Safe driving with the overlength glider trailer: an expert’s insight
“Above the clouds, freedom must be boundless” – glider pilots are familiar with the uplifting feeling as they glide through the air. The view from a bird’s-eye perspective soon washes away any tension before take-off.
However, before the glider can defy gravity, thorough preparation is required. Transporting the glider with the trailer plays a significant role in this. It can turn into quite an adventure considering a 16-metre rig, comparable in length to an articulated lorry. All the more surprising, then, that while there are plenty of tips for the perfect gliding flight, there are few addressing “safe driving with the glider trailer”. What needs to be kept in mind when towing with the trailer? What aids can make transporting easier? How can road safety and comfort be improved?
Safe journey, perfect flight
Lukas Hilbers, instructor at the gliding club AKAFLIEG Braunschweig, has the answers. Whether you are heading to the airfield, a competition or a workshop, members clock up an average of 15,000 kilometres a year with the glider trailer.
As a basic rule, the first journeys with a glider trailer should always be accompanied by an experienced glider pilot. “The size of the trailer is a challenge that is often underestimated. Negotiating tight corners is a particular issue, as the rear of the trailer swings out very wide while the inside wheel tends to cut the corner. In addition, the lightweight but large structure is susceptible to crosswinds and is prone to swaying as a result. This is where the Anti-Snaking Coupling AKS 3004 (AL-KO VT stabiliser coupling) is helpful. Thanks to its four friction pads, it suppresses any snaking and pitching movements. In an emergency, the rig can be stabilised faster.”
Hilbers also recommends lateral trailer lighting so that other road users can better perceive the length of the rig. It is equally essential to ensure that suspension and damping, particularly on older trailers, remain in full working order.
Comfortable, fatigue-free driving
When it comes to the comfort of the glider trailer, Hilbers holds a clear view: the comfort of a good trailer is determined by its easily operated fittings and good handling. High inherent stability and minimal tendency to sway are key. This enables long journeys to be completed without fatigue.
In particular, in poor weather conditions, Hilbers advises against abrupt braking or entering corners at excessive speed, as this causes the trailer to overrun and skid. An effective aid that can reduce braking distance by up to five metres is the self-adjusting Premium Brake AAA (AL-KO Automatic Adjustment). Hilbers explains: “With this brake, you can enjoy even greater comfort when towing, as the smooth braking prevents the trailer from overrunning abruptly.”
In future, Hilbers would welcome a kind of “park distance control” that indicates obstacles near the trailer while reversing. “That would certainly be a significant gain in both comfort and safety.”
Thanks to safe journeys with the glider trailer, there is nothing to stand in the way of the perfect flight.
