Important traffic signs when towing a trailer (Part 1)

16. Februar 2022 um 14:24

Traffic signsTraffic signs are essential in road traffic, they regulate traffic, remind people of rules and indicate dangerous spots to road users. You have certainly learned something about all traffic signs in the driving school, we have put together the most important traffic signs for you that you should always keep an eye on when driving with the trailer in Germany. However, please always pay attention to all traffic signs and be alert in traffic – regardless of whether you have a trailer or not.

The trailer ride on slopes and inclines

The two signs indicate whether there is a downhill or an uphill gradient on a road and how large these are. Both are important when driving with a trailer because of the additional weight of the trailer. It can affect the driving behavior and change it from is usual ways – especially when going up or down steep hills. When driving uphill, for example, it is important to drive with foresight and keep an eye on the engine performance. When driving downhill you have to consider that the braking distance changes, accordingly, you must brake earlier and also keep the engine brake in mind as an additional way to brake. In our blog post we have put together more information about towing a trailer on uphill and downhill gradients.

Uneven roadways and their consequences

The traffic sign for uneven roads is important for you as a driver, because bumps in the road can cause the load to behave differently than usual. The load could come loose or start moving. In both cases, this also influences the handling of the vehicle combination. This is just one of the reasons why it is very important to always secure your cargo well. You can read about how best to do this in our blog post on load securing.

Slippery roads when towing a trailer

Even when driving without a trailer, slippery roads are a risk that drivers should always keep an eye on since it may be required https://www.how-to-towbar.com/2018/safe-loading-for-the-drive-with-trailer/to adjust the driving style accordingly. When a trailer starts to slide, it can have very different effects. If the trailer simply slides forward, you as the driver must ensure that you also use the engine brake when braking. The reason is that your car will also slide more, since the weight of the trailer exerts additional force on the vehicle from behind. If the trailer shears out and slides sideways, dangerous situations can quickly arise. It is important for you to remain as calm as possible and to avoid hectic braking and steering maneuvers in any case.

The traffic sign for cross wind when driving a car

This traffic sign is similar to slippery roads: if side winds act on your trailer, it can also happen that you start to sway and the trailer  cannot be steered as usual. Above a certain size, the trailers offer a lot of contact surface for the wind and can be pushed away quickly, especially when they are not loaded. In cross winds, always drive slowly and carefully.

Trailer hitches for pick-ups: These are the special features

26. Januar 2022 um 16:31

pick upsNot only are pick-ups visually different, they are also not exactly ordinary in terms of their pulling power and their use. Pick-ups are mainly used in agriculture, the construction industry and forestry and are characterized by their large loading platform and their high towing power.

By retrofitting a trailer hitch, every pick-up simply becomes a towing vehicle, but unlike other vehicles, there are small special features. We present the different options for retrofitting a trailer hitch on your pick-up in the following passages. This much can be said: Your choice is between a detachable trailer hitch and a rigid trailer hitch.

Practical and versatile: The rigid hitch with removable plate

The fixed hitch for the pick-ups is much more versatile than normal, rigid trailer hitches. You can optionally order an interchangeable plate system and expand the trailer hitch for your pick-up like this: With the interchangeable plate system, you not only have a rigid ball hitch as you know it, but also a plate for a jaw coupling. This is of particular interest in the area of ​​agriculture and forestry, as many trailers can only be towed there with a jaw coupling, such as that installed on tractors. With the interchangeable plate system, you work with a lever system that allows you to exchange the individual plates in just two movements.

A major advantage of the interchangeable plate system, in addition to the two different towbars, is the option of not having either plate on the pick-up. When not in use, the lever system is simply covered with a cover plate so that you don’t have a visible towbar on the pick-up. You are also very flexible with the fixed towbar including the plate system and can always spontaneously decide to use the pick-up as the towing vehicle for transport.

