Towing - do your research
Tuesday, November 6th, 2007When we’re in the market for a new vehicle it’s customary to take into account its looks, level of comfort and fuel economy, as well as other factors like safety and handling, before we even contemplate signing the dotted line.
But if you intend to use it to tow a caravan, boat, trailer etc., you must do your research. Otherwise you might find out on the wrong part of your holiday that your SUV can’t tow 3000 kilograms of caravan after all.
Before purchasing the vehicle you need to understand a few things:
- the legal requirements for towing;
- the manufacturer’s recommended towing specifications;
- the vehicle’s towbar specifications.
Did the dealer explain the towing capacity when the trailer is braked or unbraked?
While they may assure you the car is up to the task, you can’t take their word for granted. If you’re not provided with enough information, you might feel like they just want a sale – and you could be right.
We’d like to hear your towing experiences on the road and in the showroom.
For more information on towing, check out our Learning how to tow story.