be taken not to make a sudden turn because the trailer could “jack-knife” to the rear side of the car to be tow.
SHARP Turns
A trailer with an identical track width to the tow vehicle allows the wheels of the trailer to follow on the same tracks as the vehicle towing it most times. But, off-road trailers typically will be faced with sharp turn. The trailer follows an elongated turning circle. This means that, in contrast to traveling on a straight path the wheels of the trailer will not be following the track of the vehicle towing it however, they will travel on the inside within the turning. This means that the trailer wheels could smash into objects along the end of the road, causing damage to the tyres or even breaking the springs or axles.
To get around this issue to overcome this, the vehicle that is to be tow must be able to turn wider than usual and remain on the side of the trail permitting enough room to accommodate the wheels of the trailer. This, in turn, puts to damage the wheel in front of the vehicle that is to be tow for damage, and a lot of care should be taken with this issue also.
All of them refer to one thing: towing a trailer takes an immense amount of attention and focus.
Tip: Make sure you drive slower when using the trailer, and ensure that you leave plenty of room for maneuvering.
SEEK OUT THE MASS OF A TRAILER
Today, it is wrong to talk about weight. It is actually the total weight of the tow vehicle. When looking at a trailer, be aware of what the rating for D/T is of the towing vehicle. This number should not exceed the total weight of the towed. This is the weight from the empty trailer, plus the total weight on the truck.
However, spare a thought for the tow vehicle that’s not so good. As an example, suppose that the D/T ratings on the vehicle to be used for towing is 4000 Kg. If you tow on the road, this is an enormous load, and the vehicle must exert a lot of effort to pull away from the road and leave this burden to the side. A huge off-road trailer could be equipped with an GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) of 2500 kg when fully loaded. It is apparent that the tow vehicle is able to handle the load with ease on tracks and roads that are dusty however when any deep sand gets in the way, that’s all there is to it. Even with the tyres of the tow the trailer and vehicle deflated you’ll end up getting stuck, and badly. Additionally towing these huge trailers off-road places an enormous strain on the mechanical parts of the vehicle and , in particular, cooling systems. When the speed is lower off-road, there is less airflow across the radiators as well as the oil coolers, which can lead to excessive heat in the engine and gearbox.
In summary, as an example the weight of the off-road trailer shouldn’t exceed 1/3 to 1/4 from the weight of D/T on the vehicle towing it if you intend to go on any serious off-roading.
Another area where the weight of the trailer poses an issue is the difficulty of climbing slopes. Because the trailer is a dead weight that means the trailer and vehicle combination will be only capable of climbing mild slopes. Furthermore the surface of the slope will play more of a part. If the tow vehicle fails to gain grip on the slope due to mud the additional weight of the trailer might be so heavy that the brakes might not be able to stop the descent. When you are assessing the slope be aware that in the event of something going wrong, you could be forced to reverse to the bottom with the trailer on.
The most difficult issue one faces is assessing the capabilities of the trailer and vehicle combination. There is no text book that can help you in this regard, since there are too numerous variables. The most difficult part is that even “experts” fall victim to the trap often. The trick is to not tackle a challenge in the event that you haven’t done it before, and begin with small steps!
A tip: One of the things you’ll need to master and master is reverse on trailers. If you aren’t able to learn this, do not think about purchasing an RV, because every off-road adventure is an unforgiving experience.
TRAILER Systems for braking
The first thing you will be able to notice is that the car is going to be slower in its progress because of the added weight behind. Off-road, this is going to be more apparent when the resistance to roll of the trailer grows in areas with poor flotation. However, this is not the most difficult part, the hard part is stopping a trailer that is incredibly affected.
Within the SA Licensing system, two distinct types that comprise “light” trailers are identified. The first trailer, having an all-up weight of less than 750Kg, is not required to possess brakes. Trailers that exceed that weight, are legally required to have a brake system that is activated by the braking force of the towing vehicle. This is known as an over-run or run-in brake. To find out if your truck is equipped with one of these brakes first, glance at your axle. If you see cables or rods running between the drawbar and the axle, then your trailer may be equipped with brakes. Take a look at your tow hitch. A trailer that has an over-run tow hitch is clearly identifiable because the tow hitch is installed on a shaft which is “pushed” towards (towards toward the back of the truck) which causes force to the rod or cable system and then applying the brakes on the trailer.
Another system can be found on extremely large trailers that makes use that uses vacuum or air to apply the brakes immediately the brake pedal of the vehicle is applied. This isn’t often used on trailers used off-road and can therefore be ignored in the context of this article.
A brake system usually comes with a hand brake, which lets the trailer be stored and not roll away.
If you are reversing using an over-run-equipped trailer, you must be aware that reverse braking can activate brakes in the same manner as braking will cause them to be activated. To avoid this the over-run hitch typically comes with a locking mechanism which is usually activated by another person sitting next to the hitch while you are reverse. After the lock is engaged the lock, you are able reverse your trailer. But, some devices will disable the locking mechanism when the trailer is running faster than the tow vehicle for a short period of time, and then the lock will need to be activated again before proceeding for reverse.
Certain trailers come with an automatic locking mechanism, that disables the brakes in the event the wheels are rotated in reverse.
A word of caution: this system is very effective when reversed, but it can cause the trailer to lose its handbrake when you push the trailer backwards with a hand.
When you purchase a trailer consult with your dealer to determine which system is installed on the trailer you are purchasing. Be sure to know what it is and what the limitations of it are.
