Post Tagged with: "Traffic signs"

In the last two posts on the topic of traffic signs for towing a trailer, we have already introduced you to a few very important road signs and traffic signs that you should definitely pay attention to when towing a trailer. There are a handful of other traffic signs that we don’t want to leave out.

Traffic signs for vehicle combinations

Although the following traffic signs are relevant for towing a trailer, they only apply if the combination weighs more than 3.5 tons and the towing vehicle is neither a bus nor a car. So let’s assume that you mostly travel with a car and trailer, then these traffic signs are only important for you if your vehicle combination is particularly heavy. Again and again, drivers are unclear as to whether the following signs are relevant to them or not. In the following we summarize the most important information about the traffic signs for vehicle combinations.

The prohibition sign for trucks

The round prohibition sign shows a truck and states that a general driving ban applies to all motor vehicles with a permissible total weight of more than 3.5 tons. The sign also applies to trailers and their towing vehicles. The only exceptions are cars and buses. So if your motor vehicle is heavier, you will not be allowed to drive through after this sign.

Prohibition sign for heavy vehicles

Based on the actual mass of a motor vehicle, this round prohibition sign indicates how heavy a
vehicle may be in order to continue driving on the affected road. However, the plate refers to the actual mass (what the vehicle actually weighs), not the gross vehicle weight rating (what the vehicle is allowed to weigh). If you are traveling with a vehicle combination, for example with a trailer, then the weight of the individual vehicles is relevant, not the weight of  the combination.

The length of your vehicle on traffic signs

The last traffic sign with a red frame is about the length of your vehicle. Pictured is a truck as well
an indication of its length. The sign states that you would need to consider the actual length of the entire vehicle combination. If your team is longer than indicated on the sign, then you are not allowed to drive into the street. If you continue to drive, it may for example be the case that you will not be able to turn around in an emergency or that curves are too narrow for you. As with the other signs, a fine will be imposed for disregarding the sign.

In our second part on the subject of traffic signs, we have also put together important traffic signs that you should definitely observe when driving with the trailer in Germany. Of course, this does not mean that you can ignore other traffic signs, but the signs listed below deserve the special attention of trailer drivers and will help you to avoid dangerous situations with the trailer at an early stage.

Narrow lane when towing a trailer

As the driver of a trailer, you must keep an eye on the traffic sign for narrow lanes, especially if your trailer is wider than your towing vehicle. In this case, drive a little more carefully into the bottlenecks or danger spots, drive slowly and use your side mirrors.

In this case, caravan owners should pay particular attention to their trailer and trailer: additional side mirrors are helpful and advisable for towing a caravan, but you should always bear in mind that these change the width of the vehicle.

The traffic sign indicating traffic jam

In the event of a traffic jam, the driver of a trailer has to be particularly careful. Traffic jams harbor some pitfalls, the road narrows due to the emergency lane that is to be formed, and other road users who are not paying attention can lead to situations in which you have to react quickly. Therefore, always drive with foresight and keep calm when you are traveling with a trailer.

You also have to be particularly careful when congestion forms, as it is often necessary to brake harder for a short time. There are many factors that come together that are important to you: Your load should be well secured, you should always be vigilant and attentive in order to be able to recognize traffic jams and braking maneuvers early and to be able to react calmly but purposefully.

Special cases of traffic signs for trailer rides

There are three important road signs that specifically address the team. The first is the danger sign for caravans on inclines. Shown is a team with caravan, provided with the signature “Danger of skidding”. The sign warns of the danger of cross winds on downhill stretches on motorways. It is intended to draw your attention to possible changes in driving behavior.

A single caravan on a white background indicates parking spaces where a caravan may be parked for more than 14 days. Unhitched caravans can usually only be parked for two weeks, after which the parking lot must also be accessible to other road users – at least for a short time. Be sure to comply with this. In the event of a possible check, it is not sufficient to claim that the trailer has been moved, since the tire levels are usually noted and movement of the caravan must be clearly recognizable.

A white sign showing a car with a trailer tells you that the rules of the other signs only apply to teams. The additional sign always refers to the traffic sign that is attached directly above the additional sign.

Traffic 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 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.