The detachable trailer hitch for pick-ups

As with all other vehicles, you can also install a detachable towbar on your pick-up. The towbar in the MVG system 2040, for example, is operated using a rotary knob. You can easily mount the ball rod at any time and just as easily remove it again when your trailer ride ends. Due to a product innovation, the system is characterized above all by the fact that you do not need a protective plug to hold your ball rod, even when used in forestry and agriculture as well as in the construction industry. Our towbars are designed in such a way that they can be easily cleaned even if they are heavily soiled in the above-mentioned trades and do not lose their functionality despite the lack of a protective plug. Would you like to learn more about the protective plug and the product innovation? Then read our blog post.

You can find out more about our towbars for pick-ups in our shop or on our information page (in German).

When can I drive a trailer without a license?

30. Oktober 2021 um 15:49

Driver's license for trailersA special driver’s license is required for driving with a trailer. But is that always true? As a rule, you have to obtain a special trailer driver’s license and also take a driving test and a driving test. However, there is a special case for which you do not need a license and can still pull a trailer. You can also find out more about the common driver’s licenses for driving a trailer in Germany in our blog post on the subject.

Driving a trailer without a license: Allowed in this case

Driving without a special trailer license is only allowed in Germany if you meet a few criteria. For a start your trailer may not be heavier than 750 kg. In addition, the trailer must not exceed the weight of the vehicle with which you are pulling the trailer. The trailer must therefore always be lighter than the towing vehicle.

If your trailer is heavier than 750 kg, the weight of your combination, i.e. towing vehicle and trailer together, must in any case be less than 3500 kg. Before driving a trailer without a trailer driver’s license, you must first carefully check the registration certificates of the towing vehicle and trailer and add up the values ​​that are specified there for the respective weight. In principle, you can then do without the driver’s license for the trailer, but you must always have a class B driver’s license and carry it with you.

Possible penalties

Driving without a suitable driver’s license is not just an administrative offense in Germany. So you must be aware that if you are driving the trailer without a valid trailer driver’s license, i.e. you do not have a trailer driver’s license, and you do not meet the above criteria, you are liable to prosecution. Make sure that you adhere to the criteria listed if you do not have a class BE driving license. If you have just forgotten your driver’s license, but it is valid, then you only have to expect a warning fee at a police control.

When does the towbar need to be removed and why?

19. Oktober 2021 um 10:55

detachable towbarThe detachable trailer hitch is a practical and convenient solution: If you want to drive the trailer for a short time, but do not necessarily always want to have a trailer hitch mounted on the vehicle, you can remove it at any time. A rigid ball bar does not offer this and can sometimes be a nuisance, for example when loading the car. Often, vehicle owners do not want to permanently drive around with an unused trailer coupling on the vehicle, as this is seen as an interference with the vehicle’s optics, depending on the model.

The detachable towbar is a good alternative, after all, it can be removed at any time in only a few simple steps and is then neither actually nor visually in the way. However, the detachable towbar should be removed in some situations. Although there are no regulations, you should keep a few points in mind.

That is why you should remove the detachable towbar in these cases

Depending on the trailer coupling and vehicle, it may be that the removal of the ball rod is noted in the vehicle documents and thus made a requirement for driving without a trailer. This case can apply, for example, if the towbar would cover the license plate. This is not allowed and must be avoided when driving without a trailer, so you should remove the towball.

Basically, it makes sense to remove the towball whenever you are not pulling a trailer. This is mainly due to insurance reasons. For example, if you back up to another vehicle while parking, the risk of damage to the opposing vehicle with your trailer hitch still installed is higher. This also comes into play in rear-end collisions, although in that case you are only partly to blame if you did not remove the ball bar. Many insurance companies advise you to always remove the ball rod when it is not in use. By doing that, you can minimize personal or third-party damage and you can be sure that the claims that may be made to the insurance company are not reduced.

Should there ever be a rear-end collision with the tow bar installed, i.e. if someone crashes your car from behind and you have not taken off the towbar, the warranty for the entire trailer hitch expires and it must be replaced. The reason for this is that the smallest cracks in the trailer coupling cannot be ruled out. But even if you have removed the towball and someone hits you on your rear, you should at least contact the manufacturer of the trailer coupling and reassure yourself there with regard to a possibly necessary replacement for the cross member.