However, on the subject of brake system, it’s recommended that any off-road vehicle regardless of size, come with at the very least an over-run brake system. It makes it more manageable on difficult, solid, dry slopes because the trailer is able to brake automatically and assist in reducing the braking effort of the towing vehicle. The descent of steep, muddy slopes by a trailer may cause the trailer to swing to one side , and then striking the vehicle. If the wheels become stuck in the mud, the vehicle remains largely uncontrollable. This should be avoided at all cost.
TRAINING LIGHTS AND REFLECTIVE GEAR.
A majority of off-road trailers now are equipped with circular LED “truck-lite” kind of lights. They are much better than those older lunchbox lights that have a shaped design. They’re not just better-lit and brighter, they’re also more reliable, specifically ones that are sealed. However, they are only as efficient as the wiring they are connected to. Verify that the wires are placed inside the chassis and are protected from flying stones as well as the groping branches and bushes. If they are exposed like when they connect with the towing vehicle they will require extra sheathing that protects them from stone and sand destruction. Be sure that you have wires that are sufficiently long to permit the vehicle to move without straining the wires, but they must not exceed the length of your vehicle, as they could drag across the ground as you go over obstacles. If you can, create an incredibly small hook from an elongated piece of wire which will raise them to the level that the hitch is.
Maintain the sockets for the lights in good working order and keep them away from view when the trailer isn’t being used, to ensure it is possible that the wheel will not ram over them and they aren’t damaged by rust.
The most frequent issues with trailer lights happens due to the fact that the earth cable on the socket of the tow vehicle or in the trailer’s wiring is damaged or not properly connected. This can be seen in the following manner. Connect the trailer to it and then insert the light coupler in the female socket of the towing vehicle. Once the ignition is switched on, turn on the headlights or the park and some of the blinkers. Then, check the lights on the trailer. When the lights on the trailer are on , and just the light on the indicator is blinking, then you should be fine. Just ask someone else to assist you in by checking the lights in all directions and make sure to check for the light on your number plate. If however, several or all the lights on the trailer appear to flash according to the vehicle’s indicator lights it is most likely that there is a fault with the wiring of the time, it’s an issue with the earth. Begin by looking at the earth wire of the tow vehicle, as it’s usually the cause.
Tips: Always have two or three spare lamps or globes for your trailer (ask an agent to add them into the price for the trailer as they’re typically very inexpensive) because repairing them after they’re damaged could save you the possibility of a large fine.
All trailers should be equipped with reflectors. The minimum requirement is two reflectors in white facing forward and two red reflectors facing rearward and three yellow reflectors each side, which is six yellow reflectors in total. Have two spares since they can be damaged by stones. A trailer must have an chevron-shaped plate at the rear, or two huge red reflectors or at least seven reflectors of red in the pattern of a particular.
For South Africa all trailers must be fitted with yellow reflective tape to the rear and sides of the trailer. However, each country has its own specifications. For instance in Mozambique the yellow diamond with blue background (of an exact size) is required to be affixed to the back of the trailer as well as at the top of the vehicle to be tow. The suggestion is that prior to taking towing in neighboring countries make sure you know which regulations are in place with an organization such as the AA.
SIMPLE LEVELLING DEVICE
Jockey wheels, which are fitted to the front of the trailer need to be fitted with winding mechanisms so that they are able to lift or lower the tow hitch to the ball of the vehicle, and also to raise the trailer’s level during camping. They must be built with solidity in case the trailer is in sand, the wheels may need to stand up to being dragged through sand under the total weight of the trailer’s front.
A jockey wheel must be able of retracting until it is in a minimum equal to the bottom of the trailer’s chassis (it should not be protruding beneath the chassis) and, if not, be fully removable, with a safe place to put it away from harm’s way.
RECOVERY
Like a vehicle must be equipped with the right recovery points, both front and back, the trailer must be equipped with a solid tow eye in the front and back and attached onto the vehicle chassis.
The trailer must also have Jacking points that will accept the high lift jack to allow lifting and recovery.
Tips: If you are looking to relocate the trailer through deep sand, one method to use is to bring the wheel of the jockey to its lowest point, and after which you can slide the shovel beneath the wheel. This will provide the wheel a greater area to press onto and it will then slide smoothly over the sand. The trailer is then carried through the sand by using an tow strap, and its front resting on a spade.
A summary of the instructions for towing trailers off road
* Learn how to reverse the trailer with the trailer mounted with only the side mirrors
* Buy your trailer based on the capabilities of your tow vehicle
* Find the tyres, wheels, and the track (axle size) on the trailer with the vehicle towing it.
* Ensure that the trailer (when it is loaded with more than 750 kilograms of mass) is fitted with over-run brakes. You should also instruct your driver on how to activate the reverse lock, in the event that it is installed.
* Ensure that electrical cables are properly protected and free of ground or the tangles
Be aware that acceleration is hindered by the weight of the trailer, and so is stopping, so allow plenty of room for stopping and increasing the distances to follow
* Trailers usually have a very high center of gravity, so consider that when you steer to avoid potholes or traversing steep slopes on the sides.
Make sure you plan your route well Make longer turns, leaving more room for the inner trailer wheel to rotate and stay clear of small spaces
* Plan for extra mass by avoiding steep slopes and descents
Keep the speed low off the road and stay on-road
Don’t over load the trailer. Also, balance the load with care, from between the front and back and from the left and right.
* You can load heavy items. the smallest in trailer
Be aware that fuel and water will be consumed throughout the journey and can alter the weight of the load
* Bring an extra spring or main blade, because even if have the knowledge to install it however, someone else in your group might be able put it in the event of an emergency
* If you are trying to maneuver the trailer in sandy conditions with a strap to pull it, lower the nose on the shovel, so it can move along, because the wheel on the jockey will dig in the sand.