Driving with a trailer takes practice – and it's important to observe legal regulations regarding who is allowed to tow what. (Photo: © Messe Düsseldorf/Constanze Tillmann)
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September 2023
Hitch up a trailer and off you go? It's not quite that simple. Here's what drivers should be aware of.
A trailer needs to be moved , perhaps a large one like a caravan ? This marks the beginning of a whole new chapter in driving. The moment you hitch up your flexible passenger car, it transforms into a not-so-maneuverable vehicle combination , for which its own set of rules applies. This applies both legally and practically, as the experts at GTÜ (German Association for Technical Inspection) offer helpful tips for beginners and a refresher for those who only hitch up their caravan during the holidays.
This helps ensure that all steps are carried out carefully when coupling up: connecting the towbar to the ball hitch on the car, closing the anti-sway coupling (if present), plugging in the electrical cable , and finally, checking whether the breakaway cable is attached to the coupling . At the end, check everything one last time to make sure the trailer can't detach from the ball hitch. This has actually happened before.
Safe coupling also includes the mandatory test of all rear lights on the trailer . Furthermore, not only the trailer's tires , but especially the car's tires, must be inflated to the correct pressure for towing. The owner's manual provides the relevant information. Is the jockey wheel raised and locked in this position? Are the additional side mirrors (for extra-wide trailers) mounted? Have the wheel chocks been removed from the road ? If all these questions have been answered positively, you're ready to go.
The experienced driver mentally switches to a different mode at this moment: they are essentially controlling a completely different vehicle than usual . For the inexperienced driver, it helps to keep reminding themselves of this: from this moment on, they must accept that the vehicle combination has not only pleasant characteristics. Anticipatory driving is even more important than usual . The vehicle combination is longer and, in the case of a caravan, wider and higher than the solo car. The noise level is different.
Operations management
Operations management
Mobility - Commercial vehicles
When cornering, you need to take wider turns , always keeping a close eye on oncoming traffic. Overtaking requires more space than usual when pulling out and merging . Pay particular attention to the blind spot . When accelerating, the trailer reacts to the throttle input . Braking distances are longer . Here too, a calm approach is key when driving with a trailer . Hasty actions are counterproductive.
Going on holiday with a caravan? Then you should definitely plan plenty of breaks . Also, the average speed is significantly lower than with a single car, so families should expect a journey time that is 30 to 50 percent longer.
Careful route planning is also essential . Does the initially chosen route include extreme inclines and declines or very narrow roads ? Sometimes it's advisable to avoid such sections and accept the slightly longer route. Navigation systems can help with this. There are also mobile apps that not only take the lower driving speed into account when calculating the estimated arrival time , but also consider the dimensions of the vehicle and trailer . They recommend only suitable routes.
Reversing and maneuvering with a trailer is a real challenge for beginners . The rear of the trailer moves in the opposite direction to the steering of the towing vehicle when reversing . A practice session in an empty parking lot will help you gain initial experience. Modern vehicles have built-in maneuvering assistants that can be a great help. A spotter who also warns approaching traffic is essential. If you feel unsure, you can take a few extra driving lessons. Alternatively, it's advisable to complete a specialized driver safety training course , as these usually include maneuvering.
Regarding the legal aspects: In Germany, vehicle combinations (trailers) are limited to a maximum speed of 80 km/h outside built-up areas . This also applies to the Autobahn – unless the trailer is approved for 100 km/h . The slightly higher speed allows for overtaking trucks. Be careful at higher speeds, as the trailer can be sensitive to crosswinds . Different speed limits often apply abroad: It's best to check beforehand to avoid a fine putting a strain on your travel budget.
When driving, pay attention to special traffic signs. For example, the no-overtaking sign for vehicles towing trailers is indicated by a symbolic car with a trailer. Less common is the prohibition sign for long vehicles . This shows a truck and specifies the relevant length – this also applies to vehicles towing trailers. Other signs warn of narrow passages or low clearances . A quick glance at a cheat sheet on the dashboard, listing the length, width, height, and weight of your vehicle combination, will tell you whether it's possible to drive through a narrow passage.
Special regulations also apply to parking. For example: If a registered trailer is parked on the roadside without a towing vehicle , it may remain there for a maximum of two weeks . If it is coupled to a towing vehicle , there is no time limit . However, it must then be a parking space not exclusively designated for passenger cars, as a trailer combination is not permitted there. If a trailer weighs up to 2,8 tons , it may be parked on the edge of sidewalks if traffic signs permit it. The corresponding markings must not be crossed. If the trailer is heavier, it must be parked in a truck parking area .
Finally, regarding driver's licenses : Those who obtained their license before 1999 are in a good position . With this former Class 3 license , the driver is permitted to operate three-axle vehicle combinations with a total weight of a hefty 12 tons . The regulations are different for the Class B license , which allows the trailer to weigh a maximum of 750 kilograms . The Class B license can be extended to the B96 endorsement for heavier trailers without a test, usually via a one-day course. Whether with the B license alone or in combination with B96, the weight limit for the entire vehicle combination is 4,25 tons in both cases.
A simple calculation: If the towing vehicle weighs, for example, 2,2 tons, that leaves 2,05 tons for the caravan. Both figures are calculated when fully loaded and ready to drive. That should be sufficient for many situations. Alternatively, you can upgrade your driver's license to category BE , which allows the combined weight of the vehicle and caravan to be seven tons . Regarding motorhomes: With a category B license, the maximum weight is 3,5 tons . If it weighs up to 7,5 tons , a category C1 license is required. This license is valid for a limited time: After five years, a medical certificate of fitness and a current eye test are required for renewal.
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