S40 T5 Towing
 

Hey guys, looking to get a towbar fitted. what sort of rules are there for towing smallish trailers? im guessing I need to have trailer lights and plate? is there anything else im missing?

I will be towing on my 2009 S40 T5, im guessing this car will be fine to tow even though its not a diesel, but are there any other things I need to consider at all?

- Check your license entitlement if relevant (sticky at the top of this sub forum)

- Yes you need lights and number plate and large reflectors

- You need a fog light if trailer is wider than 1.3M

(easier just to buy a lighting board if the trailer doesn't have working lights)

- Trailer must have a secondary coupling - a brakeaway cable that operates the brakes if it is a braked trailer - or - a suitably strong secondary coupling (cable or chain) that will prevent the drawbar hitting the ground on an un-braked trailer.

- Trailers with a maximum weight of 750Kg or less do not need brakes

- Trailers weight more than 750Kg must have brakes operated by an overrun coupling

- If any trailer is fitted with brakes then they must be working and operate on all wheels regardless of the weight of the trailer

- Some speed limits are reduced - maximum 50 mph on single carriageway and 60 mph on dual carriageway and motorway

- Good advice is know your weights - i.e. maximum tow weight of car, maximum weight of trailer and approximate weight of your load. If you get stopped and questioned (most unlikely nowadays) and you clearly know what you are doing it might save a long drive to the weighbridge....

The problem you might have with your T5 is that if it is a small trailer - you might forget it's there...

And don't forget that you cannot tow a trailer in the outside lane of a 3 lane motorway.

thanks for that guys, did not know any of that.

defenitly food for though, and going to pop down to a garage this week to help me look at the mounting situation in the rear of the car to see if I can just bolt one on.