Trailer driving on slopes and inclines

8. Oktober 2021 um 16:28

Trailer driving on slopes and inclinesDriving on a mountain, i.e. uphill or downhill, is still a challenge for many drivers even after driving school. With the trailer, it can be even more difficult, not least because of the additional weight. In this article we explain to you which points you should pay particular attention to when driving with a trailer on roads with slopes or inclines and how you can master these hurdles well.

This is how you drive your trailer on an incline

If you are traveling with a trailer and have to pass an incline, the towing vehicle – especially with a fully loaded trailer – is subject to greater stress. The engine has to work on a higher level. This is easier if you shift down a gear and thereby increase the engine power. If the gear is too high, your team will slow down. You may even have to stop and start on the mountain. Although this is not impossible, it leads to unnecessarily heavy wear on the towing vehicle. If it can be avoided, then you should drive with enough foresight, shift down a gear and still not exceed the speed – this is the only way you can still be proactive. If it is necessary to start off on the mountain with a trailer, then it is essential to use the handbrake for support, as you once learned in driving school.

Trailer driving on sloping roads

Roads with gradients hold a few small pitfalls for your journey with the trailer. On the one hand, your trailer always pushes your team on journeys that go downhill. So you have to keep in mind that the entire weight of the (loaded) trailer will push from behind. On the other hand, this means that your team is a little faster than you intended, and thus, the braking distance is also longer.

So you should act early on roads with a gradient, keep an eye on the possibly higher speed early on and reduce it. At the same time, it is advisable to engage a lower gear, as you can then use the engine brake to assist. If you only brake with the brakes of the towing vehicle, it is possible that these will overheat due to the higher load and their effectiveness will decrease. Important: Never switch off the engine when driving downhill with a trailer. Switching off would cause aids such as power steering and brake booster to fail.

Consider these points when driving with a rear bike carrier in Germany, Austria or Switzerland

10. September 2021 um 17:07

rear bike carrierFor transporting bicycles, the rear bicycle carrier is above all practical and uncomplicated. But so that your journey goes without problems, you should definitely keep a few points in mind when driving in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.

The third license plate is compulsory in Germany

Once your rear bike carrier is loaded, it mainly covers the license plate. According to the German StVO, the license plate must always be visible. In Germany it is therefore mandatory to attach a third license plate, i.e. a replacement license plate, to the rear bike rack. When buying the carrier, it is best to ensure that it has a way of attaching the license plate. You can easily get a third license plate from the Road Traffic Office. The best thing to do is to mount it firmly on the carrier so that it cannot be forgotten. Important: It is not necessary to stamp the license plate.

Also make sure that the lighting of your vehicle is not covered when transporting the bicycles. Since this often cannot be avoided, your rear bike carrier should also have lighting that can be connected to the vehicle electronics via the socket at the rear.

In Austria you need a red license plate

In Austria, too, you have to mount a third license plate on the rear bike rack if your cargo covers the original license plate. The specialty, however, is that you need a red license plate. You also have to pay attention to the lighting on the rear bike carrier, which is already known from Germany.

The load securing and loading of the rear bike carrier in Switzerland

In addition to the third number plate and the lighting, there is a special focus on loading the rear bike carrier and securing the load in Switzerland. The bicycles must explicitly not be wider than the vehicle and not pose a risk to road traffic. There is an interesting special rule with regard to the dimensions: the bike must not exceed the total length of two meters, but it would also be okay if the bike protrudes 20 cm on each side above the vehicle. If you have an accident in Switzerland due to an incorrectly secured load, you will have to pay for the damage in any case. In our neighboring country, make sure to lash the bikes tightly and use all the safety measures provided on the rear bike carrier. Uninstall any other parts on the bike that could easily fall off, such as air pumps, saddle pads or baskets, and avoids the use of a cover. Above all, the latter would also affect the driving behavior of your vehicle.

The speed limit with the rear bike rack

Most European countries do not have a speed limit for driving with a rear bike rack, but you should pay attention to what the manufacturers of the rack specify and you should not exceed these values.

Make sure to also pay attention to the rules for transport on the rear bike carrier in other EU countries.

Rear bike carrier or roof carrier: which is better for your transport?

13. August 2021 um 16:29

Rear bike carrierIf you want to take the bikes with you on vacation or are planning a bike tour far away from home, the best way to transport the bikes is by car. You have various options for the transportation as you can use the rear bike carrier on the one hand. On the other hand, you have the option of transporting bicycles on the roof of most vehicles. But which of the two options offers which advantages?

Transport with the rear bike carrier

Of course, you need a towbar to transport your bikes on a rear bike rack. The rear bicycle carrier is placed on the towbar and fixed to the ball head. At the same time, you have to make sure that your rear bike rack has a lighting system and is equipped with a license plate, as both can be hidden on the vehicle when the bikes are being transported. Before driving off, you should also check the width of the vehicle with the bicycles on the carrier, the bicycles should not protrude beyond the width of the vehicle. Make sure that you do not overload your rear bike carrier and that you secure and fasten the bikes well.

The German ADAC also recommends paying special attention to the speed at which you are driving with the rear bicycle carrier. The driving behavior of your vehicle can change due to the carrier and its load, also due to the increased air resistance. TheADAC recommendation is therefore not to drive faster than 120 km / h and not to use a cover.

Your bicycles for transport on the roof

The first requirement for transporting the bicycles on the roof is a roof rail on your vehicle. The carrier system is attached to this. As with loading the rear bike rack, you have to make sure that this and the vehicle are not overloaded when transporting with the roof rack. You should therefore always keep an eye on the roof load and also know the weight of your individual bicycles.

The loading of the roof rack is a little more complex than with the rear bike rack and the loading height is of course more uncomfortable for you. It is best to protect the car with a blanket while it is being loaded and make sure that the two of you load the roof with the bicycles.

When driving with a roof rack loaded with bicycles, you should also make sure not to be traveling too fast. Of course, this transport option also changes the driving behavior of the car accordingly. When driving into underground garages, tunnels or under locking beams, you should make sure in advance that it is also possible to drive in with the bicycles on the roof.

You have to pay attention to this when you are abroad

In some countries protruding cargo must be marked. In Germany we do not know this from the ride with the rear bike carrier, but it is necessary in Spain, Portugal, Austria or Belgium, for example. The type of marking for protruding cargo is regulated individually for each country, it is best to inform yourself before your trip in order to avoid fines during your journey.

Park and uncouple the trailer: Pay attention to these points

12. Juli 2021 um 16:02

Parking the trailerAfter your trailer ride, your trailer must be safely “stowed away” again. We have put together a few tips for you on parking, uncoupling and securing the trailer, which you should pay attention to when parking the trailer.

This is how you park your trailer

Reversing with a trailer can be a bit difficult at times. As always, it is easiest when you have someone to instruct you. And: practice makes perfect. Reversing works best when you know your team really well and can assess how the trailer will react to your steering movements.
Before parking, you should make sure that the space or gap where the trailer is to be parked is large enough and that there are no obstacles in the way. You should also have enough space in front of you for maneuvering. Clear possible obstacles – if  necessary – out of the way and look for landmarks in advance that you can have a good view of when reversing and help you to position the trailer.

If, for example, you have to hit a gap in a number of other trailers, it can be helpful if you are already trying to move the trailer as close as possible to the gap when you are driving forward so that you don’t have to go as far in reverse. In principle, think in advance what you can already consider when driving forwards in order to make it easier for you to drive backwards. Always avoid hectic steering movements. It is better to stop once too much than too little to make sure that everything fits and that you can get the trailer to stop exactly where you want it to be.

Safety first

When you have parked the trailer, you should first make sure that the trailer is secured and prevent it from rolling away as soon as you have released it from the towing vehicle. Use wheel chocks for this and be sure to tighten the trailer’s brake as a first step. Then dissolve the electronic connection between the trailer and the towing vehicle and clear the trailer’s power cable in the receptacle that is often provided for it. Then crank the trailer’s support wheel down and lift the trailer off the trailer hitch. Only as the last step do you loosen the breakaway cable. This is an important point in your hanging out routine and a final safeguard to prevent the trailer from rolling away. Only loosen the breakaway cable if you are sure that you have completed all the other steps beforehand and that the trailer is safe and secure and, above all, cannot roll away.

Attaching the trailer: The most important steps

2. Juni 2021 um 18:14

Attaching the trailerYou are about to start your first trip with the trailer, but you have not yet attached it yourself? We have a few tips for you and explain the most important steps for securely and easily attaching your trailer.

Driving to the trailer backwards

When approaching the trailer, you should focus on precision and take your time. First, pay attention to where your trailer is. For example, is there a enough space left and right and behind the trailer? Are there possible obstacles that you should not only have in the back of your head, but should also be cleared out of the way beforehand? It is of course easiest if you have a helper whom you can place beside the trailer and who will then instruct you. But even without a helper, you can attach the trailer by yourself with a little practice.

Make sure that you drive as straight as possible in front of the trailer and that your trailer hitch is positioned as centrally as possible towards the trailer. With a little practice, you can also identify landmarks on the trailer that will help you to center the towing vehicle backwards towards the trailer.

You should be careful not to drive too fast. Especially when you are alone, it is better to slowly make your way towards the trailer than to risk a dent in the back of your car. A mark on the ground may help you to better estimate the distance so that you don’t have to get out of the car to check the remaining distance to the trailer. A mirror that you mount on the trailer or a rear-view camera for your vehicle (if this is not part of the equipment already, the camera can also be retrofitted) will help you approach the trailer.

Attaching the trailer

The time has come, your towing vehicle is centered in front of the drawbar of the trailer. Now you slowly crank the support wheel down, making sure that you hit the trailer hitch on the towing vehicle as precisely as possible. On some trailers, cranking down is hindered by the trailer’s parking brake. You should only solve the parking brake once you have made sure that the trailer cannot roll forwards or backwards. It is best to use wheel chocks if you have to release the parking brake early.

If you have cranked the trailer down so far that it is in contact with the towbar, the trailer may jump onto the towbar by itself and lock into place. If this is not the case, you lift the lever on the ball coupling slightly and use it to open the trailer coupling so that you can place the trailer on the trailer coupling and attach it. When you let go of the lever, the ball hitch lock should automatically click into place. To be sure that the lock has worked, you can crank the support wheel up a little. If the trailer does not detach from the towbar, everything is locked correctly.

Security check: Is everything correct?

With the locking of the ball coupling on the trailer coupling, you have already passed the first security check. Then you attach the breakaway cable and plug in the plug for the power connection between the towing vehicle and the trailer. Now all you have to do is check the support wheel and, if necessary, bring it into its parking position, release the trailer’s brake, remove any wedges and you can drive out of the trailer’s parking space. Also, briefly make sure that all lamps and indicators on the trailer are working correctly. Then you are ready for your journey.

You can read about how to correctly secure your load when driving a trailer in our blog post.

Registration for your trailer: the most important information

14. Mai 2021 um 17:51

Registration of your trailerIf you get a new trailer, then you should definitely plan the trip to the registration office. A trailer for a car is not registration-free and you have to get official license plates in addition to the registration. In order to get this and to be able to use your new trailer for the first trip, you have to register your trailer. You can only use it in road traffic with a valid license.

These documents are needed for the registration of your trailer

So that your trailer is approved and your new license plates can be issued, you can’t avoid driving to the responsible registration office. When you are on site, you need the following documents so that your approval can be issued: You need the manufacturer’s certificate or confirmation of a valid general inspection by a testing organization such as the German DEKRA or TÜV, which confirms that your trailer is roadworthy. If the “TÜV” has expired, there will be a fine depending on the duration of the overdraft, so make sure that the general inspection is still valid. You should also be able to identify yourself, for example with an identity card. Also have the registration certificate part I and II with you in any case. Finally, you need an insurance code from your insurance company, alternatively you can also bring a double insurance card with you.

No papers?

Even if you don’t have any papers, you can register the trailer, but this is much more difficult. Such an exception is only made if the vehicle registration or registration document has been lost, not if you have forgotten it at home. In the case of lost documents, the responsible authorities first check who the actual owner of your trailer is. Of course, a sales contract between you and the seller is helpful here and can accelerate the process. In addition, of course, it must also be checked whether the trailer has been reported as stolen. A replacement for the lost documents can usually be requested promptly, the old license plate should be known and the vehicle registration document should ideally still be available.